Not By Works
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Genesis shows that he went. You cannot do something without calling it obeying.
Even Paul knows it.
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
You can't see it?
Even Paul knows it.
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
You can't see it?
Notice that James heard of this faith alone doctrine, then he goes into deep explanation how it is wrong.
The purification works are the works of the law, but from the scriptures we see that people misunderstood Paul and thought it meant to have faith only and not obedience; so James explains it from the point of their misunderstanding.
Peter must have heard of the false beliefs too of faith alone. He says people misunderstand Paul, and then he warns us to obey.
See 2 Peter 3:16, 17, and all of 2 Peter 3.
The purification works are the works of the law, but from the scriptures we see that people misunderstood Paul and thought it meant to have faith only and not obedience; so James explains it from the point of their misunderstanding.
Peter must have heard of the false beliefs too of faith alone. He says people misunderstand Paul, and then he warns us to obey.
See 2 Peter 3:16, 17, and all of 2 Peter 3.
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...“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
John 4:34-38
Have you reaped the benefits of the labor done by others for you?
If yes then would you labor or WORK for the benefit of those who would believe and be saved?
"If no one would labor or work anymore for their benefit then maybe the right number of the Gentiles have already got in...if not then there are a lot of job openings in the kingdom needing workers to fill out the vacant positions.
Never can any man work for his own salvation...it is the work of God and we are His fellow workers. (1 Corinthians 3:9 & 2 Corinthians 6:1)
...But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
Philippians 2:22
A Workman Approved by God ...Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:14-19
John 4:34-38
Have you reaped the benefits of the labor done by others for you?
If yes then would you labor or WORK for the benefit of those who would believe and be saved?
"If no one would labor or work anymore for their benefit then maybe the right number of the Gentiles have already got in...if not then there are a lot of job openings in the kingdom needing workers to fill out the vacant positions.
Never can any man work for his own salvation...it is the work of God and we are His fellow workers. (1 Corinthians 3:9 & 2 Corinthians 6:1)
...But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
Philippians 2:22
A Workman Approved by God ...Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:14-19
The assumption by some is that they are actually believers.
That they truly have faith in Jesus.
1. Do they believe He can change them into His likeness? No
2. Do they follow His words and commands? No
3. Do they believe in repentance of sins which they commit and restitution? No
4. Do they condemn other believers because they want to walk righteously? Yes
5. Do they add to the definition of sin and believe everyone sins everyday till Jesus returns? Yes
6. Do they believe a purified, forgiven believer actually walks cleansed and purified? No
My problem is therefore they cannot be believers or know Jesus.
John specifies specifically the qualities of a believer
1. They do not sin
2. They walk like Jesus
3. They confess their sin and accept forgiveness praying for each other
4. Sin is as specified and as the Lord lays upon ones heart
5. His cleansed and purified people are holy, pure and righteous.
6. They believe they are being made into Jesus's likeness, day by day.
So it is irrelevant that unbelievers condemn or lie or slander us, because we expect nothing else,
for they declare themselves our enemies. We hunger and thirst for righteousness and Jesus promised
we will be satisfied.
That they truly have faith in Jesus.
1. Do they believe He can change them into His likeness? No
2. Do they follow His words and commands? No
3. Do they believe in repentance of sins which they commit and restitution? No
4. Do they condemn other believers because they want to walk righteously? Yes
5. Do they add to the definition of sin and believe everyone sins everyday till Jesus returns? Yes
6. Do they believe a purified, forgiven believer actually walks cleansed and purified? No
My problem is therefore they cannot be believers or know Jesus.
John specifies specifically the qualities of a believer
1. They do not sin
2. They walk like Jesus
3. They confess their sin and accept forgiveness praying for each other
4. Sin is as specified and as the Lord lays upon ones heart
5. His cleansed and purified people are holy, pure and righteous.
6. They believe they are being made into Jesus's likeness, day by day.
So it is irrelevant that unbelievers condemn or lie or slander us, because we expect nothing else,
for they declare themselves our enemies. We hunger and thirst for righteousness and Jesus promised
we will be satisfied.
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Fear
If a friend says, hey come over here, across that bridge and you will be safe.
And you say, I believe you, I know you can save me and promised me, but I will stay
here until you fulfil your promise when you return.
Your friend then shouts, those who are wise, take up their belongings and cross the
bridge over to me. The foolish stay where they are and make do, not listening to the
advice and when troubles come they are washed away into the ravine.
Now this is what Jesus actually said. And yet there are those who say they cannot
follow His words or believe they are important, it is just the promises that matter
and believing. Actually doing things is lying that there is anything we have to do,
it is all down to Jesus, we do nothing. Except He specifically said what we are to
do, and that we are to believe He can save us, by changing us.
If a friend says, hey come over here, across that bridge and you will be safe.
And you say, I believe you, I know you can save me and promised me, but I will stay
here until you fulfil your promise when you return.
Your friend then shouts, those who are wise, take up their belongings and cross the
bridge over to me. The foolish stay where they are and make do, not listening to the
advice and when troubles come they are washed away into the ravine.
Now this is what Jesus actually said. And yet there are those who say they cannot
follow His words or believe they are important, it is just the promises that matter
and believing. Actually doing things is lying that there is anything we have to do,
it is all down to Jesus, we do nothing. Except He specifically said what we are to
do, and that we are to believe He can save us, by changing us.
No, because we are saved by grace, through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is THE GIFT of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast...
and we are His workmanship, having been CREATED IN Christ Jesus UNTO good works... (not in order to BE saved, but because we ARE saved).
and we are His workmanship, having been CREATED IN Christ Jesus UNTO good works... (not in order to BE saved, but because we ARE saved).
Works do not save. Only faith saves.
So we do good works because we ARE saved.
Would you agree that if there are no good works (however you understand that to be) that there is probably no saving faith?
Romans 1:5
Romans 8:5
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Jesus had said, in John 16:12-15 -
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all the truth [1Cor2:9-10,16b (speaking of the NT apostles and what they recorded in Scripture from there)]: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all the truth [1Cor2:9-10,16b (speaking of the NT apostles and what they recorded in Scripture from there)]: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
How are we changed?
By being born of the Spirit. We are a new creation, from darkness into light, from death to life.
Upon this foundation our hearts grow in love, purity and holiness, as we learn how to walk and
deal with issues and problems as they arise. Our life is in the words and life Christ gives us.
By being born of the Spirit. We are a new creation, from darkness into light, from death to life.
Upon this foundation our hearts grow in love, purity and holiness, as we learn how to walk and
deal with issues and problems as they arise. Our life is in the words and life Christ gives us.