Not By Works
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If she did, She would not be saying we maintain salvation by works, She would not be talking about works at all..
It is like me being in a position where there is absolutely nothing I can do to save myself, saying I have faith that this person can rescue me, Yet when he comes to save me, I do not allow him to save me, because I continue to try to work to save myself.
Did I really have faith in that person? I may BELIEVE he can save me, but I did not have faith in him at all, otherwise, I would have let him do what he needed to do.
It is like me being in a position where there is absolutely nothing I can do to save myself, saying I have faith that this person can rescue me, Yet when he comes to save me, I do not allow him to save me, because I continue to try to work to save myself.
Did I really have faith in that person? I may BELIEVE he can save me, but I did not have faith in him at all, otherwise, I would have let him do what he needed to do.
Many times Jesus performed, signs, wonders, and miracles but most always He said, go and do not tell. Here is an example where He told the man to tell what He had done - but notice it is still about Jesus and what He has done in the man's life. "The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him." Luke8:38,39.
I would much rather a Christian's testimony be filled with what He has done.
I would much rather a Christian's testimony be filled with what He has done.
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What is a good work?
Is it not either:
1) Loving one another
2) Loving God
From a Scriptural standpoint what empowers us to love Him and one another?
His love for us, His forgiveness for us, and His Spirit in us.
He is the effect we are the result.
So, then why are we sitting here focusing on works?
Galatians 3:3 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
Please note Paul's focus is on RECEIVING the SPIRIT. Not even simply, "getting saved". That's the issue I see here if we don't understand the power of what Christ did fully, completely, and with finality. We are probably not actually doing any good works we are probably performing dead works. It is by entering through faith, that we enter into rest, and this is what pleases God.
His Work pleases Him. Us abiding in His work pleases Him. Focusing on Him pleases Him. Believing He is good pleases Him.
The very fact these appearing to be "works focused" Scriptures exist in the New Testament shows us that true Christians do struggle, but the focus isn't that you need to work, but the focus is that you need to ensure you have faith.
In essence:
Take your focus off earthly things and put it on Heavenly things.
Is it not either:
1) Loving one another
2) Loving God
From a Scriptural standpoint what empowers us to love Him and one another?
His love for us, His forgiveness for us, and His Spirit in us.
He is the effect we are the result.
So, then why are we sitting here focusing on works?
Galatians 3:3 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
Please note Paul's focus is on RECEIVING the SPIRIT. Not even simply, "getting saved". That's the issue I see here if we don't understand the power of what Christ did fully, completely, and with finality. We are probably not actually doing any good works we are probably performing dead works. It is by entering through faith, that we enter into rest, and this is what pleases God.
His Work pleases Him. Us abiding in His work pleases Him. Focusing on Him pleases Him. Believing He is good pleases Him.
The very fact these appearing to be "works focused" Scriptures exist in the New Testament shows us that true Christians do struggle, but the focus isn't that you need to work, but the focus is that you need to ensure you have faith.
In essence:
Take your focus off earthly things and put it on Heavenly things.
"Morning Thoughts"
Written by: Octavius Winslow
The immutability of God forms a stable foundation Written by: Octavius Winslow
of comfort for the believing soul. Mutability marks
everything outside of God. Look . . .
into the church,
into the world,
into our families,
into ourselves,
what innumerable changes do we see on every hand!
A week, one short day, what alterations does it
produce! Yet, in the midst of it all, to repose calmly
on the unchangeableness, the faithfulness of God.
To know that no alterations of time, no earthly changes,
affect His faithfulness to His people. And more than this;
no changes in them, no unfaithfulness of theirs, causes
the slightest change in God. Once a Father, always a
Father; once a Friend, always a Friend.
His providences may change, His heart cannot.
He is a God of unchangeable love. Peace then, tried
believer! Are you passing now through the deep waters?
Who kept you from sinking when wading through the last?
Who brought you through the last fire?
Who supported you under the last cross?
Who delivered you out of the last temptation?
Was it not God, your faithful, unchangeable God?
This God, then, is your God now, and your God forever
and ever! And He will be your guide even unto death!
"His providence's may change, His heart cannot"
Written by: Octavius Winslow
Written by: Octavius Winslow
I LOVE to talk about the good works He gives us to do! And yet I believe I am saved through faith by grace. And yet I believe one is in danger of being cut off if they do not remain in trust.
We all just saw a very good work in one of our sisters. Didn't we all cheer for her when she walked in the truth?
Didn't we all admire her and want to be like her for that one shining moment of victory over the self-righteous stinking flesh we all hate in ourselves?
I wanted to say: can you maintain it? Can you keep your eyes wide open and not blink at the bright light? Can you not shrink from it and just stay there in your poverty to be made strong? And I also wanted to say, man, that humility, that little display of humility (because humility is admitting the truth about ourselves), can you figure out a way to bottle it because each and every one of us wants it and you could make a fortune selling humility! (just kidding).
We all just saw a very good work in one of our sisters. Didn't we all cheer for her when she walked in the truth?
Didn't we all admire her and want to be like her for that one shining moment of victory over the self-righteous stinking flesh we all hate in ourselves?I wanted to say: can you maintain it? Can you keep your eyes wide open and not blink at the bright light? Can you not shrink from it and just stay there in your poverty to be made strong? And I also wanted to say, man, that humility, that little display of humility (because humility is admitting the truth about ourselves), can you figure out a way to bottle it because each and every one of us wants it and you could make a fortune selling humility! (just kidding).
You aren't being fair to her, EG.
She further expounded on what her intent was when she said "works keep us saved." You refuse to see it or give her a chance to further explain herself? She expounded on what had caused such a tizzy by saying: Works are required for salvation IN THE SENSE THAT if we are abiding/trusting, we WILL have good works.And when I pointed this out to you, your reply was to say that she could say it till she was blue in the face but that it isn't what she really believes. So aren't you guilty here of the same accusations that rile you up when you say you keep being told what you believe DESPITE answering many times that you do NOT believe what it is being said you believe? Aren't you doing the same thing to her that gets you yourself fumed up?
She further expounded on what her intent was when she said "works keep us saved." You refuse to see it or give her a chance to further explain herself? She expounded on what had caused such a tizzy by saying: Works are required for salvation IN THE SENSE THAT if we are abiding/trusting, we WILL have good works.And when I pointed this out to you, your reply was to say that she could say it till she was blue in the face but that it isn't what she really believes. So aren't you guilty here of the same accusations that rile you up when you say you keep being told what you believe DESPITE answering many times that you do NOT believe what it is being said you believe? Aren't you doing the same thing to her that gets you yourself fumed up?
Flowers can not bloom without soil they go hand in hand. we can not grow without faith.. no faith no growth.. fact..
faith can not bloom without growth..... fact.. (growth is like savings the more you invest the more intrest comes your way...
Growth has to be grown from faith... and the flower will not grow unless it is fed ...fact...
The soil is rich in irons and minerals it is abundant to make the flower grow only some flowers wither away coz what they get fed is rubbish..... fact...
the succesfull flower bloomer blooms quicker than others sometimes,,, fact..
The flower will not produce more fruits unless it is pruned of all its badness fact......
The believer will not rid its badness unless THEY FOLLOW there pruner fact..................
The believer has enough abundance in him from there vine keeper,,, which is Gods enabling grace to follow....Our fathers grace is suffient enough for anyone and is full of enabling grace.........fact.......
Fact Gods recogises we can be quite stupid at times or gulliable........
Fact Gods comes and talks to us and asks us why...... Adam and eves first sin whilst in the spirit was this outcome ....fact....
we then choose the right path to seek forgivness or we tell him to take a hike.........fact............
we either remain clothed or unclothed fact...........................
faith can not bloom without growth..... fact.. (growth is like savings the more you invest the more intrest comes your way...
Growth has to be grown from faith... and the flower will not grow unless it is fed ...fact...
The soil is rich in irons and minerals it is abundant to make the flower grow only some flowers wither away coz what they get fed is rubbish..... fact...
the succesfull flower bloomer blooms quicker than others sometimes,,, fact..
The flower will not produce more fruits unless it is pruned of all its badness fact......
The believer will not rid its badness unless THEY FOLLOW there pruner fact..................
The believer has enough abundance in him from there vine keeper,,, which is Gods enabling grace to follow....Our fathers grace is suffient enough for anyone and is full of enabling grace.........fact.......
Fact Gods recogises we can be quite stupid at times or gulliable........
Fact Gods comes and talks to us and asks us why...... Adam and eves first sin whilst in the spirit was this outcome ....fact....
we then choose the right path to seek forgivness or we tell him to take a hike.........fact............
we either remain clothed or unclothed fact...........................
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This doesn't make sense to me. My mind can't grasp it. I mean, yes, I understand the thief on the cross died immediately after believing in our Lord. But had he survived and then not become anything even remotely like our Lord, he would not be continuing in that trust. Because if we abide, we will be fruitful. That's a promise. If we continue in trust we will be fruitful. We will bear fruit and become more and more fruitful, more and more like our Lord - gentle, peaceful and peaceloving, more humble, patient, etc. It's a PROMISE from Him that if we abide we will bear much fruit. I don't understand why any argument is necessary over this promise...it sounds to me like you are saying, nope, if we continue in trust/abide we may or may not bear any fruit and it seems to be arguing against the promise He made. I'm not saying this is what is in your head, I'm saying what I think I'm hearing by what you say.