Not By Works

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stonesoffire

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Nov 24, 2013
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“Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt ...you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”-Matthew 21:21-22

If you believe, abagail. If you believe.
Mountains as defined by Hebrew thinking, is problems that loom up in ones life.
 
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ruach

Guest
"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, self-control"-Galatians 5:22

I have these working in me more and more in all my daily situations and circumstances. Are they in you? Are you growing up into the image and stature of Christ through your faith in Him? What are you going to be like and do in traffic today, or at the grocery store, or with your wife at home, or with your co-workers, or when you see the person in need?
Why are you insisting works, when you should be proclaiming the new life? The new life is how the fruit of the spirit and resulting works are accomplished.

As a new man we allow the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested in us and are set aside to do good works. We do those good works out of love for what Christ and he alone did for us on the cross.
 

stonesoffire

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Nov 24, 2013
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Yes, how shameful it is to bring glory to God by letting the light of your deeds shine.

"let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."-Matthew 5:16

Isn't it rather more shameful that you do not let your light shine, or that you do not have a light to shine? Are you going to let your light shine today? Or are you not going to do that because that would by you trying to earn your salvation?

Show your faith today, don't just talk about it. Then you will be praised and rewarded when Jesus returns, not condemned as a hearer only.
The light is Jesus, He is the light of the world. EG speaks of light, in the Light, and shines bright with truth. We are not to judge for that same judgement will come back on us.

We are to speak of the good that we see unless commissioned to speak privately with someone in meekness.
 

stonesoffire

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Nov 24, 2013
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you are pointing your finger saying he doesnt let his light shine

you say i have no growth

but youre lying


so i pointed it out


please ralph

open your eyes
How on earth could anyone deny McGees growth? Put those glasses in the pic back on.
 
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Ralph-

Guest
who here has dead faith?

who are you accusing
I have not named names. You are all acting why I have. That's why I ask if you all are being convicted by what I'm saying.

The appeal of the gospel goes out to whoever has ears to hear. If you (anybody) see yourself in Galatians 5:19-21 you will not inherit the kingdom. You (anybody) can make excuses and rationalize why you're that way and insist you're saved despite what that and other passages says about you, or you can fall on the mercy of God and receive justification and receive power to become a new person. Then you'll be ready to meet Jesus when He comes back. Until then you (anybody to whom the passages cited applies) are not ready to meet Jesus. You will be destroyed, not saved when He returns.
 
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Ralph-

Guest
Why are you insisting works, when you should be proclaiming the new life? The new life is how the fruit of the spirit and resulting works are accomplished.
Read my posts. I have not neglected that part of the gospel.
 
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Ralph-

Guest
Mountains as defined by Hebrew thinking, is problems that loom up in ones life.
That's right. That's what I was getting at. The mountain of being prepared to meet Jesus (see AbigailZeke's post) is cast into the sea by our faith. Not by our wondrous, self-righteous efforts, but by faith. For some reason that part is going right over the heads of some here.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
you do understand that the Pharisees had created a bunch of laws ( the traditions of the elders ) to ensure that God's law was kept, but they were more concerned with keeping the law their way, not God's way. that is why Christ disagreed with them so strongly.

God's way is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. your way, and most denominations way, is a mix of law and command keeping and grace. not saved BY grace , Through faith, FOR good works.

most churches, and you , teach this- saved by faith, demonstrated by good works, and if you have enough faith, and do enough good works, then God gives you grace.

this makes logical sense. but, it is not Biblical, and will not save one soul from hell. grace-faith-works will.

I am not even sure the pharisees wrote them, They were written after the return from exile in Babylon, they basically took the law. And made rules to make the law harder to break.

Example - plowing on sabbath is a sin, Well we will take it further, do not pull a chair on the sabbath. Ie, make the law so hard to break, it is next to impossible.

the heart was in the right area if you think of religion, churches do this all the time.

What they failed to understand was Gods grace. And we really obey God. WHich jesus had to show us, because they never got it. (Most did not get it)
 
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Ralph-

Guest
We are the brethren. Do you love us? Do you build us up? Or tear us down?
If I did not love you I would not tell you the truth. If I was sharing a PC gospel I would avoid the possibility that you would be offended by what I say the gospel says. That would mean coddling you and making you think dead faith can save you when Jesus comes back.

He who has ears to hear...
 
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Ralph-

Guest
most churches, and you , teach this- saved by faith, demonstrated by good works, and if you have enough faith, and do enough good works, then God gives you grace.
No, no, no! BECAUSE you have God's grace. BECAUSE! You are not hearing what is being said.

Because you have God's grace and do righteous work as a result, it follows that if you have dead faith when Jesus comes back you show that you do not have God's grace by faith.

THAT is the message that will save people from hell. Not this PC garbage that is afraid to make people see what they are and what they are not.
 
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NoNameMcgee

Guest
I have not named names.
well you have named names with many of your false accusations and you were speaking of the "church" having dead faith

i was making sure you stopped accusing EG of not "letting his light shine" and me being void of growth from the Holy spirit

sorry if i assumed wrongly that you were pointing that last accusation at someone here ralph
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
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If I did not love you I would not tell you the truth. If I was sharing a PC gospel I would avoid the possibility that you would be offended by what I say the gospel says. That would mean coddling you and making you think dead faith can save you when Jesus comes back.

He who has ears to hear...
You just don't get it right yet. Dead faith is never trust in the blood of Jesus.
 

1ofthem

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2016
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I appreciate the thoughtful reply, and I understand what is at stake. The whole "God's Laws are burdensome" God's Laws are against us", contrary to us". A yoke and an evil hardship that Jesus had to come back and save us from, is all founded on the preaching that the Pharisees were trying to "Follow the Letter of the Law". But God's Word says the opposite. That is my point.

When did Jesus ever say they were following God's Laws? And what about Paul's own words in Rom. 1, and elsewhere?

Gal. 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

I understand we have been taught that the Pharisees were trying to earn salvation by following God's Laws from our youth. But if you would just free your mind from the preaching we were born into for just a few minutes and SEE what you are saying.

Paul said He persecuted the Church of God and was more zealous than most for the "Traditions of his fathers". (Jews) Listen to Stephen:

Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels,(From God) and have not kept it.

You said:



Can you show me anywhere in the Bible that says this? Paul was a Pharisee and was a "perfect" Pharisee. "As touching the law, a Pharisee". But the Pharisees were never following God's Laws. Zechariahs did, Noah did, Abraham did, Daniel did. But the Mainstream Preachers of Christ's time did not.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.

Yet you just said the Pharisee "Loved the letter of the Law". I mean no disrespect, but how can you ignore so much of the scriptures regarding the Pharisees?

Jer. 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Matt. 23:4
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Jesus described a specific group of people that WILL try and deceive us. And He warned to "Take Heed".

Matt. 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

There is only one group of people who come in Christ's Name, who teach that Jesus is truly the Messiah. "Christianity". Not Islam, or Buddha, or Atheists. Jesus warned specifically about Christians.

You and I have learned everything we know about God from their influence. If you clear your mind of this influence for just a little while and study about the Jews religion, you will find they had, like Jesus said, created their own Laws and had rejected much of God's Word.

Not all of His Laws, everybody keep some of God's Law. But the Pharisees had created their own Sabbaths where is was against god to help a sick brother during the Sabbath. God never taught that. They taught you couldn't eat or visit with a gentile. God never taught that. They preached you couldn't take a walk on the Sabbath and eat a strawberry, God never taught that.

"We have a Law, and by our Law He should die". Can you find in the Law and Prophets where God condemned Jesus to death?

No my friend, you can't because it isn't there. The Pharisees had created their own Laws. They call it the "Talmud" today. You might look into it.

Ask yourself some questions.

Why did God send the Prophets to the Pharisees of the Old Testament? These were the "traditions of Paul's fathers" Was it because they were following the letter of God's Law? Or because they had corrupted God's Law?

What if they had really "followed the letter of God's Laws"?

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

I could go on and on. The Pharisees were not follow God's Laws, they had created their own.

Why is this so hard to grasp? Why is it hard to believe that this religion, which killed Abel and the Prophets, and Jesus and Stephen, was not following God's Laws but had created their own?

Because most of todays Mainstream Christian doctrine is built on this lie. Their version of Col. 2, all of Romans, Galatians. When a man accepts the truth about the Pharisees, it exposes who Jesus said to "take Heed" of. Most people are comfortable in their deception as prophesied.

Jer. 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Thanks again for your thoughtful reply. This is certainly an uncomfortable subject as so much church tradition rests on it.
I still can’t do the multiple quote thing, so I’m probably not going to hit every verse you posted. I’m just going to try and summarize my thoughts.

I really can’t see anywhere that they were actually breaking the Law as to how it was written, the Letter of the Law, or outward appearance, but they were breaking it through the inward man and the spirit in which it was intended.

They took pride and felt justified in obeying it by the written words of it… not because they loved God or had respect unto his ways… it was just for show. They even added laws to it to ensure that they were keeping it, and in doing so they did add grievous burdens on others… which they enjoyed…because they did not have any love for others.

They didn’t understand the spiritual aspect of the Law, so yes, they did always resist the Holy Ghost and did always err…this doesn’t mean they weren’t keeping the Law as written, but they were using it for their own benefit and erring in their heart and in the spirit in which it was given.

They were all about keeping the Law, but they weren’t righteous because they did it for their own reasons not of God. They twisted it around to fit their own needs, yet they still kept it. They believed that you should not steal. So I’m sure they didn’t go around robbing folks openly so they kept that Law…well, so they thought…but when they were selling at the temple Jesus told them that they had made His Father’s house a den of thieves…By the written Law they weren’t breaking any commandments because they weren’t actually stealing from anyone…but by the Spirit and to God they were stealing because they were taking advantage of others.

In Matthew 5 Jesus is explaining this to them…When he goes into what the Law says and then adds the deeper or spiritual meaning behind it. In example, you shall not kill…but I say unto anyone that is angry at his brother without a cause he shall be in danger of the judgement, etc.

So I think that is why Paul said according to the righteousness of the Law he was blameless. He was talking about the written Law. He followed it by the words of it, but not the spirit in which it was given. Just my thoughts on it…

God bless you…
 

stonesoffire

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Nov 24, 2013
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That's right. That's what I was getting at. The mountain of being prepared to meet Jesus (see AbigailZeke's post) is cast into the sea by our faith. Not by our wondrous, self-righteous efforts, but by faith. For some reason that part is going right over the heads of some here.
I haven't the slightest idea of what you are saying here. Mountains are problems in life. We take the Word in our mouth that is spoken in scripture and shown to us personally as the sword we wield over what comes against us to destroy.

Guard our hearts by the breastplate of truth. Loins girded with His righteousness. There is our battle, there is our work. Not of self, all being outnofbour position in Him.

Dont tell me now that one won't battle. Holy Spirit won't let us dwell in the valleys forever. Chastening through His Word and Spirit is not like our parents paddling. It is His love in truth revealed that breaks stubbornness. Not your reprimands Ralph.

Your ways are not His. And you aren't the only one that falls into this darkness of trying to control the actions of others. That is what you are doing. It's not our job.

If you desire change in another? Pray. Pray rightly though with love and hope for the best. And desire even for your enemies. Even to excel your walk in Spirit, for that is correct to desire others advancement, but criticism is not the Lord.
 

gb9

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2011
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No, no, no! BECAUSE you have God's grace. BECAUSE! You are not hearing what is being said.

Because you have God's grace and do righteous work as a result, it follows that if you have dead faith when Jesus comes back you show that you do not have God's grace by faith.

THAT is the message that will save people from hell. Not this PC garbage that is afraid to make people see what they are and what they are not.
I posted that as what many people, churches, denominations , teach and believe. I do not believe that. I believe what Paul said- by grace, through faith, for good works.

might want to read the entire post, not just 2 sentences. just like it is better to read the whole Bible, not the same verses over and over.
 

John146

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Jan 13, 2016
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Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves(it's not our faith, but the faith of Jesus Christ): it is the gift of God(Christ's faith is a gift):
9 Not of works(Christ already has done the work), lest any man should boast.
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
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Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves(it's not our faith, but the faith of Jesus Christ): it is the gift of God(Christ's faith is a gift):
9 Not of works(Christ already has done the work), lest any man should boast.
eventually it will be profitable. It took me 46 years to see.
 
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Faith alone,not saved by works,when we confess Christ for that is all we can do for we have not received the Spirit yet.

When we receive the Spirit then faith without works is dead,and a person is justified by works,and not faith alone,for we are now spiritual doing works of love by the Spirit,and if we lack those works intentionally then our faith lacks.

1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Charity,love in action,is greater than faith,so lack in love,lack in faith.

Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Faith works by love,and it is not faith alone,it is love alone,and everything stems from love.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast(fleshy works trying to gain favor with God,for a person is justified by works,and not faith alone when they receive the Spirit).

We are saved by grace through faith,so if we lack in love,we lack in faith,we lack in grace.

1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Paul said he could have all faith so that he could remove mountains,but if he did not have love then he is nothing,for faith means nothing with out love,and this love is to love all people,even our enemies,which feed and clothe your enemies,and bless them,and pray for them,and help the poor and needy,and love is not arrogant,not selfish,and not unkind.

1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness(money,material things,their wants): from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy and God's kingdom is love,and they have erred from the faith.

Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James said that if a person does not have charity then their faith is dead.

1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

John said if they do not have charity the love of God does not dwell in them.

Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Love is the fulfilling of the law,and love thy neighbor as yourself,so you should want people to prosper as you do,and be fed and clothed such as yourself,and God said He wants equality among the saints,not blessing one more than another,and only blessing them with their needs,not their wants.

Lack in love,lack in faith,lack in grace,and the Bible warns against it so some do lack love.

Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

It is obvious that some can lack love,and they have been saved for Jesus told them they were fallen,and to repent of their lack of works based on love.

We see many people that lack in love by their lifestyle thinking selfish,and not loving their neighbor thinking they are alright with God,but if they lack in love,then they lack in faith.

Faith without works is dead,and we are justified by works,and not faith alone,for love matters in our salvation for love is the fulfilling of the law,so to lack in those works of love not caring about the welfare of others,and being selfish,then our faith lacks.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves(it's not our faith, but the faith of Jesus Christ): it is the gift of God(Christ's faith is a gift):
9 Not of works(Christ already has done the work), lest any man should boast.
Salvation is the gift. We are saved by grace through faith, that salvation is a gift.