I agree sanctification is important, but I think this verse says so much..
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:5-7 NASB
So nice to find someone that is actually serious about this discussion.
The above is right, of course. You agree with me.
We are NOT saved by our works/deeds. The works we would do thinking we could GAIN SALVATION would be the deeds of our own righteousness. God doesn't need our deeds of righteousness.
We are saved by His mercy,,,through His grace...by our Faith. Faith is the transmitter...as long as we have faith, we have eternal security.
Sanctification and relationship are important and they come with repentance, right? Believing in Him brings us to our knees, filled with shame and guilt, ready to repent, asking Him to save us.
The above is not right. Justification comes by repenetence...not Sanctification.
Please check out this link...it explains the difference really well and will save me some typing.
http://www.differencebetween.net/mi...nce-between-justification-and-sanctification/
The problem here is that the word REPENT is used incorrectly these days.
To repent means to turn around, change our direction, and go the other way.
We repent ONE TIME and at that time we become Justified and decide to walk with God.
Instead when we sin we can say that we're sorry for our sin and ask forgiveness. It's not necessary to REPENT again...you're still walking with God,,,you've only fallen and need to get up.
He is all about sanctification. Yes, it is so important. We just get ourselves in a dog paddling estate, in the middle of shark (satan) infested waters, when we forget we are innocent by association with Him, not because we anything. Do we get to contribute...yes. Do we get to be a part of His plan...yes. Does He want and expect us to obey...yes. But we see in so many places, ours is to repent, His is to save..
i agree but would make two comments.
1. Could we say that we get bitten by sharks instead of saying we're in shark-infested waters.? Do you see a difference?
2. I hope you're using the word repent correctly---I'm not sure. We only repent BEFORE we are saved...
For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became his counselor ? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again ? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:32-36 NASB
Amen to that!
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, " Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord ."
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 NASB
Praise God.
We are told not to engage in disputes over laws because it is fruitless, but as long as we do this...
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
2 Timothy 2:25 NASB
I'm not disputing any law.
What I'm doing is disputing what it means to remain saved. Some here don't think we need to remain saved. They think we could do what we want to...wallow in the mire....and still be saved. This is not true and is not taught by Jesus or any of the writer's. I'll state this till the day I die. And I do try to be gentle...sometimes those on here make it a little difficult but I don't think I've been mean to anyone.
I still believe you are my Sister, that you too call on the name of the Lord, that we both agree obeying Him is fundamental to our Salvation. I think the difference we have is that for me, He gets all the Glory, for even our repentance. We must keep our eyes on the Savior. It is wise to know He is. Holy and Just, able to squash our souls like a bug, and so comforting knowing He wants instead to give us life. He is so good, ours is to accept His calling.
Why do you think that for YOU .... HE gets all the glory
and for ME.....He doesn't? Who did I ever say gets the glory??? Me?
How many times have I said that it's the Holy Spirit that keeps us....
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB
Right!
Ephesians 2:8-9 speaks about Justification.
Ephesians 2:10 speaks about Sanctification.
Yes, He wants our commitment and fellowship. He died for it. Talk about selfless love. May we all walk in it.
Another AMEN!