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 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
They have fruit...but it is NOT BROUGHT TO MATURITY......

"The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
Children are easy to trick and deceive....--->SANTA, EASTER BUNNY, JACK FROST, TOOTH FAIRY and the GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN......

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
In a sense you do have an argument with people.

Maybe not argumentative but non the less an argument, or if you prefer a disagreement based on the assumptions you make.

But let's be honest, you share what Jesus has laid on your heart and how the word speaks to you.

So do others who disagree with you.

So to them as well they have honesty and integrity as well, with a clear conscience.
You say they see the challenge you bring but in fact they don't.
Why would they?

They are clear and satisfied with what Jesus has laid on their heart and preach it with honesty and cannot and will not stop the word of God or Gods will.

So they are standing on the word of God and not making generalised assumptions on what they believe but standing firm on the word of God.
Praise the Lord if it is true they are being honest and acting with integrity.
And that is where it must be left, my friend.

I love and though people rail and accuse me as they desire still I follow my Lord.
And I invite all to follow likewise in repentance and faith and follow the path of life. Amen
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
Transformation indicates growth and maturity.....

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.
Acts 26:20

You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
James 2:22

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Rom 13:10

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
1 Cor 9:21

Faith is only real when action is done as a result.
Faith without action is just thought faith, nothing more.
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
Matt 22:37

Love of God captivates everything that we are in Christ, to have this without it outworking
it is not real.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
Life is shown through action, and in life we act
actions we are called to do

put on love col 3:14
put off your old self Eph 4:22
each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:8
Persevere in them 1 im 4:16
make every effort 2 Peter 1:5
I press on Phil 3:12
puts them into practice Matt 7:24
we obey his commands 1 John 3:22
obey the commandments Matt 19:17
obey what I command John 14:15
Listen to him Matt 17:5
will teach you all things John 14:26
all to put their religion into practice 1 Tim 5:4
one who sows to please Gal 6:8
doing good Gal 6:9
Live such good lives 1 Peter 2:12
Submit yourselves 1 Peter 2:12
Humble yourselves James 4:10

Amen, thank you Jesus for the way to life
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
3 righteous behaviours
1. Faith righteousness
2. Heart righteousness
3. Action righteousness

We are saved by faith, which cleanses and purifies our heart which is shown in our behaviour.

8 Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4

1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that
contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 cor 7

3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
1 John 3

8 "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith
we are proclaiming:
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Rom 10

17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly
obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.
18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness
Rom 6

10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from
evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their
prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
1 Peter 3

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what
is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
3 John 1
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
Transformation indicates growth and maturity.....

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
We are transformed through obedience and abiding in Christ, letting our hearts be moved in
worship and praise to our King. Let us always rejoice and know His victory day in day out in
all that we do to His glory and praise.
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
They have fruit...but it is NOT BROUGHT TO MATURITY......

"The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
If I remember correctly, you believe that these scriptures can apply to one person as different stages of coming to the Lord. That is my view if so too.

Others who see these as different people will not see that fruit can take much time to appear, but there will be instant fruit of a believer, not always the same kind. Because repentance and turning to God, having sin wiped out will bring joy, freedom, and a zeal of the Lord to speak of what happened.

Then the walk begins after a time, and lasting fruit begins growth. We have an enemy and he attacks. We learn to overcome and the righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit blossoms in time.

How I view this.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
1 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.
Psalm 36:1-4

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure
Jerem 17:9
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
If I remember correctly, you believe that these scriptures can apply to one person as different stages of coming to the Lord. That is my view if so too.

Others who see these as different people will not see that fruit can take much time to appear, but there will be instant fruit of a believer, not always the same kind. Because repentance and turning to God, having sin wiped out will bring joy, freedom, and a zeal of the Lord to speak of what happened.

Then the walk begins after a time, and lasting fruit begins growth. We have an enemy and he attacks. We learn to overcome and the righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit blossoms in time.

How I view this.
I cannot but help to compare fruit in the same way the Lord did and how many places creation is used to describe the process......I personally believe the only one NOT saved in the parable of the sower is the first one on the list where Satan comes and immediately steals away the seed (MOST fit this group).......I believe there is sufficient evidence to support the other three a being saved with different processes of life and how it has bearing upon the possibility of bearing fruit......there are numerous verses that deals with these truths throughout the bible.....

Some in immaturity are easily offended and though saved fall by the way side
Some are saved and allow worldliness and the cares of life to choke fruit down just like a garden with weeds
Some saved are faithful as and bear an abundance

AND really the above can all three apply to any believer at any stage of their walk.......
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
3 So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
Luke 17

We are commanded to forgive if someone repents.
Imagine a guy comes up to you and hits you in the face.
They come up later and say, I changed my mind and hits you again.
They repented according to some, so you now have to forgive them.

I do not think anyone would agree with you, and would actually
say they are not sorry for their sin or want to get back to good relations.

Now some are arguing this is how God will behave when beleivers hit him in the
face continually day in day out, and change their mind, and continue doing the same.

It is literally this insane, and no one would do anything than throw these people out.
So if this is your faith, get ready for "I never knew you. Go away you evil doers"
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
I cannot but help to compare fruit in the same way the Lord did and how many places creation is used to describe the process......I personally believe the only one NOT saved in the parable of the sower is the first one on the list where Satan comes and immediately steals away the seed (MOST fit this group).......I believe there is sufficient evidence to support the other three a being saved with different processes of life and how it has bearing upon the possibility of bearing fruit......there are numerous verses that deals with these truths throughout the bible.....

Some in immaturity are easily offended and though saved fall by the way side
Some are saved and allow worldliness and the cares of life to choke fruit down just like a garden with weeds
Some saved are faithful as and bear an abundance

AND really the above can all three apply to any believer at any stage of their walk.......
Jesus told the parable because the only one saved is the one who bears fruit and is harvested at
the end of days. Even small sunday school kids aged 4 know this.

Just think, why did the farmer sow the seed, to collect the harvest of more seed produced by the plants.
Farmers care nothing about dead and spoiled plants, they are the price you pay for sowing the crop.

I think this demonstrates how off the whole "everyone is ok who responds", nuts.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
Be
Jesus told the parable because the only one saved is the one who bears fruit and is harvested at
the end of days. Even small sunday school kids aged 4 know this.

Just think, why did the farmer sow the seed, to collect the harvest of more seed produced by the plants.
Farmers care nothing about dead and spoiled plants, they are the price you pay for sowing the crop.

I think this demonstrates how off the whole "everyone is ok who responds", nuts.
Believe what you want PETER---->Immediately with JOY receives the word

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Do all saved bear mass amounts of fruit? NO.......many are IMMATURE and many are stunted due to being worldly......and too be honest....I actually could care less what YOU think.....so far your track record and psycho babble salvation does not even come close to being biblical
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,713
4,077
113
62
Just a thought...

If we as children of God , who has been sealed by His Holy Spirit , and kept by His power , and is the guardian of our souls , then how can we possibly lose our Salvation...

If we could , then that would make us more powerful than God ...xox...
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
Believe what you want PETER---->Immediately with JOY receives the word

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Do all saved bear mass amounts of fruit? NO.......many are IMMATURE and many are stunted due to being worldly......and too be honest....I actually could care less what YOU think.....so far your track record and psycho babble salvation does not even come close to being biblical
There is a simple principle. If the word lives in our hearts we are alive in Christ.
If the word has died within we have left Jesus.

A living plant brings living fruit. Jesus cursed the fig tree that had no fruit.
Once you realise the fruit is words of Christ from our hearts, because we abide in Him
no believer cannot achieve such a reality. And that is the point, victory and growth
is automatic for good soil. That is a great promise, for the majority who let Jesus
speak to them. Amen.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
Just a thought...

If we as children of God , who has been sealed by His Holy Spirit , and kept by His power , and is the guardian of our souls , then how can we possibly lose our Salvation...

If we could , then that would make us more powerful than God ...xox...
My experience in church over decades is those who truly know Jesus stay with Him.
And I think this is the encourageing message. Knowing love and its fruit, why would
one choose the ways of the world and emptiness?

The question is discipling people and bringing them into the fulfilment of the cross
walking in the Spirit and in love.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
8,879
4,333
113
I cannot but help to compare fruit in the same way the Lord did and how many places creation is used to describe the process......I personally believe the only one NOT saved in the parable of the sower is the first one on the list where Satan comes and immediately steals away the seed (MOST fit this group).......I believe there is sufficient evidence to support the other three a being saved with different processes of life and how it has bearing upon the possibility of bearing fruit......there are numerous verses that deals with these truths throughout the bible.....

Some in immaturity are easily offended and though saved fall by the way side
Some are saved and allow worldliness and the cares of life to choke fruit down just like a garden with weeds
Some saved are faithful as and bear an abundance

AND really the above can all three apply to any believer at any stage of their walk.......
To be honest the thoughts you have I agree with.
But not really followed it through.
I'm not a romantic when it comes to this.
So it's not based on feelings.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
8,879
4,333
113
Farmers care nothing about dead and spoiled plants, they are the price you pay for sowing the crop
Its a good thing God is not like this.

Quite a shocking thing you say.

Basically it comes across as God saying "I care nothing about what I have sown with regards to the dead and soiled plants and that's the price for showing in the first place"

Firstly the price was paid on the cross so we can sow.
So God does care about dead and soiled plants. That's why Jesus died.
That's why he paid the price.
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
8,268
5,510
113
Anaheim, Cali.
To be honest the thoughts you have I agree with.
But not really followed it through.
I'm not a romantic when it comes to this.
So it's not based on feelings.
Just a question; Unless you were brought up a spirit filled believer don't you feel the difference from before you were saved till now?