Research: Majority of Americans Believe Works Are the Key to Salvation

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Oct 6, 2021
496
83
28
oh?

but you do in the very same post you said that:




you here blatantly accuse me of:
  • not being born of God
  • teaching false doctrine
  • refuting the Bible
  • changing the Bible
and on what basis?
simply because i affirm that salvation is by the grace of God, not by any works that we have done.
that God saves us according to His mercy, not by our own will, effort or desire.
that the promise is to all who believe and put their trust in Christ & His work on our behalf.


yet all these things, i have given you evidence in many witnesses of scripture, and will patiently continue to do so.
An accusation is unproven.... what I said, for your benefit, are facts.
 
Oct 6, 2021
496
83
28
finding Christ in the scripture is not "grasping for straws" -- it is obedience to His own command in John 5:39

"search the scripture"
"these are they which testify of Me"
i thought you were big on obeying Christ's commandments . . ?

the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy
(Revelation 19:10)
Just make it up as you go along. Does God need to blind you like Paul to make you see?
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,726
13,522
113
Grasping for straws? Talk about wasting your time.
An accusation is unproven.... what I said, for your benefit, are facts.
Back Into the ditch?
Just make it up as you go along. Does God need to blind you like Paul to make you see?

seeing a real pattern here of me glorifying God, posting lots of scripture, and you just mocking & accusing.

nothing new under the sun
 
Oct 6, 2021
496
83
28
seeing a real pattern here of me glorifying God, posting lots of scripture, and you just mocking & accusing.

nothing new under the sun
You see it as mocking and accusing, God sees it this way.
( Ezekiel 3:19) If thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,726
13,522
113
You see it as mocking and accusing, God sees it this way.
( Ezekiel 3:19) If thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul
exactly what wickedness are you accusing me of?
and on what basis?
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
You’re right salvation is a gift of God, but there are requirements to receive that gracious gift of salvation.
There is just one. Acts 16:31 - "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."

Can we agree that it is God’s will that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance? If yes then everyone would have been given faith by now according to God’s will, if faith was the gift.
Wrong logic. The will of God that none perish is His permissive will, or His permission for humans to resist it

Therefore, we have to work to believe in Jesus. This isn’t saying faith is a work of the law, but rather a striving, an effort on our part, that requires energy, and certainly some convincing.
The Bible is very clear that salvation is NOT BY WORKS. Eph 2:8,9 and Rom 4:4,5

Faith is an action on our part
Right. And it is NOT a work. No effort required.
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
Again, John 10:28 says "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish"

Now, did Jesus say that recipients of eternal life shall never perish? yes or no

If "no", then what did He mean?
John 10;28 after Matt 24;13
This is NO answer at all. Neither a yes or no, and NO explanation of what you think Jesus did mean.

This is why trying to have a discussion with you is worthless. You aren't even trying.

Your response insinuates that one verse can "trump" another verse. That is worse than goofy.

All verses are of equal value. No verse trumps another verse.

Your response insinuates that Matat 24:13 has pre-eminence over John 10:28. In fact, John 10:28 proves that Matt 24:13 CANNOT be referring to soul salvation.
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
You're not getting it. There are specific Promises to those who overcome in the Book of Revelation, and if you want to inherit those promises, you must, by God's Grace, overcome - overcome sin, overcome greed, overcome lust, overcome pride, overcome unjust anger etc. Those who do this will obtain the Great Promises God gives in the Book of Revelation.
I DO "get it". In fact, that's been my point all along. Eternal reward is EARNED.
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
Many people, Christians who followed the wrong Church teachings, will perish along with everyone else.
Well, how interesting. The One you claim as your Savior said in very clear words, those He gives eternal life shall never perish.

Yet, you in total rebellion to what Jesus said, say the opposite. No Christian will perish in the LOF.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,726
13,522
113
Read about the church in Ephesus.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:4-10)

care to tell me more about your theory that salvation being through the mercy of God by faith, not by the works or merit of men, is only found in Romans . . . ?

Notice how the letter to the Ephesians...is written to the Gentile believer...not the Jews.
But when you read Romans...This letter is written to the Jewish believers, not the Gentiles.
notice how there is only one, singular, gospel?
that the same was preached first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles?

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.
(Romans 1:16-17)
notice that it is 'the just shall live by faith' -- not by the merit of their works?
that it is revealed from faith to faith, not from works to works?

is my affirmation of this reason to accuse me of wickedness?
but that's what you've done.
you say of me, you are 'warning the wicked' -- tacitly calling me wicked.
on what basis are you calling me wicked? what wickedness do you presume is evidenced by me proclaiming the richness of God's grace in His salvation offered to us through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the LORD enfleshed, who came in the flesh, who died, who rose, who ascended and who will come again to gather us to Himself?

here in America we have the right to confront our accuser.
do tell . . ?

 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,815
29,194
113
finding Christ in the scripture is not "grasping for straws" -- it is obedience to His own command in John 5:39

"search the scripture"
"these are they which testify of Me"
i thought you were big on obeying Christ's commandments . . ?

the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy
(Revelation 19:10)

Luke 24:27 + 31
:)
 
Oct 6, 2021
496
83
28
Post...
Words...nothing but words.
Yours can not change my mind, and mine can not change yours.
Jesus called Wise, those who do what he tells them to do.
Do you know why they are called," Wise?"

Because that is the only way you will know the Truth.
For example....
If I tell you, put Cayenne Pepper paste...on a sprained ankle, and within an hour you will be walking without pain. How will you know if what I say is the truth, unless you do what I say?
Sounds foolish, according to what you know. But how will you know if it's foolishness?
And if you do what I say...and it actually works...You will not only become wiser, but you are more likely to listen to what I say about other things. Planting a seed of faith.


Same thing applies to the Gospel of Jesus Christ...which we must do in order to learn the Truth.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
God have so many way to explain His will

in Noah time God tell Noah about the coming float

Noah believe because God never lie

than Noah take action, build giant arch

in this case He saved from float by faith

so in Noah story, faith mean work to build an arch

can God do extra miracle ?
for example he Noah don’t need to build an arch but God give Him a strength to swimming for 6 months
without eat so do all the animal and their family

God can do anything if He want but He chose to do the way it was.
why?

I don’t know

may be, He want to give us message I do my big part but you have to obey Me do your part

I inform you about the coming float, now your turn to obey Me build a giant arch for your salvation

Noah obey and save from drown

Now in Matt 25 Jesus inform us about the coming judgement
He will divide people into 2 category sheep and goat

sheeps are people that have Jesus in their heart so they did agape love by helping the needy
human can’t produce agape love of itself
jesus is the producer, believer bear it to the needy

from out side look like believer help the needy
but jesus did from inside

than Jesus welcome the sheep and say your are welcome into my kingdom because you feed Me when I was hungry etc

goat do vice versa and go to eternal fire

in our case how we know Jesus in or not by evaluating our heart

if you see hungry person in front do you have little compassion by share your food or don’t care

may be a good idea to ask Jesus deliver us from our greed

jesus never lie, he will judge like what He say in Matt 25

build your arch in our case by let Jesus in and He will led you do help the needy

you can’t do by yourself no body can do agaphe love

jesus do it and you bear it out, if you let Jesus in
 
Oct 6, 2021
496
83
28
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:4-10)

care to tell me more about your theory that salvation being through the mercy of God by faith, not by the works or merit of men, is only found in Romans . . . ?



notice how there is only one, singular, gospel?
that the same was preached first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles?


I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.
(Romans 1:16-17)
notice that it is 'the just shall live by faith' -- not by the merit of their works?
that it is revealed
from faith to faith, not from works to works?


is my affirmation of this reason to accuse me of wickedness?
but that's what you've done.
you say of me, you are '
warning the wicked' -- tacitly calling me wicked.
on what basis are you calling me wicked? what wickedness do you presume is evidenced by me proclaiming the richness of God's grace in His salvation offered to us through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the LORD enfleshed, who came in the flesh, who died, who rose, who ascended and who will come again to gather us to Himself?


here in America we have the right to confront our accuser.
do tell . . ?
Have you been born of God...or are you a sinner?
The labor of the righteous tendeth to life, the fruit of the wicked to sin. (Proverbs 10:16)
God sees you as wicked, not me.

And in the verse you quoted, is he talking about the Law of Moses? If so, show me.
He is talking about the Law of Christ. And I teach the same thing. I did not save myself by my works.
I was saved because my Works of Righteousness were pleasing to God. And because I pleased God, he chose me....Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. (1 (Thessalonians 4:1)
Be back tomorrow morning, if you want another go around.
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
God have so many way to explain His will
in Noah time God tell Noah about the coming float
Noah believe because God never lie
than Noah take action, build giant arch

in this case He saved from float by faith
In fact, Noah was saved from the FLOOD by floating over the flood waters.

so in Noah story, faith mean work to build an arch
No, faith means to trust what God says (including Jn 10:28) and obeying His commands.

can God do extra miracle ?
for example he Noah don’t need to build an arch but God give Him a strength to swimming for 6 months
without eat so do all the animal and their family

God can do anything if He want but He chose to do the way it was.
why?

I don’t know
There is no reason to focus on the "what IF's...". We need to focus on the "what IS".

I inform you about the coming float, now your turn to obey Me build a giant arch for your salvation
In your sentence above, "salvation" is ONLY in reference to physical deliverance from the FLOOD.

Not soul salvation, which is going to heaven. If you think building the ark resulted in Noah entering heaven after death, you are sadly mistaken.

Noah obey and save from drown
Which has no relevance to our soul salvation.

Now in Matt 25 Jesus inform us about the coming judgement
He will divide people into 2 category sheep and goat
v.46 explains the whole context. "the righteous" are believers. Based NOT on what they did to others, but based on what they believed regarding God's promise of heaven.

sheeps are people that have Jesus in their heart so they did agape love by helping the needy
They were saved by grace through faith, not of works.
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
Have you been born of God...or are you a sinner?
Yes, x2. I have been born of God on the basis of faith in Christ. I AM a sinner, just like Paul admitted in 1 Tim 1:15 - Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

ps: present tense.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
In fact, Noah was saved from the FLOOD by floating over the flood waters.


No, faith means to trust what God says (including Jn 10:28) and obeying His commands.


There is no reason to focus on the "what IF's...". We need to focus on the "what IS".


In your sentence above, "salvation" is ONLY in reference to physical deliverance from the FLOOD.

Not soul salvation, which is going to heaven. If you think building the ark resulted in Noah entering heaven after death, you are sadly mistaken.


Which has no relevance to our soul salvation.


v.46 explains the whole context. "the righteous" are believers. Based NOT on what they did to others, but based on what they believed regarding God's promise of heaven.


They were saved by grace through faith, not of works.
what is a car
car is tire

no car have tire but tire is not a car
car is an ebgine
no car have an engine but engine not a car
car is a packet consist of tire, engine, body etc

save by faith, what is faith
in Noah case his faith manifest or show off or translate into hard work to build an ark, thank to sister magenta to correct my spelling I am Indonesian that have different way of spelling

in Stephen case his faith show off in his endurance not deny Jesus to death

was he save by his endurance?

big no, he save by faith but his faith produce endurance to death

it is lie if you have faith but not obey

it is lie for Noah to say have faith but not obey to build an ark

yes save by faith not fake faith, real faith produce agaphe love detail by Jesus in Matt 25 as what sheep did to the needy
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
what is a car
car is tire
Of course not.

no car have tire but tire is not a car
car is an ebgine
no car have an engine but engine not a car
car is a packet consist of tire, engine, body etc
You are definitely not making any sense.

save by faith, what is faith
Trust in God's promise to save those who believe in Christ for salvation. 1 Cor 1:21