No, don't wait until you've overcome bad habits—come to Christ as a sinner and believe the gospel.
Les Feldick teaches that trying to clean up your life before salvation is impossible and inverts the biblical order. The first step of faith is agreeing with God that you are a sinner—which is true of everyone, regardless of behavior—then trusting Christ as Savior. Salvation is an event, and afterward God works in your life as you grow as a new believer.
Romans 3:23 — Shows that everyone is a sinner regardless of their habits, so no one can clean up enough to qualify for salvation.
Romans 4:5 — States that God justifies the ungodly, not those who first make themselves righteous by their own efforts.
The Bible declares that all people have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). This is not merely about outward behavior or lifestyle; every person born into the human race is a sinner because of Adam (Romans 5:12, implied in the teaching). Therefore, no one can approach God on the basis of having cleaned up their life. Romans 4:5 describes God as the One "who justifieth the ungodly." He saves people not because they have worked to become good, but because they believe on Him. The good news is that salvation is offered to sinners, not to those who have first discarded their bad habits.
Les Feldick says people often put off salvation until they can get rid of a bad habit or "clean up their act," but that is impossible. He insists that God saves us right where we are, and then He takes care of the things that need to be taken care of (Clip 3). The starting point is recognizing that we are sinners—not because of our behavior, but because we are children of Adam (Clip 0). Les teaches that the first step of faith is believing what God says about us: that we are sinners (Clips 1, 4, 6). Salvation is an event, and the Christian life is a process of growth, like a newborn baby needing nourishment and care (Clips 1, 2, 7).
No. Les Feldick addresses the mindset of "when I can get rid of this awful habit, when I can get rid of the booze, then I'll be ready to get saved." He says there isn't a man on earth who can do that—it's impossible. God saves you right where you are, and then He takes care of the things that have to be taken care of.
Because the problem is not merely your habits or actions—it's your identity as a child of Adam. Les explains that we are not sinners because we broke God's law; we break His law because we are sinners, and that began with Adam. So no amount of behavior change can fix the underlying condition. Everyone has sinned and come short of the glory of God.
The first step is to believe what God says about you: that you are a sinner. Les emphasizes this in Romans 3:23 and calls it the very first step of faith on the road to salvation. You must realize you need a physician—that you are sick—before you can be saved. Those who think they are good enough for heaven will never be saved.
Salvation is an event, not a process. Once you believe the gospel, you become a child of God. The Christian life, however, is a process—sanctification and growth. You are not a mature Christian overnight; you come into the Christian life as a babe in Christ, like an infant that needs tender care, nourishment, and protection. God changes your outlook and desires, but that happens over time.
We're Sinners Because of Adam, Not Bad Habits
Les shows that people are not sinners because of their lifestyle or actions but because every child of Adam is declared a sinner by God.
First Step: Believe God Says You're a Sinner
Les teaches that the first step in the plan of salvation is believing God's verdict that you have sinned, regardless of how good you are, and that salvation is an event while the Christian life is a process.
New Believers Are Spiritual Infants
After belief, God changes your desires, but you don't become a mature Christian overnight—you begin as a babe in Christ needing nourishment and protection.
Don't Wait to Clean Up Your Act
Les directly addresses the excuse 'when I get rid of this bad habit, then I'll get saved,' saying it's impossible and that God saves you right where you are.
The Holy Spirit Convicts Us of Sin First
Les explains that the Holy Spirit's first work is making us aware that we are sinners, using Romans 3:23 as the first step of faith.
Noah’s Ark & Your Salvation: A Deep Bible Study on Eternal Security
But I'm not talking about people who have gone through maybe a set system whereby they become a church member, and automatically by rote repetition of things, well, now you're a Christian. No, I don't buy that. I don't buy people just simply walking the aisle and following whatever procedure may be given to them, and they also do it by rote description. No, that's not salvation.
Start with Romans 3:23
Les tells believers to start with Romans 3:23 when sharing salvation—people must realize they are sinners, even if they are 'good' by human standards.
Sick People Need a Physician
Les uses Jesus' illustration that well people don't need a physician, but the sick do—so those who think they are good enough won't be saved; you must recognize your need.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This verse is the foundational reality that every person—regardless of habits—is a sinner and needs salvation.
Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Shows that salvation is for those who don't work to become righteous, but simply believe on God who justifies the ungodly.
No. Les Feldick says people often think, 'When I can get rid of the booze, then I'll get saved,' but that is impossible. God saves you right where you are, and then He takes care of the things that need to be taken care of.
Because the Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We are sinners by nature due to Adam, not just because of bad habits. God justifies the ungodly, so you don't clean up to get saved—you get saved, and then He cleans you up.
The first step is believing what God says about you—that you are a sinner. Then you believe on Him who justifies the ungodly. Salvation is an event, not a process of fixing yourself first. After believing, you grow as a new believer.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "Justified by Faith" Really Mean? Romans 5