Just
wondering where the new member
@Brightfame63 (a
relative?) stands on all this?
Not a relative. But here is where I stand on this issue.
Romans 5:20 (Grace did much more abound?)
I agree that the grace of God covers, abounds and justifies a person who has accepted Christ from being accountable for the works of the flesh but this statement, "
This means that sinners Christ died for are made righteous prior to their believing or personal faith in Christ !" says that the grace of God also applies to a person not being accountable for the works of the flesh abounds in a non-Christian's life, meaining, even before that person accepts Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. No, true. This statemen,
"" only applies until the age of accountability because
" Jesus said, John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”
Paul said,
Hebrews 10:26-27 KJV For if we sin "wilfully" after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth "no more sacrifice",(grace of salvation), for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Jesus made it clear that a choice had to be made after they have been told about Him, and Paul said, that if we "willfully", sin, meaning with intent and purpose focus on a life of "sin" . I would like to expound, just a bit. The question has been raised, but what about the people who never heard and had the opportunity to accept Christ? Many people have been taught that "immortality" is put on by every believer, alive or dead, at Christ's return. Not so. There are only two ways to put on immortality, through the grave, and the other, at the end of the thousand year reign. That being said, those who never heard or had the opportunity to accept Christ will have the opportunity to put on immortality at the end of the thousand year reign. But, but scripture tells us that many will choose to follow Satan once he is released and lose out with God despite having lived in peace for those additional thousand year reign. In that respect, yes. In addition to covering those before the age of accountability, God grace does cover the "unjust".
But, I want to make a distinction that may help to bring about a spiritual growth for a closer walk with God, through Christ Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit, for those who can receive it.
Many Christians fail to understand the "umbrella of grace" that they are covered by after they accept Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. The scriptures says that Christ is the vine, we are the branch, but many don't understand that it is the Holy Spirit that produces the fruit. No, what do they do? They try to produce this fruit through "willful" obedience of the flesh, compliance of tradition, teaching for doctrine, the traditions of men, and striving to live a Christian example of holiness through "works", such as church attendance, tithing, etc.
A true Christian displays the fruit that the Spirit, actions, desires, Godly Character attributes that the Holy Spirit produces in them to Glorify God. These actions are not outward appearance, but rather actions that result from the grooming of the Holy Spirit and the world hates Christians without a cause because it is reminder that they need God.
But, there are Christians who say they are "Sinners Saved by Grace".
No, We can not associate ourselves with the flesh and also be heavenly minded to claim that we have been sanctified and holy through Christ Jesus at the same time. The reality is, a true Christian is heavenly minded, with the will to do God's good Pleasure, Phillipians 2:12-13, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is ""God"" who "causes us" to both to "Will" meaning "desire" and do , "obey" His good pleasure.