June 17, 2025
Ken F. Miller
This blog is the most critical writing that you will ever read (except for the Bible) in your life because Salvation is a prerequisite to Perfection. Without perfection there is no Salvation and visa-versa.
According to the Bible, God’s Plan of Salvation is not a “one step” action on His level or on Mankind’s level. That is to say no one (1) item will save us, like belief only, confession only, baptism only, works only, grace only, etc. instead it takes a combination of actions both on man’s side and on God’s side.
Let’s look at it from this perspective: we have a lock on a door and behind this door is Jesus knocking (Rev. 3:20-21) offering us eternal life with Him if we would just unlock the lock and open the door to let Him into our life (Note: He has even given us the ‘instruction book” (Bible) of how we can do this). Yes, there is a catch to this we must use the correct key or combination of numbers to open the lock. Also note, ONLY Jesus has the correct combination or key not mankind, which is included in the Bible. (John 14:6 (KJV) 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)
Key – a key has teeth of different sizes and heights that match exactly how the lock is set, if just one size or height is not correct the lock WILL NOT open. Right now, the key you have is a “blank key” meaning there are no teeth cut into it to open the lock and only Jesus can cut the teeth.
Combination – likewise the combination lock has a certain series of numbers and directions that must be used to open the lock. Miss one number or direction the lock WILL NOT open.
Let’s look at this key (or combination) as set by Jesus so we can obtain Eternal Salvation. We must accept the fact that what God has put in His Word, concerning salvation, is “locked in stone” and cannot be changed, even by Him.
HUMANS through – a lifelong commitment of Believing Faith and being Baptized into Jesus.
JESUS through – the forgiveness of our sins, giving us the Holy Spirit to live in us and commanding us to produce good fruits, before our physical death.
GOD through – Justification, Regeneration, Conversion, Sonship, Sanctification and Glorification, at our Baptism into Jesus.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:19-20 (KJV)
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:12-19 (KJV)
The whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation is about one thing; How mankind separated himself from God and since God Loved us so much (John 3:16), He gave His only Son to pay for that sin if we would only repent and turn to His saving grace.
Unfortunately, in today’s “religious” world very few people understand what all is involved in the Salvation process. All they basically have been taught is believe and be “baptized”. There is a lot more to salvation than this. (Refer to the sections on “The Doctrine of Christ” and “Chapter 7-God’s Plan of Salvation” in my book.) Salvation is accomplished through the actions of three (3) people:
ACTION #1 Man’s Actions
ACTION REQUIRED OUR PART
Hear the Word of God Acts 28:23-29
Accept fact that I am a sinner Romans 3:23
Confess my sins to Jesus 1 John 1:9
Repent / Turn away from my Sins Acts 2:38
Confess publicly that Jesus is Lord Romans 10:9
Believe that Jesus died for our sins with His blood 1 Cor. 15:3-4
We must believe and be baptized into Christ to receive Salvation_ Mark 16:16
ACTION #2 JESUS’ PART (actual salvation granted)
Salvation________________Romans 6:1 – 6, 1 Cor. 12:13, Mark 16:14 – 16
ACTION #3 GOD’s PART (Approves Salvation at Jesus’ request)
Justification Romans 4:24 – 25
Regeneration _______________ Titus 3:5 – 7
Conversion _____________ _ Matthew 18:2 – 4
Sonship ____________ _ 1 John 3:1
Sanctification _____________ _Jude 1:1 – 2
Glorification ____________ ______ Romans 8:29 – 30
In this blog I will show that there is a process we must follow to have Salvation at our physical death. These are …
- Total Commitment
Luke 11:23 (KJV)
He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
- Obeying from the Heart
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:14-23 (KJV)
- Eternal Life (Salvation) is only in Jesus
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV)
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:21-24 (KJV)
That being justified by his grace, we must be careful to maintain good works.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Titus 3:4-8 (KJV)
Look very closely at all these scriptures, especially regarding belief and put a Big Picture together, what do you see? Unfortunately, there are many denominations today that have taken these very scriptures and “cherry picked” certain words and phrases to build their denominational beliefs and doctrines on. They have left out key words and phrases that totally explain the reasoning of the scripture.
We must believe and confess
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10: 7-11 (KJV)
Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10 (KJV
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16 (KJV)
For by grace are ye saved through faith.
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:1-10 (KJV)
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:37-38 (KJV)
Note: the “gift” here is the promise that the Holy Spirit/Ghost will live inside of us. What is this gift? See the article titled “What do I do with the Gift of the Holy Spirit?”
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:21-29 (KJV)
The Big Picture of Salvation
To have the ability to see the “Big Picture” a person must clear their mind of all previous indoctrination and look at all the new facts as they are and put those facts into the proper order.
Jim Wallis (REDISCOVERING VALUES, On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street, a Moral Compass for the New Economy) said this.
“When you start with the wrong question, no matter how good an answer you get, it won’t matter much.
The correct question is simple “What is Believing Faith? That leads to Salvation.” Let’s look at ALL these scriptures and put a “Big Picture” together.
Salvation is only through Jesus
Revelation 3:19-20
John 14:6
Total Commitment
Luke 11:23
Obeying from the Heart
Romans 6:14-23
Eternal Life (Salvation) is only in Jesus
Ephesians 4:21-24
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life and be careful to maintain good works
Titus 3:4-8
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Romans 10: 7-11
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:5-10
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.
Mark 16:15-16
For by grace are ye saved through faith
Ephesians 2:1-10
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:37-38
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:21-29
Allow me to reiterate this fact, the above scriptures are from God NOT me or from any man-made creed or man-made doctrine. They are the “key/combination” to eternal salvation. We cannot change them, add to or take away from them!
This is God’s Plan of Salvation! If we leave out, add to or twist any meaning we will not have Salvation.
When we came up out of the water at our baptism we came up “perfect in Christ” because all our past sins had been washed away. From this point until our last breath on this earth we are expected to maintain this perfection and produce good fruits. Here is a very critical note. We will continue to sin! Please read the article “Building a Strong Christian Character”, also read the article on “Can we Lose our Salvation?”
This is where Indoctrination comes into play. Our biggest and worst problem is our ancestors, how they interpreted the Bible into what they wanted it to say which was passed on to their children and everyone around them. As time went on their interpretation got changed and twisted, which was passed down again. This process has continued for thousands of years and has now bloomed into thousands of denominations, beliefs and worst, twisted false Bibles that do not even resemble the original Bibles. This is where Jim Wallis’ statement comes into play.
“We need to find where we made our wrong turns and how we got off track; then we need face the truth of what brought on this crisis—even if that truth is uncomfortable and, especially, if some of those answers can be found in the mirror…”
To help understand better what has been written up to this point, look at this chart and put a “big picture” together in your mind and heart so you will be able to fully understand what God’s plan of salvation is.
ACTION #3
GOD’s PART (Approves Salvation at Jesus’ request)
Justification Romans 4:24 – 25
Regeneration Titus 3:5 – 7
Conversion Matthew 18:2 – 4
Sonship 1 John 3:1
Sanctification Jude 1:1 – 2
Glorification Romans 8:29 – 30
GIVEN THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
GIVEN COMMAND TO TEACH THE
GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO THE WORLD,
AND DEVELOP A CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
ACTION #2
JESUS GIVES US SALVATION
Galatians 4:6-7 • John 15:5,8
Galatians 3:21-29
BEING SAVED = PERFECTION IN JESUS
ACTION #1
MAN’S PART
Acts 28:23-29, Romans 3:23,
1 Cor 15:3-4, Romans 6:14-23,
Acts 2:38, 1 John 1:9
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
“Enter ye in at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
