Not By Works
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Notice that Paul said work out your salvation and NOT work for. This does not refer to salvation by works, but to active pursuit in the process of ongoing sanctification.
In the first place, there are 3 tenses to salvation. 1. We have been saved from the PENALTY of sin (justification). 2. We are being saved from the POWER of sin (ongoing sanctification). 3. We will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin (glorification). The Greek verb rendered "work out" means "to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition." We do this by actively pursuing the process of ongoing sanctification.
Ongoing sanctification is the process of being set apart for God's work and being conformed to the image of Christ. This conforming to Christ involves the work of the person, but it is still God working in the believer to produce more of a godly character and life in the person who has already been justified by faith.
The justified person is actively involved in submitting to God's will, resisting sin, seeking holiness, and working to be more godly (1 Thessalonians 4:3,4; 5:14-18; James 4:7; Titus 2:12 etc..). Significantly, sanctification has no bearing on justification. That is, even if we don't live a sinless, perfect life (which we won't) we are still justified by faith in Christ (Romans 5:1). Where justification is a legal declaration that is instantaneous, ongoing sanctification is a process.
Notice that verse 12 does not end with a period, but with a comma. It would be incorrect to stop reading there, for we would not understand what God was inspiring Paul to tell us. Verse 13 continues, after a comma, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Fear and trembling is the attitude with which Christians are to pursue their ongoing sanctification. It involves a healthy fear of offending God and a righteous awe and respect for Him (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 34:9; Isaiah 66:2), not fear and bondage to insecurity.
In the first place, there are 3 tenses to salvation. 1. We have been saved from the PENALTY of sin (justification). 2. We are being saved from the POWER of sin (ongoing sanctification). 3. We will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin (glorification). The Greek verb rendered "work out" means "to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition." We do this by actively pursuing the process of ongoing sanctification.
Ongoing sanctification is the process of being set apart for God's work and being conformed to the image of Christ. This conforming to Christ involves the work of the person, but it is still God working in the believer to produce more of a godly character and life in the person who has already been justified by faith.
The justified person is actively involved in submitting to God's will, resisting sin, seeking holiness, and working to be more godly (1 Thessalonians 4:3,4; 5:14-18; James 4:7; Titus 2:12 etc..). Significantly, sanctification has no bearing on justification. That is, even if we don't live a sinless, perfect life (which we won't) we are still justified by faith in Christ (Romans 5:1). Where justification is a legal declaration that is instantaneous, ongoing sanctification is a process.
Notice that verse 12 does not end with a period, but with a comma. It would be incorrect to stop reading there, for we would not understand what God was inspiring Paul to tell us. Verse 13 continues, after a comma, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Fear and trembling is the attitude with which Christians are to pursue their ongoing sanctification. It involves a healthy fear of offending God and a righteous awe and respect for Him (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 34:9; Isaiah 66:2), not fear and bondage to insecurity.
Hi Fran...I just want to add that yes Desertsrose is a beautiful women of God...Every post she makes you can feel the Holy Spirit in her words as we read them, she is a women i admire and a great example for others , she is the kind of women i learn much from because of her gentle manner, she is truly filled with the Holy Spirit...xox...
Keep in mind that 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).
God is said to have been justified by those who were baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 7:29). This act pronounced or declared God to be righteous. It did not make him righteous. The basis or ground for the pronouncement was the fact that God IS righteous. Notice that the NIV reads, "acknowledged that God's way was right.." The ESV reads, "they declared God just.." This is the sense in which God was justified, "shown to be righteous" not accounted as righteous.
Matthew 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified/vindicated/shown to be right by her deeds."
God is said to have been justified by those who were baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 7:29). This act pronounced or declared God to be righteous. It did not make him righteous. The basis or ground for the pronouncement was the fact that God IS righteous. Notice that the NIV reads, "acknowledged that God's way was right.." The ESV reads, "they declared God just.." This is the sense in which God was justified, "shown to be righteous" not accounted as righteous.
Matthew 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified/vindicated/shown to be right by her deeds."
Read the post that I shared... to help:
The word works many are thrown by is in regard to the law of Moses and outward circumcision..
agree with your post? It is based on something I do not believe... so it is not relevant...
You could always go and try to share the New Testament with those who believe works will save them in place of Faith... the circumcised outwardly in unbelief... for example.
I believe we will be rewarded according to our works.. because they are the produced fruit of our Faith...
we are grafted in by GOD through belief.. then the branches will bear fruit....
no branch can bear fruit if they are not part of the Root.... and no one grafts themselves in by their own works...
Blessed if we keep His Commandments and receive the right to the Tree of life.
we are grafted in by GOD through belief.. then the branches will bear fruit....
no branch can bear fruit if they are not part of the Root.... and no one grafts themselves in by their own works...
Blessed if we keep His Commandments and receive the right to the Tree of life.
Are you seeking to understand or to accuse? If you genuinely seek to understand then read the scripture if you look for opportunity then scroll through and use something I have shared already.
My conscience is clear before GOD.. I can be zealous.. yet must be patient and humble...
Now.. you need not openly declare to others your intention simply refrain and let us end the matter.
My conscience is clear before GOD.. I can be zealous.. yet must be patient and humble...
Now.. you need not openly declare to others your intention simply refrain and let us end the matter.
When you see the plethora of personalities clamoring for good works, alleging they are filled with good works &c you can guarantee that:
1) They are not doing these works as they claim, if they were, they wouldn't be talking about it incessantly while despising others - Luke 18:9-14;
2) They already have their reward, they want to be seen of men - Matthew 6:2;
3) This tells you as to which NT group they resemble - Matthew 23:4
Why some fight them all day long for months is beyond me...there is enough biblical refutation in this thread to show the grave error of this group.
As George Whitefield wisely stated: "But I think it best not to dispute when there is no probability of convincing."
1) They are not doing these works as they claim, if they were, they wouldn't be talking about it incessantly while despising others - Luke 18:9-14;
2) They already have their reward, they want to be seen of men - Matthew 6:2;
3) This tells you as to which NT group they resemble - Matthew 23:4
Why some fight them all day long for months is beyond me...there is enough biblical refutation in this thread to show the grave error of this group.
As George Whitefield wisely stated: "But I think it best not to dispute when there is no probability of convincing."
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Spectacle ...that is pretty funny considering what has gone on for the past 10 hours
I have told her so she knows why I will not be responding to her lest she speaks to me and the reason for the ignore lest she think it is not founded on solid reason
She has derided all my brothers and sisters in Christ and she makes it difficult to not to stoop to her level when generally speaking none us typically behave that way.
I have told her so she knows why I will not be responding to her lest she speaks to me and the reason for the ignore lest she think it is not founded on solid reason
She has derided all my brothers and sisters in Christ and she makes it difficult to not to stoop to her level when generally speaking none us typically behave that way.
Spectacle ...that is pretty funny considering what has gone on for the past 10 hours
I have told her so she knows why I will not be responding to her lest she speaks to me and the reason for the ignore lest she think it is not founded on solid reason
She has derided all my brothers and sisters in Christ and she makes it difficult to not to stoop to her level when generally speaking none us typically behave that way.
I have told her so she knows why I will not be responding to her lest she speaks to me and the reason for the ignore lest she think it is not founded on solid reason
She has derided all my brothers and sisters in Christ and she makes it difficult to not to stoop to her level when generally speaking none us typically behave that way.