Not By Works

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
It does not get any plainer..........Our righteous works have ZERO to do with Salvation!

English Standard Version
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Berean Study Bible
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Berean Literal Bible
He saved us, not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

New American Standard Bible
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

King James Bible
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;
Just because our works (obedience) does not earn salvation, does not mean it has nothing to do with it. The group to whom God chooses to give the gift is to those who obey Him. He does not give it to everyone.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
I would say our salvation is based upon the work of the Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Sealing of the Holy Spirit....it is not of our effort, our labor, toil, work etc.....

It pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe!
I would agree . There is no work we could do that adds to His finished work, To contribute to His work of faith as His labor of love to man is blaspheme the holy name we are called heavenward by.. It simply denies the faith (works) of Christ, as it is written.

So salvation is by a work of faith just not that of our own selves but by the faith of Christ.


That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness "toward us" (not from us) through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith;( Christ's) and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.Eph 2:7-9


If it is of Christ, than it cannot be of us. Its why He says clearly ...not of our own selves least any man boast in false pride.,
 

Seohce

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2016
1,386
54
48
To be saved, we ought to have FAITH in Gòd & His only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Because of LOVE, God gave us His Son who likewise gave His life for us for the forgiveness of our sins(justification) & to destroy the works of the devil(1john 3:5&8). It is only fitting for us to love God for the love He lavished on us by obeying His commands(1john 5:3). And this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also his brother.(1john 4:21). My dearest, if God hath so loved us; we also ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and his charity is perfected in us. In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his spirit. (1john 4:11-13)

Our faith is in our Holy & Righteous God. And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; And in knowledge, abstinence; and in abstinence, patience; and in patience, godliness; And in godliness, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity. For if these things be with you and abound, they will make you to be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he that hath not these things with him, is blind, and groping, having forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time. For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.(2pet 1:5-11)

It is therefore not by FAITH ALONE but by LOVE & OBEDIENCE in humility & submission to God, we shall be saved by God's GRACE & MERCY thru the HOLY SPIRIT who is doing His work within us
 
F

FreeNChrist

Guest
Just because our works (obedience) does not earn salvation, does not mean it has nothing to do with it. The group to whom God chooses to give the gift is to those who obey Him. He does not give it to everyone.
Ummm, yeah it does mean works have nothing to do with salvation. The "group" that God gives the "gift" to are those who have faith in His Son.
 
F

FreeNChrist

Guest
To be saved, we ought to have FAITH in Gòd & His only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Because of LOVE, God gave us His Son who likewise gave His life for us for the forgiveness of our sins(justification) & to destroy the works of the devil(1john 3:5&8). It is only fitting for us to love God for the love He lavished on us by obeying His commands(1john 5:3). And this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also his brother.(1john 4:21). My dearest, if God hath so loved us; we also ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and his charity is perfected in us. In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his spirit. (1john 4:11-13)

Our faith is in our Holy & Righteous God. And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; And in knowledge, abstinence; and in abstinence, patience; and in patience, godliness; And in godliness, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity. For if these things be with you and abound, they will make you to be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he that hath not these things with him, is blind, and groping, having forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time. For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.(2pet 1:5-11)

It is therefore not by FAITH ALONE but by LOVE & OBEDIENCE in humility & submission to God, we shall be saved by God's GRACE & MERCY thru the HOLY SPIRIT who is doing His work within us
We are saved by grace through faith. <<<<<< that's a period.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Well, you know that because we believe in grace dia faith salvation void of any works (for salvation) that we automatically believe we can do as we please and the consequences mean nothing.........

So far from the truth........just an excuse they (the workers for) use so as to malign what we believe and justify their mindset!

I like the words of paul. "all things are lawfull, But not all things are profitable".

Every action, or thought we have brings about consequences. Some (like serving others) brings about blessing, and some bring about pain (to ourselves and others)

A child of God is blessed when he obeys and does Gods will (which is loving all people and placing yourself on the back seat) While he chastens those who get out of line..


Anyone who thinks we can sin and get away with it. Well I must question if they know God. Because those of us who do know God. know this is so not true..
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Just because our works (obedience) does not earn salvation, does not mean it has nothing to do with it. The group to whom God chooses to give the gift is to those who obey Him. He does not give it to everyone.

I think you may be looking at this the wrong way.

The people he GAVE the gift to obey because they are made his children.

They were not given the gift because they obeyed.

that is what the law was intended to show us, that we can not live up to Gods standard (without watering down the law) and this is our tutor to lead us to Christ..

Those born of God obey because of their faith and the Holy Spirit.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
To be saved, we ought to have FAITH in Gòd & His only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Because of LOVE, God gave us His Son who likewise gave His life for us for the forgiveness of our sins(justification) & to destroy the works of the devil(1john 3:5&8). It is only fitting for us to love God for the love He lavished on us by obeying His commands(1john 5:3). And this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also his brother.(1john 4:21). My dearest, if God hath so loved us; we also ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and his charity is perfected in us. In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his spirit. (1john 4:11-13)

Our faith is in our Holy & Righteous God. And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; And in knowledge, abstinence; and in abstinence, patience; and in patience, godliness; And in godliness, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity. For if these things be with you and abound, they will make you to be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he that hath not these things with him, is blind, and groping, having forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time. For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.(2pet 1:5-11)

It is therefore not by FAITH ALONE but by LOVE & OBEDIENCE in humility & submission to God, we shall be saved by God's GRACE & MERCY thru the HOLY SPIRIT who is doing His work within us
So we are saved not by grace through faith, but by works (love and obedience) How is it that Paul got it so wrong in his letter to the Ephesian church?

I have a few questions. The bible says we LOVE because GOD LOVED US FIRST.

How can we LOVE as God loved if we have yet to experience Gods true love (salvation) we can't

and the second question. How good is good enough? (if we must obey to be saved, there must be a level of obedience me MUST attain to be saved, what is that level?)

 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Originally Posted by Utah


Who here is stating we can do whatever we want!




I agree...that type of thinking will always come when the true gospel of the grace of God is preached. This is what makes God's grace open for being mis-understood and mis-represented.

When we preach the gospel of the grace of Christ and no one says "What?...are you saying we can just go out and sin because of grace?"

- if no one says that to us when we are preaching the grace of God. Then we have not preached the gospel like Paul did.

The very nature of the gospel leads the carnal mind to think that it means we can sin all we want because of grace and this is also what the natural mind that some Christians live by...which is what they hear when they hear the true gospel being preached that grace believers are saying it's ok to sin all you want now because of grace.
The reality is what is being said is the complete opposite of what those listening with their natural minds think is being said.

We don't need to water down the gospel because it might get mis-understood as it takes away the full strength of the completed and awesome work that our Lord Jesus Christ did for all of us.

The answer to shall we sin so that grace may abound is in Romans chapters 6 and 7 and then how to walk that freedom out is in Chapter 8.

View attachment 164923
Amen and I agree brother........their only logical conclusion to their "working for" self saving false gospel that lacks the understanding of grace, faith and the blood applied.......
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Just because our works (obedience) does not earn salvation, does not mean it has nothing to do with it. The group to whom God chooses to give the gift is to those who obey Him. He does not give it to everyone.
You just contradicted yourself.....it is either...

Eternally saved by faith dia grace without works to gain, keep or facilitate salvation

NOT eternally saved by faith because you have to add to salvation works to gain, keep and or maintain salvation....

The 2nd on the list is false and a gospel of a different kind with no power to save and is double cursed GALATIANS 1, 3
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
I would agree . There is no work we could do that adds to His finished work, To contribute to His work of faith as His labor of love to man is blaspheme the holy name we are called heavenward by.. It simply denies the faith (works) of Christ, as it is written.

So salvation is by a work of faith just not that of our own selves but by the faith of Christ.


That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness "toward us" (not from us) through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith;( Christ's) and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.Eph 2:7-9


If it is of Christ, than it cannot be of us. Its why He says clearly ...not of our own selves least any man boast in false pride.,
Amen...it is all based upon the finished work of Christ, his faith, his justification, his sanctification his sealing (by the Holy Spirit) void of human effort, works or adherence to the law.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
To be saved, we ought to have FAITH in Gòd & His only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Because of LOVE, God gave us His Son who likewise gave His life for us for the forgiveness of our sins(justification) & to destroy the works of the devil(1john 3:5&8). It is only fitting for us to love God for the love He lavished on us by obeying His commands(1john 5:3). And this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also his brother.(1john 4:21). My dearest, if God hath so loved us; we also ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and his charity is perfected in us. In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his spirit. (1john 4:11-13)

Our faith is in our Holy & Righteous God. And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; And in knowledge, abstinence; and in abstinence, patience; and in patience, godliness; And in godliness, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity. For if these things be with you and abound, they will make you to be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he that hath not these things with him, is blind, and groping, having forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time. For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.(2pet 1:5-11)

It is therefore not by FAITH ALONE but by LOVE & OBEDIENCE in humility & submission to God, we shall be saved by God's GRACE & MERCY thru the HOLY SPIRIT who is doing His work within us
Ummmm...not hardly!
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
We are saved by grace through faith. <<<<<< that's a period.

Tragic....how many add jumping through religious "hoopism" and in so doing, make void the power of Jesus to actually save by faith and the blood applied....

How SIMPLE is the following verse...

It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to SAVE them that BELIEVE.

How many will remove themselves from the simplicity that is found in Christ?....ALL who add to faith for salvation!
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113

I like the words of paul. "all things are lawfull, But not all things are profitable".

Every action, or thought we have brings about consequences. Some (like serving others) brings about blessing, and some bring about pain (to ourselves and others)

A child of God is blessed when he obeys and does Gods will (which is loving all people and placing yourself on the back seat) While he chastens those who get out of line..


Anyone who thinks we can sin and get away with it. Well I must question if they know God. Because those of us who do know God. know this is so not true..
AMEN to that......and the bible so teaches this..........the "workers for" miss the simplicity that is found in Christ.......!
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113

I think you may be looking at this the wrong way.

The people he GAVE the gift to obey because they are made his children.

They were not given the gift because they obeyed.

that is what the law was intended to show us, that we can not live up to Gods standard (without watering down the law) and this is our tutor to lead us to Christ..

Those born of God obey because of their faith and the Holy Spirit.
The ole ox and cart analogy.....even nature teaches birth and growth before the fruit comes.......
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
So we are saved not by grace through faith, but by works (love and obedience) How is it that Paul got it so wrong in his letter to the Ephesian church?

I have a few questions. The bible says we LOVE because GOD LOVED US FIRST.

How can we LOVE as God loved if we have yet to experience Gods true love (salvation) we can't

and the second question. How good is good enough? (if we must obey to be saved, there must be a level of obedience me MUST attain to be saved, what is that level?)

The "workers for" and their doctrine has more holes than a Japanese Zero going down in flames in the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.....emphasis on the holes and the flames!
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,431
0
The "workers for" and their doctrine has more holes than a Japanese Zero going down in flames in the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.....emphasis on the holes and the flames!
They are eating from the wrong tree. We either in this world eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or we eat from the tree of Life which is Christ Himself.

One produces a religion of "doing things in order to get" - the other lives by the life of Christ inside of us being expressed which will bear good fruit - His fruit in us if we are fed the proper nutrients - like the love and grace of God in Christ.

We are transformed by the Holy Spirit as we behold the goodness/glory of the Lord as in a mirror. 2 Cor. 3:17-18
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
They are eating from the wrong tree. We either in this world eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or we eat from the tree of Life which is Christ Himself.

One produces a religion of "doing things in order to get" - the other lives by the life of Christ inside of us being expressed which will bear good fruit - His fruit in us if we are fed the proper nutrients - like the love and grace of God in Christ.

We are transformed by the Holy Spirit as we behold the goodness/glory of the Lord as in a mirror. 2 Cor. 3:17-18
Oh I agree brother.....funny and tragic truth.....false teachers are compared to three men in JUDE...the first one on the list offered his WORKS for acceptance....and his name was CAIN!
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,431
0
Oh I agree brother.....funny and tragic truth.....false teachers are compared to three men in JUDE...the first one on the list offered his WORKS for acceptance....and his name was CAIN!

Amen....Cain and Abel were both worshipping God and offering sacrifices to God. One was doing it through his own efforts and the other by God's way - faith in blood alone. Big difference.