Is the Gospel a job offer? Or good news aimed at those who believe?

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eternally-gratefull

Guest
I said 'faith' was a decision.

(exercised because/out of decision)

I did not say that 'belief' was a decision.

Belief is the foundation of faith, and is based on knowledge + understanding + experience/wisdom.

'faith' = 'belief' + 'trust'

It is the 'trust' part of it that turns belief into faith.

First we believe God.

Then, we trust God.

Then, we have/put faith in God.

The Holy Spirit does indeed help us to obtain - and maintain - our faith.

However, He does not simply "hand it to us outright" - if He did, our faith would never ever falter.

("but boy does it ever" - so that is proof enough)
One could say if it was just handed it would never grow either. It would be perfect
 
Jan 17, 2020
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I said 'faith' was a decision.

(exercised because/out of decision)

I did not say that 'belief' was a decision.

Belief is the foundation of faith, and is based on knowledge + understanding + experience/wisdom.

'faith' = 'belief' + 'trust'

It is the 'trust' part of it that turns belief into faith.

First we believe God.

Then, we trust God.

Then, we have/put faith in God.

The Holy Spirit does indeed help us to obtain - and maintain - our faith.

However, He does not simply "hand it to us outright" - if He did, our faith would never ever falter.

("but boy does it ever" - so that is proof enough)
Only believers in something choose to act on it.
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
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Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life. This is a passage that is normally understood in one of two ways. Most see it as a job offer leading to salvation. For whoever chooses to believe and accepts the terms. Some see it as an announcement aimed at those who believe as they hear, providing directions for holy living.
Rom 2:6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” a 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

There's a lot of misunderstanding and confusion everywhere but who i'm i to judge. Let the verse sink in first.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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Rom 2:6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” a 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

There's a lot of misunderstanding and confusion everywhere but who i'm i to judge. Let the verse sink in first.
Are you still using Romans 2:6-7 to create misunderstanding and confusion and peddle salvation by works? As I already explained to you numerous times, if one reads these passages of scripture in isolation from the rest of the book of Romans, then one might conclude that Paul was teaching salvation by works. However, as we study these passages of scripture, it's critical to keep in mind that these verses do not describe how one becomes saved, but the way the saved (and unsaved) conduct their lives. These works done are the result of, not the means or basis of receiving salvation.

So patient continuance in well doing, seeking for glory, honor, and immortality; (vs. 7) is not at all set forth as the means of their procuring eternal life, but as a description of those to whom God does render life eternal. *Notice that ALL who receive eternal life are described as such, everyone who does good (vs. 10). Good deeds flow from a heart that is saved and evil deeds flow from a heart that is unsaved. Verse 8 - but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath. *Notice that ALL who do not receive eternal life are described as such, everyone who does evil (vs. 9).

What those passages convey is though our deeds are judged by God, it's not the good deeds themselves which are the basis or means by which we obtain salvation, but the type of deeds expose whether our heart was saved, or not. These deeds done out of faith are the fruit, not the root of salvation. If Paul wanted to teach that we are saved by works, then he would have said that we are saved through faith and works in Ephesians 2:8,9 and that we are justified by faith and works in Romans 5:1 but that is clearly NOT what Paul said.

Now try harmonizing Romans 2:6-10 with Romans 4:4-6: Verse 4 - Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works.

*Does that sound like receiving eternal life is like receiving a pay check for wages due to you? Why do you think eternal life is referred to as a gift in Romans 6:23?
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
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Are you still using Romans 2:6-7 to create misunderstanding and confusion and peddle salvation by works? As I already explained to you numerous times, if one reads these passages of scripture in isolation from the rest of the book of Romans, then one might conclude that Paul was teaching salvation by works. However, as we study these passages of scripture, it's critical to keep in mind that these verses do not describe how one becomes saved, but the way the saved (and unsaved) conduct their lives. These works done are the result of, not the means or basis of receiving salvation.

So patient continuance in well doing, seeking for glory, honor, and immortality; (vs. 7) is not at all set forth as the means of their procuring eternal life, but as a description of those to whom God does render life eternal. *Notice that ALL who receive eternal life are described as such, everyone who does good (vs. 10). Good deeds flow from a heart that is saved and evil deeds flow from a heart that is unsaved. Verse 8 - but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath. *Notice that ALL who do not receive eternal life are described as such, everyone who does evil (vs. 9).

What those passages convey is though our deeds are judged by God, it's not the good deeds themselves which are the basis or means by which we obtain salvation, but the type of deeds expose whether our heart was saved, or not. These deeds done out of faith are the fruit, not the root of salvation. If Paul wanted to teach that we are saved by works, then he would have said that we are saved through faith and works in Ephesians 2:8,9 and that we are justified by faith and works in Romans 5:1 but that is clearly NOT what Paul said.

Now try harmonizing Romans 2:6-10 with Romans 4:4-6: Verse 4 - Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works. Does that sound like receiving eternal life is like receiving a pay check for wages due to you? Why do you think eternal life is referred to as a gift in Romans 6:23?
Imagine reading the Romans or the whole bible and then coming across this:
"God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life".

I say, you were wrong then and are still wrong. You misunderstood Romans and other scriptures. Romans 2:7 says what it says and is direct, you can not say because this is said in these other part, then Romans 2:7 must mean this and that- no it doesn't, it simply means what it says.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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Imagine reading the Romans or the whole bible and then coming across this:
"God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life".

I say, you were wrong then and are still wrong. You misunderstood Romans and other scriptures. Romans 2:7 says what it says and is direct, you can not say because this is said in these other part, then Romans 2:7 must mean this and that- no it doesn't, it simply means what it says.
So what did God mean by He will repay each person according to what they have done? He certainly did not mean salvation by works (which would be in contradiction with other passages of scripture in the book of Romans (Romans 3:22-28; 4:2-6; 5:1) and with numerous other passages of scripture throughout the New Testament (Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..) and I have thoroughly explained what is meant in Romans 2:6-10 to you numerous times, but you refuse to listen, you fail to properly harmonize scripture with scripture in order to reach the proper conclusion on doctrine and you remain wrong.

*This is what happens when you fail to properly interpret scripture IN CONTEXT and also when you fail to properly HARMONIZE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE. :(
 
Mar 28, 2016
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Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life. This is a passage that is normally understood in one of two ways. Most see it as a job offer leading to salvation. For whoever chooses to believe and accepts the terms. Some see it as an announcement aimed at those who believe as they hear, providing directions for holy living.
Its more of a Job opportunity being yoked with Christ. His work of faith or labor of love that works in us makes the burden lighter when we do "mix faith" in what we see and hear. . .according to the prescription below ..

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

No mixing of faith. = No gospel .

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.Hebrews 4: 2
 
Jan 17, 2020
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Its more of a Job opportunity being yoked with Christ. His work of faith or labor of love that works in us makes the burden lighter when we do "mix faith" in what we see and hear. . .according to the prescription below ..

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

No mixing of faith. = No gospel .

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.Hebrews 4: 2
We work hard in love for God who saved us. But we hate God and worship idols until he saves us.
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
How much did Jesus or the Apostles debate? They kicked dust instead.
you are not modeling what you post on Jesus and His disciples

you really do not post anything substantive...just one liners and cherry picked verses taken out of context

what a joke :rolleyes: and very misleading to those who are not familiar with scripture for one reason or another

if you are kicking anything, it is the proverbial can down the road
 
Jan 17, 2020
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you are not modeling what you post on Jesus and His disciples

you really do not post anything substantive...just one liners and cherry picked verses taken out of context

what a joke :rolleyes: and very misleading to those who are not familiar with scripture for one reason or another

if you are kicking anything, it is the proverbial can down the road
Suggestion. Let's drop this discussion. It is stalled out and only wasting time. See ya on another topic!
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
Suggestion. Let's drop this discussion. It is stalled out and only wasting time. See ya on another topic!
are you on a loop?

the real problem for you is that you have not made the progress or had the impact that you would have

tsk
 
Jan 17, 2020
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are you on a loop?

the real problem for you is that you have not made the progress or had the impact that you would have

tsk
Suggestion. Let's drop this discussion. It is stalled out and only wasting time. See ya on another topic!
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
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So what did God mean by He will repay each person according to what they have done? He certainly did not mean salvation by works (which would be in contradiction with other passages of scripture in the book of Romans (Romans 3:22-28; 4:2-6; 5:1) and with numerous other passages of scripture throughout the New Testament (Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..) and I have thoroughly explained what is meant in Romans 2:6-10 to you numerous times, but you refuse to listen, you fail to properly harmonize scripture with scripture in order to reach the proper conclusion on doctrine and you remain wrong.

*This is what happens when you fail to properly interpret scripture IN CONTEXT and also when you fail to properly HARMONIZE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE. :(
Sure, He did not mean salvation by works, what He meant is, He will repay each person according to what they have done; those that do good He will give eternal life and those that are self seeking will see His wrath.

Rev 22:12“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

There's no contradiction with any other verses, it only contradicts your doctrine.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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How does it contradict my doctrine? Either you believe those passages of scripture promote salvation by works or else you do not. I believe they do not. Revelation 22:12 says my reward is with me according to their work, which fits with 1 Corinthians 3:13-15. You claim you don’t believe those verses teach salvation by works, yet you keep telling me I’m wrong. So what’s the problem? You can’t have it both ways.
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
5,096
932
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How does it contradict my doctrine? Either you believe those passages of scripture promote salvation by works or else you do not. I believe they do not. Revelation 22:12 says my reward is with me according to their work, which fits with 1 Corinthians 3:13-15. You claim you don’t believe those verses teach salvation by works, yet you keep telling me I’m wrong. So what’s the problem? You can’t have it both ways.
Non of those verses teaches salvation by works and i don't believe salvation is by works either - yet God will repay each person according to what they have done; those who do good He will give eternal life.

You are wrong because salvation is not what you think other verses are saying, that's why you don't get it.

Q. Are one year old saved? God forbid but if a one year old child dies, do they go heaven saved or are they condemned to hell? If they make it to heaven, what works or what belief will they need to do or believe in?

Now, if you answer these questions, you'll find out what salvation is. hopefully.
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
Suggestion. Let's drop this discussion. It is stalled out and only wasting time. See ya on another topic!
I'm not with you on the let's

you do what you want because you will anyway

I am not in agreement with your religious beliefs