Let us remind the reader at this point that no individual can come to Christ unless the Father draws him or her. We do not choose Christ, He chooses us. There is a sovereign aspect of the Divine salvation. There is more to it than human decision making. Before we can "make a decision for Christ" (an unscriptural expression) Christ must make a decision for us. "You have not chosen Me but I have chosen you."

But we said a person can gain eternal life by doing good. Consider the sheep nations of the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew. They did not receive Christ. Rather they assisted the brothers of Christ while they were in distress. Their reward for assisting the persecuted brothers of Christ was eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

This means God then brought them to Christ, for there is no eternal life apart from the Tree of Life.

And so Paul's words stand for eternity. God gives eternal life to those who persist in doing good. The New Testament writings are perfect, having been inspired by the Holy Spirit. When they conflict with our traditions then we must change our traditions if we wish to prosper. Do you believe this?

Second Corinthians 6:16-18

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."  "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."  "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (II Corinthians 6:16-18—NIV)

Now consider, the above passage was written to the Christian people of Corinth. There is no denying this.

Paul did not tell them they were on their way to Heaven because they had "made a decision for Christ." Paul did not exhort them to "go out and save souls." Paul did not invite them to rejoice because at any moment they would be raptured into Heaven and thus escape their troubles.

Paul said, based on the promise of God, "Come out from the sinful ways of the world. Be a separate holy people as becomes saints. Do not touch what is unclean.

"If you will do these things God will receive you. God will be a Father to you. You will be the sons and daughters of God."

If you will do these things!

According to our traditions of today Paul should have been stressing to the Corinthians that they were saved by grace and not by keeping the commandments of God, certainly not commandments obviously taken from the Old Testament. They should go out and tell other people that they do not have to keep God's commandments (today's version of the Great Commission) because salvation is "by grace." Paul should have emphasized and reemphasized the any-moment pre-tribulation "rapture" so the saints would have something joyful to look forward to.

Instead Paul told them (the saints of Corinth) things they must do if they expect God to receive them.

To be continued.