Why so much confusion about salvation?

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Apr 1, 2018
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Jesus showed us how to obtain salvation. By comparing himself to the serpent on the pole.

Jesus said
Just as those who looked in faith to the serpent in the wilderness were healed, so those who look in faith to the lifted up Son of Man will have eternal life.
We look to Jesus not because he is God but because God told us to.
How did God tell us?
Through his faithful servant Jesus.
The man who had no sin in him but became sin for us, so that we could have eternal life.
 

shrume

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2017
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We look to Jesus not because he is God but because God told us to.
How did God tell us?
Through his faithful servant Jesus.
The man who had no sin in him but became sin for us, so that we could have eternal life.
All true. But don't discount Rom 10:9.

Have we made Jesus Christ our Lord? Do we believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead?
 

carl11

Senior Member
Oct 20, 2017
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Please be more specific regarding Eze 34.

But concerning John 1:
12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

People who choose to believe on the name of Christ are born again. The new birth is not of bloods (by human doings), but of God.

The verse is not saying that God determines who will become saved.
Jn 1:13 makes it very clear that it is NOT MANS WILL

Along with that of Ezk. 34 is even more clearer showing whose will is involved.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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You can call it what you like, but the fact of the matter is this that the statement you made has everything to do with a works grace gospel. This is a typical teaching from the churches that hold fast to this type of a gospel.
How is thanking Jesus for dying for your sins considered work/ I must be missing something as I can't grasp how you consider salvation to be a work.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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You are looking for something that isn't there. I feel you have an argumentative spirit. Jesus is our only salvation....
Yeah @carl11 apparently takes a certain degree of pleasure in attempting to prove that he is right and everyone else is wrong. Typical display of arrogance in the Bible Discussion Forum.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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The first 2 points can be challenged, Christ said He came to save "many" He didn't say the whole world. In another place, He said He would lose none of those the Father gave Him.
He could have said I will lose none of the world if He came to save the whole world as in humanity as a whole
John 3:16 <---the word used is Kosmos.....whole order of things.....and the bible does say....

The savior of the whole world
The savior of all men, especially those that believe
God would have ALL men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth

To qualify the above....Jesus dies to redeem ALL that had been given up by Adam when he sinned
And fr sure only those who acknowledge Jesus by faith will be born from above.
 
Sep 4, 2012
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How is thanking Jesus for dying for your sins considered work/ I must be missing something as I can't grasp how you consider salvation to be a work.
Jesus called it work. Believing into Christ is salvation.

This is the work of God: that you believe into the one [the father] set apart. John 6:29
 
Apr 15, 2017
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Act 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

It is strange that there can be confusion concerning the way to be saved, but a lot of people go by what other people say without checking it out, and some people have interpretations they put out according to a belief they have that is not part of the Bible, and it becomes their foundation for interpreting scriptures, which is your more seriously flawed Churches that claim the Bible.

The Bible is plain that salvation is in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and only a sinless man can reconcile the world to God, which there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, and He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no person comes to the Father except through the Son.

But a lot of people have something in common although they disagree on certain subjects.

1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

No person can say Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, which is to claim Jesus above all authority, principality, and power, so God is working in their life.

Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

A person that believes Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Father is working in their life.

1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.

1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Every person that confesses Jesus is God manifest in the flesh is of God.

Which there are many people that disagree on certain subjects, but believe these things which God has to be working in their life.

But does that mean they are all saved that claim these things.

Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

Many are called, but few are chosen, but what hindered them to not obtain salvation when they claimed these things, and God was working in their life.

2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

They would not allow the Spirit to lead them, and they held unto sin and thought they were right with God, which means they would not act like Christ.They were called, but they were not chosen.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

This is what seals the saints unto salvation is that they depart from iniquity, and realize that they have to have the proper attitude, and abstain from sin to be right with God, which they can do by the Spirit.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

If a person hates sin, and does not want sin, by the Spirit they can abstain from sin, and a Spirit led life is not under the law, which means the law cannot touch them for prosecution.

Many are called, but few are chosen, because not all people will allow the Spirit to lead them, and be Christlike, but they hold unto sin and think they are right with God, but a person is only saved if they are led of the Spirit, and a Spirit led life will not sin, which is to have the proper attitude that sin does affect their relationship with God.

Many saints believe the truth of Jesus, but not all of them want to be like Christ and represent goodness, because many are called, but few are chosen, so God can work in the lives of many, but all might not be saved.

If you break the least of the moral laws, you broke them all, and a little leaven leavens the whole lump, so if they hold unto sin and think they are right with God, they are not right with God.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

If they hold unto sin the blood of Jesus cannot wash that sin away, and we see many that hold unto sin by way of fleshy pleasures, and worldly entertainment, and going by their wants neglecting the poor and needy, and believing God blesses them that way, which Paul said withdraw yourselves from them, having food, and clothing, be content.
 

carl11

Senior Member
Oct 20, 2017
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How is thanking Jesus for dying for your sins considered work/ I must be missing something as I can't grasp how you consider salvation to be a work.
I never said anything regarding the fact that giving thanks for ones salvation is a work.

Yeah @carl11 apparently takes a certain degree of pleasure in attempting to prove that he is right and everyone else is wrong. Typical display of arrogance in the Bible Discussion Forum.
The only desire that I have is to show what I and also others have learned from the Bible concerning certain issues. It just so happens that I am human along with many others and so with that in mind ideas are going to clash. It is no different at ones work place at least mine that is.
 

MarkWilliams

Active member
Jun 13, 2018
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John 3:16 <---the word used is Kosmos.....whole order of things.....and the bible does say....

The savior of the whole world
The savior of all men, especially those that believe
God would have ALL men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth

To qualify the above....Jesus dies to redeem ALL that had been given up by Adam when he sinned
And fr sure only those who acknowledge Jesus by faith will be born from above.
This means that God the Father and Jesus failed in their mission to save the world, I can't go along with that. I believe that God is almighty and if He sets out to achieve something He will achieve it.
If God wanted to save the whole world He would have, but we have ample scriptures saying that He chose a certain number to save and He will leave the rest in their sins.
 
L

LaVieEnRose

Guest
I am a dispensationalists, and i believe the whole bible is written about Gods grace, there is no different gospel for the jew than for the gentile
I don’t think the Gospel is different.
 
L

LaVieEnRose

Guest
I think most believers can share this event of changing after we are saved, it makes sense, we can not view sin as god views sin until we are saved, we do not stop sin first.

The repent jesus preached and john the baptist and others is not about every sin we do, but about our view about self, God, eternity, and the barrier between us. Its when we admit, ok God, i am guilty, I have no hope, i must come to you and ask for mercy because i have nothing to give, like the tac collector who emptied himself and in total humility dropped to his knees.

If we still have pride left, we have not repented, we are still trying to save ourselves or think we do not need saved
I suppose part of the problem is that people have different definitions of what repentence is. I think of it as forsaking sins that you feel convicted about, like reading things I ought not. Sometimes, I am unrepentent about sins- but I am still saved. I don’t believe salvation has anything at all to do with our actions.
 

MarkWilliams

Active member
Jun 13, 2018
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I suppose part of the problem is that people have different definitions of what repentence is. I think of it as forsaking sins that you feel convicted about, like reading things I ought not. Sometimes, I am unrepentent about sins- but I am still saved. I don’t believe salvation has anything at all to do with our actions.
What about "faith without works is dead" how does that verse fit with actions not having anything to do with salvation. I thought we had to repent everyday, because we sin everyday. Being unrepentant doesn't sound right for a Christian to say
 
Dec 12, 2013
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This means that God the Father and Jesus failed in their mission to save the world, I can't go along with that. I believe that God is almighty and if He sets out to achieve something He will achieve it.
If God wanted to save the whole world He would have, but we have ample scriptures saying that He chose a certain number to save and He will leave the rest in their sins.
I quote or reference four scriptures and you get out of that and say the bolded above........I suggest you actually start studying the word....because NO where did I indicate that God failed and the verses I gave reference to do not indicate God failed.....wow man!
 

MarkWilliams

Active member
Jun 13, 2018
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I quote or reference four scriptures and you get out of that and say the bolded above........I suggest you actually start studying the word....because NO where did I indicate that God failed and the verses I gave reference to do not indicate God failed.....wow man!
You said "Savior of all men", "Savior of the whole world", "God would have all men to be saved". I said if that was the case, then God failed didn't He. But I believe you misunderstood those scriptures.
 

MarkWilliams

Active member
Jun 13, 2018
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What if He did? Would you believe Him?
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17)
If He meant the whole world then I don't believe Him, because He failed since the majority are going to hell
 

shrume

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2017
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If He meant the whole world then I don't believe Him, because He failed since the majority are going to hell
You are ignoring the fact that God gave man free will. Men can actually CHOOSE whether they want to believe the gospel and become saved or not. If they choose not to believe, there is nothing God can do about it.