Not By Works

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Dec 28, 2016
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Who does God draw? Does he pick and chose? if so. based on what?
Of course God draws, and of course he “picks and chooses” (a failed attempt to ridicule this truth).

Funny how many including you think it unfair He does this (picks and chooses) but totally fair if they’re in charge, showing who they think is more just than God, and more in charge and fair than He.

Since, not if He does this, these same become hostile, angry, and do the Romans 9:19-20 thing and reply against God.

Now, why does He do this, and what is it based on? He does it according to the counsel of his purpose and will; Ephesians 1:11, which means it is not according to man’s will or purpose, John 1:13, James 1:18.
 
Jan 12, 2019
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In my last sentence I cited James 2:14,26. I don't believe there is any contradiction in scripture. James was highlighting anyone with genuine faith will have works to go with it. By way of example even Satan and the demons have faith in God. Are they guaranteed salvation based on their faith? Far from it for they work in opposition to God. So surely works do count?
If works is required, than salvation has to be earned.
 
Nov 16, 2019
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salvation to you is a revolving door
No, salvation is not a revolving door.
God does not allow that (Hebrews 6:4-6).

your dogma "keep believing" is so important to you .. keeping your end of the deal...that is not the Gospel!!!
Then what is this?

"stand firm in the faith - 1 Corinthians 16:13

"building yourselves up in your most holy faith" - Jude 1:20

"holding on to faith" - 1 Timothy 1:19

"let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" - Hebrews 4:14

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" - Hebrews 10:23

"And now, dear children, continue in him" - 1 John 2:28

"As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you." - 1 John 2:24
 

OneOfHis

Well-known member
Mar 24, 2019
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A believer's walk with Jesus is not going to be perfect.

Paul states in Phillipians 3:7-9( NKJV ):

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness , which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;"


Jesus died on the cross and rose again that we may know him and be saved. Jesus sacrifice on the cross was enough to fully pay for our sins. We cannot add our works to that sacrifice. One may in gratitude serve the Lord. Nobody can ever pay back the Lord Jesus for giving up his life on the cross nor can anyone earn salvation.

Amen sis....

We could never deserve His mercy... we can only be grateful for it....
 
Nov 16, 2019
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Saving faith can't be destroyed, it's like being able to stop believing we have been born.
Then what are these for?

"stand firm in the faith - 1 Corinthians 16:13

"building yourselves up in your most holy faith" - Jude 1:20

"holding on to faith" - 1 Timothy 1:19

"let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" - Hebrews 4:14

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" - Hebrews 10:23

"And now, dear children, continue in him" - 1 John 2:28

"As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you." - 1 John 2:24

"kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off." - Romans 11:22
 
Nov 16, 2019
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If God draws someone and they come to him, will he let them go?
You and others think so.

If so why do you so?

Seems a bit harsh if he does. Seems like mind games and a bit schizophrenic.

It's a bit like this.

"Hi BillG, I'm calling you to believe in Jesus and believe in and on him will you do that?

"Yes God I will, thank you so much for saving me, thank you Jesus for dying for me. I confess with my mouth and believe you rose from the dead so I could be reconciled to the Father through faith"

Yet in the background and unbeknownst to us we find in the background God saying

"Hey son, let's call BillG to salvation, he will accept it, but we know he will throw it back in our face and reject you, good game though"

If that's the case then it makes a mockery of

Romans 8:28-30
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

If God calls someone to salvation and genuine faith knowing they will throw it back is very cruel indeed.

If he knows who will be saved from the beginning of time why would he do that?
Matthew 18:23-35.
"the kingdom of heaven is like"
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you"

In the kingdom, the Father knows ahead of time who will trample on the free gift of forgiveness he has given it to, yet He gives it anyway.
 
Nov 16, 2019
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Amen sis....

We could never deserve His mercy... we can only be grateful for it....
We can live worthy of it:

"conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." - Philippians 1:27

In fact, that is how you show your gratitude for God's mercy.
To not do that is to show contempt for God's mercy.
 
Nov 16, 2019
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If works is required, than salvation has to be earned.
Works are required by the virtue of us being new creations "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" - Ephesians 2:10

Ultimately, in the end, no good works shows you are not a new creation in Christ. That's how works are required without those works earning salvation.

Works are the required and obligatory result of being saved. Just as getting wet is the required and obligatory outcome of going swimming. Getting wet is required in swimming, but you don't get wet to go swimming, you go swimming and invariably get wet. You have to, or you didn't go swimming. In this same way, works are required in salvation.
 

OneOfHis

Well-known member
Mar 24, 2019
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Then what are these for?
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.



If there is a specific verse which troubles you, feel free to post what you believe it to mean in context as you have many times.

The copy and paste jumbled out of context verses technique saves time, I'm sure... but if you are trying to suggest any of the verses you posted, in context, say that a born again child of God can ever "lose salvation" then I disagree and it is on you to show where you believe scripture says that....


You have never once even been able to ask a question I couldn't answer using scripture and with a clean conscience towards God and my own beliefs in regards to what He has put in His written word. Even if you often just "disagree" and go to different verses which still flow in perfect harmony with eternal security.
 
Nov 24, 2019
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Virginia
www.youtube.com
Your profile says otherwise. Oops!
You always sound just like Jesus.

Ah, I see labels save. The sacred cow of the Christian label. You're a Christian so you're going to heaven.

That has nothing to do with anything. Have you repented and been baptized? Do you abide in His Word? Do you deny your soul, take up your cross and follow Him daily, or do you walk in your way? Is He head over all things for you? Do you abide in Him? Do you live in the Spirit? Do you love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Has He circumcised your heart?

The world doesn't need to see more Christian hypocrites (not that everyone is, they aren't) what they need to see is disciples of our Lord for whom He is King. That was a charge against the early believers - "They say there is another King!" Hardly the charge today.
 
Jan 12, 2019
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Works are required by the virtue of us being new creations "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" - Ephesians 2:10

Ultimately, in the end, no good works shows you are not a new creation in Christ. That's how works are required without those works earning salvation.

Works are the required and obligatory result of being saved. Just as getting wet is the required and obligatory outcome of going swimming. Getting wet is required in swimming, but you don't get wet to go swimming, you go swimming and invariably get wet. You have to, or you didn't go swimming. In this same way, works are required in salvation.
At least you are clear enough to state that you believe faith AND works are both required for salvation. I can respect that.
 
Feb 29, 2020
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If works is required, than salvation has to be earned.
Salvation is a gift, it cannot be earned. It is only obtained by belief in the gospel. This is step 1.

Step 2: After receiving the free gift, you must continue in God’s goodness and walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you were called (Romans 11:22; Ephesians 4:1).
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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Why has the church gone against Paul and say that even 'believing' is now a work of merit?
i'm sorry; i haven't followed that part of the conversation in this thread. i'm not able to keep up with all of the things going on in here
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
Salvation is a gift, it cannot be earned. It is only obtained by belief in the gospel. This is step 1.

Step 2: After receiving the free gift, you must continue in God’s goodness and walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you were called (Romans 11:22; Ephesians 4:1).
Then it is not really a gift is it?