meaning of MAKE EVERY EFFORT (or strive) to enter in through the narrow gate.

repentance is to acknowledge our sins before God and become willing to part with the things the light of the gospel shows us is poisoning our soul for instance this is spiritual light for a believer in Christ

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:27-29‬ ‭

understand that Jesus isn’t telling us to cut out our eyes literally but if we hear and accept this as Gods word we will understand how dangerous lustful intentions can be and that we must repent of those inner things overcome sins grip on us . it becomes light to believe Jesus that shows us what causes us to fornicate , and commit adultery , and do all manner of sexual sins just for this one subject but all sin is motivated by what’s in our beliefs in our hearts

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬


every sexual sin we commit is because we first harbor lust , and consider it in our thoughts and fantasies. But every violent sin we commit is motivated by grudges or greed and coveting or some other inner motivation . We only sin because our hearts understandings are sinful at points we have sinful desires in our nature that need to be fixed by believing the truth

Jesus taught us repentance all we have to do is hear the gospel he taught and accept it as we are able to understand it more And more he will lead us to leave our sinful ways whatever they are and at the same time he’s teaching us what to do like lovong others in deed and truth this replaces our capacity for sin an imparted love by faith but it’s a walk , a life process of pursuit and assurance in his presence

if we can stand in this light of the spirit he spoke to us and not reject it carry his words with us , then when a listful thought comes I to our mind , we recognize it immediately and reject the thought of lust because our faith is written with the words of the gospel in our hearts we understand list within is an enemy .

our work and battle is all spiritual , it’s in our mind and heart all of salvation is based on if we will believe the gospel .

so other things like “ greed and love of
Money “ Jesus teaches us about this and shows light on it . Grudge bearing against others Jesus teaches us the truth about these things that are all matters of salvation

It’s the heart that we need to get right of we believe right in our heart we will walk in repentance knowing the poison of sin but our only effort is to hold as tightly to Jesus and his Gospel as we can the word saves our souls if we believe by it’s design it cures our issues with sin causing repentance often we see what Jesus said and we disagree or it stings because we know it’s pointing us to repentance

if we by faith accept it even though it convicts us faith will cut the issue away because the issue is our flawed understanding of God and our true purpose and identity in his will

Yes and this is how we receive his spirit in our heart

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭



Paul’s doctrine of the spirit and the flesh comes from the gospel the things Jesus said about the spirit and flesh . So when Paul is saying these things we should have a foundation of what he’s talking about because of what Jesus said priorly it makes this have more meaning

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32, 34, 36‬ ‭

And.not belong to Jesus is not save.

Seem to me you not agree with the teaching it doesn't matter what you do, ex lust, murder etc, as long as you have faith you save, good work not save you.

I can see that you are hung up on works salvation. Simply believing "mental assent" that the teachings of Jesus are correct and information about Him in the Bible is correct in of itself is not going to save you. Even the demons believe that is correct. You must believe in/have faith in/trust in Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of your salvation.

After a casual reading of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46), these verses "on the surface" seem to suggest that salvation is the result of good works. Yet all Scripture proves itself right and non-contradictory when compared with the totality of Scripture. This passage has to be taken alongside the whole of Scripture. Jesus was not advocating salvation by works. That would be contrary to Romans 4:4-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5 etc... One's works are an effect of (and therefore indication of) one's salvation status, rather than being a cause of one's salvation. The good deeds mentioned in Matthew 25:35-36 are merely the fruit that will be manifest in the lives of the redeemed. Those who are placed at Christ's right hand are not there based on the merits of their good deeds, but because they received the imputed righteousness of God through faith. (Romans 4:5-6; Philippians 3:9)

When works are mentioned in connection with salvation, the works are always the result of, not the condition of, receiving salvation. The stress is on works as a manifestation of one's faith (or lack thereof) and not simply on faith from which these works follow. So it is understandable that in this context, Matthew would stress the works that are a manifestation of "faith by which one receives eternal life." Notice how love for other Christians is an indication of one's salvation status: 1 John 3:10 - In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. He who practices righteousness and loves his brother does so BECAUSE he is "of God" not to become of God. 1 John 3:14 - We know that we have (past tense) passed from death to life, because we love our brothers (present tense). Loving our brothers is the result of, not the condition of passing from death to life.

In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism. (Acts 10:47)

In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.

*So the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing Scripture with Scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*

More to come later.

What is your question?

Mailmandan can I ask you a question on the speak your mind thread?

I agree work is the fruit of salvation not the requirement of salvation.

The problem what I hear some people believe there isn't correlation between work and salvation.
They believe it doesn't matter what you do, example murder etc as long as you have faith you save
Murder reduce your reward but not make you lose your salvation.
I listen debate between Christian and Muslim, Muslim accused Christian encourage murder because that doctrine. One day a Muslim talk to me, he want to convert to Christian than rob the bank. I said, police will arrest you.
He say, than I will tell police, I have faith in Jesus, my sin forgiven, you don't have the right to arrest me because Jesus the King of king die for my sin.
Some people in my church your faith not your work save you, they interpreted, murder don't need repent for salvation, only for reward.

My question is do you believe faith for salvation, mean keep murder and rob the bank ok and have nothing to do with your salvation?

Well, your salvation questions seem to change from post #95 directed at someone else and posed this way to me now. You have been here for many years and have 9000 posts and you really need to even ask this?

Do your own search, heres the words faith and salvation and let the scriptures answer according to how you are wording it, they could be far more helpful

https://www.blbclassic.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=faith+salvation&t=KJV

Outstanding job, my friend! That Deut 30:6 passage is a Keystone passage of the Entire Bible! For the Promise of receiving the Holy Land (Heaven) cannot happen unless the Promise of Circumcision is granted . . . and this is why Abraham is our Father of Faith. I love it!

I also love the way the NLT translation phrases the below section of Scripture . . . makes things so incredibly clear:

Romans 4:12-16 NLT - "And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 Clearly, God's promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God's law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. 14 If God's promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. 15 For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) 16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe."

That Jeremiah passage is also another one of those Keystone passages that "pastors" of today like to ignore. Isn't it amazing how pastors ignore these clear teachings?

I am very impressed to see that you have likely read your Bible . . . and studied it!

Not according to Colossians 2:9-15. Here's a piece of it:

Colossians 2:11, 13 NLT - "When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature. ... 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins."

The whole point of Christ is to take away the Sinful Nature that was distributed, or applied, to nearly every human that's ever lived. The "Flesh," also known as "Sarx," is the "Sinful State" of a person. The Colossians text above says, perfectly clearly, that this nature is cut out and removed. If the Flesh has TRULY been removed, then it is impossible, absolutely impossible to walk in something that does not exist . . . the "flesh."

If we do not grasp this, the Bible will forever remain elusive. It's Core meanings will be as though behind a Veil that one cannot see through . . . (yes, the Veil of Moses deals specifically with this issue of Spiritual Circumcision).

Honestly there isn’t a need for more of it this is plenty for me

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I’m not sure you grasp faith . Your trying to eliminate any act of faith and equate it to the works of Moses law it isn’t though

faith of you try to take out the work , is this kind

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There is no reason to not believe and get baptized for remission of sins all that is is a lack of belief. The truth is that if faith doesn’t move us to act in what God said , it’s not faith

baptism is simple Whether it was the children of Israel who were present just as Jesus was coming forth to preach the gospel

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
‭‭
And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”

Mark‬ ‭1:1, 4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

whether it’s after Jesus resurrection and the great commission

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:16‬ ‭

Where it’s in the church who began to carry this out

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

whether Jews like that example or it’s Gentiles like this one no matter of you receive the Holy Ghost first like this baptism in water is still there for remission of sins

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:44, 47-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬


Receiving the Holy Ghost doesn’t eliminate water baptism for remission of sins and never does it say receiving the bolt spirit is for remission of sins it’s the way Gods word says it is brother there’s no reason to disbelieve it
We should believe it and be saved

whether it was Paul himself after his conversion and choosing


“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:18, 20‬ ‭

We need to be. One of the water and the spirit because that’s the doctrine God has foretold since ancient times that came to pass on the gospel.

but my simple point is we can read all the scripture and if we can’t bring our mind to understand the Bible’s correct as it is written and our thoughts that can’t agree are what needs changing we don’t actually have faith

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭

we have Gods word pertaining to baptism for remission in scripture but if we insist on disproving it I think we are missing Gods wisdom and our misunderstanding



‭‭

You are such a vibrant little soul, how refreshing. And yes thank you I do try to read it (sure helps to study it)

God bless you

You do not believe there are those in the fesh and those in the spirit?

Not only can anyone come to Jesus, but everyone is commanded to make the choice and open their heart's door. This is not a work. This is simple obedience. The Call is to all.

Following salvation, we are to resist the devil, and he will flee.

James
4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.
4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Okay, I see what you did and why you framed your question the way you did, You actually cut my words off, which further explained. Its a good thing not to do that to show more honesty when quoting others only to tell them no (to something they already do not agree with)

I said,

But when you quoted me you did this



And then basically said no

Yep I hear about salvation by faith for more than 50 years, but still there are 2 interpretation
1 by faith mean no matter what you do, as long as you believe Jesus (murder etc) you save, your work only deterrent your reward.

2. Faith mean obey His command to love God and other, mean you faith is not genuine if you not repent.

Amen. So let us not seek to serve the flesh any longer. Do you believe in the false teaching of total depravity? If so, that is why things are not adding up correctly for you.