Calling Jesus "Lord,' without choosing to obey Him with one's life, is useless and is not able to save anyone.

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May 31, 2020
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#81
People who say "the sinner's prayer" of repentance - but make no effort to put it to practice in their lives, are only deceiving themselves! They can't get to heaven that way! People who are deceived into thinking that can get them to heaven, are those who think they can get that wonderful gift of salvation completely for free. Have you ever noticed how quick people are to accept a free gift that they really want? There are some things that everyone wants. And salvation is one of those things. They may not all know about Jesus and the salvation that comes through Him. But no one wants to end up in a place like hell! So in effect, they do all want salvation. But only those who are willing to "pay"(accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life) the hugely reduced "cost" (the cost of having perfect righteousness and having never sinned) they must "pay" "(accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life) can be saved.
Luke 14:27-28
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
KJV

Matt 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
KJV
You have a lot of hate in your heart.
 

ForestGreenCook

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Jul 8, 2018
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#83
Romans
16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Matthew
7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
So then, I am to assume that you are able, and willing , to select who is, and who is not going to heaven, or hell?
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
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#84
Dear Jesus.
First off I want to thank you for loving me even though I did not know you at the time.
After the many yrs you sent people my way to tell me of your love and sacrifice I finally understand.
You are the way, the truth, and life I so desperately need.
I've read and try to follow your commandments but find myself failing in so many ways. My mind and heart seem to be at odds and I am fearful that I will fail.
I find myself doing things I should not be doing and not doing the things I should. Could you please help me with this dilemma.
Jesus I know you can do anything. For you are the God of the impossible.
So if by chance I should pass from this life before I can get it all together to be holy as the father is would you do me a favor and let him know I tried my best. That I listened and heard you his son and tried to obey. That I sought after the father's righteousness and not my own. That I gave as much as I could.
If by chance Jesus that I should come up short to stand righteous before the father could I use yours? Would you please defend me.
Jesus to tell you the truth you are my only hope. I've looked around and down here we are all about the same and I'm afraid we're not all going to make it..
Please consider my request
Awaiting a hopeful reply
Sinner



Dear sinner,
Have heard your request and without hesitation I have already done what you have asked.
In fact I knew that all would fall short so all that was given to me is now yours.
For I did not come for myself but for you all.

Shalom
Do you believe If you fail to forgive other Jesus Will hear your request to forgive you?
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
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#85
Salvation comes by the Blood of Jesus and It alone. There is no other way and no other name.

Acts
4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Condemned, in John 3:18, does not, necessarily, mean condemned to hell, according to Strong's concordance.
 

ForestGreenCook

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Jul 8, 2018
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#86
Do you say your NOT a calvinist ?
1¶But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them , and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Jesus reconciled the world . why do I say that ? because that's what the bible actually says . 2cor 5.19 . All sins dealt with at the cross. All your doing is changing what Jesus did for the world and reducing it to the ' elect' . The inner few , the chosen, the awakened ones . The ones who have the knowledge , the inner secret knowledge only known to the initiated. How you cannot see that its gnosctism beats me ?
The harmony of the scriptures does it for me, how about you?
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
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#87
yes Repentance is required . Repentance is something that begins inside a heart because you have sorrow for your sins . The first step for every Christian is to acknowledge whatever things we know we are doing that are wrong, to confess to God and not hide our sins .

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:8-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Truthfully brother repentance comes when we hear what Jesus is saying and then look at how we live

Forgiveness is maintained like this

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:

that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We are Christians we don’t follow
Moses , we have the word of Christ to live by we have to look at what he taught
Moses don't have his own teaching, Moses only teach what God say, but yea we not do animal sacrifice anymore we do what NT teach

This is one of the NT teaching from Jesus.
Mat 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

And this is more scary to me

1 John 3:9

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

Is that mean born again Christian so perfect to the point can not sin?

I still sin.
But I believe as long as I repent daily He Will,forgive my sin



I don't believe murder withou repent, envy without repen, not forgive other without repent go to heaven

1 cor 6:9-10

9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

I know some people change the word not inherit the kingdom of God

Into

Still inherit but reduce your reward.

As a siner I like It, but I don't think God let me change His rule
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
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#88
I think Forest's point is that all of us subscribed to some form of limited atonement.

For the rest of us, the atonement of Christ's finished work is limited to those who choose to accept that gift.
Its not limited in any
The harmony of the scriptures does it for me, how about you?
I prefer the inductive method.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
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#89
Condemned, in John 3:18, does not, necessarily, mean condemned to hell, according to Strong's concordance.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

So you believe you can go to heaven without believe in Jesus?

Is condemned in this verse mean go to heaven?
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
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#90
The Lord then punished David for numbering Israel after David said he felt guilty for doing so.
2 Samuel 24 The Lord’s anger again raged against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go count Israel and Judah.” [a]
FOOTNOTE
[a] sn
The parallel text in 1 Chr 21:1 says, “An adversary opposed Israel, inciting David to count how many warriors Israel had.” The Samuel version gives an underlying theological perspective, while the Chronicler simply describes what happened from a human perspective. The adversary in 1 Chr 21:1 is likely a human enemy, probably a nearby nation whose hostility against Israel pressured David into numbering the people so he could assess his military strength. See the note at 1 Chr 21:1.


Then with respect to that we have this passage and seen in the 2 Samuel footnote.
1 Chronicles 21:1 An adversary[a] opposed[b] Israel, inciting David to count how many warriors Israel had.[c]
Footnote: [a] 1 Chronicles 21:1 tn Or “Satan.” ....

Speaking of harmonizing scripture how does one harmonize two different accounts of David's being told to count Israel. First God, then Satan? The 2 Samuel 24 [a] footnote says the chronicler is simply telling what happened from a human perspective. And then says the adversary in 1 Chronicles account could be a mortal person. How does that apply when 2nd Samuel precedes Chronicles 1?And also has Samuel's account as that of God asking David to number Israel. (take a census) God then levy's David's choice of punishment for having done that what we're told God asked him to do, number Israel, in the first verses.
How then is it a human who may be the one referred to in 1 Chronicles of this account if the 2nd Samuel has it as God?

Exodus 30:11The Ransom Money
[t] The Lord spoke to Moses,[u] 12 “When you take a census[v] of the Israelites according to their number,[w] then each man is to pay a ransom[x] for his life to the Lord when you number them,[y] so that there will be no plague among them when you number them. 13 Everyone who crosses over to those who are numbered[z] is to pay this: a half shekel[aa] according to the shekel of the sanctuary[ab] (a shekel weighs twenty gerahs). The half shekel is to be an offering[ac] to the Lord. 14 Everyone who crosses over to those numbered, from twenty years old and up, is to pay an offering to the Lord. 15 The rich are not to pay more and the poor are not to pay less than the half shekel when giving[ad] the offering of the Lord, to make atonement[ae] for your lives. 16 You are to receive the atonement money[af] from the Israelites and give it for the service[ag] of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial[ah] for the Israelites before the Lord, to make atonement[ai] for your lives.”
It was for the same purpose that he raised up Pharoah, to show his power.
 

ForestGreenCook

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Jul 8, 2018
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#91
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

So you believe you can go to heaven without believe in Jesus?

Is condemned in this verse mean go to heaven?
Yes, I believe that the scriptures teach that God choose an elect people, "in Christ," before the foundation of the world. With these same elect people God predetermined that they would be "in Christ" for the sacrifice to pay for their sins.

2 Tim 2:13, For if they (the elect) believe not, yet he (Christ) abideth faithful, he (Christ) cannot deny himself, because the elect have always been "in him".

Believing is not the cause of anyone getting eternally saved, but is a by-product of already having been saved.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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#92
So then, I am to assume that you are able, and willing , to select who is, and who is not going to heaven, or hell?
Oyster is not the author of Romans 16 and Matthew 7. You battle against Scripture. Look at the post you responded to.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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#93
Condemned, in John 3:18, does not, necessarily, mean condemned to hell, according to Strong's concordance.
It is very obvious what John 3:18 says and it is very obvious what John 3:18 means. What is your agenda?
 

ForestGreenCook

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Jul 8, 2018
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#94
Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.

John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
Matt 7:21 has reference to the church, which is called by the name of "the kingdom of heaven", which is one of many names that the church is called in the scriptures, such as, the church of God, the church of the first born, the church in the wilderness, Zion, the church of Christ, the new Jerusalem, and more.

Because of church discipline, there are some people, who are practicing certain sins, that are restricted from entering the membership of the church. These same people may be accepted into eternal heaven. John 6:40, Who is it that looks to the Son and believes in him? I do not believe it would be the natural man, before he has been regenerated, that cannot discern the things of the Spirit, and thinks such things are foolishness, 1 Cor 2:14, but it would be the regenerated man that has been born again unto a spiritual life.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
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#96
It is very obvious what John 3:18 says and it is very obvious what John 3:18 means. What is your agenda?
My agenda is to try and harmonize the scriptures in gleaning the truth of them. 2 Tim 2:13 does not seem to harmonize with your interpretation of John 3:18. 2 Tim 2:13 indicates that believing is not a prerequisite for being saved eternally.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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#98
My agenda is to try and harmonize the scriptures in gleaning the truth of them. 2 Tim 2:13 does not seem to harmonize with your interpretation of John 3:18. 2 Tim 2:13 indicates that believing is not a prerequisite for being saved eternally.
The trouble is not with the Scriptures. They harmonize with each other perfectly. What they do not harmonize with are some people's mixed up ideas.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
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#99
Yes, I believe that the scriptures teach that God choose an elect people, "in Christ," before the foundation of the world. With these same elect people God predetermined that they would be "in Christ" for the sacrifice to pay for their sins.
Let say there are 1000 people, God elect or Predetermine 100 elect to be in Christ, that mean God predetermine 900 go to hell. Is that love and fair.
I may wrong, but I believe before the foundation of the earth, God predetermine to create Adam and eve, and He predetermine them and their offspring to be in the Garden forever as long as they obey.

Every body invite to believe in His son and save
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God so love the world, not some
God love every body, but there is requirement, It is believe in His son.
 

Deuteronomy

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Jun 11, 2018
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What does the word believe mean?
Hello Klassiter, here is a very short explanation of what "believe" means from Strong's Lexicon. There are FAR more extensive definitions in several of my other Lexicons, like Bauer's, Thayer's and Kittel's, so let me know if you'd like to see more.

πιστεύω [pisteuo /pist·yoo·o/] v. From 4102; TDNT 6:174; TDNTA 849; GK 4409; 248 occurrences; AV translates as “believe” 239 times, “commit unto” four times, “commit to (one’s) trust” once, “be committed unto” once, “be put in trust with” once, “be commit to one’s trust” once, and “believer” once. 1 to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in. 1A of the thing believed. 1A1 to credit, have confidence. 1B in a moral or religious reference. 1B1 used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul. 1B2 to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith. 1BC mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith. 2 to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity. 2A to be intrusted with a thing. ~Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon.

Also, I saw this on a different website and thought it might be useful to you as well. It's an explanation by the Reformers of what saving faith consists of.

The Protestant Reformers were careful to outline the Biblical definition of faith in their writings. They believed that faith is far more than a casual acceptance of who Jesus is, and that it can be seen in/will be demonstrated by one who is truly saved, because true faith always leads to/results in a changed life.

The Protestant Reformers also recognized that Biblical (saving) faith has three essential aspects: notitia, assensus, and fiducia, and here's how these aspects were concisely defined for us in Tabletalk Magazine a few years back.​

Notitia. Notitia refers to the content of faith, or those things that we believe. We place our faith in something, or more appropriately, someone. In order to believe, we must know something about that someone, who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Assensus. Assensus is our conviction that the content of our faith is true. You can know about the Christian faith and yet believe that it is not true. Genuine faith says that the content — the notitia taught by Holy Scripture — is true.

Fiducia. Fiducia refers to personal trust and reliance. Knowing and believing the content of the Christian faith is not enough, for even demons can do that (James 2:19). Faith is only effectual if, knowing about and assenting to the claims of Jesus, one personally trusts in Him alone for salvation.​

God bless you!

~Deut