Not By Works
- Thread starter dcontroversal
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Actually, mailmandan and Ralph are two separate individuals. My apologizes for borrowing his amusing signature to describe Ralph, who may or may not actually exist. I do believe that Ralph is trending towards being gluten-free. This can't be a good thing. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the situation. 
You know Tourist.... Don't be gettin' Ralph mixed up with anybody else.
There ain't nobody like Ralph.
And, yes, he's a real person.
He's tooo real.
He'll be here eventually.
We have to keep on the look-out for him.
Right here:
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. -- Ezekiel 36:25-27
...and here:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. -- Philippians 2:12
...and over here:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come -- 1 Corinthians 5:17
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. -- Ezekiel 36:25-27
...and here:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. -- Philippians 2:12
...and over here:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come -- 1 Corinthians 5:17
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U
Yes indeed!!!
Our position in the grace of God is secure, our experience of His grace can be impacted by turning away….and focusing on our works and self-effort.
If a believer should begin to think that the production of good works is needed to maintain one’s salvation, the experience of grace will diminish.
Let us walk in Grace because this is the only place where the love of God is truly manifested.
Our position in the grace of God is secure, our experience of His grace can be impacted by turning away….and focusing on our works and self-effort.
If a believer should begin to think that the production of good works is needed to maintain one’s salvation, the experience of grace will diminish.
Let us walk in Grace because this is the only place where the love of God is truly manifested.
U
We should all be gluten free....unless you want to keep damaging keep your body that is.
Actually, mailmandan and Ralph are two separate individuals. My apologizes for borrowing his amusing signature to describe Ralph, who may or may not actually exist. I do believe that Ralph is trending towards being gluten-free. This can't be a good thing. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the situation.
Actually, I really want to stop damaging my body. My main disease is my smoking addiction, and for that I'm starting to feel convicted about. I'm spending money that I can't afford for an evil product that is ruining my health. I really don't know anything about gluten but know that it is part of the wheat. I am underweight and need to consume all of the calories that I can. Of course, the gluten itself probably doesn't have calories. Lately, I've been avoiding processed foods, particularly vegetables and prepare these fresh. There is a noticeable difference in taste. I've started a vitamin regimen also. It's not all bad with me.
I agree....And the "origin" of these works too is where the rubber meets the road.
Abraham tried to "fulfill the word of God from his own self-effort" and created an Ishmael.
God only recognizes what originates from Him not what comes from our flesh despite "how good it may appear outwardly".
This is why God said to Abraham "Take your son, your only son..." God doesn't recognize things - even good things done from the flesh.
Our good works are filthy rags to Him. His good works are the gold, silver and precious gems and are the only fruit that remains. John 15:16
Psalm 127:1 (NASB) Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.
I noticed that both "types" were "building the house".
Without Him - we can do nothing.
Abraham tried to "fulfill the word of God from his own self-effort" and created an Ishmael.
God only recognizes what originates from Him not what comes from our flesh despite "how good it may appear outwardly".
This is why God said to Abraham "Take your son, your only son..." God doesn't recognize things - even good things done from the flesh.
Our good works are filthy rags to Him. His good works are the gold, silver and precious gems and are the only fruit that remains. John 15:16
Psalm 127:1 (NASB) Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.
I noticed that both "types" were "building the house".
Without Him - we can do nothing.
She just said, and I quote:" Works do not save us. Our faith in Jesus saves us."
She has also said:" Works keep us saved IN THE SENSE THAT if we are abiding we WILL have good works."
So the problem is something other than you said. You were concerned over "the function and the role" of those works. Carefully read both of the above quotes by fran and see if the problem is still there. And keep in mind those quotes when she says anything later on, noting where you think you are seeing a discrepancy or fracture, because you may not be hearing her INTENT, just as she may not be hearing yours.
She has also said:" Works keep us saved IN THE SENSE THAT if we are abiding we WILL have good works."
So the problem is something other than you said. You were concerned over "the function and the role" of those works. Carefully read both of the above quotes by fran and see if the problem is still there. And keep in mind those quotes when she says anything later on, noting where you think you are seeing a discrepancy or fracture, because you may not be hearing her INTENT, just as she may not be hearing yours.
Take courage brother! The Lord will lead you in the way that you are to go. His grace will be sufficient to bring about His life in you.
Phil. 2:13 says He gives us both the desire and the capability to do His good pleasure and His good pleasure is to bring life and life more abundant in all it's facets.
Knowing that you are not condemned because you are in Christ will release His empowering grace to manifest it your life. Keep your eyes on Him and what He has already done for you and the things that hinder us will fall off us like dead leaves on a tree. All is well....
I didn't get past your first sentence before I had to say: yes, this is where the problem of misunderstanding REALLY lies. You have seen it. Some think that fran thinks the origin of those works is from her hard effort. But note that no one has really discussed with her whether this is the case or not so we don't know if she thinks she can produce any good works apart from trusting Him/abiding in Him. We don't know what she really thinks - whether she is capable of any good works apart from trusting Him to produce them in her.