Not By Works
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Spiritual gifts are given to us so that WE CAN USE IT for the edification of the church(body) of whom He is the savior and to USE IT FOR HIS WORKS OF SALVATION in and thru the body of Christ where He puts His fellow workers(1cor 3:9 & 12:27-28). We have to use them and not just keep them under the ground and suffer the penalty.
New International Version 1984 Matthew 25:18-30 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. AND THROW THAT WORTHLESS SERVANT OUTSIDE, INTO THE DARKNESS WHERE THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.’
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
New International Version 1984 Matthew 25:18-30 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. AND THROW THAT WORTHLESS SERVANT OUTSIDE, INTO THE DARKNESS WHERE THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.’
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Matthew 9:35-38 The Workers Are Few Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!” The Conclusion of the Matter Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
M
The bottom line is...there are many, many people who congregate in or near church buildings or congregate at "discussion boards'...but who are NOT genuine believers...
...and who are in desperate need of someone admonishing them and/or encouraging them to "examine yourself whether you are of the faith". But then all the "lazy grace" folks will run interference and claim someone like myself is proposing "salvation by works".
Instead, what I am proposing is that "salvation is proved by works" - "faith without works is dead" from the Book of James. I'm sure a lot of these "lazy grace" people are just itching to label James as a "salvation by works" guy.
I have found I have substantial agreement with "dcontroversal" on a number of matters....but not sure what exactly he is saying here.
There is currently a HUGE TRAGEDY ongoing in conservative church culture in America...where there are huge masses of people in the church world who mistakenly view themselves as "saved" when they are almost certainly NOT.
But when "Book of James" aficionados like myself try to step in and encourage these folks to re-examine themselves, in fear and trembling, as to their salvation status...the "lazy grace" crowd steps in and runs interference with spectacular success.
The effect of the "lazy grace" doctrine in America is such that...NO ONE'S salvation is to be questioned. If you've ever been spotted in or near a church building...you're saved, saved, saved. To question the salvation status of such people...is to propose "salvation by works".
I know the "lazy grace" people are in denial about this but...at the end of the day, there is very, very little difference between the "if-you've-prayed-a-prayer-you're-going-to-heaven-no-questions-asked-period" crowd...
...and straight up "universalism.
After all, "faith" is an act. That's why we refer to the "act of faith". But an "act" is action. It's a work. Uh-oh. Now what? The fact is...just as the Book of James plainly indicates - faith and works are inextricably interwoven.
We need to stop telling folks they don't need "works". It's the same as telling them "go ahead and shack up with your girlfriend apart from marriage. Your actions have no connection to your salvation."
James would be standing there, saying - "hey, buddy...you should count on going to Hell".
Good thing James isn't around during this Golden Age of Lazy Grace. He would've never survived.
...and who are in desperate need of someone admonishing them and/or encouraging them to "examine yourself whether you are of the faith". But then all the "lazy grace" folks will run interference and claim someone like myself is proposing "salvation by works".
Instead, what I am proposing is that "salvation is proved by works" - "faith without works is dead" from the Book of James. I'm sure a lot of these "lazy grace" people are just itching to label James as a "salvation by works" guy.
I have found I have substantial agreement with "dcontroversal" on a number of matters....but not sure what exactly he is saying here.
There is currently a HUGE TRAGEDY ongoing in conservative church culture in America...where there are huge masses of people in the church world who mistakenly view themselves as "saved" when they are almost certainly NOT.
But when "Book of James" aficionados like myself try to step in and encourage these folks to re-examine themselves, in fear and trembling, as to their salvation status...the "lazy grace" crowd steps in and runs interference with spectacular success.
The effect of the "lazy grace" doctrine in America is such that...NO ONE'S salvation is to be questioned. If you've ever been spotted in or near a church building...you're saved, saved, saved. To question the salvation status of such people...is to propose "salvation by works".
I know the "lazy grace" people are in denial about this but...at the end of the day, there is very, very little difference between the "if-you've-prayed-a-prayer-you're-going-to-heaven-no-questions-asked-period" crowd...
...and straight up "universalism.
After all, "faith" is an act. That's why we refer to the "act of faith". But an "act" is action. It's a work. Uh-oh. Now what? The fact is...just as the Book of James plainly indicates - faith and works are inextricably interwoven.
We need to stop telling folks they don't need "works". It's the same as telling them "go ahead and shack up with your girlfriend apart from marriage. Your actions have no connection to your salvation."
James would be standing there, saying - "hey, buddy...you should count on going to Hell".
Good thing James isn't around during this Golden Age of Lazy Grace. He would've never survived.
True faith will have a corresponding action of some kind.
Let's look at what James says about faith & it's corresponding "work" in relation to having eternal life now and forever because we heard the message of Christ and believed on Him - then we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Eph. 1:13
It is very interesting that in James's examples of faith "being made alive" by a work or a corresponding action. Both Rahab and Abraham each did a one time corresponding action to demonstrate their faith.
Abraham believed God and offered up Isaac on the alter. Rahab received the spies. Both one time events in their life - God calls this faith in action.
James 2:20-25 (NASB)
[SUP]20 [/SUP] But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
[SUP]21 [/SUP] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
[SUP]22[/SUP]You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
[SUP]23 [/SUP] and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
[SUP]24 [/SUP] You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
[SUP]25 [/SUP] In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
Paul and James completely go together and do not cancel each other out nor contradict the basic truth of believing in Christ brings eternal life when we hear the true message of Christ's work and that we have the forgiveness of sins.
We do the very same thing when we hear the message of Christ and we believe and then God seals us with the Holy Spirit. This is our faith with a corresponding action or a "work".
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Jesus said to do the work of God was to believe in the Son.
Romans 10:8-10 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
[SUP]9 [/SUP] that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
[SUP]10[/SUP]for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
This is faith with corresponding action - or a work. This is how we are saved by grace through faith just like Paul said.
James talk about "faith" and "works" is in relation to helping out our fellow man that is in need.
Let's look at what James says about faith & it's corresponding "work" in relation to having eternal life now and forever because we heard the message of Christ and believed on Him - then we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Eph. 1:13
It is very interesting that in James's examples of faith "being made alive" by a work or a corresponding action. Both Rahab and Abraham each did a one time corresponding action to demonstrate their faith.
Abraham believed God and offered up Isaac on the alter. Rahab received the spies. Both one time events in their life - God calls this faith in action.
James 2:20-25 (NASB)
[SUP]20 [/SUP] But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
[SUP]21 [/SUP] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
[SUP]22[/SUP]You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
[SUP]23 [/SUP] and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
[SUP]24 [/SUP] You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
[SUP]25 [/SUP] In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
Paul and James completely go together and do not cancel each other out nor contradict the basic truth of believing in Christ brings eternal life when we hear the true message of Christ's work and that we have the forgiveness of sins.
We do the very same thing when we hear the message of Christ and we believe and then God seals us with the Holy Spirit. This is our faith with a corresponding action or a "work".
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Jesus said to do the work of God was to believe in the Son.
Romans 10:8-10 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
[SUP]9 [/SUP] that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
[SUP]10[/SUP]for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
This is faith with corresponding action - or a work. This is how we are saved by grace through faith just like Paul said.
James talk about "faith" and "works" is in relation to helping out our fellow man that is in need.
It's not that I cannot not name one work, it's that I chose to do two. Both of which, you apparently missed.
Joh 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Joh 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Mat 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
Mat 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Mat 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
If Jesus calls His speaking and confessing a work, then regardless of what you say, it's a work, because That's all Jesus did to perform the miraculous healings.
Confessing has nothing to do with boasting about one's self. It's about speaking or acting on what you believe.
You believe Jesus can be your lord and savior if your receive Him by faith and confess Him as your personal lord. That confession is a work, which has nothing to do with boasting about one's self.
I don't know if your are not born again but of the devil, making you incapable of receiving truth, or if you simply are blinded by the devil and therefore unable to see what I wrote, or that denying the truth, which is obvious, is one way you cope with someone else putting you to shame by proving you wrong, because there's no way anyone in their right mind could have missed what I wrote.
So take another look at it, and you might just see the contrary to what you said, because I was anything but silent.
I gave you two sets of scripture verses proving one's sins are forgiven by what you confess and say, and now I showed you that speaking or confessing is a work, according to Jesus.
I also noticed you eliminated the latter half of Romans 8 verse one, which was done by the early Catholic church in the codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus. Is that because you can't handle the truth of the whole verse and therefore refuse to believe it as it is written? That being, that there IS condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk after the Spirit but after the flesh. The "no condemnation" is to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh. But that does not apple to them who fail to do the same.
To leave off the latter half of that verse is to promote deception, which translates to a lie.
Joh 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Mat 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
Mat 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Mat 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
If Jesus calls His speaking and confessing a work, then regardless of what you say, it's a work, because That's all Jesus did to perform the miraculous healings.
Confessing has nothing to do with boasting about one's self. It's about speaking or acting on what you believe.
You believe Jesus can be your lord and savior if your receive Him by faith and confess Him as your personal lord. That confession is a work, which has nothing to do with boasting about one's self.
I don't know if your are not born again but of the devil, making you incapable of receiving truth, or if you simply are blinded by the devil and therefore unable to see what I wrote, or that denying the truth, which is obvious, is one way you cope with someone else putting you to shame by proving you wrong, because there's no way anyone in their right mind could have missed what I wrote.
So take another look at it, and you might just see the contrary to what you said, because I was anything but silent.
I gave you two sets of scripture verses proving one's sins are forgiven by what you confess and say, and now I showed you that speaking or confessing is a work, according to Jesus.
I also noticed you eliminated the latter half of Romans 8 verse one, which was done by the early Catholic church in the codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus. Is that because you can't handle the truth of the whole verse and therefore refuse to believe it as it is written? That being, that there IS condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk after the Spirit but after the flesh. The "no condemnation" is to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh. But that does not apple to them who fail to do the same.
To leave off the latter half of that verse is to promote deception, which translates to a lie.
Do you wonder, as I do, how so many so called Christians can miss something so simple as faith and works being one like the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost being one God? There is no life in our faith without a corresponding work. That's why you have so many perverting the word of God. That's why you have easy believism, which you call lazy grace.
Good post sir.
Good post sir.
M
Really?? Just one "work" over an entire lifetime...and then I'm 'good to go'? Awesome. I'm going to head out right now and get that one, single 'work' over with. Then I can relax. Whew.
You make a very strange unbiblical claim about performing a single solitary "one time event"...a "rule" that is not in the Bible...and then, lo and behold, the very next Scripture you cite is flatly contradicting your made-up rule...when it says "faith without works" - plural.
dcontroversal - you're telling me you believe in performing one single solitary act of faith...and then you're 'good to go'? Say it ain't so, Joe.
You make a very strange unbiblical claim about performing a single solitary "one time event"...a "rule" that is not in the Bible...and then, lo and behold, the very next Scripture you cite is flatly contradicting your made-up rule...when it says "faith without works" - plural.
dcontroversal - you're telling me you believe in performing one single solitary act of faith...and then you're 'good to go'? Say it ain't so, Joe.
Okay, I'll let that go instead of proving otherwise.
And I never said faith was a work. I said in order for believing to be faith or for faith to be faith, it requires a corresponding work, otherwise it's dead, according to James.
Would you agree that anything we do physically would be considered a work?
Would you say verbally speaking or confessing is a work?
1Jn1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we havefellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Soncleanseth us from all sin.
1Jn1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth isnot in us.
1Jn1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us oursins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Walking in the light still requires you to do physical acts, and according to the above verses, the blood of Jesus will cleanse you of all sin.
But it doesn't stop there. If we verbally CONFESS our sins, God is faithful and just to FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
So we are not forgiven UNTIL we actually verbally confess our sins, which is a work.
That should be proof enough that a work in faith is required for one's forgiveness.
But I have more if you would like me to continue.
Let's take a look at how to get saved, which requires one's sins to be forgiven.
Rom10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That theman which doeth those things shall live by them.
Rom10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Saynot in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bringChrist down fromabove
Rom10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christagain from the dead.)
Rom10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, evenin thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which wepreach;
Rom10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shaltbelieve in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thoushalt be saved.
Rom10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with themouth confession is made unto salvation.
Take note, that salvation is NOT made UNTIL one CONFESSES WITH THEIR MOUTH, the Lord Jesus.
Faith require one to believe in their heart first, and then they MUST CONFESS WITH THEIR MOUTH BEFORE they can be saved. That is what is written without taking it out of context.
We believe unto righteousness and when we confess what we believe, then it is done.
Faith always requires and act that corresponds to what you believe in your heart.
If you believe and don't act on that believe, nothing will happen. Which means, no salvation.
If you don't believe but still act it out, again, nothing will happen. which means, still no salvation.
2Co4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, Ibelieved, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and thereforespeak;
I have given you two sets of scripture verses that proves a work must be done for one's sins to be forgiven. The testimony of two or more witnesses makes what I said earlier, true.
I named more than one work or act one can do that does indeed cause their sins to be forgiven.
Thanks and God bless
Confessing is not a work for salvation, but an expression of faith. Works salvationists get confused here. Also, confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead are not two separate steps to salvation, but are chronologically together. Romans 10:8 - But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (together) that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, (notice the reverse order from verse 9 to verse 10) - that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Confess/believe; believe/confess.
1 Corinthians 12:3 - Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except BY the Holy Spirit. There is divine influence or direct operation of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a person when confessing Jesus as Lord. This confession is not just a simple acknowledgment that Jesus is the Lord (even the demons believe that), but is a deep personal conviction, without reservation, that Jesus is that person's Lord and Savior. So simply believing in our head (and not in our heart) that God raised Him from the dead does not result in righteousness and simply reciting the words "Jesus is Lord" not by the Holy Spirit "as an attempted work for salvation" is not unto salvation. *Now what about someone who is moot (unable to speak?) How can they confess with their "mouth?" Such a person would remain lost according to the erroneous "works salvation" view of Romans 10:9,10.
1 Corinthians 12:3 - Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except BY the Holy Spirit. There is divine influence or direct operation of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a person when confessing Jesus as Lord. This confession is not just a simple acknowledgment that Jesus is the Lord (even the demons believe that), but is a deep personal conviction, without reservation, that Jesus is that person's Lord and Savior. So simply believing in our head (and not in our heart) that God raised Him from the dead does not result in righteousness and simply reciting the words "Jesus is Lord" not by the Holy Spirit "as an attempted work for salvation" is not unto salvation. *Now what about someone who is moot (unable to speak?) How can they confess with their "mouth?" Such a person would remain lost according to the erroneous "works salvation" view of Romans 10:9,10.
"Faith without works is dead" does not mean that faith is dead UNTIL we produce works (which is like saying that a tree is dead UNTIL it produces fruit). A dead faith does not produce works in order to become a living faith, but BECAUSE it's a living faith; just as a dead tree does not produce fruit in order to become a living tree, but BECAUSE it's a living tree. "Faith without works is dead" also does not mean that we are saved by works.
James is discussing the proof of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18), not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).
James is discussing the proof of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18), not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).
Well...if you believe in what Christ has done - then yes - the scripture is clear that believing in Christ seals us with the Holy Spirit and He is in us forever Eph. 1:13 & John 14:16. Unless of course that Paul and Jesus are liars. Personally - I'm a believer so I believe in what they said.
If you believe you need to save yourself - then better get busy!
The truth is when we preach and teach the grace of God in Christ - it supplies the nutrients to grow in the Lord and His fruit will manifest in and through us for a life-time of manifesting His life for others to see the love and grace that our loving Father has for them. They don't need a religion - they need Christ Himself.
E
If you are doing the work to GAIN salvation, You are doing something to EARN a reward. Gods gift is not a prize or a reward for good works. It is a gift. He said to recieve it. Thats it..
Those who call out on the name of the lord were saved the moment they trusted Christ, The calling out was proof of their faith.
If you want to try to earn a gift,. Feel free.. I will continue to trust Christ assured he will keep his promise.
Those who call out on the name of the lord were saved the moment they trusted Christ, The calling out was proof of their faith.
If you want to try to earn a gift,. Feel free.. I will continue to trust Christ assured he will keep his promise.
This is an interesting statement. I have read so many people say they cannot judge who is
saved and who is not, yet here is a friend claiming they know, definatively this is the point of
becoming one with God, trusting in Christ.
But trusting in Him for what? Money, success, health, their latest fad or desire that crosses
their mind, that there eternal life plan will come to maturity?
This could be as wacky as Jesus loves me and does not want any harm to come to me, so has
given me the top notch bullet proof plan, with no conditions or expectations on my part, just
I sign on the dotted line. I mean guys, if this was the offer, who would not sign up.
And if you did not sign up, and this means you deserve to burn in eternal torture night and day,
that is a bit harsh. Get you name on the papers or burn, wow, not exactly justice...
And the irony is, if you do sign up, even if you go haywire it is still golden handshake time...
yahooooooo.
This does not fit with the God of the bible, but it does with the god of disney land.
saved and who is not, yet here is a friend claiming they know, definatively this is the point of
becoming one with God, trusting in Christ.
But trusting in Him for what? Money, success, health, their latest fad or desire that crosses
their mind, that there eternal life plan will come to maturity?
This could be as wacky as Jesus loves me and does not want any harm to come to me, so has
given me the top notch bullet proof plan, with no conditions or expectations on my part, just
I sign on the dotted line. I mean guys, if this was the offer, who would not sign up.
And if you did not sign up, and this means you deserve to burn in eternal torture night and day,
that is a bit harsh. Get you name on the papers or burn, wow, not exactly justice...
And the irony is, if you do sign up, even if you go haywire it is still golden handshake time...
yahooooooo.
This does not fit with the God of the bible, but it does with the god of disney land.
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