Is accepting Christ enough to be saved?

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Inquisitor

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The scripture has to be taken as a complete work. It is possible to quote one verse to prove a point but not have the correct idea.
There are many verses that talk about believing and salvation. It's not one verse, it is many verses. The apostles were teaching saved by grace through believing in Jesus.

John 3:15
So that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:18
The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 3:36
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty.

John 6:40
For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:47
Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life.

John 7:38
The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water'.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies,

John 11:26
And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?

John 12:44
Now Jesus cried out and said, “The one who believes in Me, does not believe only in Me, but also in Him who sent Me.

John 12:46
I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness.

John 14:12
Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.

1 Corinthians 1:21
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
 

ebdesroches

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Aug 20, 2022
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There are many verses that talk about believing and salvation. It's not one verse, it is many verses. The apostles were teaching saved by grace through believing in Jesus.

John 3:15
So that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but hav
John 3:18
The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 3:36
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty.

John 6:40
For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:47
Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life.

John 7:38
The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water'.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies,

John 11:26
And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?

John 12:44
Now Jesus cried out and said, “The one who believes in Me, does not believe only in Me, but also in Him who sent Me.

John 12:46
I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness.

John 14:12
Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.

1 Corinthians 1:21
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
I like Charlirenee says:

He saves us, and then He continues to work in us that we may be vessels for Him. Yes, His salvation gets us there, 100%, and it is His salvation that makes our faith effectual.

Note: effectual means a lot
 

Blade

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Nov 19, 2019
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"The one time mere confession of "accepting Christ" from the non-Christian and the Christian is far from enough! It only puts you in the same category as Satan who believes! ".

Well is it ok to ask who are you? Well if Peter or John or Paul said this I would gladly be listening but never heard of you before and then you took those 3 verses out of context. I just looked into each one how they were org written and how some other texted translated them also. Case in point Rev 20:13 you said "and they were judged every man according to their works." Its 100% true but..hmm maybe your talking to the lost? Well its the great white throne judgement. Do you believe your going to be there? Were your "works" not already judged by Christ? See Rev 20 talks about books being open? Were we not judged already? I was.

Matt 7 Christ talking what Christian? Oh wait there were none all were under and living by the Law you know 613 of them. So like the thief in paradise we will be there. They won't be all called down to stand and then be judged sheep and goats to then those goats to be judged again at the great white throne? Hmm something seems off.. yeah yeah.. I am sure its just me..could be.

1st John 3:9 its not easy for if we know about this verse all do not agree on just what he was saying. When one takes this verse puts it alongside other verses about how we still sin. Hmm anyway. For me when I was lost I continued in sin then after being saved I no long continue in sin for He is in me..hmm that seed? Does seem to me John was talking to someone going back to Chapter 2.. I don't know.

Rom 6:1.. "what shall we say then". Now I would be asking.. "huh? What did you mean?". Yeah seems he was talking about something before this. All of this we read way before a verse and after or like you no offense OP did here made Gods word not yours but made His word say something in agreement to what you personally believe.

Not here to talk about salvation since.. no one has a say on that.. and He already saved me ( I was already saved for He found me). He is now doing the good work in me and HE not me He will finish it. Some seem to think they need to do the good work. Its what they do...yet to God it means nothing. See some day after the rewards we lay all our crowns all of it at His feet. He did it all. No man as its written will ever glory in His sight. For me some of this here is self righteousness and pride.
 

ebdesroches

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Aug 20, 2022
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Sorry i have offended you!

I like what Charlirenee says:

I like Charlirenee says:

He saves us, and then He continues to work in us that we may be vessels for Him. Yes, His salvation gets us there, 100%, and it is His salvation that makes our faith effectual.

Note: effectual means a lot
 
Dec 30, 2020
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I will never, not ever, grasp the faith and works debate. He saves us, and then He continues to work in us that we may be vessels for Him. Yes, His salvation gets us there, 100%, and it is His salvation that makes our faith effectual.

I just don't understand why we argue this point sooooo MUCH. It just doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps, this is a great opportunity NOT to lean on my own limited understanding, lol.
This is what needs to happen.
You need to be baptized (not water) in the name of the Father . Eph 3: 14-15 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of (by) whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,...When one is baptized in the name of the Father, he first acknowledges that he is a sinner, repents, and then turns to Him for forgiveness. Acts 11: 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. It is the Father who grants the repentance that is necessary to gain life. This repentance is not a gift that can be refused. Repentance is a state of being and once it is granted, you have it. Luke 13: 3 I tell you, Nay. But, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Repentance is necessary Luke 5: 31-32 And Jesus, answering, said unto them, They that are well need not a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. It is Christ and those in His spiritual body that call sinners to repentance by their teaching, but it is the Father who chooses because it is He who grants repentance. Eph 1: 3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, According as He ( the Father) hath chosen us in Him ( the Son) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him ( the Father) in love. It is the Father who has chosen us as belonging to the spiritual body of Christ and therefore, we are in Christ.
You need to be baptized (not water) in the name of the Son. You are baptized in the name of the Son when Jesus is preached to you and you believe and trust in the Father's plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. Acts 8: 12 But when they believed Phillip preaching the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Notice that they were baptized (not water) "when they believed". 1 Cor 1: 21 For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. People get saved when Jesus is preached to them as their Lord and Savior. Acts 19: 2-5 He (Paul) said unto them, have you received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there is any Holy Spirit. And he said unto them, Unto what, then, were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him who should come after him, that is on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized ( not water) in the name of the Lord Jesus. When did they get baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus? Not when they got water baptized, but when they heard about Jesus and believed.
You need to be baptized (not water) in the name of the Holy Spirit. Eph 1: 4 According as He ( the Father) hath chosen us in Him ( the Son) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him ( the Father) in love. We are holy when the Father chooses us. We are without blame when we put our trust in Jesus for the remission of sins. " In love" means that we have received the gift ( baptism) of the Holy Spirit who perfects us by filling our hearts with divine love so that all our thoughts and actions are motivated by love for God and man ( see 1 Cor 13: 1-13). It is then that we are obeying the Spirit of the Law (which we can achieve with the help of the Holy Spirit) and not focusing on obeying the Letter of the Law ( which we cannot achieve because if you break one law, you've broken them all).
Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Notice the three elements of salvation: Repentance, belief on Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit are Baptism in the Name of the Father, in the Name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit. These baptisms are produced by the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and not by humans.
 

Inquisitor

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Mar 17, 2022
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I like Charlirenee says:

He saves us, and then He continues to work in us that we may be vessels for Him. Yes, His salvation gets us there, 100%, and it is His salvation that makes our faith effectual.

Note: effectual means a lot
Agree.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
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This is what needs to happen.
You need to be baptized (not water) in the name of the Father . Eph 3: 14-15 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of (by) whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,...When one is baptized in the name of the Father, he first acknowledges that he is a sinner, repents, and then turns to Him for forgiveness. Acts 11: 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. It is the Father who grants the repentance that is necessary to gain life. This repentance is not a gift that can be refused. Repentance is a state of being and once it is granted, you have it. Luke 13: 3 I tell you, Nay. But, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Repentance is necessary Luke 5: 31-32 And Jesus, answering, said unto them, They that are well need not a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. It is Christ and those in His spiritual body that call sinners to repentance by their teaching, but it is the Father who chooses because it is He who grants repentance. Eph 1: 3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, According as He ( the Father) hath chosen us in Him ( the Son) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him ( the Father) in love. It is the Father who has chosen us as belonging to the spiritual body of Christ and therefore, we are in Christ.
You need to be baptized (not water) in the name of the Son. You are baptized in the name of the Son when Jesus is preached to you and you believe and trust in the Father's plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. Acts 8: 12 But when they believed Phillip preaching the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Notice that they were baptized (not water) "when they believed". 1 Cor 1: 21 For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. People get saved when Jesus is preached to them as their Lord and Savior. Acts 19: 2-5 He (Paul) said unto them, have you received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there is any Holy Spirit. And he said unto them, Unto what, then, were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him who should come after him, that is on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized ( not water) in the name of the Lord Jesus. When did they get baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus? Not when they got water baptized, but when they heard about Jesus and believed.
You need to be baptized (not water) in the name of the Holy Spirit. Eph 1: 4 According as He ( the Father) hath chosen us in Him ( the Son) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him ( the Father) in love. We are holy when the Father chooses us. We are without blame when we put our trust in Jesus for the remission of sins. " In love" means that we have received the gift ( baptism) of the Holy Spirit who perfects us by filling our hearts with divine love so that all our thoughts and actions are motivated by love for God and man ( see 1 Cor 13: 1-13). It is then that we are obeying the Spirit of the Law (which we can achieve with the help of the Holy Spirit) and not focusing on obeying the Letter of the Law ( which we cannot achieve because if you break one law, you've broken them all).
Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Notice the three elements of salvation: Repentance, belief on Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit are Baptism in the Name of the Father, in the Name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit. These baptisms are produced by the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and not by humans.
Hmmm.

Certainly not a Baptist.

I agree with you on the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Though I would agree with a water baptism also.

I like both, one outward and symbolic, the other is spiritual.
 

Dirtman

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Jul 19, 2022
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What scripture says to accept Jesus?
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Peace.

JF
That does not say accept Jesus. It says the only way to the Father is through Jesus. Its how it is. Jesus os not someone with low self esteem waiting around to be accepted. He aint trying to join your social group. He is the King of Heaven and earth. There is nothing for you to accept. It is him who accepts you by his Grace.

It also in no way says to decide anything.. There is no decision to make. People domt decide to believe pf have faith on anything. They are compelled by the evidence or they are not.
 
Dec 30, 2020
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Hmmm.

Certainly not a Baptist.

I agree with you on the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Though I would agree with a water baptism also.

I like both, one outward and symbolic, the other is spiritual.
The water baptism is optional. Do you know why John baptized with water?
 
Dec 30, 2020
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That does not say accept Jesus. It says the only way to the Father is through Jesus. Its how it is. Jesus os not someone with low self esteem waiting around to be accepted. He aint trying to join your social group. He is the King of Heaven and earth. There is nothing for you to accept. It is him who accepts you by his Grace.

It also in no way says to decide anything.. There is no decision to make. People domt decide to believe pf have faith on anything. They are compelled by the evidence or they are not.
We are chosen by God and it is Jesus who does the accepting and changes us in order to be accepted through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Father chooses ( Baptism in the Name of the Father), the Son erases our sins ( Baptism in the Name of the Son ), and the Holy Spirit perfects ( Baptism in the Name of the Holy Spirit).
 

Dirtman

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Jul 19, 2022
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We are chosen by God and it is Jesus who does the accepting and changes us in order to be accepted through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Father chooses ( Baptism in the Name of the Father), the Son erases our sins ( Baptism in the Name of the Son ), and the Holy Spirit perfects ( Baptism in the Name of the Holy Spirit).
Thata what I said. It is Jesus who does the accepting not us.
 

AndrewMorgan

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Jul 10, 2022
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It seems a pivotal aspect in all this is the meaning of the term "believe in/ on Christ". Different people believe this differently. Seemingly, some just "require" this to mean that all that is necessarily for salvation is to believe that Jesus is the sinless atonement for sin, without any necessary commitment to Him. Others believe turning from sin is necessary, seemingly meaning a great, possibly super-human, effort. Others seem to think that some effort is necessary, but with less success required.
After hearing different opinions on this matter, I'm unsure what the correct meaning is.
I'd be interested to read others' opinions .
 

arthurfleminger

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Aug 18, 2021
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It seems a pivotal aspect in all this is the meaning of the term "believe in/ on Christ". Different people believe this differently. Seemingly, some just "require" this to mean that all that is necessarily for salvation is to believe that Jesus is the sinless atonement for sin, without any necessary commitment to Him. Others believe turning from sin is necessary, seemingly meaning a great, possibly super-human, effort. Others seem to think that some effort is necessary, but with less success required.
After hearing different opinions on this matter, I'm unsure what the correct meaning is.
I'd be interested to read others' opinions .
It is always wise to follow Jesus' guidance, you can't go wrong. Jesus gives some very clear guidance on acting on His word:

In Luke, Cha 6 Jesus guides us in living our faith:

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?
I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them.
That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock;
when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built.
But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

It's prettry obvious that Jesus was addressing all of us. Either you do act on His words or you don't act on His words. And Jesus makes it clear that He wants us to be more than just hearers and believers of the word.. He wants us to actually live His word in our Christian lives. Just acceptance is pretty much worthless.
 

arthurfleminger

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Aug 18, 2021
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It is always wise to follow Jesus' guidance, you can't go wrong. Jesus gives some very clear guidance on acting on His word:

In Luke, Cha 6 Jesus guides us in living our faith:

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?
I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them.
That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock;
when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built.
But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

It's prettry obvious that Jesus was addressing all of us. Either you do act on His words or you don't act on His words. And Jesus makes it clear that He wants us to be more than just hearers and believers of the word.. He wants us to actually live His word in our Christian lives. Just acceptance is pretty much worthless.
Jesus gave us His teachings and commandments in the Gospels. These teachings and commandments were coming from the Father. It is completely up to each of us as to wheter we'll follow Jesus teachings and obey Jesus' commandments. But I do think it is very advisable to follow Jesus' guidance on these matters. Our eternal salvation may be in the balance. Matthew 7:26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
 

AndrewMorgan

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Jul 10, 2022
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Thanks for replying.
The crux of this is "Is repentance from sin necessary for SALVATION?. Jesus gave many instances about disobedience and criticised the offending party. But some of His criticism was more severe that that. He said, at least in a story, that people would come to Him in that day, saying - paraphrasing - "Lord, we've done this, that and the other in your name and Jesus said "Get away from me - I never knew you. Go from me into the fire that God has prepared for the Devil and his angels."
It seems that this shows that lack of adherence to His direction can lead to damnation.
It's more serious than "what Jesus wants us to be and do". The question is - "What is necessary for salvation?"
 

AndrewMorgan

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Jul 10, 2022
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Jesus gave us His teachings and commandments in the Gospels. These teachings and commandments were coming from the Father. It is completely up to each of us as to wheter we'll follow Jesus teachings and obey Jesus' commandments. But I do think it is very advisable to follow Jesus' guidance on these matters. Our eternal salvation may be in the balance. Matthew 7:26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

One thing you said which I'd like to query. "You say "It is completely up to us whether we'll follow Jesus' teachings and obey Jesus' commandments." Whether it could reasonable be inferred, it seems to me there was a certain lack of acknowledgement of any mental effort/ soul-searching involved your rendering of following Christ. It seems to me that following Christ involves a "hard path".
I can't seem to easily find the right words to express might I mean.
 

arthurfleminger

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Aug 18, 2021
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Thanks for replying.
The crux of this is "Is repentance from sin necessary for SALVATION?. Jesus gave many instances about disobedience and criticised the offending party. But some of His criticism was more severe that that. He said, at least in a story, that people would come to Him in that day, saying - paraphrasing - "Lord, we've done this, that and the other in your name and Jesus said "Get away from me - I never knew you. Go from me into the fire that God has prepared for the Devil and his angels."
It seems that this shows that lack of adherence to His direction can lead to damnation.
It's more serious than "what Jesus wants us to be and do". The question is - "What is necessary for salvation?"
You ask is repentence is necessary for salavation. Again, I'd advise that all of us just follow Jesus' guidance. Over 2,000 years ago, at the start of His earthly ministry Jesus guided us to repentence. The Lord Jesus said: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). If Jesus says to repent, it's best to repent.
 

ResidentAlien

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Apr 21, 2021
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Faith in Jesus Christ is enough to save us. However, when He comes into our life He must be Lord; we must surrender to Him and walk in faith each day. I'm not a believer in once saved always saved, so I don't think it's enough to just say a "sinner's prayer" and it's a done deal.

What Jesus do you believe in? The one who gave himself to redeem us from all iniquity? The one who gave us a new nature, who enabled us to do what’s right? Shall you continue in sin that grace may abound? (Rom 6:1). What you do is directly related to what you believe. You have the power to walk the way he walked.
There are a couple things in what you say here that are a little troubling for me. However, it's not just you but is indicative of the mindset of many believers.

I agree He gives us a new nature; however, He doesn't "enable us to do what's right," but He, Himself, works in us through His Holy Spirit, doing for us what we can't do for ourselves. The "new nature" is the Spirit of Christ, not a "new us." We died, and the life we now have is in Him.

We will never have the power to walk completely as He walked as long as we have the body of death, the flesh. That's why Christ died for us and arose from the dead. We strive to be more like Him, but when we fail he is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 

ebdesroches

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Aug 20, 2022
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Faith in Jesus Christ is enough to save us. However, when He comes into our life He must be Lord; we must surrender to Him and walk in faith each day. I'm not a believer in once saved always saved, so I don't think it's enough to just say a "sinner's prayer" and it's a done deal.



There are a couple things in what you say here that are a little troubling for me. However, it's not just you but is indicative of the mindset of many believers.

I agree He gives us a new nature; however, He doesn't "enable us to do what's right," but He, Himself, works in us through His Holy Spirit, doing for us what we can't do for ourselves. The "new nature" is the Spirit of Christ, not a "new us." We died, and the life we now have is in Him.

We will never have the power to walk completely as He walked as long as we have the body of death, the flesh. That's why Christ died for us and arose from the dead. We strive to be more like Him, but when we fail he is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.