The Gift Of The Knowledge Of The Truth

This is the first step to salvation - faith not on our works.

Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Why a gift? Because were dead in sin and previously here are some of us.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

But after receiving the knowledge of the truth, after we are washed (baptized), sanctified and justified, shall we sin willfully? Is it true that once saved always saved?

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

For when sinning willfully, we only received the grace of God in vain.

2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

As a man of God, then, we are expected to be perfect unto all good works.

3 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Don't you know that faith without works is dead?

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Let us work out for our salvation, by doing good works, even when no one can see.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

And we shall reap our rewards when the time of the end comes.

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Oh wait! The once saved always saved may be true when after receiving the gift of God today then death came after. How lucky is he/she will be.