What must I do to be saved

  • 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.
Dec 9, 2011
14,113
1,799
113
Here is who will receive eternal life on the Day of Judgement, when we stand before Him.


But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. Romans 2:5-11


God who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:


  • eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

  • but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath

Salvation is received as an end result of a life of walking in the obedience of faith.


6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

  • receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.


JPT
I capitalized “ARE” did you give pause to that. A person that has been born Again already has salvation.

Paul also wrote that by the mercies of GOD,present your body a living sacrifice and be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the RENEWING of your mind.

By The Way,If you are going to Interpret the scripture that you are using to promote salvation b works then you will have to harmonize the scripture that you are using with the ones that I use and If you continue to have those scriptures contrary to each other then your Interpretation Is In error because GOD Is not the author of confusion.
 
Mar 23, 2016
7,021
1,673
113
I would say that the child of God is no longer depraved. Unsaved children of their father Adam are depraved. We have been adopted into Gods family and are now children of God whom we now address as Abba Father.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

For the cause of Christ
Roger
Amen.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
 
Mar 23, 2016
7,021
1,673
113
Nehemiah6 said:
Saving faith is not something that is lost and then regained.
That is correct.

You are not allowed to have it again once you lose it.
And then we have the words of Jesus where He discusses a lamb that is lost and the Shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one and bring the lost back into the fold.

And the coin that is lost and is diligently searched for until it is found.

And the son who left, wasted his substance with riotous living, and was welcomed back with open arms by his father.
 
Mar 23, 2016
7,021
1,673
113
In John 3:16,17 according to Thayer's Greek definition of the word WORLD is "used of believers only".
From Thayer's (1889 edition):

5. the inhabitants of the world: θέατρον ἐγενήθημεν τῷ κόσμῳ καί ἀγγέλοις καί ἀνθρώποις l Co. iv. 9 [W. 127 (121)]; particularly the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race (first so in Sap. (e. g. x. 1)): Mt. xiii. 38 ; xviii. 7 ; Mk. xiv. 9; Jn. i. 10, 29, [36 L in br.];
iii. 16 sq.; vi. 33, 51; viii. 26; xii. 4 7; xiii. 1; xiv. 31; xvi. 28; xvii. 6, 21, 23; Ro. iii. 6, 19; 1 Co. i. 27 sq. [cf. W. 189 (178)]; iv. 13; v. 10; xiv. 10; 2 Co. v. 19; Jas. ii. 5 [cf. W. u. s.]; 1 Jn. ii. 2 [cf. W. 577 (536)];


Later versions of Thayer's do not include the verses highlighted in red.

The 1889 edition of Thayer's includes John 3:16 (large font, bold, underlined red) in the general description of "the inhabitants of the world, particularly the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race".
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,006
4,313
113
What must one do to be saved.

I believe God decides who will be saved and who won't.

There are many scriptures which support the view that we don't decide to believe in Christ, but faith in Christ is a gift that God gives only to His elect.

Most folks don't agree with the doctrine of predestination/election, because many other scriptures say things like you must obey and remain faithful to the end etc...

These two opposing views have been debated for centuries, so today we have the benefit of many good good books on the subject but have we arrived at a consensus in the Church.

I would love to see the Church unite and resolve this dividing issue. But I fear that it will continue to be an enigma for the Church. Why can't we let the Bible be the final authority and accept what it really says and unite in the truth.
the main reason is because those who are saved argue about being saved. they are both prideful and do more harm then good. Just like the democrats and republicans .
they are hell bent on being right and minster to know one. the are a bunch of half baked cakes.
 
R

Ralph-

Guest
And then we have the words of Jesus where He discusses a lamb that is lost and the Shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one and bring the lost back into the fold.

And the coin that is lost and is diligently searched for until it is found.

And the son who left, wasted his substance with riotous living, and was welcomed back with open arms by his father.
We know Jesus was not teaching that he always finds and returns the person who no longer believes in Christ for justification, somehow proving that 'once saved always saved' is true. The 'if' in the Matthew version of the parable of the lost sheep shows us he was not teaching that:

"If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 13If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14“So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish."-Matthew 18:12-14

In fact, if you believe that 1 John 2:19 teaches that true believers never ever leave the faith (or else they were never saved to begin with) then the Parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the Prodigal son are not even analogies about believers who have lost their faith in Christ's forgiveness that they could somehow be used to prove that once you are saved you will always be saved!
 

ninasbg

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2014
24
4
3
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
 
Mar 23, 2016
7,021
1,673
113
We know Jesus was not teaching that he always finds and returns the person who no longer believes in Christ for justification, somehow proving that 'once saved always saved' is true. The 'if' in the Matthew version of the parable of the lost sheep shows us he was not teaching that:

"If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 13If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14“So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish."-Matthew 18:12-14

The parables are similar but not identical.

In the Matthew 18 record, Jesus answered a question posed by the disciples (who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?).

In Luke 15, Jesus taught the parables in response to Pharisees and scribes who murmured because Jesus associated with publicans and sinners and ate with them.

I think we need to read what is written with discernment as to what is said, when it is said, and not assume that records are identical just because they appear to be similar.





Ralph said:
In fact, if you believe that 1 John 2:19 teaches that true believers never ever leave the faith (or else they were never saved to begin with) then the Parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the Prodigal son are not even analogies about believers who have lost their faith in Christ's forgiveness that they could somehow be used to prove that once you are saved you will always be saved!
I believe God's promise to keep me. We can rely on His ability and His faithfulness to His promise to keep us (His ability and faithfulness are greater than our ability and faithfulness to keep ourselves).

Having said that, I know that God tells us to guard our hearts and there are many verses in Scripture which instruct us as to our responsibility in our walk with Him.

I just know that there are times when I have been weak and I have strayed. During those times, He did not let go of me. I let go of Him. I didn't follow His instruction. Nevertheless, He brought me back and enveloped me in His love. I do not believe I am "special" or that others who find themselves in similar situations will be let go. His promises are rock solid.



Jude 1:

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
 
Oct 31, 2015
2,290
588
113
By The Way,If you are going to Interpret the scripture that you are using to promote salvation b works then you will have to harmonize the scripture that you are using with the ones that I use and If you continue to have those scriptures contrary to each other then your Interpretation Is In error because GOD Is not the author of confusion.

I don’t promote salvation by works.


I promote salvation by obeying the Gospel.

in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:8


  • and on those who do not obey the gospel

Do you believe those who do not obey the Gospel, will be saved.




I promote salvation through the obedience of faith.


But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Romans 16:26


The entire context of Romans is about the obedience of faith, especially Romans 4. The book of Romans begins and ends with the obedience of faith which sets the foundational context of the entire letter.



JPT
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,113
1,799
113
Do you have faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation ?
This Is just my Opinion as for how a person has faith,they have to use one or more of their five senses to believe In the WORD of GOD and then GOD gives them the faith of JESUS.

Everyone deep down knows that there Is a GOD.The creation Itself declares It.
If we have the faith of a mustard seed mountains can be moved.Where we are weak HE Is strong.
 
Oct 31, 2015
2,290
588
113
This Is just my Opinion as for how a person has faith,they have to use one or more of their five senses to believe In the WORD of GOD and then GOD gives them the faith of JESUS.

Everyone deep down knows that there Is a GOD.The creation Itself declares It.
If we have the faith of a mustard seed mountains can be moved.Where we are weak HE Is strong.
The way faith comes to us, is by hearing God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17


Example:



By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8


God spoke to Abraham to get out of his fathers house, to a land He would show him.

Abraham now has faith.


However Abraham must obey the word by which he received faith, otherwise his faith is dead: dormant - inactive and unable to produce the intended divine result.


I will stop here, and let you comment.



JPT
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,110
960
113
God does not do your believing for you. He gives you the faith to believe, but he does not do your believing/trusting for you. You do that. And last time I checked, trusting in Christ was not listed in the works that can not justify.
Certainly, God gave me the faith to believe the Gospel truth so that when I did once believed it(past tense), received (past tense) the gospel truth then at the very moment I am saved (past tense) 1 Corinthians 15:1-2. It’s not what I continue to believe in order to be saved. The line to “continue to believe in order to be saved” is not found elsewhere in the scriptures.
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,110
960
113
Yes, that is where the security lies. So stay in the security of Christ by continuing to believe.



/QUOTE]
It is the staying power of the gospel, the sealing power of the Spirit, the firm hands of the Saviour, the continuing holding of the Father and the remaining promises of the Bible that keeps me saved. Stay, remain, continue are descriptive words for fellowship, discipleship, and growth as a Christian never to equate them in order to be saved. I am continuing to the faith “once delivered to the saints” because I AM ALREADY SAVED.
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,110
960
113
Believe means trust and commit to obey.
I agree with the definition of “trust” but I disagree with your “commit to obey”

I believe you are taking the definition into your own. Can you show me good English dictionaries that “believe” means “commit to obey”?

Thanks
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,110
960
113
If we trust that He will lead us on the difficulty path that leads to like and we follow Him, the we are believing and trusting trusting Him.
Your “trust” which means “to follow” is against the dictionary and the Bible.
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,110
960
113
We have to believe to the end, to receive the salvation of our soul.


that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9


  • receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.


JPT
What the context is all about is that the genuine faith is tested. The idiomatic expression “ receiving the end of your faith” means receiving/suffering something unpleasant when you have done nothing to deserve it. Good thing is that this genuine faith still rejoices despite of fiery trials with joy and inexpressible and full of glory. This genuine faith saves your soul. This has nothing to do about “believing to the end to receive salvation of your soul or continue to believe in order to be save”

that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,113
1,799
113
The way faith comes to us, is by hearing God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17


Example:



By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8


God spoke to Abraham to get out of his fathers house, to a land He would show him.

Abraham now has faith.


However Abraham must obey the word by which he received faith, otherwise his faith is dead: dormant - inactive and unable to produce the intended divine result.


I will stop here, and let you comment.



JPT
Is there an excuse for a person that never hears the WORD of GOD?
 
Sep 4, 2012
14,424
692
113
The idiomatic expression “ receiving the end of your faith” means receiving/suffering something unpleasant when you have done nothing to deserve it.
That is not an idiomatic expression. It means exactly what it says. The end point of faith is salvation.