"Not by works" - false!

  • 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.
May 19, 2020
3,050
1,275
113
No, not really.
That's a different subject.
I'm talking about the revelation of right and wrong.

The person who knows nothing of the law of Moses and the gospel receives revelation about right and wrong from conscience and the nature of things. For example, it's virtually understood in all people groups throughout the history of mankind that you are not to murder or steal.

Ok..,thank you for answering,Judges,x
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,834
13,558
113
And there is something wrong with that?
It's an imperfect motivation to obey a higher power--love being the better motivation--but it certainly isn't wrong.
Well if the only thing required of mankind is outward behavior modification.

But the Bible does not seem to agree that outward manipulation of behavior is the goal.


1 Corinthians 13:2-3
And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor,] and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.


God is not pleased with whitewashed tombs.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,834
13,558
113
A good example of what sin would not likely be revealed to the person who does not have knowledge of the law or the gospel.
If you have it in your hand to do good and do not do it, it's sin. That's omission that isn't necessarily having anything to do with Moses law or with the gospel.
 
Nov 16, 2019
3,441
860
113
Having that much resentment toward someone enough to put you in a murderous rage needs looking at :geek:
I had come to the conclusion that hatred and murder are of the same spirit.

But the Bible does not seem to agree that outward manipulation of behavior is the goal.
Right, the BIBLE says that.
That's why it's not likely that a person who didn't know about the law or a Bible would be convicted in regard to the underlying motivations of outward wrong doing. Just that his outward doings were wrong, and punishable.

God is not pleased with whitewashed tombs.
A whitewashed tomb is a HYPOCRITE, not a humble person who won't steal because he has reverent respect for a just, higher power.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,140
29,452
113
Well if the only thing required of mankind is outward behavior modification.

But the Bible does not seem to agree that outward manipulation of behavior is the goal.

1 Corinthians 13:2-3
And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor,] and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

God is not pleased with whitewashed tombs.
True. And yet, stopping the reprehensible behavior may need to come before a fuller comprehension of the underlying sin nature that drives such desires to act out in ways that are in opposition to God's will for our lives.
 
Nov 16, 2019
3,441
860
113
If you have it in your hand to do good and do not do it, it's sin.
We know that because of the Bible.
Not so obvious to the person guided by just conscience.

That's omission that isn't necessarily having anything to do with Moses law or with the gospel.
It does because that is where we receive that knowledge.
That's knowledge that is not so easy to come by apart from the written word, IMO.
 
May 19, 2020
3,050
1,275
113
Was it the conviction of a general lostness and separation from God, or the conviction of specific sin(s)?

It was the testifying to my spirit from God....that I was born again,his child and setting me from my sin...

I cried out repented and in he came through my body into my Spirit.
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,974
113
just a share;
I CRIED OUT in my so called 'walk down the isle conviction' -
but,
guess what??? I was crying out in vain, because I immediately began to 'continue'
in my 'old-worldly-ways'...
did God HEAR my plea?, of course He did, but He also knew that I was NOT ready
to let go of my satanic bondages - and so, His plan for me played out many years later
according to His Will and Timing, Praise His Holy Name...
 
May 19, 2020
3,050
1,275
113
just a share;
I CRIED OUT in my so called 'walk down the isle conviction' -
but,
guess what??? I was crying out in vain, because I immediately began to 'continue'
in my 'old-worldly-ways'...
did God HEAR my plea?, of course He did, but He also knew that I was NOT ready
to let go of my satanic bondages - and so, His plan for me played out many years later
according to His Will and Timing, Praise His Holy Name...

Wow!!......Praise God.....His timing is perfect!.
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,974
113
I am not familiar with this situation. I am skeptical. I have not other comment.


Yes, they go to hell. (Faith cometh by hearing... they have not heard...therefore they do not have faith ... therefore hell)
Yes, they are judged by their conscious. Romans 1 talks about God's law being written on their hearts and therefore they are without excuse.

Aside: The reason the brought up this "Faith cometh by Hearing" is to discredit the idea that God loves everyone and show evidence of this by showing God does not give many people a chance to belief. (IMO)
=============================================================
o boy, do you need to do some in depth 'study' into the Holy Scriptures -
you are so OFF base that you are condemning yourself -
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
Please provide scripture to verify your claim that "God can and does talk to people" about salvation as salvation is the context of my question. I assume God's talk to those that have not heard the gosple is about salvation? Can you tell us of people who have not heard the gospel that "God talks to" and about that conversion? Did God tell them about Christ?

Well, that makes two people who state one can be saved without hearing the gospel and yet offer no further explanation.
Thus either:
1) They don't know the explanation or don't wish to share it (This assumes such a 'valid' explanation exists)
or
2) God does not love everyone to the extent that He would offer them a chance of salvation which
....... is evidence God does not love everyone (unless you set a low standard like the rain falls on everyone)
...... or the ones He loves He ensures are saved by changing their hearts via the preaching of the gospel even though they do not seek Him (monergism)

Well @Judges1318 ... you are my last chance. Explain how those who have not heard the gospel are saved please. Explain how those who are WITHOUT GOD (Eph. 2:12) are WITH GOD (no verse exists).

Ephesians 2:12 remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God’s agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God.
You can start with the thief on the cross. He didn't hear the gospel, yet Jesus said "today you will be with me in paradise". What about Saul/Paul. While he may have heard the gospel preached it certainly didn't affect him positively. It was only when Jesus knocked him down and blinded him that he became a believer. Those are the ones who come to mind immediately; I'm sure there are others.

God is sovereign. He can adopt children into his family without any kind of prescribed formula.
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
I am not familiar with this situation. I am skeptical. I have not other comment.


Yes, they go to hell. (Faith cometh by hearing... they have not heard...therefore they do not have faith ... therefore hell)
Yes, they are judged by their conscious. Romans 1 talks about God's law being written on their hearts and therefore they are without excuse.

Aside: The reason the brought up this "Faith cometh by Hearing" is to discredit the idea that God loves everyone and show evidence of this by showing God does not give many people a chance to belief. (IMO)
Really? I guess you can tear John 3:16 out of your Bible then. " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." 1) God loved (and loves) the world and 2) gives eternal life to those who believe in Christ. So your statement that God doesn't love everyone is patently false. Also, God gives eternal life to all who believe.

Your gospel of exclusion is contrary to the word of God.
 
May 22, 2020
403
127
43
You can start with the thief on the cross. He didn't hear the gospel, yet Jesus said "today you will be with me in paradise".
Where in the Bible does it say the thief on the cross didn't hear the gospel? Verse please.

What about Saul/Paul. While he may have heard the gospel preached it certainly didn't affect him positively. It was only when Jesus knocked him down and blinded him that he became a believer.
I don't see the relevance ... I question is: How is one saved without hearing the gospel. Paul heard the gospel and believed.

God is sovereign. He can adopt children into his family without any kind of prescribed formula.
Maybe ... show us where God did this using scripture rather than conjecture based on how you would have God do things.
 
May 22, 2020
403
127
43
Really? I guess you can tear John 3:16 out of your Bible then.
Why would I do that. It is a ridiculous thing to do.

1) God loved (and loves) the world and
The word WORLD is ambiguous.
The fact is that “the world” is used in a general way. When the brethren of Christ said, “Shew Thyself to the world” (John 7:4), did they mean “shew Thyself to all mankind”? When the Pharisees said, “Behold, the world is gone after Him” (John 12:19), did they mean that “all the human family” were flocking after Him? When the apostle wrote, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8), did he mean that the faith of the saints at Rome was the subject of conversation by every man, woman, and child on the earth? When Revelation 13:3 informs us that “all the world wondered after the beast”, are we to understand that there will be no exceptions? What of the godly Jewish Remnant, who will be slain (Revelation 20:4) rather than submit? These, and other passages (John 14:17; John 15:19; John 16:20; John 17:14; etc.) which might be quoted, show that the term “the world” often has a relative rather than an absolute force.
Hermeneutics 101 - Use explicit verse to form doctrine, not implicit
gives eternal life to those who believe in Christ.
Agreed. Those the believe are saved
So your statement that God doesn't love everyone is patently false. Also, God gives eternal life to all who believe.
How can a holy God love that which is evil, the sons of Satan. Psalms 5:5 You hate all who do evil. You would have God love those He hates. That is a contradiction. God does not contradict himself.
Since God did not die for everyone without exception per Eph. 2:8-9, Phil. 1:29, Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 12:3, John 1:12-13 he cannot love everyone.
If God died for everyone then He knowingly died in vain. The precious blood of God is not shed for no reason.
Man is incapable of believing on his own (No one seeks God, no one does good, etc. etc. etc) Thus God must give faith to men. God gives faith to those He loves. If you loved everyone He would give faith to everyone.

on and on and on .....
... yet you rest your doctrine on one ambiguous verse and ignore much else
Tota Scriptura, meaning "all of scripture" or "scripture in totality." It refers to embracing the whole counsel of God as it is revealed in the entirety of sacred Scripture - all sixty-six books. Tota Scriptura is the truth that one cannot take away anything from the Word of God.

Aside: John 3 is about being BORN AGAIN. The analogy is not used for no reason. People are not born of themselves, another must cause them to be born.

Please consider ALL of Scripture (I know it is a big task).
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
113
Romans 2:12-16 does explain how one is judged in the absence of exposure to the law and the gospel.
In their case, how they respond to what they have been exposed to--the law of conscience and nature--shows if they have humbled themselves by faith to the higher power they know exists, but whom they do not know by name.

Just as we who have been exposed to the law and the gospel show if we have humbled ourselves by faith to the Father and the Son by whether or not the law is written on our hearts.

God holds a person accountable to what they have received, not what they haven't received, and judges accordingly.
Judges, I support most of what you post, but I believe you are wrong on this one. There is no salvation without Christ. There cannot be. There is only one name under heaven by which man can be saved. You cannot come to the Father but by Him. Etc.
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
Where in the Bible does it say the thief on the cross didn't hear the gospel? Verse please.


I don't see the relevance ... I question is: How is one saved without hearing the gospel. Paul heard the gospel and believed.


Maybe ... show us where God did this using scripture rather than conjecture based on how you would have God do things.
Do you own/read the Bible?

You said, "Where in the Bible does it say the thief on the cross didn't hear the gospel?" The point is, where does it say he did? If it's not in Scripture then it's just blind assumption.

Paul certainly heard the Gospel, which is why he went out on a mission to kill those who believed the Gospel and were saved. He wasn't a believer in the Gospel until he was knocked down by Jesus during his travels.

There is no conjecture hear; it's all plainly stated in the Bible. I believe the Word of God. You're the one who is inventing myths about what the Bible says.
 
May 22, 2020
403
127
43
Do you own/read the Bible?
Immature question. I won't gratify it with an answer.

ou said, "Where in the Bible does it say the thief on the cross didn't hear the gospel?" The point is, where does it say he did? If it's not in Scripture then it's just blind assumption.
Paul certainly heard the Gospel, which is why he went out on a mission to kill those who believed the Gospel and were saved. He wasn't a believer in the Gospel until he was knocked down by Jesus during his travels.
You missed my point. You are basing your doctrine on information not provided. The information in this case is WHAT KNOWLEDGE DID THE MAN ON THE CROSS HAVE.
Irrelevant to the question at hand as I pointed out.

There is no conjecture hear;
When you insert obtain doctrine from implicit verses you are using conjecture by definition.

it's all plainly stated in the Bible.
"IT"?

I believe the Word of God.
As you should. I assume you do.

You're the one who is inventing myths about what the Bible says.
I gave scripture to corroborate my statements. You did not give a counter argument. Saying I am "inventing myths" is not scriptural, but ad hominem to cover your lack of intellectual argument. Address my scripture maturely and we can talk.