So then you agree with me, They are not required. We do not work because we are trying to be saved, we work because we ARE saved..ie. they will happen, it is not an if, or you better,, it is they will.
Then again you agree with me. They do not do it to get saved, they do it because they are saved. and since they have been saved, the love God.. so how could i be wrong?
I am not confusing anything,
If I go to church because I love God. I am doing a work of righteousnes.
If I go to earn salvation (or not lose it) I am doing a work for self. and it is a work of evil. because it is of the flesh (self promoting) and not for God. Same goes with water baptism or any other work.
Which is what I have been saying all along.
Which is why I got baptised. But if I am doing it to be saved, as you just agreed with, I am doing it for in your own words.
Your right, When you are doing it to be saved, your doing it for self. for self gain. When you do anything in order to recieve something, your doing it for self gain.
Saying one must do a work to be saved is legalism, whether it be physical circumcision or physical baptism, there is no difference.
if we do it because we love God and out of appreciation for his gift, and faith in him, then it is not legalism. If we do it to be saved, it is legalism, and paul spoke against all forms of legalism.
there you go. no work here. The heart has faith, the mouth calls on the name of the lord to be saved. God will not help you if you do not ask.
John says one born of God can not do this. so I am not sure what you problem is, One who is doing this can not be saved, or john is a liar.
Yes I have not once said we have to earn salvation. I have always stated these works of love are a must in a believers life because they show that one is saved, and with out these outer works of love the scriptures make it evident that the person who lacks these are not saved.
You will want to, and will do these things out of love for the Lord our God.
The reason we don't see eye to eye is because you keep saying not required, but the bible makes it clear that they are part of a believers life and without them one is not a true believer. So they are needed in ones life to show they are saved, and faith and love drives those actions.
The confession that Paul is referring to is the same the Lord said, that to profess your faith openly to others and not deny Him before others. This is a righteous work in the faith, and the reason for this is because so many will commit to saying they trust and love the Lord, but when it comes to hard decision one faces will they keep that faith or deny Him.
Examples:
Just like in " Gods not dead " movie will you be the one who quickly signs the paper just to stay away from a debate, or putting your schooling at risk, or would you stand up for the Lord and refuse to sign it ?
or
If somebody was to come into your work, home, or wherever you are and point a gun at you and tell you to denounce Jesus or die. Would you be quick to denounce Him to live longer, or would you refuse to deny Him and be shot and killed ?
I have ran across a lot of who would quickly deny Him, and say I can just ask for forgiveness later and He will forgive me.
I have a real issue with that because the Lord says not to deny Him, and not to hide your faith. I would be proud to die for my faith.