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.

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
The magic trampoline of faith saves you from wilful sinning
The trap of self condemnation and continual failure over shadows in ones life

I saw a film about a lady who lived a life of poverty though a talented musician. She felt her
natural love of music was a sin and an accident that killed someone which was not her fault
meant she was guilty of murder. This destroyed her life.

Being worthy. In faith we can emphasise our unworthiness to the extent of self punishment
and self condemnation. But rather Jesus declares us righteous, holy, cleansed, purified and
worthy of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We are His people, worthy of being saved, meaning
there is something in us He calls worthy of His love, and He takes pleasure in our walk, no matter
how weak or struggling. It is the direction, and desire that matters, not our abilities. If we
persevere, have patience, desire and work, we will achieve the goal we aim at.

Wilful sin is destroying the very foundation upon which one stands. Condemning oneself for the
knowledge of what might be, is self condemnation. We know many roads we could walk down, but
we choose not to, and to know His love and victory. But this tension shows we are alive in Him,
and know His victory by our walk.

The magic trampoline some believe in is if they sin wilfully with no regard God saves them.
At some point faith is lost, and there is then no comeback or restitution. Some take this example
and think they are saved, but only felt the freedom of walking with Jesus but never have or repented
and changed. Being religious is different to finding life in Christ.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
The narrow path with a bungee chord.

I do not know peoples background and abuses, their contortions in their hearts, their hurts and
areas of darkness, but in Jesus there is healing and resolution. For me one key question after knowing
guys for decades, is do people really know each other, or is openness something they rarely do?

It is no surprise if one does not share ones struggles or defeats or successes no one knows, or can help,
or can pray, or stand alongside, or know how to be at peace. What we need is not bungee chords, believing
Jesus can rescue us, but starting to believe and walking in the light. Our hearts deceive us into slavery to
behaviour, because it itself wants to not risk worse damage, so will live with a sinful approach, as if this is
the way to life.

In Jesus we have the solution. Over every issue you condemn yourself, bring it to Jesus and ask Him to
show you the way of resolution. This is part of our walk, confession, repentance and restitution.
And it works. It works because we are sowing to the Spirit, sowing to life and love, sowing to victory.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
What was Jesus's approach on earth?

53 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
John 6

Jesus is hard, and His way is one of sacrifice and dedication.
In one sense the dedication is actually walking in life and love, and leaving behind the worldly things
of life. But in another aspect it is in seeing the right place of possessions as tools to express love
and service for others and not selfish indulgence.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
The problem of cost

Some believe Jesus is just give, give, give, and we just say thankyou.
And even when we fall into evil behaviour and wicked actions, Jesus just ignores it, like it is
no happening or has no effect on the believer, even it is not the believer who is doing the
things, it is their out of control body, over which they believer has no control, and is not
indwelt with the Holy Spirit.

Into this kind of mix, people claim they can be possessed by evil spirits of fear, hatred, lust,
greed as if these things are external to our pure innocent spiritual selves.

So the insane burden is following Jesus, and obeying His commands, which are crushing to
a selfish, self obsessed, greedy self indulgent soul who is also saved, how dare satan challenge
them as not knowing God?

But this all goes to show you can know scripture but not have it in your heart, be born into a
christian family, but never repented and resolved you sin, knowing you are loved, and your sin
is just you protecting hurt, need, love, suffering, betrayal and defending unforgiveness, anger as
a result.

Dying to self is real, it is an action of the heart, just giving all to Jesus and the cross and waiting
for Him. This is what it means to confess ones sins, to be in abject defeat with a desire to open
to God and let Him take control and give direction through forgiveness of the cross.

23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self
Luke 9
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
The magic trampoline of faith saves you from wilful sinning
The trap of self condemnation and continual failure over shadows in ones life

I saw a film about a lady who lived a life of poverty though a talented musician. She felt her
natural love of music was a sin and an accident that killed someone which was not her fault
meant she was guilty of murder. This destroyed her life.

Being worthy. In faith we can emphasise our unworthiness to the extent of self punishment
and self condemnation. But rather Jesus declares us righteous, holy, cleansed, purified and
worthy of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We are His people, worthy of being saved, meaning
there is something in us He calls worthy of His love, and He takes pleasure in our walk, no matter
how weak or struggling. It is the direction, and desire that matters, not our abilities. If we
persevere, have patience, desire and work, we will achieve the goal we aim at.

Wilful sin is destroying the very foundation upon which one stands. Condemning oneself for the
knowledge of what might be, is self condemnation. We know many roads we could walk down, but
we choose not to, and to know His love and victory. But this tension shows we are alive in Him,
and know His victory by our walk.

The magic trampoline some believe in is if they sin wilfully with no regard God saves them.
At some point faith is lost, and there is then no comeback or restitution. Some take this example
and think they are saved,
but only felt the freedom of walking with Jesus but never have or repented
and changed. Being religious is different to finding life in Christ.
Exactly why very few buy your drivel Peter.....everything that is bolded is false and or just another allegation by a man that ha no concept of what salvation really is....

There are NONE worthy of anything pal and exactly why it is by grace and mercy!!!!!!
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
Exactly why very few buy your drivel Peter.....everything that is bolded is false and or just another allegation by a man that ha no concept of what salvation really is....

There are NONE worthy of anything pal and exactly why it is by grace and mercy!!!!!!
This is where you fail to see as Jesus sees. Jesus sees sinners and know their hearts are worthy of
being saved, that He can redeem a people to be His own.

Like many we think we earn this worthiness. But when you have a child, do you say they are not
worthy of ones love because they are so badly behaved, but rather as a parent you know they are
just like you, and need support, protection, encouragement and love to grow and develop.

We are born in sin and separation from God, yet He has deemed us worthy to lavish His love on
us by His grace. It is this worthiness that He sees in us, when we just see failure and contradiction,
that is why He is the source of love and life.

If we could never be His Holy righteous people then He would never love us or call us because it
would all be in vain, and we would eternally be doomed to destruction.

So my friend, you devalue what Jesus calls you, a sinner who can be redeemed, someone not too far
off that there is no hope and no reconciliation. This is the faith Jesus brings, the hope that in our
lostness we can find a home in Him and find our eternal home.

This is also why you hate this gospel, because you have given up and think staying in sin is part of
the gospel message. But like a tight rope walker, if you stray from the rope one falls to ones death.

15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
1 Peter 1
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
Exactly why very few buy your drivel Peter.....everything that is bolded is false and or just another allegation by a man that ha no concept of what salvation really is....

There are NONE worthy of anything pal and exactly why it is by grace and mercy!!!!!!
Unfortunately very few buy your approach, because it is just believe and do nothing.
If one is affluent, and things are going well then this is easy. But if everything is a mess and there are terrible
issues in ones life, to stay where one is is death.

It is why this easy believism is just a spoilt childs response to not resolving the serious sin and hurtful issues
in ones heart that must be sorted to let the Holy Spirit come in an reign in the heart.

And the words of faith will sound so similar to true faith, except the life will show self indulgence and greed,
not service and love, reaching out to others and being an asset to the community.

In pain and desperation, staying where you are is not an option. But Jesus shows us the way through. To
rest in Him and sow to the Kingdom, to walk in love and know His blessing, to be victorious and overcoming
grief, sadness, loss, trials and know love conquers all.

And I know this is the spiritual reality being expressed here, because rather than rejoicing in Him and finding
ways to serve and do good works, it is this continual condemnation and judgementalism over faith positions,
because this is the only way the excuse of continuing in sin and an evil life style be maintained.

But there is no escape, here or before the Lord. We will answer for each word and each encouragement or
condemnation. So we need to be careful, and listen to Jesus and the Holy Spirit as He talks to our hearts, Amen.
 

theanointedwinner

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2018
2,058
1,125
113
I would not be surprised if Job 2:9 is atheist's favorite Bible verses


Job 2:9 - Job's wife said to Job, "are you still maintaining your integrity? curse God and die!"
 

theanointedwinner

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2018
2,058
1,125
113
let's put it this way,

hell is a place where it's impossible to be a Christian (not even possible for a second)

while heaven is a place where the saved will experience an unlimited supply of the best possible moments (your favorite moments) of deep relationship with Jesus
 

theanointedwinner

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2018
2,058
1,125
113
Mr. @VCO I have a question about trying to increase the likelihood that people will be called to become God's children at God's right timing, what are some ways to do it, based on my understanding of "seed" and "soil", is Romans 10:14-15 a good explanation of "planting the seed" while all we can do for the soil of other people's heart is to pray for them?
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Mr. @VCO I have a question about trying to increase the likelihood that people will be called to become God's children at God's right timing, what are some ways to do it, based on my understanding of "seed" and "soil", is Romans 10:14-15 a good explanation of "planting the seed" while all we can do for the soil of other people's heart is to pray for them?
Seeds can lay dormant for years and even decades or longer before they sprout........we plant, we water, we fertilize, but in the end....only God can cause a seed to sprout........

MANY are called, but few chosen............MANY does not equal ALL.......and few is even less than many ;)
 

theanointedwinner

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2018
2,058
1,125
113
Hi and welcome to the got questions ministries

The question is "can salvation be lost?"

Answer: none has been lost (John 17:12) Therefore, salvation cannot be lost

this have been the shortest gq.org articles you can possibly find and have a good rest of your day
 

theanointedwinner

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2018
2,058
1,125
113
Another quick one:

Salvation = Jesus
Jesus is not lost
Therefore, salvation is not lost
Just because the thread can be answered as quick as lightening, doesn't mean that the human heart will understand it just as quickly, this thread is one of the slowest "lightning" we can possibly find
 

theanointedwinner

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2018
2,058
1,125
113
Seeds can lay dormant for years and even decades or longer before they sprout........we plant, we water, we fertilize, but in the end....only God can cause a seed to sprout........

MANY are called, but few chosen............MANY does not equal ALL.......and few is even less than many ;)
Are you saying, no matter how dormant the incorruptible seed is, it still exist in the soil of hearts?
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Are you saying, no matter how dormant the incorruptible seed is, it still exist in the soil of hearts?
No....I am saying we can witness to a person and that person may not be saved for decades..........yet it was the seed we sowed that God allowed to sprout and come to fruition....