Seek Truth

 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips ~ Colossians 3:8 ~

If salvation is not based on my good deeds but rather a gift from God and my sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ, then why does it matter if I get angry at people, curse, or say negative things? Well, it's kind of like this...When salvation truly occurs Jesus takes up residence within us through the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul said "It is no longer I that lives but Christ in me" The Bible also tells us the Holy Spirit is in contrast to the sinful nature. So it's not so much that I can't do these things you see, but rather if Christ is truly in me, then I have died to my selfish evil ways and no longer have a desire to sin.  Evidence of real salvation is that Christ now lives in you and leads you by the Holy Spirit, Jesus being without sin would never act and speak in a sinful way. The author of this verse is saying "If you have received Jesus you must rid yourself of these things or you might be decieved and not saved at all, if Christ is really in your heart you cannot be led by the Spirit and live a life of sin at the same time" Certainly we will all still make mistakes and sin, but living a lifestyle of sin and thinking it's Ok or not feeling guilty about it is cause for great concern and a very serious examining of oneself.  Seek Truth and live!