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.

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
Jesus said, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."
ok...yes...one flock, one shepherd...one Stick..Ephraim and Judah..I think, would have to look to be sure.

And Sons. A new creation. Love you Magenta. :)
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
This is a translation of the Hebrew into English..

17

Don't think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. (there is pleroo)

18

Yes, indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah__ not until everything that must happen has happened.
(There is the life of the living Torah. The walking Law.)
that tells me that until this earth passes away, the law will still be in effect, and anyone who is not redeemed from the curse, will be judged or cursed by it..

But at the same time, Jesus completed the law. in that he fulfilled its to a T
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,025
4,444
113
Is it not deceptive to represent yourself as 45 when your 70? I mean...........just saying......
Not really.

Lets be honest us men have to be very careful when it comes to women folk.

"Does this dress make My bum look big" My wife asked.
Turns out my response "No it's all the cake and chocolate you eat that does that" wasn't acceptable.

one morning she said to me as looking in the mirror in our bedroom "I look so old, I've got wirnkles and things are sagging and then she turned to me and looked at me.

Having already learned my lesson I slid under the duvet and prayed silently for the rapture to occur RIGHT NOW.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
It was hard for me.
Runied a potential professional football career (or soccer in the USA)

What sucked the most was a Christian told me that God did it cause I didn't go to church on a Sunday morning.
I did go on a Sunday evening though.

Carried that burden for a long long time.

If it worked out I could have been a millionaire living the lifestyle.

Do I live with regrets?
Actually I don't.

Romans 8:28-30


And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

God worked good.

I have the most amazing wife who I love dearly. She is my soulmate.
We have 4 kids whom we love dearly and have bought them up. God entrusting us with his kids.
All 4 are beleivers and placed their faith in Jesus.

That is worth more than any riches and fame could offer.

Ive settled for that and I thank God every day for that.
that so called Christian who said it happened because you did not go to the church.

That is exactly the kind of attitude I am trying to defeat. They give God a bad name, and do not have any idea of what they are talking about.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Not really.

Lets be honest us men have to be very careful when it comes to women folk.

"Does this dress make My bum look big" My wife asked.
Turns out my response "No it's all the cake and chocolate you eat that does that" wasn't acceptable.

one morning she said to me as looking in the mirror in our bedroom "I look so old, I've got wirnkles and things are sagging and then she turned to me and looked at me.

Having already learned my lesson I slid under the duvet and prayed silently for the rapture to occur RIGHT NOW.
Really....interesting.................wow!
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
that tells me that until this earth passes away, the law will still be in effect, and anyone who is not redeemed from the curse, will be judged or cursed by it..

But at the same time, Jesus completed the law. in that he fulfilled its to a T
I would not argue this point. He also completed the prophecies and the covenant of Abraham. Covenant of circumcision we have with the new heart. The 8th Day being the new beginning...and somehow I think you know these things too. :)
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,025
4,444
113
that so called Christian who said it happened because you did not go to the church.

That is exactly the kind of attitude I am trying to defeat. They give God a bad name, and do not have any idea of what they are talking about.
Yes I agree with you.

The person who walked me through this said "Do you really think that God would bust your knees to get your attention, do you really think that God was busting your knees because you didn't go to church two times a day on a Sunday?

I said "Yes I do" he said it's a lie and now it's time to deal with it.

That we did.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Yes I agree with you.

The person who walked me through this said "Do you really think that God would bust your knees to get your attention, do you really think that God was busting your knees because you didn't go to church two times a day on a Sunday?

I said "Yes I do" he said it's a lie and now it's time to deal with it.

That we did.
and I bet peace was restored when you let go of the legalistic view..

Amen bro. I am glad you let that go..
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,025
4,444
113
and I bet peace was restored when you let go of the legalistic view..

Amen bro. I am glad you let that go..
It sure was. Rather than looking back at what could have been I started to thank God where I was.
It was the start of the healing process.
That healing was spiritual as such.

"Wow God actually loves me and does not want to harm me"
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
It sure was. Rather than looking back at what could have been I started to thank God where I was.
It was the start of the healing process.
That healing was spiritual as such.

"Wow God actually loves me and does not want to harm me"

yes, this is where legalism wants to tear us down, That's why I am so passionate against it. I know I get out of hand sometimes, but it is a dangerous thing, it keeps many people out of heaven, and keeps many of Gods children from growing.
 

slave

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2015
6,307
1,098
113
'Justified' is being used by Paul according to one definition of the word and James is using it according to another definition of the word. Being legally justified before God happens solely on the basis of having faith in God's forgiveness. That's what Paul is talking about. But that's not the only definition of 'justified'. Being justified also means being shown to be righteous. That's what James is talking about. You must be justified according to both definitions in order to be saved on the Last Day.

Paul also speaks of the two ways to be justified. In fact, in Galatians 5:6 he says that the faith that justifies is the faith that loves. He's saying that the faith that makes you legally righteous before God (all by itself) is also the faith that will then be seen in love towards others.

Galatians 5:6 NIV
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

The problem I see is Christians thinking their dead faith is the faith that Paul says justifies, and they take false comfort in it thinking that kind of faith is going to save them. If you possess the faith that justifies it will be seen in what you do. If your faith has not changed you into a person growing up into the fruit of the Spirit you have a dead faith that can not save you. Thus the truth that a man is justified BOTH by faith and by works. Justification by faith makes you righteous in God's sight legally speaking. Justification by works shows you to have that declaration of legal righteousness. One without the other is not a genuine salvation experience.
"Well balanced Mr. "PH" Smile..."
 

slave

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2015
6,307
1,098
113
After reading all this ...all I can say is...... Salvation is Gift ...Not a Reward
Amen! Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God. (AMPC)
AMEN!....it is a totally free gift; which we then live by thru faith as Jesus did. But you already know that is also Chris' point of view - that the gift is free, so why suggest otherwise now here?

“The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death I will place next to Me on My throne, just as I Myself conquered and took a place of honor with My Father on His throne." (Rev.3:21).
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,475
13,419
113
58
AMEN!....it is a totally free gift; which we then live by thru faith as Jesus did. But you already know that is also Chris' point of view - that the gift is free, so why suggest otherwise now here?

“The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death I will place next to Me on My throne, just as I Myself conquered and took a place of honor with My Father on His throne." (Rev.3:21).
Revelation 3:21 - He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

1 John 5:4 - For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

From beginning "have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8) to end "receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:9) salvation is by grace through faith and is not by works.
 
Jun 5, 2017
3,675
56
0
Hello Ariel

I think it is because certain people in this thread believe that once you become a Christian the first time that means you are eternally saved end of story and we cannot be lost and fall away from God and become non Christians again as explained in the parable of the sower. They believe we do not need to fight the good fight of faith everyday and that if we continue in known sin and do not repent of these sins before our probation here on earth is finished they will still be saved in their sins.

This is the deception of the devil and has it's origin from the Garden of Eden and the first lie.....

"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Gen 3:3)

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Gen 3:1-5)

God tells us to follow Him and believe him and by complete faith and dependence in His Words allow Him to work through us to obey Him so he can save us from our sins (a work of a lifetime by walking with Him everyday). If we choose not to live by every word that is revealed to us by God we will not be saved while knowingly being disobedient to Him and holding on to sin.

As Christians we are faced with the same test as was Adam and Eve, who do we believe and obey? It is Satan that tells us that if we eat of the forbidden fruit to have knowledge of good and evil (sin) we shall not surely die, not God

God bless you
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Hello Ariel

I think it is because certain people in this thread believe that once you become a Christian the first time that means you are eternally saved end of story and we cannot be lost and fall away from God and become non Christians again as explained in the parable of the sower. They believe we do not need to fight the good fight of faith everyday and that if we continue in known sin and do not repent of these sins before our probation here on earth is finished they will still be saved in their sins.

This is the deception of the devil and has it's origin from the Garden of Eden and the first lie.....

"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Gen 3:3)

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Gen 3:1-5)

God tells us to follow Him and believe him and by complete faith and dependence in His Words allow Him to work through us to obey Him so he can save us from our sins (a work of a lifetime by walking with Him everyday). If we choose not to live by every word that is revealed to us by God we will not be saved while knowingly being disobedient to Him and holding on to sin.

As Christians we are faced with the same test as was Adam and Eve, who do we believe and obey? It is Satan that tells us that if we eat of the forbidden fruit to have knowledge of good and evil (sin) we shall not surely die, not God

God bless you
This misses the mark by about 10 light years, denies verb tense, denies verbiage, denies the very definition of the words inspired, denies the New Covenant and reduces the work of Jesus on our behalf to a freak side show in the carnival of works and self justification for salvation......tragically I might add....
 
Jun 5, 2017
3,675
56
0
Who is preaching that you should give up and not right to overcome sin, tear down spiritual strongholds?

This thread is how salvation is BY FAITH IN JESUS and NOT BY WORKS.

The foundation must be Jesus alone or you build upon shifting sand and not the Rock.

Why is that so hard to understand?

Hello Ariel

I think it is because certain people in this thread believe that once you become a Christian the first time that means you are eternally saved end of story and we cannot be lost and fall away from God and become non Christians again as explained in the parable of the sower. They believe we do not need to fight the good fight of faith everyday and that if we continue in known sin and do not repent of these sins before our probation here on earth is finished they will still be saved in their sins.

This is the deception of the devil and has it's origin from the Garden of Eden and the first lie.....

"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Gen 3:3)

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Gen 3:1-5)

God tells us to follow Him and believe him and by complete faith and dependence in His Words allow Him to work through us to obey Him so he can save us from our sins (a work of a lifetime by walking with Him everyday). If we choose not to live by every word that is revealed to us by God we will not be saved while knowingly being disobedient to Him and holding on to sin.

As Christians we are faced with the same test as was Adam and Eve, who do we believe and obey? It is Satan that tells us that if we eat of the forbidden fruit to have knowledge of good and evil (sin) we shall not surely die, not God

God bless you

Sorry Just woke up and realized I did not post Ariel's post I was commenting on
 

Gabriel2020

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
1,099
41
48
One thing I know, and that is once you are born again and have the Holy spirit dwell in you,.you are no longer under Satan's control. the veil has been removed.you are now out of darkness and reside in the light that gives eternal life. You now belong to Jesus,and will not lose any that is his. That would not look good on God's end at all.Once he snatches you out of the hands of the devil, the devil cannot take you back again. here is what God will do to keep satan from gaining control of you again, He will remove you out of this world ,young and old to keep you from losing your soul. You will inherit eternal life like he promised. Christians that are spirit filled only, not Christians that are not spirit filled. Just like John baptized with water as a sign,so does Jesus baptize with fire, known as the Holy Spirit. His sign that you belong to him. When you are first born again, you are a babe in Christ, a baby like a human baby. you must be first nourished, feed,and clothed. You will begin to grow spiritually like a child grows. You must drink milk as a baby when you are born,and feed soft food that will not choke you. The same way with a new born spirit filled christian. As you grow you get stronger, you learn a little more. as a child you can't jump from 1st grade to 5th grade. you have not learned or been prepared for 5th grade. We know that Jesus did not jump right into preaching the gospel as a human, but grew strong in wisdom and knowledge to adult hood. at the age of 33 years old, he was ready to teach and preach. took Paul 3 years before he was ready.Took the desciples the length of time Jesus called them until his departure. Don't feel bad if you are a baby Christian, because you will not learn unless you are willing to learn. That is why Jesus said you must humble yourself as a little child. They have to be taught as they grow older.
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
Hello Ariel

I think it is because certain people in this thread believe that once you become a Christian the first time that means you are eternally saved end of story and we cannot be lost and fall away from God and become non Christians again as explained in the parable of the sower. They believe we do not need to fight the good fight of faith everyday and that if we continue in known sin and do not repent of these sins before our probation here on earth is finished they will still be saved in their sins.

This is the deception of the devil and has it's origin from the Garden of Eden and the first lie.....

"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Gen 3:3)

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Gen 3:1-5)

God tells us to follow Him and believe him and by complete faith and dependence in His Words allow Him to work through us to obey Him so he can save us from our sins (a work of a lifetime by walking with Him everyday). If we choose not to live by every word that is revealed to us by God we will not be saved while knowingly being disobedient to Him and holding on to sin.

As Christians we are faced with the same test as was Adam and Eve, who do we believe and obey? It is Satan that tells us that if we eat of the forbidden fruit to have knowledge of good and evil (sin) we shall not surely die, not God

God bless you

Sorry Just woke up and realized I did not post Ariel's post I was commenting on
You know the really said thing about this post?

I see nothing of the Gospel message in. No Jesus,no ctoss, no remission of sins.

No more faith in God Than a heathen would have. That God will repay moral good behavior and punish sins.

While this is true, it's not a saving faith in Christ Jesus and His finished work upon the cross.

Jesus came to save us FROM our sins and not IN our sins.

Most folks will agree with that statement.

Jesus came to save us while we were sinners.

Do you know What that means?

We didn't deserve salvation BY anything we did it is a free gift from God.

Do you believe this?

You mentioned the parable of the shower and I think we probably have a different take on what it means.

Jesus tells us the seed is the gospel. Some people think it's the Holy spirit or Jesus and that all four types of soil are "Christian believers" . however I would say that only the 4th type had a saving faith IN Jesus and the other three types of soil is the rest of the world who reject Jesus.

The first don't even pretend to be Christian, Satan steals the Gospel before they give it serious thought. They are the atheist and folks from other false religions.

The Rocky soil looks like good Christians as long as the weather is fair and they can reap the good benefits of going to church and pretending to believe but they have shallow roots and no real faith in Jesus. When they face trials in their life...they curse God and face away.

The thorny people care more about this world and don't have a real trust that God will provide. They are double minded and chase after temporal things and not God's will but their own lusts and desires. They have more faith in their own works than God's grace.

Only the last type of soil bears fruit which is a saving faith that allows a person to confess with their mouth and believe with their hearts that Jesus died for their sins upon the cross, rose and ascended into heaven. Only the last type of soil is sealed by the holy spirit.

The rest heard the Gospel message but it did not take deep roots in their souls to produce a godly sorrow to make them realise their need for a savior.

If you think you can earn or maintain your own salvation, then you have missed what Jesus did upon the cross.

We lovely raise our kids...,.why would folks accuse God of loving His Kids less?

Do you give a one year old a wrench and tell him to go change the oil of the car?

In the same way, God made each of us unique. He has a different plan for each person's life.

I have learned long ago not to judge another's path, beacaue God may be leading them down a dark alley for a reason. He may have someone they need to talk to and walk with back to Him.

As Blue said before...God is able to make a test into a testimony.

God's grace and love overcomes much.

We should not seek to sin. Nor should we condemn sinner for Jesus did not stone the woman even though others tried to force His hand.

He forgives and heals us and helps us overcomes.
.he keeps us humble and able to see the need for forgiveness of others we don't think deserve it because we were forgiven even when we didn't deserve it.

Obeying the law perfectly doesnt make you a child of God..., it makes you an unprofitable servant.


Only faith in Jesus and the indwelling Holy spirit allows us to cry out Abba, father. Not our obedience, knowledge or good works.
 

graceNpeace

Senior Member
Aug 12, 2016
2,180
107
63
You know the really said thing about this post?

I see nothing of the Gospel message in. No Jesus,no ctoss, no remission of sins.

No more faith in God Than a heathen would have. That God will repay moral good behavior and punish sins.

While this is true, it's not a saving faith in Christ Jesus and His finished work upon the cross.

Jesus came to save us FROM our sins and not IN our sins.

Most folks will agree with that statement.

Jesus came to save us while we were sinners.

Do you know What that means?

We didn't deserve salvation BY anything we did it is a free gift from God.

Do you believe this?

You mentioned the parable of the shower and I think we probably have a different take on what it means.

Jesus tells us the seed is the gospel. Some people think it's the Holy spirit or Jesus and that all four types of soil are "Christian believers" . however I would say that only the 4th type had a saving faith IN Jesus and the other three types of soil is the rest of the world who reject Jesus.

The first don't even pretend to be Christian, Satan steals the Gospel before they give it serious thought. They are the atheist and folks from other false religions.

The Rocky soil looks like good Christians as long as the weather is fair and they can reap the good benefits of going to church and pretending to believe but they have shallow roots and no real faith in Jesus. When they face trials in their life...they curse God and face away.

The thorny people care more about this world and don't have a real trust that God will provide. They are double minded and chase after temporal things and not God's will but their own lusts and desires. They have more faith in their own works than God's grace.

Only the last type of soil bears fruit which is a saving faith that allows a person to confess with their mouth and believe with their hearts that Jesus died for their sins upon the cross, rose and ascended into heaven. Only the last type of soil is sealed by the holy spirit.

The rest heard the Gospel message but it did not take deep roots in their souls to produce a godly sorrow to make them realise their need for a savior.

If you think you can earn or maintain your own salvation, then you have missed what Jesus did upon the cross.

We lovely raise our kids...,.why would folks accuse God of loving His Kids less?

Do you give a one year old a wrench and tell him to go change the oil of the car?

In the same way, God made each of us unique. He has a different plan for each person's life.

I have learned long ago not to judge another's path, beacaue God may be leading them down a dark alley for a reason. He may have someone they need to talk to and walk with back to Him.

As Blue said before...God is able to make a test into a testimony.

God's grace and love overcomes much.

We should not seek to sin. Nor should we condemn sinner for Jesus did not stone the woman even though others tried to force His hand.

He forgives and heals us and helps us overcomes.
.he keeps us humble and able to see the need for forgiveness of others we don't think deserve it because we were forgiven even when we didn't deserve it.

Obeying the law perfectly doesnt make you a child of God..., it makes you an unprofitable servant.


Only faith in Jesus and the indwelling Holy spirit allows us to cry out Abba, father. Not our obedience, knowledge or good works.
Bonzer!
Hit the nail squarely on the head!