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.
Dec 27, 2018
4,170
876
113
"The text says the seed remains in the one who is born of God. It's right there"
Exactly! I agree! (I John 3:9)

whoever is believing has been born of God (past tense action with continuing results)
Exactly! I agree (I John 5:1)
Then we're in agreement.

But if "born of God" is perfect tense (past action) and the believing is present, then the believing and the new birth were similtaneous, but also the believing continuing after the past action of being born of God. Therefore, it is a continuing faith.
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,319
1,448
113
DO you see what I am saying in post 96,612?

Born of God- Perfect tense- Paul is viewing it as a past action with ongoing results.

believe- present tense- Paul is viewing the verb as presently active.

Does this not indicate that Paul was speaking of continuing faith, at least continuing to the present?
Not sure I am getting what you are trying to say . . .
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,319
1,448
113
That might be edifying.
Ah, you can start one if you want, but I will not be around much for the next while . . . you already go all my spare time for the next week all used up . . . LOL!
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,319
1,448
113
Then we're in agreement.

But if "born of God" is perfect tense (past action) and the believing is present, then the believing and the new birth were similtaneous, but also the believing continuing after the past action of being born of God. Therefore, it is a continuing faith.
LOL - I like you, but you are a master at trying to wiggle and waggle till you get the text to say what you want!

Why don't you just tell me what you want the text to say? I really don't know what you are after ; I am not trying to be hard-nosed. What is your point about - "therefore it is a continuing faith" - What do you mean by that?
 
Dec 27, 2018
4,170
876
113
Not sure I am getting what you are trying to say . . .
This will be my last post for tonight as I know it is getting late.

Born of God is past action (perfect tense) verb

Believe is present tense participle.

From the perspective of Paul, the new birth was in the past. The faith that accompanied the new birth was also past, but he uses a present tense verb), meaning that while it was similtaneous with the new birth, it was also continuing into the present (from Paul's perspective.) Therefore, it was continuing from the new birth to the present. It is a continuing faith.
 
Dec 27, 2018
4,170
876
113
LOL - I like you, but you are a master at trying to wiggle and waggle till you get the text to say what you want!

Why don't you just tell me what you want the text to say? I really don't know what you are after ; I am not trying to be hard-nosed. What is your point about - "therefore it is a continuing faith" - What do you mean by that?
The past tense verb born and the present tense participle believing is self explanatory.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ in the present has been born of God in the past.
Continuing faith.


If you don't see it, we can leave it at that.

Nice talking to you both. It's nice when people can disagree without being rude.

God bless
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,319
1,448
113
This will be my last post for tonight as I know it is getting late.

Born of God is past action (perfect tense) verb

Believe is present tense participle.

From the perspective of Paul, the new birth was in the past. The faith that accompanied the new birth was also past, but he uses a present tense verb), meaning that while it was similtaneous with the new birth, it was also continuing into the present (from Paul's perspective.) Therefore, it was continuing from the new birth to the present. It is a continuing faith.
Good night - fun interaction . . .
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,319
1,448
113
The past tense verb born and the present tense participle believing is self explanatory.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ in the present has been born of God in the past.
Continuing faith.


If you don't see it, we can leave it at that.
Ah, yes, now you are clear - got it - agreed!
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
Yes you do. We've been over this repeatedly.
You ask this question, which I repeatedly have answered from my perspective.
I have told you my view on the nature of sin, our hearts, walking righteously before the Lord.

Now you keep on asking the same question as if I will answer it differently.
So my point is, what is your objective? That I feel a conviction, that I desire more deeply to
walk closer to the Lord.

gb9 clearly stated he believes he is a sinner, failed and flawed pointing to the Lord.

The traditional view is to take this position but believe we are cleansed as we confess.
What is also apparent is people replace real sin with imagined sin and failed aspiration
with which to beat themselves, and dominate their hearts with failure rather than love
and acceptance in Gods grace, lifting their hearts up so they can reach out to others in love.

So my friend, maybe you just want to repeat this process like the accuser of the brethren
repeating accusations over forgiven sin. It is ironic if ones belief system is such accusations
are from satan, and then one does the same to others. Where does that put you?
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
But inspecting fruit of another would be examining another persons fruit to give an assessment of it. Who have I done that to? No one. Therefore, you are lying and defending a lie.
I never said you did it,

I think we are stating that you agree with the idea/principle that conversion in order to be genuine must bear fruit the logical extension of this position is .................. if we cannot discern fruit we can judge that person has not been converted.
 
Dec 27, 2018
4,170
876
113
Well yes if you take the Calvinist view.

No one stated people save themselves...of course that is how you would interpret it.


so do you disagree with the statement that people don't save themselves or do you disagree with the statement that the Gospel is the means through which God saves people?
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
rebuke, reprove, exhort, etc.
Fruit inspectors inspect fruit to determine true regeneration and make a decision on its veracity...no where are we called to make such a determination.

We are called to determine who are false teachers, that is entirely different, this is an objective analysis of their doctrine and who their followers are.

We are called to rebuke, reprove and exhort, however this again is not to decide the veracity of their conversion based on how much they sin or do not sin, or much good works they do.

Two different things
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
so do you disagree with the statement that people don't save themselves or do you disagree with the statement that the Gospel is the means through which God saves people?
I believe as taught in scripture that people are capable of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ who is the object of salvific faith, God regenerates those who rightly believe and trust in Jesus for salvation apart from works, it is God's gift, we accept it.

Pretty simple.
 
Dec 27, 2018
4,170
876
113
I never said you did it,

.
Post 96,450

https://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/not-by-works.146296/page-4823

I think we are stating that you agree with the idea/principle that conversion in order to be genuine must bear fruit
Which do you disagree with?

a. Paul's statement that we are saved by grace through faith alone

or

b. Jesus' statement that our fruits and actions reveal the condition of our heart?

These principles do not contradict. Unless you don't accept the what the bible says on the matter. And I have explaned that this is what I am saying.

the logical extension of this position is .................. if we cannot discern fruit we can judge that person has not been converted.
I never said any such thing. Show me the post number where I said this.
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Post 96,450

https://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/not-by-works.146296/page-4823



Which do you disagree with?

a. Paul's statement that we are saved by grace through faith alone

or

b. Jesus' statement that our fruits and actions reveal the condition of our heart?

These principles do not contradict. Unless you don't accept the what the bible says on the matter. And I have explaned that this is what I am saying.



I never said any such thing. Show me the post number where I said this.
Okay
 

Melach

Well-known member
Mar 28, 2019
2,057
1,526
113
What is salvation then, a promise to be good?
salvation is deliverance. its victory over the world the flesh and the devil. Jesus atoned for sins so they can be forgiven to those who enter the covenant through godly sorrow faith and repentance, clean vessel prepared for the master's use.

iam of the belief that salvation is not just positional, its manifesting in day to day life.

you are entering into a covenant relationship with God, and agree to uphold the covenant, obviously.

the beforementioned st. james says it like this, instead of using the vessel metaphor by st.paul or prophet ezekiel

James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.