Not By Works

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Seohce

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2016
1,386
54
48
Hi. I'm new. Trying to figure out how to communicate with other believers on here. :)
Luke 12:11-12 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Welcome to the forum. God be with you and may He use you for His glory.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
57,027
26,752
113
That is good news. That's why we have to keep believing in that good news to the very end. The sure promises are for those who believe, not for those who used to believe.
Scripture says that those who fall away never really belonged among us. Jesus said to allow the tares to grow with the wheat, and that it was the job of the angels to do the harvesting and separating.
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,727
4,085
113
62
Stand by your own convictions, follow the Spirit and your conscience and scripture as you understand it with the Spirits help, and never use your freedom in Christ to cause offense when it is in any way in your power to do so. If you do this, you will be walking well. I have enjoyed meeting you. :) One day we will sit down at the marriage supper together! Come soon, Lord!
Thank you Stunnedbygrace...I hear you :)...xox...
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Care to expalin the below verse for me then?

2 Cor 7.10
[SUP]10[/SUP]For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Only thing I would change is "it is not only feeling sorrow for your sins"

Repentance means more than sorrow that was my point
 

Stunnedbygrace

Senior Member
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
822
113
Well I see you are concerned, I do not go to any church so I do not see any of these problems.

But I know this without grace we are back under the law.

So maybe it would be better if those churches had a better understanding of grace because when I walk in God's grace I can testify I sin less, not more.

I sinned way more trying to live under the law, even as a born again Christian, when I was foolishly influenced by teachers who preached law

That is just my small experience but I can also say Jesus is more present in me since I came to rightly understand the divine influence of grace in the believer' s life


Now let see how much you rebuke me :D
My experience has been somewhat similar...not exactly though. I never tried to live under the law. I think I could be placed more under the category of a foolish galatian because I tried and failed and became depressed then got back up and tried again harder, to be good, to love, to not hold a grudge, to control my tongue, to stop murdering. I went on that way for many years before I gave up because I am very stubborn. One day it just hit me that I would go on this way forever in a never-ending and repeating cycle of trying, failing, depression, trying again. And I just threw my hands up and said, I give up. I'm not good, I can't be good, and if I'm EVER to have a single virtue or walk well, it will be because You make it happen.
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,727
4,085
113
62
My experience has been somewhat similar...not exactly though. I never tried to live under the law. I think I could be placed more under the category of a foolish galatian because I tried and failed and became depressed then got back up and tried again harder, to be good, to love, to not hold a grudge, to control my tongue, to stop murdering. I went on that way for many years before I gave up because I am very stubborn. One day it just hit me that I would go on this way forever in a never-ending and repeating cycle of trying, failing, depression, trying again. And I just threw my hands up and said, I give up. I'm not good, I can't be good, and if I'm EVER to have a single virtue or walk well, it will be because You make it happen.
That`s called surrendering :)...xox...
 

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
2,904
2,262
113
One of the most damaging result I see in the grace alone and easy believing doctrines is that the person does not understand they can overcome now...and overcome 100% later....they struggle through their entire walk with God and never see any victory and the enemy has control of the minds, telling them...its by God's grace you have not overcome your pride, anger, hurt, offense...its ok bro/sis...God knows you are a just a work in progress....the when a fellow brother or sister challenges them to be better than their current state and they have that pride thing going because of what i stated above...the person will lash out and you discover that wow, they are just a baby....they like drinking the old wine and have no need for the new...and you need to back off so you do not burst their wine skin...

The worst result I see in grace alone and easy believing doctrines is the false humility spell it places people under....some of you should take a step back and read what you say about yourself....and then get into the Word and see what God has to say about you...and it would open your eyes...

The conclusion of the matter is this...grace alone and easy believing doctrines remove the gifts for the equipping and maturing of the Body, that might be the sand paper you need to smooth out your rough spots or to finish you into a beautiful work of art...

Satan loves Passive works of Christ alone....he thrives on you believing Passive works of Christ alone...because at the end of the day...it isolates you from the very people God might be sending your way to mature, equip and complete you for the works of the ministry you are called to....

Despite what some of you think God HAS and always WILL work though other people for the building , maturing, equipping and completing of the Body....
Never in my forty years as a Christian have I ever heard this kind of theology being taught, about the doctrine of Grace. Grace is not easy believe-ism and Jesus Christ of Nazareth was full of Grace and Truth. The bible say's "grow in grace and the knowledge of Him. The rock solid Church's that I have been blessed to be a member of alway's teach Grow in grace. God's Grace means, "unmerited favor" not easy believe-ism or, okay its time to take a grace break now.
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Thank you, I wish I understood this better thirty years ago..but better late than never.:)

Part of me thinks though you have to search for it, if you are thinking you are doing just great in your Christian walk then you may not seek out better deeper understanding.

Really how can anyone say the grace of God is the culprit for more sin the church.

Do they not realize they are blaming God for sin.


I have experienced the very same thing. The true Christian life based on the finished work of Christ produces a godly life because His life is being allowed to manifest in and through us.

It is by grace through the hearing of Christ's words to us.

There are 2 aspects to grace and it can be seen in Jesus dealings with a woman caught in adultery.

The very first thing that Jesus does with the woman caught in adultery is that He gets rid of her accusers - the religious Pharisees that wanted to condemn her because the "bible" said so in the Old Covenant...she was to be stoned. (
the law condemns us )

Jesus was the only one qualified to condemn her but He didn't.


1) acceptance grace - which has nothing to do with our behavior -
as seen with the woman caught in adultery. Our Lord beautifully says " I do not condemn you".

It is in knowing you are not condemned that releases the other aspect of grace.

2) now, go and sin no more - this is empowering grace.

Empowering grace enables you to be who the Father sees you are in Christ now because you are a new creation in Him.


The religious mindset says to the woman caught in adultery - 'Do not sin and we will not condemn you."

The grace of God and the blood of Jesus speaks of better things in this New Covenant of grace!

"Knowing" that we are not condemned in Christ "releases" the life of the empowering grace to transform us. It's all about Christ! It's His fruit being manifested in us!

Acceptance grace which is not based on our behavior needs to be cemented in our hearts before empowering grace is able to be manifested.


What believers in a self-effort/self-performance D.I.Y. holiness/righteousness based mindset and the self-appointed "fruit inspectors" have a very hard time with is the "acceptance grace" part.

This just drives them nuts and I understand why because it is scandalous and it "conflicts" with our religious man-made traditions and some church teachings from our denomination or "group".
 
Jan 27, 2013
4,769
18
0
I think royal scot is taking the royal wee thinking hes the bees knees
strange thing ,some one else s bread crumbs.


yet if you have no idea , what is being said. (who s fault is that)

is this all that you can post, looks like, you thought, long and hard , before posting .
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
I will say the same thing and even told him on a post when he accused me of hating him that I do not hate him, he has never offended me either...

The real issue here is that some people think grace erases the need for us to speak into the lives of each other and help people grow...It is my personal humble opinion [this opinion and 1.29 will get you a cup of coffee] that grace alone and easy believing doctrines teach people that Spiritual Growth and coming into spiritual maturity is not needed at all.....it seems to disregard all of the NT Epistles regarding spiritual growth and the admonishment to grow....which does and must include correction in love, reproof, rebuke and even discipline....The grace alone /easy believers state that Jesus is maturing them passively....I do not know of a human Baby or Animal Baby that grows on passive food and water....

My personal perception is that grace alone and easy believing doctrines make sons and daughters of God very lazy in Spiritual Growth and makes them very thin-skinned apologists....it is compounded exponentially, when a person has a position of servant hood in their church and are looked upon by others has one having strong knowledge of the Word and Systematic Theology and are never challenged and then confronted with something that is inhibiting their spiritual walk such as perosnal pride, or some other hindering issue.....Personal Pride is the single largest issue we fight in ministry today...

I have witnessed first hand, how grace alone and easy believing doctrines keep Pastors from ministering to people and help them in their growth.....grace alone and easy believing doctrines call correction in love, reproof, and edification, lies, slander, hate and malice....I believe part of this reason is because grace alone and easy believing doctrines really never seem to imply or directly state there is even a need for ongoing personal sanctification [not to stay saved] but to to spiritually grow and spiritually mature....it is all a passive work of Christ, he is growing me...I do not have anything to do with my own spiritual growth, because if I do, then I am working for salvation.......I also believe this is because grace alone and easy believing doctrines dismiss outright the complete ministry of the Holy Spirit and especially his role in progressive personal sanctification...

One of the most damaging result I see in the grace alone and easy believing doctrines is that the person does not understand they can overcome now...and overcome 100% later....they struggle through their entire walk with God and never see any victory and the enemy has control of the minds, telling them...its by God's grace you have not overcome your pride, anger, hurt, offense...its ok bro/sis...God knows you are a just a work in progress....the when a fellow brother or sister challenges them to be better than their current state and they have that pride thing going because of what i stated above...the person will lash out and you discover that wow, they are just a baby....they like drinking the old wine and have no need for the new...and you need to back off so you do not burst their wine skin...


The worst result I see in grace alone and easy believing doctrines is the false humility spell it places people under....some of you should take a step back and read what you say about yourself....and then get into the Word and see what God has to say about you...and it would open your eyes...

The conclusion of the matter is this...grace alone and easy believing doctrines remove the gifts for the equipping and maturing of the Body, that might be the sand paper you need to smooth out your rough spots or to finish you into a beautiful work of art...

Satan loves Passive works of Christ alone....he thrives on you believing Passive works of Christ alone...because at the end of the day...it isolates you from the very people God might be sending your way to mature, equip and complete you for the works of the ministry you are called to....

Despite what some of you think God HAS and always WILL work though other people for the building , maturing, equipping and completing of the Body....
The Body of Christ..,, I wonder why people don't value the relationships?
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Amen ...unmerited favour that continues to be a source of growth and understanding so that we are conformed to His image.

Never in my forty years as a Christian have I ever heard this kind of theology being taught, about the doctrine of Grace. Grace is not easy believe-ism and Jesus Christ of Nazareth was full of Grace and Truth. The bible say's "grow in grace and the knowledge of Him. The rock solid Church's that I have been blessed to be a member of alway's teach Grow in grace. God's Grace means, "unmerited favor" not easy believe-ism or, okay its time to take a grace break now.
 
P

PHart

Guest
Scripture says that those who fall away never really belonged among us.
No it doesn't. You were told it does.
Check it out again and then ask yourself why John tells the church a couple of verses later for them to not stop abiding in the word they first heard.
 

Stunnedbygrace

Senior Member
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
822
113
That`s called surrendering :)...xox...
Ah...okay. :)
He never left me through it though. He was right there all along. He came and we dined together often. This is how I know that somehow, the Holy Spirit can remain in us even when we sin, though some say the Holy Spirit cannot reside in a sinner. I'm living proof that He can and does. :)
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
Never in my forty years as a Christian have I ever heard this kind of theology being taught, about the doctrine of Grace. Grace is not easy believe-ism and Jesus Christ of Nazareth was full of Grace and Truth. The bible say's "grow in grace and the knowledge of Him. The rock solid Church's that I have been blessed to be a member of alway's teach Grow in grace. God's Grace means, "unmerited favor" not easy believe-ism or, okay its time to take a grace break now.
Well said! Paul said in 1Corinthians 15:10 - that he worked harder than any other apostle - yet not Him - but the grace of God with him.

I wonder if this "Christian" thing has anything to do with "grace" that is in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior?

It looks like we have received - grace upon grace through the Lord Jesus Christ


John 1:16-17 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.

[SUP]17 [/SUP] For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

It looks like we "believe through grace"..

( I'm sure they really meant that we are saved because of the good works we do...)


Acts 18:27 (KJV)
[SUP]27 [/SUP] And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Paul said that it was the grace of God that would give the believers their inheritance and it was able to build them up.

( Maybe that's not really important...)

Acts 20:32 (KJV)
[SUP]32 [/SUP] And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Paul said for Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.


( He probably didn't really mean it....
)


2 Timothy 2:1 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.


The apostles said that we are saved by the grace of God

( They probably really meant to say - you are saved by works that we do or don't do.)

Acts 15:11 (NASB)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are."


Paul says that we are justified "freely" by grace....

(He really meant to say - we are justified and continue to be saved by all the good works we do... )

Romans 3:24 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:


Paul says that when we receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness - we reign in life through Christ alone.

( He really meant to say that - those who do good works all the days of their life will receive grace and the gift of righteousness )

Romans 5:17 (NASB)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.


Then Paul was really messed up when he told the Ephesians this scripture below
-

( He really meant to say - you must do good works in order to create and maintain salvation - Paul was just having an "off" day when he wrote Ephesians
)

( And God has even prepared the good works for us to walk in as a result of having His grace that saves us and not any works - we get to participate in the family business of telling people of the love and grace our loving Father and Lord have for them )



Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

[SUP]9 [/SUP] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

[SUP]10 [/SUP] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.


Here Paul told Timothy that God saved us according to His own purpose and grace - not according to our works.

( He really meant to say - He will save us if we do enough good works...again Paul was having an "off" day )

2 Timothy 1:9 (NASB)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,



Peter says to fix our hope "completely" on the grace that comes with the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

( It's most likely a mis-print in all 5,000 manuscripts - he really meant to tell us to fix our hope on our good works because you could end up in hell if you don't do enough of them..)

1 Peter 1:13
[SUP]13 [/SUP] Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


Conclusion - this "grace stuff" is really not important at all. We can "do our own works of righteousness in order to keep ourselves saved" - and God will be pleased with that....yeah right!.......:rolleyes:
 

Seohce

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2016
1,386
54
48
Amen...we need to guard our hearts.

Romans 16:17

Romans 16:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.


Then we can be defiled by the behavior of others. It's like porn ads coming up on our PC from time to time - it's disturbing and ungodly.

Hebrews 12:15 (NASB)
[SUP]15 [/SUP] See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God
; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;


That's the reason for not interacting with some people that consistently exhibit bad behavior. It's ok to agree to dis-agree but then they start with the personal attacks - I ignore them and don't interact with them. Some feel they are not having bad behavior because it is a normal way for them but they are behaving badly.

Even if people agree with most things that I do - if they start behaving badly and continue in that way - I'll not interact with them until there is the right environment amongst us brethren and respect for each other as there should be.

We will know by the Spirit when it's time to interact with them again but in the meantime not interacting with them stops adding fuel to the fire.

We just bless them in the name of the Lord and leave them in the hands of the Lord. He will reveal Himself to all of us that belong to Him.
Ignoring people ain't so bad but ignoring the TRUTH in front of you is tantamount to rejecting it regardless of "too good be true" alibis.
 

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
2,904
2,262
113
The Body of Christ..,, I wonder why people don't value the relationships?
And I don't see one bible verse to back up Meggido's wild, 'easy believe-ism theory.' He would not last long preaching at our Church, please.
 

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
2,904
2,262
113
Help me Christian's, I'm getting lost in the wonderful Grace of Jesus!
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,727
4,085
113
62
Ah...okay. :)
He never left me through it though. He was right there all along. He came and we dined together often. This is how I know that somehow, the Holy Spirit can remain in us even when we sin, though some say the Holy Spirit cannot reside in a sinner. I'm living proof that He can and does. :)
That`s what i mean by surrender, unless we give Him all of us, then we kind of block Him out to do a thorough clean up in side of us...I had filthy rags as we all do, and even after i was saved i still wore them, but God knows that only through His knowledge we learn How to walk, once we start practicing how to walk with Him, i truly believe He excepts are falls at the start, He knows our minds have to be renewed, after all He is a long suffering Father with patience :) not a hard task master with a whip although i do know about His tongue being a double edge sword...I love how He allows us to grow in His Grace, He gives us one day at a time, that was a big thing for me, i remember i used to think 2 wow i got to get everything right, for the rest of my life " and then i hear Him say " My Grace is sufficient for you " Jesus says " Do not worry about tomorrow " well that was it for me, i not looked back, i just rest in Him daily while He works in me, my rags are gone, i have a new coat :) will be lovely dining with you also at the Lords table, am smiling as i write this lol, never had such a big family before lol...xox...
 
May 12, 2017
2,641
65
0
Only thing I would change is "it is not only feeling sorrow for your sins" Repentance means more than sorrow that was my point

Repentance means to change one's mind, it is not about sorrow for sins.We change our minds and cease form our dead works and instead accept the works of Jesus who was perfect.
I think you do this because you have no root in anything other than grace....and I also know that the grace that liberated you from legalism will also empower you to become a better swordswoman of the Word than you pretend to be....

Peace & Grace to you....please, never do this again....you are better than this...and you give grace a very bad name when you engage in it...