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.

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
2,904
2,262
113
Nor can we see, 'an anchor for the soul, secure and firm', must be a poorly equipped vessel...:)

"We have this hope as, 'an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.' It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain," Hebrews6:19
 
Last edited:
E

Ellsworth1943

Guest
Yes salvation is a gift given to us because of Jesus dying on the cross for us. We pick up that gift and have eternal salvation but then we can always put that gift back down and refuse to take it any longer. This is why I say you can give it up but not lose it. We have freedom of choice. To take it and keep it or to take it and give it back.
So your eternal salvation is up to you. That is exactly what you are saying. It is all in your hands. That is sad.
I thank God that my eternal salvation is in Christ Jesus. Totally, completely, 100%. and NO man can take it away. Not even me.
 

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
2,904
2,262
113
I want to throw this by you all because I've never understood this scripture until I remembered something that happened years ago. Though I cannot say for sure this is what it means.

I was praying for a friend but wasn't aware this friend had left her husband, ran off with her horse trainer, and as they were flying to another state, crashed in the mountains. And it took a while for them to be found.

As I started praying, Holy Spirit stopped me. Said, don't pray for her.

Then I found out what had happened later.

Is this what this scripture means?
I cannot answer your question but maybe someone here can; there are many applications to God's word, but only one interpretation, anxiously waiting.....:)
 
Apr 15, 2017
2,867
653
113
Yes salvation is a gift given to us because of Jesus dying on the cross for us. We pick up that gift and have eternal salvation but then we can always put that gift back down and refuse to take it any longer. This is why I say you can give it up but not lose it. We have freedom of choice. To take it and keep it or to take it and give it back.
How does one forfeit being right with God after they have been saved.

The Bible gives the answer.

When we come to God and confess Christ we should understand that God hates sin,for He says that it is sin that separates us from Him,so when we confess Christ,and repent of our sins,we should know that it means to turn away from sins,and hate sins,and allow the Spirit to lead us to be able to abstain from sins,for a Spirit led life will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh,for they have crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections.

If God hates sin would not a person led of the Spirit hate sin,and those that sin are not led of the Spirit at that time.

Some people when they confess Christ,and repent of their sins,they do not abstain from sins,but hold unto sin thinking they are alright with God,which the Bible says they have a form of godliness,but deny the power thereof,ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,which it points out it is because of sin why they do not come to the truth,for God wants us to abstain from sins by the Spirit,and there is no excuse.

Some did not even start out right when they confessed Christ.

And some started our right,but then they went back to sin,and were wrong with God,which the Bible points out that it is possible if the person does not keep doing what is right,which the Bible says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,because responsibility is laid upon us,for we still have a choice between good and evil,and the Spirit will not twist our arm to live for God.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

This is the seal that they depart from iniquity.

1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Some will say that when a person is saved they can never be in a wrong position after that,but the Bible says that they can,and the reason that this happens is because of sin.

The people that believe they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,did they start out right with God,but then went to that belief later,or did they have that belief all along,and did not start out right with the Lord.

I tend to believe for the majority of them that they did not start out right with the Lord,but had that belief all along,that they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,so many will hold unto sin thinking they are alright with God,which you can witness in society as you observe their hypocrisy.

Which the Bible says give offense in nothing that the ministry be not blamed,and hypocrisy puts much blame on Christianity by the world.
 
Oct 30, 2017
46
0
0
[h=1]Hebrews 6:4-6New International Version (NIV)[/h][FONT=&quot]4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[a] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

We can turn away once we were saved.[/FONT]
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
Hebrews 6:4-6New International Version (NIV)

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[a] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

We can turn away once we were saved.
Speaking here to Jewish believers who have experienced conversion, the gift of Holy Spirit, and freed from the power of sin, not to go back to trusting in the law. I would imagine that to a Jew leaving Judaism would be blasphemy to their family, synagogue, and friends. Would be an outcast so the temptation would be tremendous.

I don't think this was written by Paul. This just doesn't sound like his writings. I think this was Apollo, and many do.
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
Salvation won't be assured till after the final judgement.
Ephesians 2:4-9 (NASB)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
[SUP]5 [/SUP] even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
[SUP]6 [/SUP] and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
[SUP]7 [/SUP] so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
[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.


Romans 5:8-10 (HCSB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!
[SUP]9 [/SUP] Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, ⌊then how⌋ much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!

John 3:36 (HCSB)
[SUP]36 [/SUP] The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. {ETERNAL means it cannot be Lost or Forfeited.}

1 Corinthians 6:11 (HCSB)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 2:7-16 (NIV)
[SUP]7 [/SUP] No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
[SUP]8 [/SUP] None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
[SUP]9 [/SUP] However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--
[SUP]10 [/SUP] but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
[SUP]11 [/SUP] For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
[SUP]12 [/SUP] We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
[SUP]13 [/SUP] This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
[SUP]14 [/SUP] The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[SUP]15 [/SUP] The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
[SUP]16 [/SUP] "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.


 
E

Ellsworth1943

Guest
Hebrews 6:4-6New International Version (NIV)

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[a] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

We can turn away once we were saved.
Nope. NO one can remove my soul from Jesus' hand. NO ONE.
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
You are free to believe what you want.
I chose to show God that I love Him above all else.

LIKE THESE WILL TRY TO SHOW HIM?


Matthew 7:22-23 (NIV)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
[SUP]23 [/SUP] Then I will tell them plainly, '
I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
 
Oct 30, 2017
46
0
0
Nope. NO one can remove my soul from Jesus' hand. NO ONE.
It is thinking like that which people will go back to their sinful life style through backsliding and think that they will never go to hell because their salvation is eternal and then commit all kinds of heinous atrocities. Never think that something can't be given back. Foolishness can lead to death, eternal death.
Granted it is very rare but don't think that some once they fall away will look at that as a loop hole. God does not make loop holes.
 
Oct 16, 2017
90
2
0
How does one forfeit being right with God after they have been saved.

The Bible gives the answer.

When we come to God and confess Christ we should understand that God hates sin,for He says that it is sin that separates us from Him,so when we confess Christ,and repent of our sins,we should know that it means to turn away from sins,and hate sins,and allow the Spirit to lead us to be able to abstain from sins,for a Spirit led life will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh,for they have crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections.

If God hates sin would not a person led of the Spirit hate sin,and those that sin are not led of the Spirit at that time.

Some people when they confess Christ,and repent of their sins,they do not abstain from sins,but hold unto sin thinking they are alright with God,which the Bible says they have a form of godliness,but deny the power thereof,ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,which it points out it is because of sin why they do not come to the truth,for God wants us to abstain from sins by the Spirit,and there is no excuse.

Some did not even start out right when they confessed Christ.

And some started our right,but then they went back to sin,and were wrong with God,which the Bible points out that it is possible if the person does not keep doing what is right,which the Bible says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,because responsibility is laid upon us,for we still have a choice between good and evil,and the Spirit will not twist our arm to live for God.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

This is the seal that they depart from iniquity.

1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Some will say that when a person is saved they can never be in a wrong position after that,but the Bible says that they can,and the reason that this happens is because of sin.

The people that believe they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,did they start out right with God,but then went to that belief later,or did they have that belief all along,and did not start out right with the Lord.

I tend to believe for the majority of them that they did not start out right with the Lord,but had that belief all along,that they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,so many will hold unto sin thinking they are alright with God,which you can witness in society as you observe their hypocrisy.

Which the Bible says give offense in nothing that the ministry be not blamed,and hypocrisy puts much blame on Christianity by the world.
Not following along too much, but this is a great post.
How the above could not be understood by some here is a mystery to me.
 
E

Ellsworth1943

Guest
It is thinking like that which people will go back to their sinful life style through backsliding and think that they will never go to hell because their salvation is eternal and then commit all kinds of heinous atrocities. Never think that something can't be given back. Foolishness can lead to death, eternal death.
Granted it is very rare but don't think that some once they fall away will look at that as a loop hole. God does not make loop holes.
I agree, God makes no lope holes.
He makes no provision for any man to remove a soul from the hand of His son.
He just ain't going to let that happen.
 
E

Ellsworth1943

Guest
Not following along too much, but this is a great post.
How the above could not be understood by some here is a mystery to me.
Not understanding eternal security is evident in the poster.
I guess you do not understand either.
 
Oct 30, 2017
46
0
0
I agree, God makes no lope holes.
He makes no provision for any man to remove a soul from the hand of His son.
He just ain't going to let that happen.
I guess you can't imagine something happening to someone today that happened to Job. I think it is possible for someone to lose their entire family, finances, and home and end up cursing God and giving up their salvation out of anger and then seek vengeance upon those who are christian. Especially in today's society.
 
Oct 16, 2017
90
2
0
Not understanding eternal security is evident in the poster.
I guess you do not understand either.
I believe in eternal security.
Eternal security lies in the life Jesus gives us.
If we have Jesus, we have life...
If we don't have Jesus we do not have eternal life.
If we don't obey Jesus it means we do not love Him and thus have abandoned Him.
John 14:15

What does this verse mean to You?
 
E

Ellsworth1943

Guest
I believe in eternal security.
Eternal security lies in the life Jesus gives us.
If we have Jesus, we have life...
If we don't have Jesus we do not have eternal life.
If we don't obey Jesus it means we do not love Him and thus have abandoned Him.
John 14:15

What does this verse mean to You?
Do you have children? Did they ever fail to obey you? Did that mean they stopped loving you and even abandoned you?
What did you do? Did you kick them out? Did you disown them. were they no longer your child? Or did you as a loving mother go to them and lovingly bring them back into fellowship with you?

Are you greater and more loving of your child that God is of His children?

Think about it.
 
Oct 16, 2017
90
2
0
Do you have children? Did they ever fail to obey you? Did that mean they stopped loving you and even abandoned you?
What did you do? Did you kick them out? Did you disown them. were they no longer your child? Or did you as a loving mother go to them and lovingly bring them back into fellowship with you?

Are you greater and more loving of your child that God is of His children?

Think about it.
Could you tell me what John 14:15 means?

I don't think we're here to discuss my children, although you could also comment on
Mathew 21:28-32
Which son did the Father's will?
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,436
13,372
113
58
"Obsessed" with obedience to God.
I love your testimonial.
Don't you wish that all men were obsessed with loving God above all else and their neighbors as themselves?
Don’t confuse obedience to God with a terminal case of self-righteousness, which does not equate to loving God above all else.
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
12 After he had washed their feet, taken back his clothes and returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me ‘Rabbi’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because I am. 14 Now if I, the Lord and Rabbi, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, so that you may do as I have done to you. 16 Yes, indeed! I tell you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is an emissary greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Heres a command.