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.

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,972
4,587
113
We also have "whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21) and Jesus' Word that "he who endures to the end shall be saved." (Matt 10:22). Is it either/or, or is it actually both.

If we "neglect so great a salvation" by not "working it out with fear and trembling", we will be found wanting in that Day.
Again, our True faith is only evident to God by what we actually do.

And, yes, we have John 3:16 (which actually doesn't' mention "salvation"), but then we have, concerning Jesus in Hebrews - "having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" - Heb 5:9) Again, is it either/or, or is it both?

As with a cake recipe, we must use ALL the ingredients to achieve the final end.
So too, we must receive and follow ALL that the Word declares to attain that Goal set before us.

Amen.

That "OBEY HIM", has to be for the RIGHT MOTIVE, which is AGAPE LOVE; or it is filthy rags, and the Wrong Motive is out of a sense of DUTY or OBLIGATION; and also a Payment of some sort, such as I HAVE TO, TO become Saved.


Romans 4:3-5 (HCSB)
3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.
4 Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed.
5 But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness.

Romans 11:6 (HCSB)
6 Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.

1 Chronicles 28:9 (HCSB)
9 “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought [.for motives.]. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Revelation 2:23 (ESV)
23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart [.for motives.], and I will give to each of you according to your works.

1 John 3:14 (HCSB)
14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

Matthew 22:37-38 (HCSB)
37 He said to him, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38 This is the greatest and most important command.

2 John 1:2 (HCSB)
2 because of the truth that
remains in us and will be with us forever.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
“In other words UnderGrace, I’m incredibly brilliant and you have the intellect of a 7 yr old when it comes to understanding the Word. “

I tried not to look, hoping this pride and arrogance would just go away. But alas I am nauseous from it once again.
Ole lemonade thinks he is all that and a bag of spiritual understanding.......my take on his view....as dense and bright as lead paint from 1957 on the wall in a cheap low rent flat in South Side Chicago.......

@UnderGrace has it right.....Lemonade <--not so much
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Sister, there is no reason to continue this debating. You have your belief and I have mine.
I have no doubt concerning the Word the Lord God has given me to teach.
I must obey what He has commissioned me to do, not concern myself with the understanding of man.

I often feel as one would who might attempt to teach HVAC Psychometrics to a child learning addition and subtraction in the 2nd Grade. (And I know of what I speak, having excelled in the former, as well as having a son learning the latter.) ;)

Peace & Blessings.
I am not debating, I am upholding the truth.

On my inability to grasp your complex doctrine :cautious:.... well I would state I am not the only one ... and I am in excellent company.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
Actually it works quite well as my avatar.

Thanks!
I had people raking me over the coals for using my Marine pic hahaha....so now....just a pic of me in my cousin's cabinet shop.....old yellow tee, camo and needing a shave hahahahahahahahah....it would take me 30 min to figure out how to change it now....
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,047
13,056
113
58
I had people raking me over the coals for using my Marine pic hahaha....so now....just a pic of me in my cousin's cabinet shop.....old yellow tee, camo and needing a shave hahahahahahahahah....it would take me 30 min to figure out how to change it now....
Why would people rake you over the coals for using your Marine pic as your avatar? :unsure:
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
I had people raking me over the coals for using my Marine pic hahaha....so now....just a pic of me in my cousin's cabinet shop.....old yellow tee, camo and needing a shave hahahahahahahahah....it would take me 30 min to figure out how to change it now....
Well, I really do not see you with a kitten picture myself.... that would be pretty comical.:)

I remember that post on your Marine picture... some people must have nothing better to worry about I guess.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,047
13,056
113
58
It was INTIMIDATING looked like I was wanting to fight, angry etc...
Somebody has to fight for the truth. It's not called spiritual "warfare" for nothing in the Bible. My supervisor at the Post Office (who is also a former Marine) says we have too many "snowflakes" in our society. :giggle:
 

Lightskin

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2019
3,165
3,665
113
I am not debating, I am upholding the truth.

On my inability to grasp your complex doctrine :cautious:.... well I would state I am not the only one ... and I am in excellent company.
My doctrine is complex as well:
John 3:16-17 and Romans 10:9-10.
For some reason worker bees fail to compute the exponents of God’s love and grace.