Works Complete Faith?

  • 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.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
There is a serious flaw in your argument.

Abraham did not complete the work of sacrificing his son, Isaac. God intervened and supplied the necessary lamb for the sacrifice.

Abraham believed God and was reckoned righteous, the same way, that we believe in Jesus and are righteous.
You think Abraham not sacrificing his son is a flaw in my argument? LOL

Abraham obeyed God when He said "sacrifice your son, your only son whom you love".
Abraham also obeyed God when He said, "Don't sacrifice your son".

Where is the "flaw" in my argument in any of Abraham's obedience?
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
@romans113336 , jfyi, I added a bit to my post after you grabbed it to quote it ^ Check it out and see if it helps further grasp WHAT I WAS SAYING in my post...






(helps explain further the part about "if you keep in memory WHAT I HAVE PREACHED UNTO YOU [i.e. "His resurrection"] UNLESS you have believed in vain [i.e. left off the vital aspect of "His resurrection" (not believing that), as though He didn't coz according to your view [the ones he's addressing] 'there IS NO resurrection']"; THAT is what it means to "believe in vain"--the idea of Christ still being in the tomb... but He's NOT!! And the ones he listed in vv.5-8, including himself, are WITNESS to that FACT)




--to "believe in vain" means that Christ did not resurrect from the dead (but the FACT is, HE DID!!)
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,034
8,375
113
The phrase "unless you believed in vain" is explained further down in the text...

... vv.13-14 and 17 -

--"And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."

--"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."


Paul's argument, to those not believing in a resurrection, is that, "if Christ be not risen / raised, your faith is vain.... you are yet in your sins"... so believing "in vain" is to leave off the vital fact concerning His resurrection (vv.1-4 , 5-8<--but He ACTUALLY DID!!<--this is the crux of the argument).

It does not mean, somehow failing to measure up to some list of "works-for-salvation" I must do in order to make it.
That's not the CONTEXT, at all.
Bullseye. Again. Good job bro.

And an exquisite exegetical treatment that I will not soon forget.
Because I made sure to bookmark it.....:sneaky:
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
@romans113336 , jfyi, I added a bit to my post after you grabbed it to quote it ^ Check it out and see if it helps further grasp WHAT I WAS SAYING in my post...






(helps explain further the part about "if you keep in memory WHAT I HAVE PREACHED UNTO YOU [i.e. "His resurrection"] UNLESS you have believed in vain [i.e. left off the vital aspect of "His resurrection" (not believing that), as though He didn't coz according to your view [the ones he's addressing] 'there IS NO resurrection']"; THAT is what it means to "believe in vain"--the idea of Christ still being in the tomb... but He's NOT!! And the ones he listed in vv.5-8, including himself, are WITNESS to that FACT)




--to "believe in vain" means that Christ did not resurrect from the dead (but the FACT is, HE DID!!)
I don't even need the "unless you believed in vain"--I could even grant that just to move things along--"You are being saved if you continue in faith" is what I'm concerned with. Why say "you are being saved if you continue in faith" when "we were saved"? Both are true. That's the substance of the question--"How could Abraham be justified by faith, but then justified later by works?"--and so that is the substance of the answer.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,034
8,375
113
All of your previous "context" arguments have been debunked.
Interesting you didn't continue responding to them.
Debunked? By who? You lol?
Successfully debunking @TheDivineWatermark happens about as often as a sighting of Haleys comet.
You ought to get around a little buddy.
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
I don't even need the "unless you believed in vain"--I could even grant that just to move things along--"You are being saved if you continue in faith" is what I'm concerned with.
"Y'all" [!] (plural)




"unless you have believed in vain" = "Christ DID NOT resurrect from the dead"...





... but vv.5-8 tell of the WITNESSES TO THAT FACT (including Paul) that He in fact DID! (which is, the part about: "what I [Paul] PREACHED UNTO YOU")
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,034
8,375
113
@romans113336(helps explain further the part about "if you keep in memory WHAT I HAVE PREACHED UNTO YOU [i.e. "His resurrection"] UNLESS you have believed in vain [i.e. left off the vital aspect of "His resurrection" (not believing that), as though He didn't coz according to your view [the ones he's addressing] 'there IS NO resurrection']"; THAT is what it means to "believe in vain"--the idea of Christ still being in the tomb... but He's NOT!! And the ones he listed in vv.5-8, including himself, are WITNESS to that FACT)




--to "believe in vain" means that Christ did not resurrect from the dead (but the FACT is, HE DID!!)
The peculiar belief (or not) of same being the only reason for the DIVIDING of the living from the dead.
The substantive belief and trust in its reality and efficacity ALONE, with no other appurtenances, exigencies or qualifications required whatsoever.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,034
8,375
113
@romans113336
Some friendly advice:
Get a dictionary. Free online buddy.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
Not relevant--"if you continue in faith" is.

Same dynamic as is touched upon in Hebrews 3.
Again, I am so blessed to talk with "y'all" (;)), even though you all disagree with me--and some even detest me--because discussing the Scriptures with Christians who have God's grace, like you, highlights my errors, so I can by God's grace pray about correcting my way.

Hebrews 3 says "unbelief" is caused by "sin", so, to what ever extent I may not be keeping the twofold command (1 Jn 3:23), I can repent of any sin (desire of the eyes, desire of the flesh, boasting pride) that may be preventing faith, and, so, be strengthened.
Not that I didn't know that before, but, as Peter says, "I am repeating God's Word to you", and Jesus says, "If you remain in my word you are My disciples indeed and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free from sin," and, "Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?"

That doesn't mean I recant anything I've said--it's all 100% accurate--but there is such a thing as overemphasis or underemphasis, which, ipso facto, causes an obfuscation, which is itself also a form of deception.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,319
6,647
113
62
Again, I am so blessed to talk with "y'all" (;)), even though you all disagree with me--and some even detest me--because discussing the Scriptures with Christians who have God's grace, like you, highlights my errors, so I can by God's grace pray about correcting my way.

Hebrews 3 says "unbelief" is caused by "sin", so, to what ever extent I may not be keeping the twofold command (1 Jn 3:23), I can repent of any sin (desire of the eyes, desire of the flesh, boasting pride) that may be preventing faith, and, so, be strengthened.
Not that I didn't know that before, but, as Peter says, "I am repeating God's Word to you", and Jesus says, "If you remain in my word you are My disciples indeed and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free from sin," and, "Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?"

That doesn't mean I recant anything I've said--it's all 100% accurate--but there is such a thing as overemphasis or underemphasis, which, ipso facto, causes an obfuscation, which is itself also a form of deception.
Where does it say unbelief is caused by sin?
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
Where does it say unbelief is caused by sin?
In that very same post you replied to, I told you: Hebrews 3.

Hebrews 3
12Take care, brothers and sisters, that there will not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart [e]that falls away from the living God. 13But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
Because Moses did not make it to the earthly promised land, Moses failed.
How could you call Moses "loser"?
It seems like it is you that is calling Moses a "loser-of-salvation" since he didn't make it into the promised land. ;)








I was going to ask you about Moses days ago, but got side-tracked... I was glad to see that Cameron143 brought it up lol.









[my typing fingers cannot keep up with the pace of this thread lol]
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
It seems like it is you that is calling Moses a "loser-of-salvation" since he didn't make it into the promised land. ;)








I was going to ask you about Moses days ago, but got side-tracked... I was glad to see that Cameron143 brought it up lol.









[my typing fingers cannot keep up with the pace of this thread lol]
I would not speak against Moses--not intentionally.
I take that very seriously.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,319
6,647
113
62
In that very same post you replied to, I told you: Hebrews 3.

Hebrews 3
12Take care, brothers and sisters, that there will not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart [e]that falls away from the living God. 13But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
I don't believe that is what is being taught. You have to go back to verse 10 to see the condition that is being spoken of...err in their heart...have not known my ways. It is a warning to ensure that this is not their current condition. It is much like the warning to make our calling and election sure. Otherwise, someone in the estate of verse 10 will not find rest, but a departing from God.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
I don't believe that is what is being taught. You have to go back to verse 10 to see the condition that is being spoken of...err in their heart...have not known my ways.
Even granting that, the Israelites were already saved by the blood of lambs, corresponding to our salvation (1 Co 10), so, still, it proves my point that sin causes unbelief among the saved.

It is a warning to ensure that this is not their current condition. It is much like the warning to make our calling and election sure. Otherwise, someone in the estate of verse 10 will not find rest, but a departing from God
Sorry, you can't depart from God if you aren't with God to begin with.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,319
6,647
113
62
Even granting that, the Israelites were already saved by the blood of lambs, corresponding to our salvation (1 Co 10), so, still, it proves my point.
They had a physical salvation. For most, it was not spiritual.
The physical salvation from a physical enemy was a picture of the spiritual salvation from a spiritual enemy. Because they did not know God's ways, they never entered Canaan...His physical rest. Likewise, they never entered His spiritual rest.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
They had a physical salvation. For most, it was not spiritual.
The physical salvation from a physical enemy was a picture of the spiritual salvation from a spiritual enemy. Because they did not know God's ways, they never entered Canaan...His physical rest. Likewise, they never entered His spiritual rest.
Paul qualifies them as saved--comparing their salvation to his own salvation.

1 Corinthianis 9
27but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 10
1For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and all ate the same spiritual food; 4and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
6Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.” 8Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
They had a physical salvation. For most, it was not spiritual.
The physical salvation from a physical enemy was a picture of the spiritual salvation from a spiritual enemy. Because they did not know God's ways, they never entered Canaan...His physical rest. Likewise, they never entered His spiritual rest.
Yeah, it was a physical salvation from physical slavery that was a type and shadow of our spiritual salvation from spiritual slavery.

Again, it's a type and shadow--as such, it TEACHES US about the real deal salvation today.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.