Salvation Not Possible Without Works

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tarzan

Guest
The work you do does not matter. It could be washing cars. You wash cars to provide for your house. If one was a Christian does he not have to do this work of washing cars, thereby not provide for his own house but still be sved?
You don't know in what time you live, do you?

You may continue to seek to condemn. How can someone who is 49 years old not have the experience yet to understand what is going on? What is your purpose of condemnation? Do you seek to glorify yourself?

No. The Christian does not earn salvation washing cars! Neither does the Christian earn salvation by preaching Christ to all the nations! Neither does the Christian earn salvation by printing Bibles! Neither does the Christian earn salvation by condemning those in whose shoes one has not been!

How the devil has a grip on this world! Now because the devil has made so many laws, and society has become so dark, and difficult for many, and many are still bound to traditions of men, believing these traditions to be of God, but they are not; therefore do these people not understand that the devil manipulates the environment that Christians may begin to persecute each other of those things which are very difficult!

What then is the purpose of being a missionary in third world countries wherein they have nothing to provide for themselves, but only that which is given to them by the Christians and other aid services, if there be any? Are Christian missionaries only there to pour hot coals upon the heads of the heathens? Or are they there to share the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord that those people may be saved?

And then would you condemn any in the rich countries? Let me assure you, the poor in the rich countries are worse off than the poor in the poor countries. The poor in the rich countries are separated by technology and many laws, whereas the poor in the poor countries still have their communities. Though they may be up against firearms, the poor of the rich countries must face the evil fire and assault of those who consider themselves righteous and earners of their own wages.

And those with sickness, physical or mental, these are manipulated by society and discarded by those in the faith, by those same who claim, "I work, I must." One will always use the law to justify their actions and to make themselves feel as though they are earners of their wages. I will remind the hypocrites once again, do you cause the sun to rise in the morning? Do you cause it to rain? Do you cause the food to grow? To you reap it? Did you sow it? Did you create your job for yourself or was it offered to you? Did you build the building of the company at which you applied? Did you create all the systems by which you created and filled out your application? Did you create your job? Have you mastered your job all by yourself, or is your mastery the image of the shadow of the obviousness of what job should be done? Have you given yourself feet or hands? Did you print the money? Did you create the banks? The credit system? What have you done to earn what you claim to earn? Did you give birth to yourself? Did you write the Holy Bible? Did you speak the Word before the Word was revealed to you, or before the Word was written upon your heart?

If not, then upon which premise do you take one line of text and condemn all of humanity with it?

Why do you not justify Christians with the law instead of persecute them?

Why do you not consider what it is to provide? Why do you not consider what food is? Why do you not consider that we are told that though we may forsake our family for the Lord, we shall in no wise lose our reward? Why do you not consider that some are sick physically, some are sick mentally, some are in depression, some are still learning, and that the enemy is hard at work? Why do you consider nothing besides that which you decide to use to justify yourself?

Do you not know that you have earned nothing?

There are many who work that are not willing to work. They clock in and receive a pay check. They perform their jobs halfway, but know they get away with the rest. There are those who manipulate their employment to their own end. There are those who claim they need not master any further than what they have. There are those who do none of those things, and yet boast in that they do well. There are many that do naughty things to provide. Which is worse? To have employment doing that which is wrong to provide, or to forego that and to learn in what manner one should provide? Do you think that these are providing for their family? And what offense is it to you? How are you harmed? Is it not those people that feel they have little to offer financially the same people who complain that another is not working? So then their complaints are about money, not about God. And are you harmed because one's salvation is at stake? Then reason and love with them and share with them and find their heart. Do not condemn them. If someone completely refuses your help, refuses to do all things, refuses any love you offer, believes that all should serve them, and that they should do nothing, and they seek no reference from the Lord, or any such thing, even then, what can you do then? Will complaining provide for them? And who is hurt by their manipulation? Who can see it? It is enough to say, "I do not support your faulty thinking, and I would rather not interact with you as a friend until you are willing to hear me and work together to find what you can do."

Do you not discern that the reason so many worked beforehand was because they thought that those works bought their salvation?! Do you not discern that the reason Timothy spoke to that end is because when people were relieved of their bondage, they believed they were relieved from their work all together? Therefore, those to whom Timothy spoke believed just as you believe! How do you not see the error in your thinking?

For those who work the job understanding that the job to provide for the family is not the job unto salvation, then those same may find peace in their work, or their transition of work, or the circumstances which they cannot control, and the pain they suffer then should not be doubled upon them, even if they speak no pain, but seemingly arrogance, it is there. And so why add to the pain?

Do you not also understand that in Timothy's day, there were not millions of laws, and there were not hundreds of thousands of work laws, and there was work to be found if one sought? And still, if one seeks, they may be able to find some work. But then also, they may not. Or they may not find it in the time which everyone expects. And some hypocritically pray to the Lord, "Please, give that brother a job." But then when the brother comes back with no job, the same who prayed reams the brother out and says, "Why haven't you looked harder?" How hypocritical can one be?

I do not see the law being used to justify anyone here but one's self. I see the law being used to condemn and to accuse those which have angered the OP and all in agreement with the OP. The same have not experienced the darkness of the society of this world and the same are offended by that which they should not be offended.

Retirement funds, pension plans, insurances, stock options, and all manner of things exist for your account. And yet you worry about these things that these things have a power over you instead of to serve you. And surely, people have made these things a power over themselves. For now people base their entire lives on these things in the rich countries. "I've done my duty."

This thread would have been a little more righteous if it had been made for the purpose of condemning the rich who have forsaken the poor and who have cast stumbling blocks to prevent competition and to prevent provision or any sharing at all of any thing that they have; and even then, the thread would not have been in righteousness.
 
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Alligator

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eternally-gratefull

Guest
I Didn't say any such thing. How could he be of the same body of Christ, unless Christ was much much older than we think he was.
Christ is eternal. He had no beginning or end, He created the heavens and the earth. He spoke to daniel and david personally while they were alive here on earth.

And even if you disagree with this.

they are of the same body. Because the same Christ paid their price of redemption. As well as ours.
 
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cfultz3

Guest
I Didn't say any such thing. How could he be of the same body of Christ, unless Christ was much much older than we think he was.
My friend,

Remember, the saints of the Old Testament did not receive salvation until their Messiah came and brought them forth from death. The same Messiah we place faith in to do the same for us.
 
A

Alligator

Guest
Christ is eternal. He had no beginning or end, He created the heavens and the earth. He spoke to daniel and david personally while they were alive here on earth.

And even if you disagree with this.

they are of the same body. Because the same Christ paid their price of redemption. As well as ours.
yes Christ is eternal and he had no beginning. But I thought we were talking about the New Testament church. I have given several scriptures to show when it was established. But as you said, this discussion is getting old.
 
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Alligator

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cfultz3

Guest
My friend,

Remember, the saints of the Old Testament did not receive salvation until their Messiah came and brought them forth from death. The same Messiah we place faith in to do the same
I am not taking sides, my friend, just pointing out that we all, both Old and New Covenant saints, have the same Savior.
 
A

Alligator

Guest
I am not taking sides, my friend, just pointing out that we all, both Old and New Covenant saints, have the same Savior.
Of course I agree with you totally. Hebrews says that the blood of bulls and goats was never sufficient to take away our sin .Only christ can do that.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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i'm not even sure what your point is regarding a listing of the church in the New Testament three times in the present tense.
If you don't believe that the thief on the cross is not a good example for our salvation today, all you need to do is read the 9th chapter of Hebrews, Especially versus 16 and 17.
Do you remember I even made the post.....The church being spoken of in the present tense combined with the statement by Jesus about the Law and the Prophets until John, and John being dead when the thief on the cross trusted into Christ contradicts Mr. Twisty's statement about the thief's death....

Originally Posted by SeaBass
The thief is not an example of NT salvation. He lived and died under the OT law.

Originally Posted by dcontroversal

The Law and the Prophets were until John the Baptist who was long dead by the time Jesus was crucified and on top of that the (church) had been spoken of in the present tense no less than three times during the earthly ministry of Jesus....

You remind me of another dude...His new name was MR. Twisty.........
 

ChosenbyHim

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2011
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Alligator,

Daniel was not and is not a part of the Body of Christ. No Old Testament saint is.

Only Christians (Church Age Saints) make up the Body of Christ (Bride of Christ).

Old Testament saints were saved differently than how people are saved today.

But Eternal Redemption came for all mankind (Old Testament saints and New Testament saints) through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
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A

Alligator

Guest
Alligator,

Daniel was not and is not a part of the Body of Christ. No Old Testament saint is.

Only Christians (Church Age Saints) make up the Body of Christ (Bride of Christ).

Old Testament saints were saved differently than how people are saved today.

But Eternal Redemption came for all mankind (Old Testament saints and New Testament saints) through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I completely agree. Did I post something that would lead you to believe otherwise? Please provide me with the post I did make that could have been misleading.
 
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Reformedjason

Guest
Faith saves, works follow
 

JGIG

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2013
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The thief lived and died under the OT law, and therfore is not an example of NT salvation.



Secondly, what proof do you have that the thief never did anything at all?
You're kidding, right?

Jesus had already ratified the New Covenant with His Blood by the time the guards came to break the legs of the two thieves to make them die faster; Jesus was already dead. So the thief on his cross died under the New Covenant. He absolutely was an example of NT salvation:

28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them,
This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (from Jn. 6)


Did he work? Yep. He believed. He labored to enter into the Rest of Christ:

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (from Heb. 4)


Not quite the 'work' you're trying to preach.

-JGIG
 

JGIG

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2013
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dcontroversial said those "produce works" are done to prove one is saved. So if one does not do those "produced works" then the lack of those works prove he was NOT saved.

So is your position that AFTER one becomesa Christain he does not have to do any works at all, no good works Eph 2:10, no walking in the light, 1 Jn 1:7? If a Christian sees a fellow Christian in great need, he does not have to do good works to help his fellow Christian and still be saved? (see Matt 25:32ff before answering )
No, he does not HAVE to. But as a New Creation, if he led by the Spirit and not by the Law, because the Spirit is producing His Fruit in that believer (Love), the believer will not only want to help not only a fellow Christian, but the sinner, as well.

It's so interesting to me that obligation or fear of losing or not attaining salvation is the motivation for obedience in your paradigm. It brings elements of resentment and fear into the believer's heart instead of confidence and love, both of which God desires for His children (1 Jn. 4, Heb. 4, and many other passages).

-JGIG
 

JGIG

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2013
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I do not see that faith alone can get one anywhere.
That's because you cannot see that faith is entering into what God has already done.

It's not about an entrance into university, and then if you want to stay you have to keep your GPA up.

It's the receiving of the gifts of Forgiveness, Righteousness, and New Life in Christ.

Then it's God's job to teach you how to love. And out of love flows works.

The Gospel of Grace teaches us that works are a fruit of living in Christ, not a requirement for living in Christ.

-JGIG
 

JGIG

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2013
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Well SeaBass, I'd love to hear your rendition of what kinds of works we should be doing. Is God calling on you to provide us with this message? It's a good message, after all. I just don't know why everyone here argues so much.

To me it's simple. I'm not inviting the neighbor's kids to my son's birthday party if they are self serving brats who will steal candy and presents and then cry and complain. They aren't invited to the party. I am inviting the nice, thankful children who bring gifts, give love to my son and my family, and participate in the joy of having a birthday with obedience and gratitude. Not everyone is going to get invited to God's party.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (from Rom. 5)

Everyone is invited to God's Party. He even provides the garments of righteousness!


I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (from Is. 61)


-JGIG
 
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A

Alligator

Guest
The thief lived and died under the OT law, and therfore is not an example of NT salvation.



Secondly, what proof do you have that the thief never did anything at all?
You're kidding, right?

Jesus had already ratified the New Covenant with His Blood by the time the guards came to break the legs of the two thieves to make them die faster; Jesus was already dead. So the thief on his cross died under the New Covenant. He absolutely was an example of NT salvation:
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them,
This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (from Jn. 6)


Did he work? Yep. He believed. He labored to enter into the Rest of Christ:

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (from Heb. 4)


Not quite the 'work' you're trying to preach.

-JGIG
but you're missing one of the main points. Jesus pardoned the thief on the cross obviously while he was still alive. This took place still under the Old Testament law. Read the account.
 
D

Daley

Guest
Works are not evidence of our faith. They are a witness to people judging whether we are saved. They have no place in salvation. They are a witness to the one determining whether we are of the faith, but have no actual reflection upon that person's faith. "Works are the evidence of our faith" is not an accurate statement in totality because someone people take time to bear fruit. Not everyone changes immediately. Hence, "babes in Christ." One must be careful when saying such a thing because people like SeaBass take it out of context and take it to the extreme.
Once a person has truely been born again, they will change. It will take time, and we can't put a time limit on the work of the Holy Spirit in the individual, but progress will be made. Not everyone changes immediately, but they must chance, because we were not saved so we can live a life of sin, and sin is not a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says that faith without works is dead (James 2:26); can DEAD faith save anybody? Those who truely were saved by living faith will naturally bear fruit, and thus I have to maintain that works show evidence of our faith. But I can see also the logic in your point, and I have to say its a very good point worth remembering.
 

JGIG

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2013
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I order to become a Christian one must do the obedient works of believing,Jn 3:16; repentance, Lk 13:35, confession, Mt 10:32;33, and submit to baptism, Mk 16:16.

After one then becomes a Christian, he must do good works, Eph 2:10, Matt 25; walk in the light so Christ's blood continues to wash away all sins, 1 Jn 1:7; be faithful unto death, Rev 2:10, keep Christ's works, Rev 2:26
Romans 5 obliterates your misuse/cherry-picking of the other Scriptures:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.


8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!



10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!


11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.


12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.




It's not about what you do, or will do, or won't do, or have done.

It's all about Christ and what HE'S done \o/!

-JGIG
 

JGIG

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2013
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You're kidding, right?

Jesus had already ratified the New Covenant with His Blood by the time the guards came to break the legs of the two thieves to make them die faster; Jesus was already dead. So the thief on his cross died under the New Covenant. He absolutely was an example of NT salvation:
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them,
This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (from Jn. 6)


Did he work? Yep. He believed. He labored to enter into the Rest of Christ:

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (from Heb. 4)


Not quite the 'work' you're trying to preach.

-JGIG
but you're missing one of the main points. Jesus pardoned the thief on the cross obviously while he was still alive. This took place still under the Old Testament law. Read the account.
Yep. The thief also recognized Jesus and His Kingdom. He believed. One does not cancel out or add to the other; Jesus spoke in confirmation of the belief that the thief had:

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (from Luke 23)



-JGIG