"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

" If a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." —Galatians 6:3 [KJV] The leaven of Pharisaism, pride, self-righteousness, and self-sufficiency, is interwoven with our very nature. In the beginning that arch-deceiver, Satan, poisoned the minds of our first parents with that corrupt doctrine, "Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." This infection hath tainted the whole human race: naturally every man deceiveth himself: he thinks himself to be that which in reality he is not. Hence is rooted enmity to the salvation of Jesus and the grace of the gospel: here man is nothing; here the creature is annihilated.  As Paul saith of an "idol, it is nothing in the world:" so that idol, a man's self, is nothing, knows nothing, can do nothing in the great work of salvation. Fallen nature, with all its boasted goodness, affected piety, devout efforts, contributes nothing; for "all is of grace," rich, ...

Is There a Difference? by D.G. Miles McKee   There may well be many counted righteous before God who are far from having a crystal-clear understanding of the great and excellent doctrine of justification by grace through faith.  Some people get very confused about Justification.  However, it is not by believing various doctrinal truths that we are saved.  Doctrine, although necessary and vital for growth in the Christian life, does not bring salvation.  Salvation comes by believing in and on the Lord Jesus.   It is by trusting Jesus that a sinner is saved.   Take, the simple example of Justification and Pardon.  A believer may confuse these terms and yet be saved. Of course, there are some who say that pardon, and justification, mean one and the same thing, and that these terms may be used as interchangeable expressions.  But the truth is, pardon and justicication convey entirely different meanings. Let’s look at this for a ...