"Not by works" - false!

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Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
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Well Christians should keep God's commandments!
Do you confront the sins of these people?
Confront sins of people: absolutely, but always in love.

The trouble I have will the statement "Christians will keep God's commandments" moves it to the Calvinistic realm of God doing everything! Christian have a choice and we need to choose to do God's commands - thus we should keep Christ's commands.

Just a personal prejudice I have - I am OK if people say Christian will keep God's commands.
 
Apr 21, 2020
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Confront sins of people: absolutely, but always in love.

The trouble I have will the statement "Christians will keep God's commandments" moves it to the Calvinistic realm of God doing everything! Christian have a choice and we need to choose to do God's commands - thus we should keep Christ's commands.

Just a personal prejudice I have - I am OK if people say Christian will keep God's commands.
Let's not turn this thread into a debate about Calvanism please.
 
Apr 21, 2020
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@Fastfredy0 - relax with the X's dude, I was trying to be more lighthearted given the bitter argument that has been ongoing over the last couple of days :)
 
May 22, 2020
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relax with the X's dude, I was trying to be more lighthearted given the bitter argument that has been ongoing over the last couple of days
Can you not imagine yourself at the altar of a catholic 'church', fighting off the paedophile pope with a sword, while simultaneously freeing his followers from his grasp?
I disagree with you statement that the pope is a pedophile. What is your evidence???? Terrible thing to call a person!
 
Apr 21, 2020
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I disagree with you statement that the pope is a pedophile. What is your evidence???? Terrible thing to call a person!
I believe that he is a paedophile enabler.
The catholic 'church', of which he is the head, has acted to cover up child abuse within the 'church'.
 
May 22, 2020
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I believe that he is a paedophile enabler.
Alright, now you have called pope a) A PEDOPHILE B) A PEDOPHILE ENABLER ...

Again, what is you evidence that the pope is A PEDOPHILE.
Horrible thing to say. I assume you have evidence.

If you have no evidence ... how can the members of this forum be assured they also won't be called pedophiles ????
 
Apr 21, 2020
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Alright, now you have called pope a) A PEDOPHILE B) A PEDOPHILE ENABLER ...

Again, what is you evidence that the pope is A PEDOPHILE.
Horrible thing to say. I assume you have evidence.

If you have no evidence ... how can the members of this forum be assured they also won't be called pedophiles ????
I take it back that the pope is a paedophile, but I stand by the pope being a paedophile enabler for the reasons mentioned above.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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Well I'm afraid I don't believe that due to my understanding of Hebrews 10:26, which basically says that Christians cannot behave as they please.
Who said that those who willfully (habitually, bent of life, a matter of practice) sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth in Hebrews 10:26 were Christians? They drew back to perdition and did not believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:39) Christians believe to the saving of the soul. There are genuine Christians and there are "nominal" Christians. There are genuine believers and there are make believers.
 
Dec 28, 2016
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I know some Christians who don't keep God's commands -
You don't know who and who isn't a true Christian. You may know some professing Christians.

Jesus says his people keep his commands. Of course we must define "keep" but at the same time Jesus' word contradicts your experience. I'll go with Jesus on this one, if you don't mind. Or, even if you do. :)

but of course I am not a Calvinist! o_O:p
Because you don't use proper context in interpretation. ;) (y)
 
Apr 21, 2020
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Who said that those who willfully sinned after receiving the knowledge of the truth in Hebrews 10:26 were Christians? They drew back to perdition and did not believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:39) Christians believe to the saving of the soul. There are genuine Christians and there are "nominal" Christians. There are genuine believers and there are make believers.
This argument relies on the assumption that Christians who sin are/were never REALLY Christians.

What about people who were devout Christians, but who leave the faith?
Are you saying they were never REALLY Christians?

What about homosexuals who say they follow Christ?
Are they REALLY Christians?
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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This argument relies on the assumption that Christians who sin are/were never REALLY Christians.

What about people who were devout Christians, but who leave the faith?
Are you saying they were never REALLY Christians?

What about homosexuals who say they follow Christ?
Are they REALLY Christians?
Hebrews 10:39 - But WE are not OF THOSE who draw back to perdition, BUT OF THOSE who believe to the saving of the soul. Those who draw back to perdition do not believe to the saving of the soul and those who believe to the saving of the soul do not draw back to perdition.

As I said before. There are genuine Christians and there are "nominal" Christians. There are genuine believers and there are make believers. Anyone can SAY they follow Christ, but that doesn't make them a Christian/genuine believer.
 
Apr 21, 2020
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As an aside, I don't understand why some people are choosing to throw around the word "Calvinist" as if it's a derogatory term.

I don't fully understand Calvinism as I've only recently came across this word on this forum, but why mock other's understanding of scripture?
 
Dec 28, 2016
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As I said before. There are genuine Christians and there are "nominal" Christians. There are genuine believers and there are make believers. Anyone can SAY they follow Christ, but that doesn't make them a Christian/genuine believer.
Do you mean by "follow" they obey Jesus commands?
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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Do you mean by "follow" they obey Jesus commands?
Many people who are religious, but not right with God (through faith in Jesus Christ) set out to "follow" Christ (on their terms and not His) and think they are obeying the commands of Jesus. Sadly, many people trust in works for salvation and NOT IN CHRIST ALONE. (Matthew 7:21-23)
 
Dec 28, 2016
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As an aside, I don't understand why some people are choosing to throw around the word "Calvinist" as if it's a derogatory term.

I don't fully understand Calvinism as I've only recently came across this word on this forum, but why mock other's understanding of scripture?
One is a coward who has me on ignore so he can in safely sling mud. Another is a blowhard who lives up north of here. Another is back with a new moniker, but at the same time is as spiteful and divisive as ever. The fruit they all bear is similar, perpetual.

To ridicule is all they can do, they can't offer up any contextual exegesis to refute Reformed doctrine. :)

That said, they ought be more concerned about their fruit, than what my Biblical stance is.
 
Dec 28, 2016
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Many people who are religious, but not right with God (through faith in Jesus Christ) set out to "follow" Christ (on their terms and not His) and think they are obeying the commands of Jesus. Sadly, many people trust in works for salvation and NOT IN CHRIST ALONE. (Matthew 7:21-23)
But you still haven't answered my question.
 
May 22, 2020
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mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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Do you mean by "follow" they obey Jesus commands?
There are numerous people in various false religions and cults (that label these false religions and cults as Christian) who sincerely believe they are following Jesus by obeying His commands, yet are merely following false teachings of their church.
 
Apr 21, 2020
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One is a coward who has me on ignore so he can in safely sling mud. Another is a blowhard who lives up north of here. Another is back with a new moniker, but at the same time is as spiteful and divisive as ever. The fruit they all bear is similar, perpetual.

To ridicule is all they can do, they can't offer up any contextual exegesis to refute Reformed doctrine. :)

That said, they ought be more concerned about their fruit, than what my Biblical stance is.
I have reached a point of agreement with @eternally-gratefull but some of the others just seem up for argument.

They go round in circles.
They accuse anyone who suggests that we should obey God's commandments as preaching a 'salvation by works' doctrine.
But when you ask them directly if they believe we should keep God's commandments, they sidestep the question.