Please pray for a very confused friend of mine

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Michael276447

Michael276447

Junior Member
#1
Aug 12, 2014
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#1
So the other day, I decided to talk to this girl because she is a homosexual. I wanted to shed some light and let her know the actual truth about the wrongful act she is committing. I went on to explain that homosexuality is a sin. She agreed (She knows that she is willfully committing this sin....Hebrews 10:27). Then, I went on to explain that that Jesus is our savior and he died on the cross for our sins. She agreed. However, the first point I really wanted to make was that just because someone has faith (is a believer), doesn't mean that they are accepted into heaven. I made this my first point because a lot of homosexuals think that faith alone will get them into heaven. I told her that even a believer can go to hell (Note: I never told her that she IS going to hell. I said: 1. Believers CAN go to hell 2. Homosexuality is a sin) . In the bible, it clearly says that faith alone is not enough. Man is justified by faith and works (James 2 17-26). However, before I could explain that faith is not enough, she told me that she did not want to hear anything else I had to say. On top of that, she completely, misunderstood everything I was trying to say. She thought I was saying that all sinners go to hell. However, I was not saying that. Any homosexual or sinner that's alive today still has a chance to repent and turn around. She started to assume things that I did not even say and shut me off from telling her the actual truth. It really bothers me because I know that if she would just let me explain, I could tell her the right thing and change her perception. I came here just to get it off my chest. I know I can help this person but she shut me off. I've seen people tell her (family members) that as long as she is happy that's all that matters. She's surrounded by people that is guiding her in the wrong direction. Who knows how long it will be before she runs into someone else like me who is willing to break it down and explain(if ever)? This person needs a lot of prayer. I hope she decides to come back and let me finish explaining. If she ever does come back, I'll let you all know.

​
 
levi85

levi85

Senior Member
#2
Jul 2, 2013
8,578
2,182
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#2
Lord bless Michael276447 and this prayer, let this girl mentioned here know and worship you. Lord bring her out of darkness and bless her life. Lord bless this prayer, in Jesus loving name, Amen!
 
KBond

KBond

Senior Member
#3
Jun 5, 2013
662
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#3
I believe faith is all that is required to be accepted into heaven.

John 3:16 states, "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."

Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
Your verse in James is usually interpreted to mean the Holy Spirit will perform works through any true Christian, but it is not our works that save us. If you have not already, I would do a little study on this subject. I love the gotquestions.org website because they always have thorough Scriptural explanation on tons of common Christian questions. Here is an article from them on the subject: https://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-faith-alone.html
 
Michael276447

Michael276447

Junior Member
#4
Aug 12, 2014
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#4
From that link you sent me, you're telling me that you agree with this here from its passage:

"James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his/her life. If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in his/her life, then he/she likely does not have genuine faith in Christ."

Yes or No?
 
Michael276447

Michael276447

Junior Member
#5
Aug 12, 2014
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#5
So you're telling me that if person A believes that Jesus died on the cross and is our savoir, seeks repentance from time to time but willfully sins without trying to turn away from their sin, their belief in Jesus alone is enough to go to heaven?
 
Michael276447

Michael276447

Junior Member
#6
Aug 12, 2014
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#6
KBond said:
I believe faith is all that is required to be accepted into heaven.

John 3:16 states, "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."

Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
Your verse in James is usually interpreted to mean the Holy Spirit will perform works through any true Christian, but it is not our works that save us. If you have not already, I would do a little study on this subject. I love the gotquestions.org website because they always have thorough Scriptural explanation on tons of common Christian questions. Here is an article from them on the subject: https://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-faith-alone.html
Click to expand...
1.
Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-26&version=ESV

2. "Your verse in James is usually interpreted to mean the Holy Spirit will perform works through any true Christian, but it is not our works that save us."

I never said works alone could save us. I said ,"
Man is justified by faith and works "..... Justified
​
Your FAITH and your WORKS both play a part. You can't use one without the other in this context. What do a call someone who says they believes but willfully sins????
James 2 17 -> "Even so faith, if hath not works, is dead, being alone."
What do you call someone who bumps into you, apologizes, but willfully bumps into you again???
Are they really sorry for bumping into you even though they tell you and believe they are? If so, why would they willfully do it again?


IN FACT, the bible even talks about those who willfully sin:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10:26-31&version=KJV


3. "Your verse in James is usually interpreted to mean the Holy Spirit will perform works through any true Christian, but it is not our works that save us."

https://carm.org/questions/about-doctrine/what-relationship-between-faith-and-works
In this passage they both go hand in hand.
 
Last edited:
Budman

Budman

Senior Member
#7
Mar 9, 2014
4,153
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#7
I told her that even a believer can go to hell​
Click to expand...
There is no way a born again believer can go to hell. (Romans 8:38-39)

But this is not the forum for a debate. Come over to the Bible Discussion Forum and make your case. There are lots of threads on this subject.
 
Michael276447

Michael276447

Junior Member
#8
Aug 12, 2014
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#8
By that I meant, a person who claims that they believe. Sorry for the ambiguity.
 
Michael276447

Michael276447

Junior Member
#9
Aug 12, 2014
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#9
I'll rephrase that to say , "A person who claims to be a believer". That should make it less ambiguous.
 
Michael276447

Michael276447

Junior Member
#10
Aug 12, 2014
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#10
For anyone who misunderstands my meaning, when I said "
Believers CAN go to hell", I was referring to people who claim to be a believer. Don't get that mixed with a true believer. Much thanks to @Budman for catching me on that.

​
 
M

MrsSimpf

Junior Member
#11
Apr 26, 2017
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I'm always so impressed by those spreading the Word each day. It is something I must improve upon. I will pray for this person to choose to not live a life of sin. I pray for me, for you, for all, as we all do sin in different ways. I'd encourage you to read this article http://bit.ly/2GQB9tH regarding sin and going to hell. It's very eye opening and reminded me how we are all sinners each day but with our salvation given to us by Jesus's dying for our sins, we are saved and will be in heaven. "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (I John 5:12). "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:17, 18).The bad news is that we all deserve to go to hell: "There is none righteous, no, not one," writes the Psalmist (Psalm 14:1-3). "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," says the apostle Paul (Romans 3:23) – who, by the way, refers to himself as the "chief of sinners" in 1 Timothy 1:15. " I would love to know your thoughts.
 
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