I do not but that is okay...not the topic of this thread 
Not going to rake anyone over the coals either
Not going to rake anyone over the coals either
-
1
- Show all
Not By Works
- Thread starter dcontroversal
- Start date
-
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.
I suppose that is meant to suggest I've raked someone over the coals. Like taking a jab at my expense.
Question: if you can believe that, "belief in God" begins in the mind and we all agree that our faith and belief is from God; because we were all dead in our sins and trespasses, and dead men cannot respond to God. It would follow that the quickening of the Holy Spirit has brought belief into our mind, then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
dcon is correct, it is Faith to Faith, all of God. I just answered my own question.........
dcon is correct, it is Faith to Faith, all of God. I just answered my own question.........
Hi DiscipleDave...I just want to tell you I have learned alot from this post of yours with answers you having giving Bill...My eyes are opened more to the evil one...I see a post on my FB tonight of my niece who is supporting the same sex marriage, my first response was anger, it really annoyed me and even put me off her for a while...I did not say anything to her because she was posting to a page and the truth be known we don`t talk as in we are not close, but then when it was eating me away, I asked Jesus to teach me how to love like He does, I asked Him to forgive me for the thoughts that were rising up inside of me, I prayed to God and cried for her, I did not know what even to pray...So from your answers to Bill, it has taught me that it is the evil one who is the enemy and I am to look at all those who are lost that it is the enemy and not the person...I am going to ponder this tonight as I close, there is a great lesson in your post, thank you ...xox...
...So from your answers to Bill, it has taught me that it is the evil one who is the enemy and I am to look at all those who are lost that it is the enemy and not the person...I am going to ponder this tonight as I close, there is a great lesson in your post, thank you ...xox...
You are running the race. But are you running in in patience? Is your faith in God and His finished works, or are you trusting your innate faith? If you are trusting your own faith, you will veer off course..
Some race so hard in that they try to maintain their faith so that they don't lose it and return to the darkness of sin, after so long struggling, they quit the race altogether, seeing its too hard for them...
But we are of those who finish the race, as we run it with patience...
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith,[Hebrews 12:1,2a]
Some race so hard in that they try to maintain their faith so that they don't lose it and return to the darkness of sin, after so long struggling, they quit the race altogether, seeing its too hard for them...
But we are of those who finish the race, as we run it with patience...
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith,[Hebrews 12:1,2a]
Hi Stones, I'm studying 2 Peter right now so this is fresh bread right now.
If you keep reading you'll see that we lack nothing, but what we do have can be inactive so Peter tells those in Philippi to supply fruit to their faith.
Verses 5-11 - Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
All of these spiritual fruits we already have, but Peter is telling us to grow up in them. In his first letter, Peter spoke of the new birth and born to a living hope. Now he tells them to grow up in the faith and also warns them of false teachers in chapter 2. He warns them ..... "For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins."
I believe that those who are truly saved will continue in the faith and those who don't aren't really saved. But those who think they have salvation, but really don't, for them they are losing something they think they've taken hold of. Salvation. On God's part they've never been saved, but on their part, they think they're saved always and forever because they said a few words, but never lived by faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
If you keep reading you'll see that we lack nothing, but what we do have can be inactive so Peter tells those in Philippi to supply fruit to their faith.
Verses 5-11 - Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
All of these spiritual fruits we already have, but Peter is telling us to grow up in them. In his first letter, Peter spoke of the new birth and born to a living hope. Now he tells them to grow up in the faith and also warns them of false teachers in chapter 2. He warns them ..... "For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins."
I believe that those who are truly saved will continue in the faith and those who don't aren't really saved. But those who think they have salvation, but really don't, for them they are losing something they think they've taken hold of. Salvation. On God's part they've never been saved, but on their part, they think they're saved always and forever because they said a few words, but never lived by faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
I've never met anyone who thought they were saved by saying a few words that remained in a fellowship. Have you?
There are Christians at all levels. I would never attempt to judge their eternal destiny because of "whosoever will". That's only His ability.
Those who say its their faith, and whether they keep it or toss it to the wayside, is solely up to them. They are like smug kings sitting in their castles, thinking they're...
Ah, but King Nebachudnezzar thought he was his own sovereign, but Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.[Proverbs 16:18]
So, rest in God and His finished works and you will receive Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.[James 1:2]
Then you, too, can be like Nebchudnezzar and extol the King of Glory and say “But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;[Daniel 4:34]
Ah, but King Nebachudnezzar thought he was his own sovereign, but Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.[Proverbs 16:18]
So, rest in God and His finished works and you will receive Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.[James 1:2]
Then you, too, can be like Nebchudnezzar and extol the King of Glory and say “But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;[Daniel 4:34]
This is good for laughs if nothing else, and laughter is the best medicine. Even Scripture confirms that. "Errant theologies" only because man-made theologies has been cast aside. And all English-speaking Christians worldwide from 1611 to 1911 were in the KJVO "cult". So I am in better company than the Westcott & Hort cult and their love of corruption. But this is just a digression for laughs.
Getting back to King Nebchudnezzar a moment...
He thought he was his own sovereign, much like those who think they can stay saved or throw away their faith into the abyss and risk dying eternally separated from God are. Even after Daniel sternly warned him 'break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.’[Daniel 4:27b] Yet, when the time came he said 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ It was as soon as the last word cleared his lips he became...
It was after he looked to the only One who could help him, he extolled the Most High God...
So, please quit looking at yourself and your own ability to remain saved, or not, and look to God...
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?[Psalm 121:1]
He thought he was his own sovereign, much like those who think they can stay saved or throw away their faith into the abyss and risk dying eternally separated from God are. Even after Daniel sternly warned him 'break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.’[Daniel 4:27b] Yet, when the time came he said 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ It was as soon as the last word cleared his lips he became...
It was after he looked to the only One who could help him, he extolled the Most High God...
So, please quit looking at yourself and your own ability to remain saved, or not, and look to God...
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?[Psalm 121:1]
Friends, those of you who still hold to this false notion that you can keep your faith or toss in the garbage bin, do you not see your need to rely on God and not your own ability to remain saved after all these postings of mine? That your faith is a gift of God? Seeing this gift is Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.[James 1:17] And furthermore these for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.[Romans 11:29]
Friend, when you say it is up to you, and not God, if you are to remain saved, do this to Him...
Instead of trying to stay saved and working your way to heaven, which is futile...
Rest in Him...
So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God[Hebrews 4:9]
Friend, when you say it is up to you, and not God, if you are to remain saved, do this to Him...
Instead of trying to stay saved and working your way to heaven, which is futile...
Rest in Him...
So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God[Hebrews 4:9]
Father, my prayer to you is that You open the eyes of those who hold to this false gospel of works that they are holding to. I have given them Your word, which is truth, and yet they can't seem to see this, even as if it was a sign sent to them...
Father, bless them as they study Your word...
Lead them to Your truth...
"and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”[John 8:32]
Father, bless them as they study Your word...
Lead them to Your truth...
"and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”[John 8:32]
Hogs like to eat anything and everything. Nothing is too nasty for them...
Whereas, we sheep, we eat only the word of God...
Now, its only hogs who eat slop and not sheep...we want more of more of God's word, and not the world's slop...
Well wrote Apostle Peter when he penned "It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”[2 Peter 2:22]
And I am not calling those who do not agree with Eternal Security lost. I am using this post for an allegory only.
Whereas, we sheep, we eat only the word of God...
Now, its only hogs who eat slop and not sheep...we want more of more of God's word, and not the world's slop...
Well wrote Apostle Peter when he penned "It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”[2 Peter 2:22]
And I am not calling those who do not agree with Eternal Security lost. I am using this post for an allegory only.
Last edited:
Father, I know not why those who trust in their own ability to remain saved believe as they do. You know why, and that is all that matters. But when I give them Your truth concerning this, its as if its "whooooosh' and passes by in front of them...
Father, as I leave them in Your hands, please open their eyes to this glorious truth...
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed,"[Luke 4:18]
Father, as I leave them in Your hands, please open their eyes to this glorious truth...
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed,"[Luke 4:18]
I won't use pictures.. a psalm to the Good Shepherd's Sheep for their Spirit to receive.
[TABLE="class: passage-cols"]
[TR]
[TD="class: passage-col col-xs-12 first last"][h=1]Psalm 23King James Version (KJV)[/h]23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Let us Keep following the Good Shepherd on the path of Righteousness.
Hear and obey is to love and serve our Lord and Saviour.
Those taunting those that believe they are to set their heart on His Word are kidding only themselves, there is no pat on the back coming..
The Holy Spirit is given through Faith to allow us to walk in the Spirit.
Accusing others of working for salvation comes from not believing the Truth that sets us free.
The Holy Spirit does not mock the saints of the Most High.
[TABLE="class: passage-cols"]
[TR]
[TD="class: passage-col col-xs-12 first last"][h=1]Psalm 23King James Version (KJV)[/h]23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Let us Keep following the Good Shepherd on the path of Righteousness.
Hear and obey is to love and serve our Lord and Saviour.
Those taunting those that believe they are to set their heart on His Word are kidding only themselves, there is no pat on the back coming..
The Holy Spirit is given through Faith to allow us to walk in the Spirit.
Accusing others of working for salvation comes from not believing the Truth that sets us free.
The Holy Spirit does not mock the saints of the Most High.
Jesus is the good Shepherd of His sheep, and they know His voice and follow Him whither He goes...
And He loves them so much that when one goes astray, He goes and finds it, places it upon His shoulders, and brings it back to the sheep pen...
He loved His sheep so much He even died in their stead, took upon Himself their sins, stood before His Father as a condemned sinner, so that we could go free...
In this death, burial and resurrection of the Christ, nothing is to be added to it, for if anything is added, it is nothing more than works, which I get accused of mocking ppl because they hold to a works gospel.
All that the Christ did, He did for His sheep. He lived a perfect life in their stead, took their sins upon Himself and became sin, died on their behalf, and raised from the tomb for their justification. All of this is imputed to them and they stand before the Father, and the Father sees them in the same way He sees His Son.
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.[John 8:36] And also The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;[Isaiah 61:1]
And He loves them so much that when one goes astray, He goes and finds it, places it upon His shoulders, and brings it back to the sheep pen...
He loved His sheep so much He even died in their stead, took upon Himself their sins, stood before His Father as a condemned sinner, so that we could go free...
In this death, burial and resurrection of the Christ, nothing is to be added to it, for if anything is added, it is nothing more than works, which I get accused of mocking ppl because they hold to a works gospel.
All that the Christ did, He did for His sheep. He lived a perfect life in their stead, took their sins upon Himself and became sin, died on their behalf, and raised from the tomb for their justification. All of this is imputed to them and they stand before the Father, and the Father sees them in the same way He sees His Son.
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.[John 8:36] And also The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;[Isaiah 61:1]
Last edited:
Jesus is the good Shepherd of His sheep, and they know His voice and follow Him whither He goes...
And He loves them so much that when one goes astray, He goes and finds it, places it upon His shoulders, and brings it back to the sheep pen...
He loved His sheep so much He even died in their stead, took upon Himself their sins, stood before His Father as a condemned sinner, so that we could go free...
In this death, burial and resurrection of the Christ, nothing is to be added to it, for if anything is added, it is nothing more than works, which I get accused of mocking ppl because they hold to a works gospel.
All that the Christ did, He did for His sheep. He lived a perfect life in their stead, took their sins upon Himself and became sin, died on their behalf, and raised from the tomb for their justification. All of this is imputed to them and they stand before the Father, and the Father sees them in the same way He sees His Son.
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.[John 8:36] And also The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;[Isaiah 61:1]
And He loves them so much that when one goes astray, He goes and finds it, places it upon His shoulders, and brings it back to the sheep pen...
He loved His sheep so much He even died in their stead, took upon Himself their sins, stood before His Father as a condemned sinner, so that we could go free...
In this death, burial and resurrection of the Christ, nothing is to be added to it, for if anything is added, it is nothing more than works, which I get accused of mocking ppl because they hold to a works gospel.
All that the Christ did, He did for His sheep. He lived a perfect life in their stead, took their sins upon Himself and became sin, died on their behalf, and raised from the tomb for their justification. All of this is imputed to them and they stand before the Father, and the Father sees them in the same way He sees His Son.
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.[John 8:36] And also The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;[Isaiah 61:1]
If His Testimony itself teaches us works and to be perfect and Righteous.. how can that be adding? Does not make sense. It is believing..... which is the Law of Faith.
If I tell you to shave your head and be circumcised to be saved then you could have a valid point.. but a message relayed from the Shepherd is not relying on self but believing on Him who suffered for us to be forgiven and Reconciled with GOD.
We are set free to love GOD and each other. And we are Taught how to love GOD and each other by being loved first by a Gracious GOD.
Ironic
In the Shoreshank redemption the old prisoner who is set free feels like they have been
fired and commits suicide.
Legalism is about the cult of belonging to a church organisation above reality in the heart.
I have always rejected this. But the power of the group is very corrupting.
Just doing the projector where one mistake effects everyone is stressful and effects how I
worship. Many can testify to deep hurts over recognition, resolution, upset. Yet these are
minor issues.
But in that closed room, when you pour out your heart, there is the Lord, and you are precious.
So is every other believer. And with a good heart they all serve.
Now if you do not serve because you love, start to learn how to love.
In the Shoreshank redemption the old prisoner who is set free feels like they have been
fired and commits suicide.
Legalism is about the cult of belonging to a church organisation above reality in the heart.
I have always rejected this. But the power of the group is very corrupting.
Just doing the projector where one mistake effects everyone is stressful and effects how I
worship. Many can testify to deep hurts over recognition, resolution, upset. Yet these are
minor issues.
But in that closed room, when you pour out your heart, there is the Lord, and you are precious.
So is every other believer. And with a good heart they all serve.
Now if you do not serve because you love, start to learn how to love.