You still do not get it
When God says it is a gift it is a gift.
You work for and earn wages or rewards. A gift is paid in full by the giver.
You want to “gain or maintain” you salvation by works. That is trying to earn a wage or reward. Paul made it clear. Even abraham could not EARN his righteousness by works, He was GIVEN righteousness as a gift because he had faith.
You want to earn your salvation, feel free. But
1. Stop denying it
2. Stop attacking and belittling those who are against it
3. Own it!
I own my belief system, I back up what I believe, I do not deny it.. Try it once, you might enjoy some freedom
Job 2
9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Sorry Cap'n! That ain't hap'nin!
I can't and I won't deny this!
It only "seems/feels" like I am attacking those who are against it. But, I'm not!
I'm attacking "the adversary." The one who has deceived the whole world.
IOW? The one who has caused believers and unbelievers alike to "own" it!
Although, it's not for us to know
when Christ will be sent back. Yet? Believers should be "
behooved" in "knowing" or to make themselves aware of "the season."
Trust me, when I say this brother.
Tis the season!
The "gift?" Is God's
grace! It
leads one, or
should lead one to
eternal life!
But?
Matthew 7
14 Because strait is the gate, and
narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
As
the way becomes narrower? This is where God's
Grace is NOT so abundant! "This", is what "appears" in the "eyes of men" (as
taught by traditions of man), as one earning/maintaining one's salvation.
"This" is also the when and where some "children of Israel," began crying and complaining that Moses had led them out of slavery and bondage in Egypt, into the wilderness under
false pretenses!
I can't make, nor force anyone, in seeing this is ALL part of God's "thinning the herd", so to speak. But? It IS!
In being brutally frankful and honest? It's very hard for
me in accepting this! Yet, I'm shown every day, that this is
indeed the case.
As Jesus said: "My
Kingdom is
not of THIS world/planet (age)." But? When He is allowed to come back and be given this planet as His Kingdom? It SHALL BE of/IN this world/planet! Same world/planet! Different earth/planet (and) heaven age!
Until
then? You keep right on "preserving" the saints? And, I'll keep on "persevering"
with the saints.
This is why we don't, and
can't "see" "eye to eye!"
Another reason "we" me and you argue over matters such as this? Is mostly on you, sir!
For I
know I'm not going to persuade
you! You've made
that ABUNDANTLY clear to me!
Perhaps, I should be thanking you, for your "relentless" pursuits in stalking me, for the cause of persecuting me for my testimonying's.
And, this being a "world wide" venue? I have been "commisioned" in giving this testimony with joyfulness in the telling other believers in this world wide stage (so to speak), that have already, or are realizing that there
IS more then
milk to be had (is that all there is?)! And, they are
not alone, nor are they doing
wrongly in questioning themselves, and others concerning this. And? They are only going to be fed the
"very basics" concerning, not only Christ's Church, but God's "Holy Priesthood" as well!
Revelation 20
6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the FIRST resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be "priests of God" AND of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Ya see, EG? (A) man
cannot "teach" this! As it is folly to him! (hence, traditions of man) This occurs
after God
calls one! And, one answers "the call!" As for me? After I answered the call? God, in Christ humorously asked me: "Aunt Jemima, what took you so long?"