Not By Works

  • 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.
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Yes, I see what you mean!!:)



yes, just as Jesus cuts to the heart of what he says when he first approaches Him, saying 'good teacher'
Jesus uses this statement to declare to the man that He is God -- and He doesn't really rebuke the man, but teach him that he's said more than he knows he's said
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,726
13,522
113
Amen and one more point, the words we speak also will reveal what is in our hearts as did this man. And yes the bible say's Jesus "new all men"

John2:24
"But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men,"
amen,

for my part i believe that Jesus, knowing everything about this man and what his desire is, tells him immediately all he needs to know about how to enter the kingdom of heaven and have eternal life, when He says "
no one is good but God alone"
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,458
13,397
113
58
Very good point UnderGrace, I think you are correct because Jesus new this mans heart just as he knows our hearts today.
Amen! The rich young ruler confidently and (self righteously) declared that he has kept the commandments from his youth up and thought that he qualified for heaven under those terms. Yet Jesus knew the man's wealth had become his idolatrous god, which kept him from placing his faith in Jesus.

The rich young ruler missed the point that Jesus was making, failed to place his faith in Jesus for salvation, and continued instead to trust in his riches (vs. 21-23). His face fell and he went away sad because he could not part from his great wealth, not even in exchange for eternal life. If keeping the commandments is the basis or means by which we receive eternal life, then why isn't this remark the pattern for all discussions concerning eternal life? Paul would have said to the jailer who asked, "what must I do to be saved?" by replying in Acts 16:31 - “keep the commandments and you will be saved,” yet that's not what Paul said.

Jesus knows the hearts of all men and responds to each individual a little differently because He knows where their need is. He didn't respond to the woman at the well, or to Nicodemus or to the rich young ruler the same way, yet the consistent pattern in scripture is salvation by believing in Him/grace through faith, not works (Acts 10:43; 16:31; Ephesians 2:8,9 etc..).
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Amen ....

I agree so important to know this because it sets the stage for understanding Jesus and His finished work on the cross, this rich man was focused on himself, we all know that we are not saved by trying to save ourselves.

This is a good day for a reminder (for me at least) on this so important truth!!:)



Amen! The rich young ruler confidently and (self righteously) declared that he has kept the commandments from his youth up and thought that he qualified for heaven under those terms. Yet Jesus knew the man's wealth had become his idolatrous god, which kept him from placing his faith in Jesus.

The rich young ruler missed the point that Jesus was making, failed to place his faith in Jesus for salvation, and continued instead to trust in his riches (vs. 21-23). His face fell and he went away sad because he could not part from his great wealth, not even in exchange for eternal life. If keeping the commandments is the basis or means by which we receive eternal life, then why isn't this remark the pattern for all discussions concerning eternal life? Paul would have said to the jailer who asked, "what must I do to be saved?" by replying in Acts 16:31 - “keep the commandments and you will be saved,” yet that's not what Paul said.

Jesus knows the hearts of all men and responds to each individual a little differently because He knows where their need is. He didn't respond to the woman at the well, or to Nicodemus or to the rich young ruler the same way, yet the consistent pattern in scripture is salvation by believing in Him/grace through faith, not works (Acts 10:43; 16:31; Ephesians 2:8,9 etc..).
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,726
13,522
113
Amen ....

I agree so important to know this because it sets the stage for understanding Jesus and His finished work on the cross, this rich man was focused on himself, we all know that we are not saved by trying to save ourselves.

This is a good day for a reminder (for me at least) on this so important truth!!:)
mmhm!

all our thoughts should be on Him, taken captive by Him, and the works He has done, is doing and will do :)

then won't our own doing of His will naturally follow, if we do this, like practicing kung-fu, just doing, without needing to give it thought?


it's been on my mind for several days now too :)
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,726
13,522
113
♫ into the Cleft with Thee
no more sun, no more sea
only He, only we ♪


[video=youtube;jbnhGwCDIxY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbnhGwCDIxY[/video]


 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Good point,

while yes there is much automaticity that develops in the brain like reading or driving a car and kung-fu :),

since the spiritual walk is spiritual I wonder if it is more about learning to work less by our own effort, humans are very prone to trying to work for salvation like the rich young man, and learning to rest more in Jesus, I feel like it is actually the opposite to how we acquire other skills in life.

When we rest in Him, abide in the vine, then we we start the good works that He meant for us to do, the trick is learning when we are drawing from His strength and grace and not our own.



mmhm!

all our thoughts should be on Him, taken captive by Him, and the works He has done, is doing and will do :)

then won't our own doing of His will naturally follow, if we do this, like practicing kung-fu, just doing, without needing to give it thought?


it's been on my mind for several days now too :)
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
what's really ironic is that in John 8, Studydude swears up and down that this woman caught in adultery was 100% repentant and went on to live 100% righteously obedient. but there, we aren't told a single thing about her other than that she was 100% guilty. she is not described in any way at all, and the only thing we hear from her is that she states the obvious fact "no one" when Jesus asks her if any of her accusers are still around.

to Studydude, she's a saint.

and John 8 is very likely a later addition to the text - but the rich young man is in 3 gospels.

so he praises a woman who is dragged before Jesus by her lawful accusers in a section of text that might be extra-Biblical.
but here's a man who obviously has faith that eternal life is in the Son, and he comes to Him looking for it, about whom the scripture specifically says "Jesus loved" and about whom Jesus expressly remarks "all things are possible with God"

this man, to Studydude, deserves nothing but hellfire.


weird, right?
and adding to the text in both cases what is not written there. :(
hat's really ironic is that in John 8, Studydude swears up and down that this woman caught in adultery was 100% repentant and went on to live 100% righteously obedient.
Of course I never said this, and you know it. This action is called "Dishonest".

and the only thing we hear from her is that she states the obvious fact "no one" when Jesus asks her if any of her accusers are still around.
As is your custom, you omit and reject important parts of the scriptures which shed light on the truth of the story.

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

So what was their intent, righteous judgment of this woman, or conniving to trick Jesus? Do you preach Jesus didn't know this? Or is that "Adding" to the text?

Where was the man? Or in your religion, when two people fool around, only the woman is guilty ?

"
I said "I'll bet she never committed adultery again"
. That is what I said.

Is it impossible for men in your religion to STOP cheating on their wife's or molesting little boys, or lining their pockets with other peoples money?

No post, it isn't God's instructions that is the problem, it is the people who reject them and create their own.

"Her Lawful accusers"
, really. They use this women to hurt and discredit Jesus and you call them "Lawful accusers". Well that explains a lot.

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Would being convicted by ones own conscience cause grief, sorrow? Could the rich man also be convicted by his own conscience when Jesus pointed out he was in violation of the first and greatest commandment? Did any of these ask Jesus for help in discernment or understanding? Nope, nothing. They just left and nothing was heard of them again.

Mark 923 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.


24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.:

Now here is an example of someone who was truly seeking.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,726
13,522
113
IOW

Yes, post is right, without any support from the text studydude assumes the woman caught in adultery and dragged before Christ was truly repentent and ceased from sin, yet contrary to the support of the text, he assumes the man who came to Christ willingly, believing that eternal life is found with Him, had no repentance at all and certainly did nothing other than continue in his sin.

Thanks for confirming everything i said about your ironic traditions. :)
 

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
Can you not check your messages and edit accordingly before posting them? That might save you a lot of bother :)
Most of my editing is due to the incompatable differences of the site with my SwiftKey keyboard on my android tablet. It adds extra lines when I leave a empty line and also makesmakes double words. Look at this message as an example of double words. There are other issues as well. I onlyonly heve these problems on this site. Other forums I go on don't have these problems.

 

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
I disagree that it seperates Christians from Heretics. The Point I was trying to make, their are MORE of the Psuedo-Christians that think they believe every word of the Apostles Creed, and NOT ONE OF THEM ARE SAVED. I am not saying you are not BORN AGAIN, I would have to see the fruit after a couple years to determine that. I was ONE OF THEM, THINKING I WAS SAVED because I said and believed in my HEAD, the Apostles Creed, and took up space on a Pew. NONE OF IT SAVED ME, only when I out of LOVE FOR HIM, I surrendered to JESUS CHRIST as LORD, and genuinely repented of my sins, mourning all the while, DID HE PERSONALLY SAVE ME. AND I disagree with what you claim is a "MUST BELIEVE", to be saved. It is a an inner, personal, relationship, from the HEART {NOT THE HEAD} that JESUS is in me, and I am in HIS spiritual BODY, that equals Born Again. I know, I STANDING in the Doorway of Hades/Hell, UNSAVED, and I had Believed in my HEAD that every statement in the APOSTLES CREED were true, and thought that SAVED ME. USING the YARDSTICK of the Apostles Creed, IS THE WRONG YARDSTICK

HERE IS THE SECRET:

Matthew 7:23 (HCSB)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’


That is that inner, personal, LOVE relationship with JESUS CHRIST as your personal LORD.


THE SAME IS TRUE HERE
:


Matthew 25:11-12 (HCSB)

[SUP]11 [/SUP] “Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’
[SUP]12 [/SUP] “But he replied, ‘I assure you: I do not know you!


AGAIN it NOT KNOWING HIM IN THAT INNER, PERSONAL, LOVE Relationship with JESUS AS LORD, THAT IS THE NARROW GATE THAT MOST MISS. You HAVE TO COME THRU THE CORRECT GATE, to ENTER INTO HEAVEN.

John 1:12-13 (HCSB)
[SUP]12 [/SUP] But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,
[SUP]13 [/SUP] who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.


RECEIVE HIM AS WHAT THOUGH?:


Colossians 2:6 (NIV)
[SUP]6 [/SUP] So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,


Where does that KIND OF LOVE comes from:


Romans 5:5-8 (HCSB)
[SUP]5 [/SUP] This hope will not disappoint ⌊us⌋, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
[SUP]6 [/SUP] For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.
[SUP]7 [/SUP] For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die.
[SUP]8 [/SUP] But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!


Romans 10:9 (NASB)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] that if you confess{NOT JUST PROFESS THAT JESUS IS THE LORD, I HAS TO BE TRUE ABOUT YOURSELF BEFORE IT IS CONSIDERED A CONFESSION} with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;


John 3:5-7 (NASB)
[SUP]5 [/SUP] Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[SUP]6 [/SUP] "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[SUP]7[/SUP]"Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'


NONE OF THAT IS IN THE APOSTLES CREED.
Again you ignore the Apostles Creed is a doctrinal statement not a gospel message.

Here is the doctrinal statement of the Presbyterian PCA church. The Westminster Confession of faith. A long statement of doctrine.

Westminster Confession of Faith | Presbyterian Church in America: Administrative Committee

Here is the Methodist version.

BBC - Religions - Christianity: Methodist Church

Go to the site of any denomination and you can get their doctrinal beliefs that don't plead with the reader to become a Christian.

You obviously don't understand the difference between the gospel message and doctrinal statements.

The gospel message is a plead to others explaining how salvation is done while doctrinal statements outline what they believe about many issues.
 

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
The 5 minute rule again.
The early church elders in the 200s created the Roman Creed. By 390 they updated it to the Apostles Creed. There were differences of opinion about many issues as well as heresies starting. The Apostles Creed was created to define the minimum beliefs that define who is and isn't a Christian. Anything outside it is agree to disagree. The differences of opinion were discussed inside of the church understanding they didn't impact that all were Christians. After the Reformation that created all of the diverse denominations were created over these diverse opinions about the side issues. But all adhered to the Apostles Creed as a statement of basic Christian doctrine.

It absolutely is a doctrinal statement not the gospel message. Where is the Apostles Creed wrong as a statement of basic doctrine?? That was the reason for its creation!!!
 
Last edited:

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
Again you ignore the Apostles Creed is a doctrinal statement not a gospel message.

Here is the doctrinal statement of the Presbyterian PCA church. The Westminster Confession of faith. A long statement of doctrine.

Westminster Confession of Faith | Presbyterian Church in America: Administrative Committee

Here is the Methodist version.

BBC - Religions - Christianity: Methodist Church

Go to the site of any denomination and you can get their doctrinal beliefs that don't plead with the reader to become a Christian.

You obviously don't understand the difference between the gospel message and doctrinal statements.

The gospel message is a plead to others explaining how salvation is done while doctrinal statements outline what they believe about many issues.

I tell you, and you ignore my personal experience. In the Church that I was raised in, all you had to do was intellectually in your head believe the Apostles Creed, and take up space on a PEW, and you were considered to be a real Christian. NO, that Theory, is Leading LOTS of People to HELL, thinking they are a SAVED CHRISTIAN. NO, inner. personal, Love Relationship with JESUS as your PERSONAL LORD and Master EQUALS NO SALVATION.

Don't you realize that Genuine BELIEVING is with your HEART, not with the human Brain that is found between your EARS?


Romans 10:10 (CSBBible)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses {Not just Professes that Jesus is my LORD, IT HAS TO BE THE TRUTH OF WHAT HAPPENED IN YOUR HEART} with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
 
Jul 23, 2017
79
8
8
I tell you, and you ignore my personal experience. In the Church that I was raised in, all you had to do was intellectually in your head believe the Apostles Creed, and take up space on a PEW, and you were considered to be a real Christian. NO, that Theory, is Leading LOTS of People to HELL, thinking they are a SAVED CHRISTIAN. NO, inner. personal, Love Relationship with JESUS as your PERSONAL LORD and Master EQUALS NO SALVATION.

Don't you realize that Genuine BELIEVING is with your HEART, not with the human Brain that is found between your EARS?


Romans 10:10 (CSBBible)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses {Not just Professes that Jesus is my LORD, IT HAS TO BE THE TRUTH OF WHAT HAPPENED IN YOUR HEART} with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
And, VCO, if I may add that believing with one's heart is not the end of it.

Knowing in, &/or believing with, one's mind that Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world, & obedience to Him with one's will, are also necessary, I think, for said inner, personal, love relationship with Jesus, Whose Name is exalted above every other name. Total submission. Nothing less - to the best of our frail human ability, combined with His Strength. To do our part for Him, as He has done His for us.

Thanks! :)
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
And, VCO, if I may add that believing with one's heart is not the end of it.

Knowing in, &/or believing with, one's mind that Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world, & obedience to Him with one's will, are also necessary, I think, for said inner, personal, love relationship with Jesus, Whose Name is exalted above every other name. Total submission. Nothing less - to the best of our frail human ability, combined with His Strength. To do our part for Him, as He has done His for us.

Thanks! :)

No, and the LOVE for Jesus Christ, is ON GOING. It will never end.


When JESUS said " If you Love Me. . . ." in John 14:15; that you love is a Present Tense Verb. IT IS NOT LIKE THE ENGLISH PRESENT TENSE, it is a Verb that goes on forever. Loving Jesus as LORD, is a Godly kind of LOVE, and where did that love COME FROM?

At the moment our human spirit the Holy Spirit birthed our human spirit into Eternal Life, and at the same time HE Poured GOD's LOVE directly into our hearts.

Romans 5:5 (HCSB)
[SUP]5 [/SUP] This hope will not disappoint ⌊us⌋, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The LOVE SEED, will PRODUCE an ongoing harvest of LOVING HIM BACK.

 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
And, VCO, if I may add that believing with one's heart is not the end of it.

Knowing in, &/or believing with, one's mind that Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world, & obedience to Him with one's will, are also necessary, I think, for said inner, personal, love relationship with Jesus, Whose Name is exalted above every other name. Total submission. Nothing less - to the best of our frail human ability, combined with His Strength. To do our part for Him, as He has done His for us.

Thanks! :)

No, and the LOVE for Jesus Christ, is ON GOING. It will never end.


When JESUS said " If you Love Me. . . ." in John 14:15; that you love is a Present Tense Verb. IT IS NOT LIKE THE ENGLISH PRESENT TENSE, it is a Verb that goes on forever. Loving Jesus as LORD, is a Godly kind of LOVE, and where did that love COME FROM?

At the moment our human spirit the Holy Spirit birthed our human spirit into Eternal Life, and at the same time HE Poured GOD's LOVE directly into our hearts.

Romans 5:5 (HCSB)
[SUP]5 [/SUP] This hope will not disappoint ⌊us⌋, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The LOVE SEED, will PRODUCE an ongoing harvest of LOVING HIM BACK.

 

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
I tell you, and you ignore my personal experience. In the Church that I was raised in, all you had to do was intellectually in your head believe the Apostles Creed, and take up space on a PEW, and you were considered to be a real Christian. NO, that Theory, is Leading LOTS of People to HELL, thinking they are a SAVED CHRISTIAN. NO, inner. personal, Love Relationship with JESUS as your PERSONAL LORD and Master EQUALS NO SALVATION.

Don't you realize that Genuine BELIEVING is with your HEART, not with the human Brain that is found between your EARS?


Romans 10:10 (CSBBible)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses {Not just Professes that Jesus is my LORD, IT HAS TO BE THE TRUTH OF WHAT HAPPENED IN YOUR HEART} with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
The fact your church didn't preach the gospel message all the time is caused by a secular minister. All of the top 7 protestant denominations have been taken over by secular ministers. Gary North wrote a book Crossed Fingers that documented the takeover of Presbyterian USA in 1932. The gospel is preached now in sub denominations. Presbyterian PCA and Missouri Synod Lutheran for example. Less than half of the population go to church and only a splinter ever hear the gospel message. At a special invitational evening service with fellowship after it I talked to a Lutheran man. He heard the gospel for the first time that evening. It opened my eyes to the problem and I learned about it quickly after reading Gary North's book.

Looks like you are just finding out about this issue. It is depressing about how many are being fed by the wolves in sheep's clothing. This used to be a Christian country but no longer.
 
Last edited:

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
No, and the LOVE for Jesus Christ, is ON GOING. It will never end.


When JESUS said " If you Love Me. . . ." in John 14:15; that you love is a Present Tense Verb. IT IS NOT LIKE THE ENGLISH PRESENT TENSE, it is a Verb that goes on forever. Loving Jesus as LORD, is a Godly kind of LOVE, and where did that love COME FROM?

At the moment our human spirit the Holy Spirit birthed our human spirit into Eternal Life, and at the same time HE Poured GOD's LOVE directly into our hearts.

Romans 5:5 (HCSB)
[SUP]5 [/SUP] This hope will not disappoint ⌊us⌋, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The LOVE SEED, will PRODUCE an ongoing harvest of LOVING HIM BACK.

You just reminded me of a class at a friend's church that talked about the difference between Greek and English verbs. That Greek present tense starts and continues forever. Really meaning love forever. This kind of issue gives translators headaches.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,815
29,193
113
Most of my editing is due to the incompatable differences of the site with my SwiftKey keyboard on my android tablet. It adds extra lines when I leave a empty line and also makesmakes double words. Look at this message as an example of double words. There are other issues as well. I onlyonly heve these problems on this site. Other forums I go on don't have these problems.
Yes, but the thing is, you know there is a problem. Can you not check for such things before posting? Proofreading and editing accordingly could save you a lot of bother. I only suggest it because I see you complaining about the five minute edit limit so much :) Not that others have not complained ;)