Salvation without the Sermon on the Mount lifestyle?

[1689dave]

Many Christians, their churches, and especially their church history, centered on killing Christians, are as far away from the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as you can get. Are they saved?

This is an important question because Matthew calls the Sermon on the Mount the doctrine of Christ (Matthew 7:28). And John says any who do not have the doctrine of Christ do not have God (2 John 9–11). KJV Translation

[Josh]

Many Christians, their churches, and especially their church history, centered on killing Christians, are as far away from the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as you can get. Are they saved?

This is an important question because Matthew calls the Sermon on the Mount the doctrine of Christ (Matthew 7:28). And John says any who do not have the doctrine of Christ do not have God (2 John 9–11). KJV Translation

That’s a good question.

I have decided that a Christianity centred around “fire insurance” leads one far away from Christ. Instead of worrying about doing the bare minimum to be saved, I would rather try to follow Jesus as much as possible.

I then trust Jesus to save me, knowing my own works and walk will not be sufficient. I still want to try my best.

[Bootstrap]

How would you summarize the Sermon on the Mount lifestyle, Dave? I agree that this is the starting point for Christianity.

[1689dave]

Here's my experience in living the Sermon.

Shortly after my salvation experience, I registered as a Conscientious Objector in obedience to the Sermon on the Mount. Facing 5 years in prison weighed heavily on me but the Lord provided a 1-O civilian service classification. After two years of alternative service, I returned to my old career as a musician but knew I was now out of place in the rock culture as a Christian.

Not wanting to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, I gave up my career and began living the sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:24-34). Seeking first the kingdom of God as a career in exchange for basic needs.

To make a long story short, I began working unskilled labor part-time as unto the Lord. And retired early, many years later out of my own pocket, never missing a day's work or needing public assistance. Even thru two major recessions and job closings. The Lord is faithful.

This also brought periods of persecution from being black-balled in my family and the community. I overcame these hindrances in Christ's manner of doing things. One time as a factory manager, I held out for a fair amount of pay for a fair amount of work from the women in the factory. The owners came through but it cost me my job. But then God provided a far better job and benefits I would have missed by not taking a stand. Some other adventures maybe later.

[barnhart]

Thanks for sharing Dave, I would like to hear more.

[ohio jones]

Many Christians, their churches, and especially their church history, centered on killing Christians, are as far away from the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as you can get. Are they saved?

I would say that this is not a path that leads to salvation. It may depend a bit on what you mean by "are they saved?" but that is probably a question for another thread.

[Swiss Bro]

First I would like to congratulate Dave for his dedication and obedience to the way taught by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I believe that we are saved by grace alone, not by works. However, if we are truly saved (as opposed to a shallow „tent festival conversion“) God will change our life and we will bring fruit in the form of good works so that our new persona is visible to the outside world as a testimony. We will seek to understand what the Lord wants us to do and consult the scriptures where we will find many instructions, amongst others (but pretty prominently) the sermon of the mount. We then will try, with His help, to implement those directions. Without such „tangible“ effects, nobody will be able to distinguish us from the unsaved and if we never produce the fruit of the spirit, this is a strong indication that we are not saved at all, because we lack the necessary repentance and full submission to the Lord.

Where does that leave us on Dave‘s question? Well, if someone is truly saved but mislead by false doctrine to believe that serving in the army is not wrong, this does not mean he is not saved or will lose salvation. However, his serving in the army will most likely be considered dead works by God and not lead to a reward at the time this person appears before the throne of judgment (this is not the Great White Throne). If this person, on the other hand, lives a fully worldly life and sins continuously, he was never saved in the first place despite outwardly shallow confessions.

[barnhart]

I think part of the cloudiness of this issue is multiple understandings of "salvation" by which most modern Christians mean going to heaven when you die. Jesus' teaching around this was much fuller and encompassed all of life, not just the part after death. Maybe a better question would be "Since the Messiah has come, am I living in his kingdom?"

[Bootstrap]

Here's my experience in living the Sermon.

Reading this, I think I notice these themes in your seeking first the kingdom of God according to the Sermon on the Mount:

1. Refusing to take part in warfare.
2. Seeking first the Kingdom of God and trusting God to meet your basic needs.
3. Doing what is right even when the world does not grasp what you are doing.
4. A willingness to sacrifice things close to your identity and your heart for the sake of your identity as a Christian. (I'm thinking of rock music here.)
5. A willingness to face persecution from the world.

I think these themes are all solidly based on the Sermon on the Mount. I appreciate your testimony here.

[Josh]

I think part of the cloudiness of this issue is multiple understandings of "salvation" by which most modern Christians mean going to heaven when you die. Jesus' teaching around this was much fuller and encompassed all of life, not just the part after death. Maybe a better question would be "Since the Messiah has come, am I living in his kingdom?"

That’s a good question. When I was born again, I didn’t even believe in hell, so I was not seeking “fire insurance”. But I did know I was lost and needed to be saved from something.