Salvation Not Possible Without Works
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you cannot mix up the law of Moses with the law of liberty in Christ
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
- James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only
[h=3]Hebrews 4:10[/h]King James Version (KJV)
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
"Kidding himself", you say? Christianity isn't a religion that is based upon effort in the sense of other religions where one "works" their way to salvation (such as Nirvana) or moral perfection. It is imputed to us, from Christ. We are the righteousness of God, in Jesus Christ. To get to heaven without effort is the point, we don't get to boast. We, by no means, could ever get to heaven by our own righteousness, or as God would call it, "filthy rags."
PS: Following Christ is a result of salvation, not a condition of salvation. Just as good works are a result of salvation, and not a condition of salvation. We must differentiate, from the root and fruit of salvation.
[h=3]Romans 4:5[/h]King James Version (KJV)
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Effort will follow, but that effort is to walk the path the Lord has set before you, to intentionally seek His will, but that effort is not effort put towards salvation, because that salvation wouldn't be a free gift, but a wage due.
[h=3]Romans 4:4[/h]King James Version (KJV)
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
And, we all know that salvation is by what? Grace. Unearned, unmerited, and undeserved. Freely bestowed upon us.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
"Kidding himself", you say? Christianity isn't a religion that is based upon effort in the sense of other religions where one "works" their way to salvation (such as Nirvana) or moral perfection. It is imputed to us, from Christ. We are the righteousness of God, in Jesus Christ. To get to heaven without effort is the point, we don't get to boast. We, by no means, could ever get to heaven by our own righteousness, or as God would call it, "filthy rags."
PS: Following Christ is a result of salvation, not a condition of salvation. Just as good works are a result of salvation, and not a condition of salvation. We must differentiate, from the root and fruit of salvation.
[h=3]Romans 4:5[/h]King James Version (KJV)
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Effort will follow, but that effort is to walk the path the Lord has set before you, to intentionally seek His will, but that effort is not effort put towards salvation, because that salvation wouldn't be a free gift, but a wage due.
[h=3]Romans 4:4[/h]King James Version (KJV)
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
And, we all know that salvation is by what? Grace. Unearned, unmerited, and undeserved. Freely bestowed upon us.
F
Salvation is deliverance from the old nature of sin, our works did not bring that deliverance but we choose to repent to live for God & do what is right (righteousness) to EARN salvation, as the bible tells us we must EARN it. No one said this more than Jesus and Paul. Grace is the Holy Spirit coming to reside on the inside of us once we repent & turn to God & believe that Jesus has given us a new LIFE through our UNION with Him. It is by His power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead. Now, we should walk in newness of life. If we do not walk in righteousness the bible clearly says we are still children of the devil. The bible says we earn , the bible says we must do righteousness, the bible says we are judged according to our works & only those who seek God by doing right will earn eternal life. Yet, you take a dictionary to supplement two scriptures to teach what the bible does not say! You want to sin.
F
Mat 25:45 The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.'
Mat 25:46 These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life."
Mat 3:10 The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.
Paul specifically tells us WHAT works of the law he is referring to:
Peter had been eating with the Gentile believers. But after these men arrived, he drew back and would not eat with the Gentiles, because he was afraid of those who were in favor of circumcising them.
Gal 2:14 When I saw that they were not walking a straight path in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you have been living like a Gentile, not like a Jew. How, then, can you try to force Gentiles to live like Jews?"
Gal 4:10 You pay special attention to certain days, months, seasons, and years.
Gal 4:11 I am worried about you! Can it be that all my work for you has been for nothing?
Gal 5:2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, it means that Christ is of no use to you at all.
Gal 5:3 Once more I warn any man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the whole Law. (over 600 Jewish ceremonial & regulations required).
Gal 5:4 Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God's grace.
Gal 5:6 For when we are in union with Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor the lack of it makes any difference at all; what matters is faith that works through love.
Gal 5:11 But as for me, my friends, if I continue to preach that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted?
BUT we must work!!
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Mat 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake, will receive a hundred times more and will be given eternal life.
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it.
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:27 For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds.
Luk 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Luk 13:24 Strive(agōnizomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games
2) to contend with adversaries, fight
3) metaphorically to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers
4) to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something) to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
1Jn 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Mat 25:46 These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life."
Mat 3:10 The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.
Paul specifically tells us WHAT works of the law he is referring to:
Peter had been eating with the Gentile believers. But after these men arrived, he drew back and would not eat with the Gentiles, because he was afraid of those who were in favor of circumcising them.
Gal 2:14 When I saw that they were not walking a straight path in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you have been living like a Gentile, not like a Jew. How, then, can you try to force Gentiles to live like Jews?"
Gal 4:10 You pay special attention to certain days, months, seasons, and years.
Gal 4:11 I am worried about you! Can it be that all my work for you has been for nothing?
Gal 5:2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, it means that Christ is of no use to you at all.
Gal 5:3 Once more I warn any man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the whole Law. (over 600 Jewish ceremonial & regulations required).
Gal 5:4 Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God's grace.
Gal 5:6 For when we are in union with Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor the lack of it makes any difference at all; what matters is faith that works through love.
Gal 5:11 But as for me, my friends, if I continue to preach that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted?
BUT we must work!!
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Mat 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake, will receive a hundred times more and will be given eternal life.
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it.
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:27 For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds.
Luk 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Luk 13:24 Strive(agōnizomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games
2) to contend with adversaries, fight
3) metaphorically to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers
4) to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something) to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
1Jn 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Are you telling us that you NOW think you no longer sin?
Dr. John MacArthur, President of the Master's College and Seminary puts it this way.
"NO Christian is sinless!
But as he or she matures spiritually, they will sin less, and less, and less."
The thing you absolutely need to know about the books that John wrote, is he loves to use the GREEK perfect tense primary verbs. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT TENSE IN ENGLISH. In the English primary tense verbs we ONLY have past tense, present tense, and future tense. We do not have the perfect tense primary verbs that imply continuous lifestyle characteristic of striving to do those verb actions. HENCE:
1 John 2:3-4 (NKJV)
[SUP]3 [/SUP] Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
KEEP in both of those verbs in is the Greek perfect tense, implying a continuous lifestyle characteristic of striving to KEEP His commandments. IT IS NOT describing the perfection of our Christian walk, but rather the DIRECTION of our Christian walk.
AND what happens when we stumble and fall into a sin? THANK GOD that John also put the primary verb in this verse in the Greek Perfect Tense.
1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
YES that CONFESS is in the perfect tense also, implying a lifestyle characteristic of CONFESSING each new sin that we discover in our lives. Why would he use that continuous action perfect verb tense, if that verb Confess was something that a Christian only did once?
Still think you are sinless? Then how do you explain these two verses being connected in context to a lifestlyle characteristic of CONFESSING:
1 John 1:8 (NKJV)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:10 (NKJV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Still want to believe you do not sin anymore? THEN READ THIS:
Romans 14:23 (KJV)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Kind of knocks the "I don't sin anymore" legs right out from under you doesn't it? Tell us now, how much is in your life that still IS NOT OF FAITH.
Isaiah 53:6 (ESV)
[SUP]6[/SUP] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Romans 3:22-23 (NKJV)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
[SUP]23 [/SUP] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Titus 3:5 (KJV)
[SUP]5 [/SUP] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Galatians 2:16 (GW)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] Yet, we know that people don't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards, but only by believing in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Jesus Christ in order to receive God's approval by faith in Christ and not because of our own efforts. People won't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards.
Galatians 3:10 (ESV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
James 2:10 (NIV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Galatians 2:16 (GW)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] Yet, we know that people don't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards, but only by believing in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Jesus Christ in order to receive God's approval by faith in Christ and not because of our own efforts. People won't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards.
Galatians 3:10 (ESV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
James 2:10 (NIV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
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A
These sins could very well be all in your past and not in your future.
Again, all have sinned, but not all continue to sin.
Again, all have sinned, but not all must continue to sin.
This verse is taken out of context. This is about doing things that go against your own conscience, which in this case is eating specific foods.
The rest of the passage,
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Once again, everyone has turned their own way at some point, but they need not continue to go their own way.
Again, all have sinned, but not all continue to sin.
Psalm 51:17 (NIV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
So you claim, but GOD SAYS they are OF GOD.
Romans 7:18 (ESV)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 Corinthians 12:6 (ESV)
[SUP]6 [/SUP] and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NIV)
[SUP]5 [/SUP] because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
[SUP]25 [/SUP] correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
Hmmm, Paul seems to agree, that which is good in us is OF GOD.
Why do you want to rob GOD of the Glory do HIM?
[SUP]17 [/SUP] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
So you claim, but GOD SAYS they are OF GOD.
Romans 7:18 (ESV)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 Corinthians 12:6 (ESV)
[SUP]6 [/SUP] and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NIV)
[SUP]5 [/SUP] because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
[SUP]25 [/SUP] correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
Hmmm, Paul seems to agree, that which is good in us is OF GOD.
Why do you want to rob GOD of the Glory do HIM?
I prefer translation that uses the word LAW
[h=3]Galatians 2:16[/h]King James Version (KJV)
[SUP]16 [/SUP]Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
[h=3]Galatians 2:16[/h]New International Version (NIV)
[SUP]16 [/SUP]know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,[SUP](A)[/SUP] but by faith in Jesus Christ.[SUP](B)[/SUP] So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[SUP][a][/SUP] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.[SUP](C)[/SUP]
[h=4]Galatians 2:16 (GW)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] Yet, we know that people don't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards, but only by believing in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Jesus Christ in order to receive God's approval by faith in Christ and not because of our own efforts. People won't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards.[/h]
[h=3]Galatians 2:16[/h]Amplified Bible (AMP)
[SUP]16 [/SUP]Yet we know that a man is justified or reckoned righteous and in right standing with God not by works of the Law, but [only] through faith and [absolute] reliance on and adherence to and trust in Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). [Therefore] even we [ourselves] have believed on Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law [for we cannot be justified by any observance of the ritual of the Law given by Moses], because by keeping legal rituals and by works no human being can ever be justified (declared righteous and put in right standing with God).
[h=3]Galatians 2:16[/h]King James Version (KJV)
[SUP]16 [/SUP]Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
[h=3]Galatians 2:16[/h]New International Version (NIV)
[SUP]16 [/SUP]know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,[SUP](A)[/SUP] but by faith in Jesus Christ.[SUP](B)[/SUP] So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[SUP][a][/SUP] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.[SUP](C)[/SUP]
[h=4]Galatians 2:16 (GW)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] Yet, we know that people don't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards, but only by believing in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Jesus Christ in order to receive God's approval by faith in Christ and not because of our own efforts. People won't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards.[/h]
[h=3]Galatians 2:16[/h]Amplified Bible (AMP)
[SUP]16 [/SUP]Yet we know that a man is justified or reckoned righteous and in right standing with God not by works of the Law, but [only] through faith and [absolute] reliance on and adherence to and trust in Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). [Therefore] even we [ourselves] have believed on Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law [for we cannot be justified by any observance of the ritual of the Law given by Moses], because by keeping legal rituals and by works no human being can ever be justified (declared righteous and put in right standing with God).