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.
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
A good verse that refutes the loss of salvation...........the JESUS some people claim must be weak or inept.....

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
No works or religious hoop jumping mentioned.......imagine that!!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
AGAIN....sin is not the issue.....FAITH is the issue....sin has been dealt with at the cross!!

That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
NOTICE.....it is FAITH.....not works

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
WOW......how far is that............... WEST <---------------------------------------------------->EAST in a straight line they never cross

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Being immersed into CHRIST by faith is what saves........many conflate baptism and make it into something that it is not...

And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Job understood the resurrection......and the redeemer

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
John understood this truth....BELIEF SAVES.....not works....and note;;;it is ETERNAL LIFE....not temporal

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Another clear reference....

I am telling you the truth: those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me have eternal life. They will not be judged, but have already passed from death to life. I am telling you the truth: the time is coming—the time has already come—when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will come to life. Just as the Father is himself the source of life, in the same way he has made his Son to be the source of life. And he has given the Son the right to judge, because he is the Son of Man.
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
If I may interject...

When we receive Jesus as Lord of our life, which is what we are doing when we receive the Spirit of Christ, after repentance and turning to God.....through the work of the Cross, our will (ego, the I of our self) is crucified by the action of Holy Spirit along with Jesus and His death. At the same moment....we are then raised in Him. This is salvation all by the work of Jesus....faith gives us His salvation.

Then, His power of resurrection life begins the process of salvation which is the works that we are created in Him to do in His name. Paul calls this becoming Sons of God.

What part is ours then? Is it not just faith in Jesus through all things?
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
If I may interject...

When we receive Jesus as Lord of our life, which is what we are doing when we receive the Spirit of Christ, after repentance and turning to God.....through the work of the Cross, our will (ego, the I of our self) is crucified by the action of Holy Spirit along with Jesus and His death. At the same moment....we are then raised in Him. This is salvation all by the work of Jesus....faith gives us His salvation.

Then, His power of resurrection life begins the process of salvation which is the works that we are created in Him to do in His name. Paul calls this becoming Sons of God.

What part is ours then? Is it not just faith in Jesus through all things?
Just to add then.....our walk in Him will be a continual daily death to self, and rising in Him. From this comes the power to live victoriously.
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
How can anyone with even a modicum of understanding believe that the persons who were rejected by Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 were rejected because they had practiced faith plus works.Read what the passage says:

Matthew 7:
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


The one who is saved does the will of the father in contrast to the one who does iniquity and who will not be saved.What is iniquity?

Iniquity - anomia

Thayer Definition:
1) the condition of without law
1a) because ignorant of it
1b) because of violating it
2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

Strongs Definition
From G459; illegality, that is, violation of law or (generally) wickedness:

According to Vine's; lit.lawlessness(a,negative,nomos, law) is used in a way which indicates the meaning as being lawlessness or wickedness.

Hence the persons who were not saved were actually working miracles,casting out devils and prophesying while still committing acts of lawlessness and wickedness.They were lying, stealing, adulterous pastors,ministers,elders, etc.

The fact that they were not obeying the word of God is confirmed by the statements of Jesus further in the passage:

Matthew 7:
24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.


Two classes of persons here.

1)Those who hear and do the Lord's will - saved.
2)Those who hear and do not the Lord's will - not saved.

Hence even though empowered by God to do great things,being outside of the will of God will cause many who thought they were saved to be rejected.Many in this position are deceived by the fact that they still experience miracles and the power of God is manifesting in their lives or the lives of their ministers/pastors.Therefore they fail to recognize their departure from,or failure to be in,the will of God or they may feel their actions/works of righteousness or works of unrighteousness has no bearing on their salvation since the power of God is working in their lives..A rude awakening awaits them as they cry out Lord,Lord....

You FORGOT ONE THING. MOTIVE!

If you do Obey HIM to try to EARN your own SALVATION, you will be REJECTED.

If you do it because you LOVE HIM, Because HE SAVED YOU, before TIME BEGAN, making it a FREE GIFT, you are a Child of GOD.


2 Timothy 1:9 (CSBBible)
9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.


Why do we not get credit for earning our SALVATION ? ? ?


Romans 11:6 (HCSB)
6 Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.


The ONLY pure MOTIVE to OBEY GOD, is because WE LOVE HIM, because HE Saved us before the beginning of time.

Romans 4:4-5 (HCSB)
4 Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed.
5 But to the one who does not work [without the motive being to earn salvation], but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness.

John 14:15 (HCSB)
15 “If you love Me [the only Pure Motive], you will keep My commands.

Jeremiah 17:10 (NJB)
10 I, Yahweh, search the heart, test the motives, to give each person what his conduct and his actions deserve.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
If I may interject...

When we receive Jesus as Lord of our life, which is what we are doing when we receive the Spirit of Christ, after repentance and turning to God.....through the work of the Cross, our will (ego, the I of our self) is crucified by the action of Holy Spirit along with Jesus and His death. At the same moment....we are then raised in Him. This is salvation all by the work of Jesus....faith gives us His salvation.

Then, His power of resurrection life begins the process of salvation which is the works that we are created in Him to do in His name. Paul calls this becoming Sons of God.

What part is ours then? Is it not just faith in Jesus through all things?
I would disagree with the bolded and state two things....

a. Salvation is 100% completed at the moment of salvation<---Salvation is an ongoing result from a past completed action..emphasis upon the completed action part.

b. I would say....begins the ongoing process of SANCTIFICATION in our daily life

c. "B" and the underlined in your post is entirely based upon the transformational process described in Roans 12:1-2

d. I would argue and disagree with the last point as well...John states clearly that RIGHT NOW we are the SONS of GOD, but it does not yet appear what we shall be-->Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Just to add then.....our walk in Him will be a continual daily death to self, and rising in Him. From this comes the power to live victoriously.
Not sure about this :unsure:....are you referring to "I die daily" by Paul because in context that is not what he was teaching.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,034
4,456
113
Prime example of faith healing a blind man....note....his works did not do it....

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Amen DC,

And notice what he did when he could see.
He followed Jesus.
He was healed from blindness physically and I would say also spiritually.

Just like we have been healed from spiritual blindness.
And as a result we follow Jesus.

I notice some on here who because we say that works do not save us accuse us of preaching disobedience, of saying that we do not have to be obedient, that we can sin all we want (noticed that they bring out the biggies like murder, rape etc).

They judge us on things above, yet we don't say it.
Yet get very upset and attack when we call them out when they preach the false gospel that works save.

I am amazed at the amount of times that those of us aligned with works do not save us and have posted the following yet v8-9 does not seem to be in their Bible.

Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

They malign us.

But what I do know is that you, me MMD and many bothers and sisters in Christ do not preach greasy grace. We acknowledge that people need time to grow, to mature, to grow in Jesus, will come alongside and walk with them.

I feel workers for do not and just add a burden, a millstone.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
Amen DC,

And notice what he did when he could see.
He followed Jesus.
He was healed from blindness physically and I would say also spiritually.

Just like we have been healed from spiritual blindness.
And as a result we follow Jesus.

I notice some on here who because we say that works do not save us accuse us of preaching disobedience, of saying that we do not have to be obedient, that we can sin all we want (noticed that they bring out the biggies like murder, rape etc).

They judge us on things above, yet we don't say it.
Yet get very upset and attack when we call them out when they preach the false gospel that works save.

I am amazed at the amount of times that those of us aligned with works do not save us and have posted the following yet v8-9 does not seem to be in their Bible.

Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

They malign us.

But what I do know is that you, me MMD and many bothers and sisters in Christ do not preach greasy grace. We acknowledge that people need time to grow, to mature, to grow in Jesus, will come alongside and walk with them.

I feel workers for do not and just add a burden, a millstone.
AMEN Bill......I know I fail the Lord in many ways....but I will never sell him out or deny what he has done by word or doctrine....HE heals us, saves us, seals us, justifies us, sanctifies us by faith..........and I will always stand on his promises to keep me, save me to the uttermost and KEEP my by his power.....!!!!
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
Yes, understood, that is your understanding about yourself perhaps you did not have the full understanding of the Gospel, however, that is different than someone viewing another person's life over the span of time and then when they mess up deciding they were never saved to begin with...

I think we need to be careful taking one statement from scripture about false teachers (1John2:19) as some do, not stating you, and then using it as a way to prop up OSAS.

NO, not at all. I was a Church-goer, and NOT A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN. I knew about HIM, but I DID NOT KNOW HIM IN MY HEART.

Do you remember the story about 2000 Demoniacs at Gadera? They knew who HE was from a distance, they even bowed before HIM, and they were TOTALLY UNSAVED. THAT WAS ME, I daydreamed through every sermon, and thought that just because I sat on church pew, that made me a CHRISTIAN. NOT! I was on the Broad Road to destruction, thinking I was a Christian, when I had never been BORN AGAIN, receiving HIM as LORD of my LIFE. THAT IS THE STARTING POINT of a true Christian. Playing Church does not make you a CHRISTIAN, it is REPENTING, and a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, submitting or surrendering to HIM out of LOVE FOR HIM, that makes you a real CHRISTIAN.

I will not go into how BAD I was, but believe me, I wallowed around in the gutter literally for years. I had even stopped to Church after the Air Force, and Lived for partying. I had to reach an end of myself, hit face first HARD, before I could look up and receive JESUS. Three attempts at suicide, before I could look up. I KNEW FOR SURE THAT WHEN I HAD THE PISTOL AGAINST MY HEAD, I WOULD BE GOING TO HADES/HELL, IF I FINISHED PULLING THAT TRIGGER. THAT IS THE SHEAR TERROR THAT CAUSED ME TO DROP THE PISTOL, BOTH TIMES.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,034
4,456
113
I spent this morning with guy.
We do Freedom in Christ at church ( a course designed by N.T Anderson)
Basically it's a discipleship course that seeks to see people to understand who they are in Jesus and to set them free from things in their life that hinder their walk and freedom and understanding of whom they are in Jesus.

At the end of it people like me along with someone else will do what is called steps.
This process is to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal things that are a stumbling block.
It ranges from things of the past where Satan has been given a foothold, generational curses, to advertent occult and non advertent occult, to idolatry (like money, food and so on) to unfogiveness, sexual ties and so on.

So I'm sat with this guy this morning.

My heart was broken for him.
He is and was all over the place.

We hadn't even started going through stuff and he is in tears.
He was frightened to be honest about but stuff, I reassured him he could and we would not judge but honesty God can work with.

What really broke my heart was this guy was frightened, he felt that God did not love him unless he conformed, did better and worked harder.

All these thoughts and many more were a result of his life before he came to Jesus.
His background was very severe and shocking. I won't go into it but the fact is I could relate to it, because his life now is what mine was.

And I thank God for what I went through because he worked good in things of my life to conform me to the image of Jesus so that I can walk in the works he prepared for me from the beginning of time.

That's the works he wants us to walk in.

I'm not puffing myself up here. Just sharing what I believe God wants us to walk in.

If any you remember please pray for this guy.
He had a tremendous amount of pain and hurt.
Very confused and frightened about how God feels about him.

But I implore us never place a burden on someone.

Ask God how we can help to carry it with them until God takes it upon himself.
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,758
4,120
113
63
AMEN Bill......I know I fail the Lord in many ways....but I will never sell him out or deny what he has done by word or doctrine....HE heals us, saves us, seals us, justifies us, sanctifies us by faith..........and I will always stand on his promises to keep me, save me to the uttermost and KEEP my by his power.....!!!!
Not forgetting we are Gods adopted children...WOW...xox...