A believers Assurance

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I love how all these people stuck on the religious doctrines and traditions of men, keep erecting beautiful straw men with such perfection, only to knock them down with the same perfection. It really is quite a skill.

Seriously, who teaches that a Christian can live in willful sin and still be considered a Christian? It's such a straw man in the first place.

These religious teachers of men, who are stuck in their denominational spirits end up putting people in further bondage and guilt when they misrepresent assurance by constructing such a straw man in the first place.

But I guess that's to be expected from denominational, religious teachers who are threatened by grace. The same people constructed false straw men about grace in Paul's day. He of course shot down such straw men by showing that faith and grace of course isn't a license to sin.

Romans 6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

It's time for people to drop their religious denominational spirits and traditions of men, and allow believers to walk in the full assurance Jesus provides. Quit constructing straw men that portray a false assertion about a very real thing.

I agree with you completely , but he also let's us know that seeking after righteousness is a struggle and we can never be completely sinless. I have seen a lot of people turned away because they get the idea on the other extreme. It's not that we can continue in sin, but they get the idea that we have to be completely and utterly sinless, and this just isn't possible. It's always a struggle.

Romans 7
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.



I agree though that we can't continue in willful sin, but we will struggle, especially at first, to break away from the bondage of it. When I turned my eyes on Christ, hundreds of strongholds I was trapped by were destroyed, but there were some residual sins that I still struggle with. Coming to Christ doesn't mean instant perfection and this is a misconception with a lot of non-believers, that sin must be completely eradicated instantly.

I see two extremes. Those who teach that willful sin is ok because all we have to do is ask for forgiveness, then the same sin is repeated, and it turns into this cycle that people call "repentance". But this isn't true repentance. At the other extreme, some people teach, or come off as teaching, any sin at all is a sign of non-salvation or non-regeneration, and this is also not true.
 
Green i still encourage you to learn what grace means...also faith.

Heres how you sound.....Gods grace(His work) was cool and all...BUT "our" faith: now thats the big thing!:rolleyes:

Do you realize that both faith and grace are both gifts of God.
If your saying is not by choice then your mean predestination.
"you" had neither.
Untill you learn and understand more, id suggest teaching something you know.
Im sure there are plenty of things.:)
So far I don't think I have heard the real definition of faith applied to the word faith use in almost all post.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is not your blood vessels popping out trying to convince your self of something you do not understand or really believe
Abraham hoped against hope and his faith was the substance and evidence of that hope for. being yet unseen. once you have faith you already have the evidence and substance of what your hoping in.think what substance is.... what evidence is... its real and concreteness. If you have faith you don't have to hope for it any more because you already have the substance of it."for if you have something why do you still hope for it? furthermore this , and many other thread circle sickeningly over and over and not to the subverting of the hearers. I do know scripture pretty well and most true and untrue doctrines and dogmas and traditions and I ,let alone a new believer cannot make sense and follow these carnally ridden half truths or falsehoods. I speak to your shame. We should be leaving the principles of the doctrines of Christ (which is what these are) and go on to perfection.One of the real problems with this format is though, that of younger and older believerssomtimes needing differant was of discusing the scripture. But I trust God that he will quicken to those hearts what he will. but this bickering and biting ,pride and lack of meekness disguised in Telling the truth is inexcusable. I'm not perfect either but this is gone to far in allot of threads. pray about it and I will too well I'm braced for the blast. god bless
 
So far I don't think I have heard the real definition of faith applied to the word faith use in almost all post.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is not your blood vessels popping out trying to convince your self of something you do not understand or really believe
Abraham hoped against hope and his faith was the substance and evidence of that hope for. being yet unseen. once you have faith you already have the evidence and substance of what your hoping in.think what substance is.... what evidence is... its real and concreteness. If you have faith you don't have to hope for it any more because you already have the substance of it."for if you have something why do you still hope for it? furthermore this , and many other thread circle sickeningly over and over and not to the subverting of the hearers. I do know scripture pretty well and most true and untrue doctrines and dogmas and traditions and I ,let alone a new believer cannot make sense and follow these carnally ridden half truths or falsehoods. I speak to your shame. We should be leaving the principles of the doctrines of Christ (which is what these are) and go on to perfection.One of the real problems with this format is though, that of younger and older believerssomtimes needing differant was of discusing the scripture. But I trust God that he will quicken to those hearts what he will. but this bickering and biting ,pride and lack of meekness disguised in Telling the truth is inexcusable. I'm not perfect either but this is gone to far in allot of threads. pray about it and I will too well I'm braced for the blast. god bless

Why did you insert that quote within my statement? And in a nutshell, what your point was. ty
 
Why did you insert that quote within my statement? And in a nutshell, what your point was. ty
I read that faith was grace too and I also said I this is what you meant. As far as my point are you really that self center or are you looking for some sort of useless debate . I'm talk about just what I said ,that allot of these post that seemingly never end are not very edifying ,at leased to me ,and I think others and are filled with the works of the flesh by nature of their contentiousness and lack of gentleness etc. AS PAUL SAID ABOUT THE MAN WHO HAD FORNICATION WITH HIS FATHERS WIFE and in this case aren't even acceptable in the world Idea of civil conversation. Is that clear enough These post more often get nowhere and common topic are repeated over and over in multiple thread all with the same outcome. and that we should leave the principles of doctrine to other things if we might actually be moving past the milk and onto meat stage except we should always desire the sincere milk of the word. Is that any clearer . I can try again . It is not so much personally toward you,but partly.
 
I read that faith was grace too and I also said I this is what you meant. As far as my point are you really that self center or are you looking for some sort of useless debate . I'm talk about just what I said ,that allot of these post that seemingly never end are not very edifying ,at leased to me ,and I think others and are filled with the works of the flesh by nature of their contentiousness and lack of gentleness etc. AS PAUL SAID ABOUT THE MAN WHO HAD FORNICATION WITH HIS FATHERS WIFE and in this case aren't even acceptable in the world Idea of civil conversation. Is that clear enough These post more often get nowhere and common topic are repeated over and over in multiple thread all with the same outcome. and that we should leave the principles of doctrine to other things if we might actually be moving past the milk and onto meat stage except we should always desire the sincere milk of the word. Is that any clearer . I can try again . It is not so much personally toward you,but partly.

I didnt import debaters into this thread those who oppose a believer having assurance. or John MacAuther
assassins, or others that dont seem at the start are gona run all over the map in senseless rhetoric, OSAS haters(which was not in the thread)
If the thread made you ill. I sure dont blame you at all. I wish there was a button that could be pushed to flush it myself.

I actually just didnt get your post and was making conversation.
 
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If it is not because of God's grace for me, i would have been what iam today. God dislike/detest/abhor sin. But He loved us so much to the extend of sending His beloved son as atonement for our sins. Apostle paul was rightly said that we can't be continue to sin.I believe that what apostle paul refers to are matured christians who have known the lord for many years. For how can it be when you profess to be a holy child of God and at the same time be enemise of God? How about for new believers in Christ who never have heard about Christ before and suddenly you tell him/her that you have to lead a holy life in accordance to bibilical teaching? in this case, i think it will put mounting preassure on him/her and in the end he/she will be overcome by Satan telling him/her that you are useless cannot live a holy life, come and join me and have fun together.

So when i am guiding a new believer of Christ, i would said to seek God's forgiveness each and every time that you fall into sin to quote this verse 1John1:8-10 and explain to him what does Roman 6 mean. In this case, he will more willing to accept and improve. If you tell him, YOU FALL INTO SIN YOU GO TO HELL, very likely that he will soon become friends with satan and companions.
 
According to my understanding, faith is you. You got to cultivate the faith in you while grace is FOC (free of charge) given to you by God.
 
If it is not because of God's grace for me, i would have been what iam today. God dislike/detest/abhor sin. But He loved us so much to the extend of sending His beloved son as atonement for our sins. Apostle paul was rightly said that we can't be continue to sin.I believe that what apostle paul refers to are matured christians who have known the lord for many years. For how can it be when you profess to be a holy child of God and at the same time be enemise of God? How about for new believers in Christ who never have heard about Christ before and suddenly you tell him/her that you have to lead a holy life in accordance to bibilical teaching? in this case, i think it will put mounting preassure on him/her and in the end he/she will be overcome by Satan telling him/her that you are useless cannot live a holy life, come and join me and have fun together.

So when i am guiding a new believer of Christ, i would said to seek God's forgiveness each and every time that you fall into sin to quote this verse 1John1:8-10 and explain to him what does Roman 6 mean. In this case, he will more willing to accept and improve. If you tell him, YOU FALL INTO SIN YOU GO TO HELL, very likely that he will soon become friends with satan and companions.

Well said. Part of helping them is to encourage them to good works and
help them walk. By teaching them the word. praying for them. And helping them
when they fall. Like you would a child. And reminding them the Lord is always there.
 
I didnt import debaters into this thread those who oppose a believer having assurance. or John MacAuther
assassins, or others that dont seem at the start are gona run all over the map in senseless rhetoric, OSAS haters(which was not in the thread)
If the thread made you ill. I sure dont blame you at all. I wish there was a button that could be pushed to flush it myself.

I actually just didnt get your post and was making conversation.
grace and peace
 
The Lord leads.

Doctrine is clear 'by grace, we are saved, through faith,' channel its true meaning however you want, but, the Lord has led me to believe it means exactly what I already said it means, and, our faith is FULL (abounding) of His wonderful grace unto our lives, and, yes, yes, of course, God's grace of giving us His Son on the cross is huge, eternally huge, brings us access to Him, but NOWHERE in Scripture does it say that 'grace' is a free gift of God, it is a given, therefore. Think about 'that' a bit, abider ;)

For by GRACE, you have been SAVED THROUGH FAITH, , and, that not of yourselves, it is a free gift of God....

What does 'that' refer to, squirrelfriend ?

What does 'it' refer to? Your salvation or your grace? Which is it? It's not both, is it, that BOTH are free gifts being referred to? Nope, just one is 'it.' :)

It's rhetorical, isn't it, my teaching, here, the free gift is SALVATION. Grace has nothing to do with, in THIS sense, grace is 'mere,' it is simply what Christ GAVE us through the death of His Son, Jesus, on the cross.

But, as I said already, OH, NO, grace is NOT mere, it is more, actually, where sin abounds, grace abounds more :)

Ephesians 2: 8,9 : "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, that no one should boast."

Your point was???

Grace is given by God, so is faith, but 'grace' is what God gave us through His Son's atoning for our sins, having been crucified on the cross, and, 'grace' equals God's goodness to us when we don't deserve it.
Now 'faith' translates to man's active response in terms of God's grace of having given every human their 'measure of faith,' we MUST choose to use our 'talents' or God will say, 'Be away from me evildoer, I never knew you.' This is a parable Jesus told, of course, we all know. Harsh repercussions, eternally harsh? For God didn't just say, leave me and come back, He told person to , well, let me go find the Scripture, because I really only know one person got 5 talents, one 2, one 1, and, the 5-talent person used his talents well and God multiplied his talents, same blessing went out from God for the 2-talent person. But one talent person when asked by God, 'What did you do with your talent?'
Person answered, 'Oh, God, I knew how much you would like it that I still had my talent when you returned so I went and buried it.' God replied, 'Be away from me, evildoer....'

Isn't that a harsh, harsh charge from God? But, God is just, and, this parable of Truth shows us that God does not want us to sit around, we are to have faith in what talent (can be 'money' too) He's given us, and, in same response as 'The Great Commissio,' He wants us to GO and help others with it who are less fortunate or go build a city like Cain did .

What you do with your 'talent/talents' is between you and God. The Lord leads. 'Course, in this example, God didn't lead this person that multiplied his 5 talents, God just was letting the three persons use their talents and report back with their production (fruit?). Hmm, I take that back, the Lord surely lee thecwalks of those being faithful in service use of talents God measured to them each :)

Be careful with how you use what God gives you, it's VERY important that we use what He gives us . Use it or lose it, eh :)

Oh, here is the parable , from Matthew, and , it is not God who gives the talents, it is an owner entrusting talents based on their individual abilities to his servants, I put someone else's commentary too. :)

13 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work 270 and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’” (Matthew 25:13-30). 271

It is a simple story that our Lord tells here. A man who is preparing to leave on a journey entrusts his possessions to his servants. He distributes his wealth among three servants, apportioned to them on the basis of their abilities. To the first he entrusted five talents, to the second two talents, and to the third one talent. The first two servants quickly 272 set to work with their master’s money. The third servant did not invest his master’s money at all; he dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. When the master returned, the first two eagerly met their master, apparently delighted in the opportunity to multiply their master’s money. 273 Both were commended as “good and faithful servants”; both were rewarded with increased responsibilities in their master’s service; both were invited to share in their master’s joy.

The master’s dealings with the third servant is a very different matter. This servant came to his master with only the talent his master had originally entrusted to him. He did not increase his master’s money at all. In fact, if this were to take place today, that money would likely be worth less, due to inflation. This servant offered a feeble excuse for his conduct. He told his master that he was a harsh and cruel man, a man who was demanding, and who expected gain where he had not labored. He contended that this is why he was afraid to take a risk with any kind of investment. And so he simply hid the money, and now he returned it, without any gain. The master rebuked this slave for being evil and lazy. He took his talent from him, gave it to the one who earned ten, and cast this fellow into outer darkness, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We should carefully note the outcome of faithful service, and of unfaithful service, in this parable. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. Unfaithful service led to condemnation, the removal of one’s stewardship, and an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness, away from the presence of our Lord.

One must surely conclude that this parable is not just an interesting story, but a message of eternal significance. Let us listen carefully then, looking to God’s Spirit to enlighten our hearts and minds, and to empower our service, to the glory of God and our eternal good.

So you can boast about your good faith then.

If the Spirit leads us, as it says in Scripture MUST be necessary for salvation , is that boasting, mari?

No, it's not, it is just my following Him. Read Romans 8:14 . Oh, let me go list it for you. :)

Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
 
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Grace is given by God, so is faith, but 'grace' is what God gave us through His Son's atoning for our sins, having been crucified on the cross, and, 'grace' equals God's goodness to us when we don't deserve it.
Now 'faith' translates to man's active response in terms of God's grace of having given every human their 'measure of faith,' we MUST choose to use our 'talents' or God will say, 'Be away from me evildoer, I never knew you.' This is a parable Jesus told, of course, we all know. Harsh repercussions, eternally harsh? For God didn't just say, leave me and come back, He told person to , well, let me go find the Scripture, because I really only know one person got 5 talents, one 2, one 1, and, the 5-talent person used his talents well and God multiplied his talents, same blessing went out from God for the 2-talent person. But one talent person when asked by God, 'What did you do with your talent?'
Person answered, 'Oh, God, I knew how much you would like it that I still had my talent when you returned so I went and buried it.' God replied, 'Be away from me, evildoer....'

Isn't that a harsh, harsh charge from God? But, God is just, and, this parable of Truth shows us that God does not want us to sit around, we are to have faith in what talent (can be 'money' too) He's given us, and, in same response as 'The Great Commissio,' He wants us to GO and help others with it who are less fortunate or go build a city like Cain did .

What you do with your 'talent/talents' is between you and God. The Lord leads. 'Course, in this example, God didn't lead this person that multiplied his 5 talents, God just was letting the three persons use their talents and report back with their production (fruit?). Hmm, I take that back, the Lord surely lee thecwalks of those being faithful in service use of talents God measured to them each :)

Be careful with how you use what God gives you, it's VERY important that we use what He gives us . Use it or lose it, eh :)

Oh, here is the parable , from Matthew, and , it is not God who gives the talents, it is an owner entrusting talents based on their individual abilities to his servants, I put someone else's commentary too. :)

13 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work 270 and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’” (Matthew 25:13-30). 271

It is a simple story that our Lord tells here. A man who is preparing to leave on a journey entrusts his possessions to his servants. He distributes his wealth among three servants, apportioned to them on the basis of their abilities. To the first he entrusted five talents, to the second two talents, and to the third one talent. The first two servants quickly 272 set to work with their master’s money. The third servant did not invest his master’s money at all; he dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. When the master returned, the first two eagerly met their master, apparently delighted in the opportunity to multiply their master’s money. 273 Both were commended as “good and faithful servants”; both were rewarded with increased responsibilities in their master’s service; both were invited to share in their master’s joy.

The master’s dealings with the third servant is a very different matter. This servant came to his master with only the talent his master had originally entrusted to him. He did not increase his master’s money at all. In fact, if this were to take place today, that money would likely be worth less, due to inflation. This servant offered a feeble excuse for his conduct. He told his master that he was a harsh and cruel man, a man who was demanding, and who expected gain where he had not labored. He contended that this is why he was afraid to take a risk with any kind of investment. And so he simply hid the money, and now he returned it, without any gain. The master rebuked this slave for being evil and lazy. He took his talent from him, gave it to the one who earned ten, and cast this fellow into outer darkness, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We should carefully note the outcome of faithful service, and of unfaithful service, in this parable. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. Unfaithful service led to condemnation, the removal of one’s stewardship, and an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness, away from the presence of our Lord.

One must surely conclude that this parable is not just an interesting story, but a message of eternal significance. Let us listen carefully then, looking to God’s Spirit to enlighten our hearts and minds, and to empower our service, to the glory of God and our eternal good.



If the Spirit leads us, as it says in Scripture MUST be necessary for salvation , is that boasting, mari?

No, it's not, it is just my following Him. Read Romans 8:14 . Oh, let me go list it for you. :)

Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Green, if you found an article that expresses what you believe...than i now understand and agree
with you. I havnt felt good lately and that may be why i just havnt been understanding you if thats
your point. Forgive me for that. The trouble very well could be coming from my side.ty :)
 
Last night, i was considering the going back and forth between members and considered what i could say to bring peace, it came to me that "understanding" could come out of the going back and forth.

I consider that this may be so.

Peace and Blessings in the name of Yahvah God and Yahshua the Messiah.
 
If the Spirit leads us, as it says in Scripture MUST be necessary for salvation , is that boasting, mari?

No, it's not, it is just my following Him. Read Romans 8:14 . Oh, let me go list it for you. :)

Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
I'm sorry that you don't understand that chapter or book.
But it's not an excuse to carry on with error claiming the Spirit of Truth is telling you what to say.
You are being rather careless with the Holy Scriptures.

You're not following the Spirit anywhere.
Have your friend do a word study on this part:

led by the Spirit of God

Goodnight.
 
I'm sorry that you don't understand that chapter or book.
But it's not an excuse to carry on with error claiming the Spirit of Truth is telling you what to say.
You are being rather careless with the Holy Scriptures.

You're not following the Spirit anywhere.
Have your friend do a word study on this part:

led by the Spirit of God

Goodnight.

OK, mari, peace, goodnight, just don't understand though, why, why, why is it so hard tobfollow Christ with the peace of His Helper leading your life, mari, why?

Cee is doing a study of 1 Corinthians, I truly pray God can show you great things of Him in the very verses that speak so much of He who leads those who are led :)
I hope you can read, even comment, that would be nice,
 
Rom 4:3-8
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

2Cor 5:19
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

These questions need to be answered because they involve Christ and the work of the cross (death, burial & resurrection) and how it effected the Father in relationship to man's sin.

Q1 How much sin does God impute to the world of sinners?

Q2 Did the Father impute to His Son on the cross, ALL SIN or just the sin of those who would believe?

Q3 Show me in the scriptures, since the cross, where God imputes sin to any person saved or not.

Q4 Was Jesus Christ judged for ALL SIN and did He put away ALL SIN through His own death as the Lamb of God?

Q4 When we tell the gospel of Christ to a lost soul, do we tell them that their sin has been crucified and put away so that they can be reconciled to God by believing upon the Son or is our gospel something else? Do we tell them when they believe upon the Son they will not perish but have everlasting life or do we tell them something else? Do we bear the good news that there sins can be washed white as snow through the blood that was shed for them on the cross by the Lamb of God or are we telling them something different?

Q5 Are we giving those who believe upon the Son the assurance of the cross and the FINISHED WORK of Christ that when God forgives and cleanses them from all sin that they are really cleansed and He holds nothing against them, and when God saves them He saves them forever and to the uttermost, and when God imputes His righteousness to them and not their sin that He really does it and their faith really counts when they believe?

If we are not convinced of what Christ did for sin and to sin, for us and as us, then how can we give testimony and assurance to the gospel we preach. Was Christ raised from the dead or not? The resurrection is our assurance as to the fact that Christ was judged for sin through death but He overcame that death and the grave through being raised from the dead. This is where justification is credited to the sinner who believes. If we believe and are justified by grace through faith, how can the sinner maintain being justified by his own works? The work of Christ's death, burial and resurrection is our assurance given BY PROMISE that salvation is eternal life through the Son and all we can do is believe it and have it put on our account as righteousness from God.

The believer's assurance is that God's salvation, that was procured by Christ on the cross, is a promised salvation unto those who believe by faith or through faith.

Acts 17:31
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Is not the resurrection of Christ the evidence of our assurance that we can have and do have victory over sin and death when we believe. How else can we have assurance in a promise from God except through faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen (Heb 11:1).

Rom 8:24,25
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

2Cor 4:18
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Heb 6:9-12
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
 
Heb 6:9-12 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

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Ministering to the saints (fellow believers in Christ), takes work, but DO minister, DO His work, labor in Love (to Him, to others), pray for how to bring fellowship more to unbelievers at YOUR church (and believers) to append them unto God's Spirit timing them to get opportunity to become sheep, SHOW your stripes, your wounds, your scars, even, to the saints, and, the unbelievers, LET the power of God in you truly WORK as He intended to be dobe, from before your conception's beginning. :)

Be assured with yourself that you are rightfully BELIEVING , by His 'given' Son grace to us saved THROUGH faith. The Lord leads. Remain in Him, for, indeed, once you receive Him, and, STAY with Him, understanding His Blood COVERS your sins but to sin, of course, is not something the believer willfully does. Sin simply equals a seperation act from God,who is your father , and, WILL MAKE YOU MIND. Now, though He does 'discipline His own,' Scripture states, He always does 'it' in Love, depending on the degree, and, to His own great effect and measure DOES shew mercy on your unfaithful act against Him as you GO to Him in apology mode, sorry for what was done and we ASK forgiveness, too, as Scripture, too, is clear on the importance of 'this' act :)

Do doing done these ^things^ does your body good? YES, as the Spirit leads you, these remission, submission, admission, confession acts of God by you will fixate your faith more and more, not so you being 'Ye of little faith,' as Jesus told the man who wanted Jesus to do something tobheal is gravely ill daughter, but this man was not asking THROUGH FAITH. 'Course, that man began to do things that helped His faith greatly with the humble line, 'O Lord, I believe, help my disbelief.'

Getting a bit off base, but, be assured, as reddy says, the Blood covers you, 'it is finished,' refers to the finished work of Christ, but, never forget, that though Jesus finished His work, OURS was only just begun :)

Work, work, work, Christ peeps, for there will come a day when the fields will be different, one working in it taken, one not, and, God does just want us to NOT grow weary of the work in His fields, hmm, 'that' statement by Him almost sounds like it should be a 10 commandment, doesn't it :)

Rest assured, Christ peeps, by His 'grace' known, that allowed your (and my) itty, bitty souls to be SAVED, work :). The Lord leads, step, go, don't worry, He is with you, lo, even until the end of the age :)
 
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Red, the Pharisees were great at preaching to obey every tiny spek of the Law
Which in itself was good. But all it did according to Jesus was shut them out of the Kingdom. Why was that?

Thankyou Red for preaching the gospel. Because when a man looks at the cross and understands
"what" the Lord did...he falls to his knees in brokenness and willingness. He is given a new heart
that longs for righteousness. Hes a new man that doesnt sin because it is an afront to his Lords nature, and his new nature.
Not out of a fear for hell and losing salvation. Mercy is leading the man instead....exactly what
Jesus told the Pharisees they ought to have done, and shown.

This OSAS war is rather new to me. I understand some of the sentemant
but it is very misguided to say the least.

Keep faithful Red.
 
in my opinion, God would NOT gave you the faith to believe in Him. If it were so, it would seem like God is forcing you to believe in Him. You have a choice of either believe or not to believe. If you believe, then faith comes in. You have to cultivate the faith, it is a process as you grow.
 
FAITH IS A GIFT FROM GOD!

why is it so hard to understand?

  1. Romans 12:3
    For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
  2. Ephesians 2:8
    For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,