Not By Works

[FollowHisSteps]

How so?

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Rom 14

 

[FollowHisSteps]

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Eph 2

 

[TheDivineWatermark]

[in view of v.16 there]

"By that will, we are having been sanctified [perfect tense] through [/by means of] the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10

 

[DeighAnn]

There is imputed sanctification the new believer in Christ, set apart, declared not guilty, for holy use, in justification. But then there is the life long journey of "progressing towards perfection or imparted sanctification. The Word working in a believer can be seen. As Salvation is a baby step, a gift for all at the start of the journey, we must allow God to work in us to make us fit and ready for His use, to take what ever path He has for us. We become more like Christ everyday. If someone tells you there is no effort on our part they are a liar
Yes, we have the Holy Spirit to lead us, to convict us of the right and wrong, but it is our effort, we must be the ones to renew, prove....
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
It is us, that sits down, that opens the Book that studies the Word,
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
We mortify our members while in the flesh,
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry
2 Corinthians 7:10 For GODLY SORROW WORKETH REPENTANCE TO SALVATION not to be repented (NO SIN here, so no need for repentance) of but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
We work I pray that no one comes and says that I can not work toward my salvation, it is a gift.
2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2 Corinthians 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Some dos and don'ts
1Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1Thessalonians 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1Thessalonians 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
1Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

 

[DeighAnn]

You’re self righteous in believing your works justify the maintaining of your salvation. Believing your works are greater than Jesus Christ’s is the epitome of self righteousness. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a bad person, but it definitely at the very least means you are incomprehensibly misguided. May God open your eyes to His glorious truth.

But they sure are important to how you will be looking, aren't they?

 

[VCO]

Yesterday, I posted verses that all state in some way that "salvation" can be lost. Since then, they are all getting disputed, by some nicely written papers I must admit. And though I will go back and read them all I really am having very much difficulty with it all. But here is my problem.
How could God have ALWAYS HAVE MEANT SOMETHING ELSE? Its like I am being told that " GOD OWN WORDS ARE TRYING TO DECEIVE ME". And I think this is starting to feel a bit like lots of truth but JUST A slight twist that changes the truth to a lie to ......This warning given at the beginning of the book,
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And HE SAID unto the woman, YEA, HATH GOD SAID, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
I find it hard to believe that God wrote the bible so that NO ONE except for those who really studid it in depth could ever pick out its "truths" from its "seemingly truths".

Apparently, I have a problem with "CONTEXT" and I am just reading into such seemly simple verses what ever I want, which seems to never be the message God is trying to convey. IF THIS IS TRUE, I WISH TO APOLOGIZE TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO MAY HAVE READ ANY COMMENTS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DECEIVING IN ANY WAY. I WOULD NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE TRY AND DECEIVE ANYONE ABOUT GODS WORD FOR ANY REASON. I WOULD TURN ON MY MOTHER AND FATHER BEFORE I WOULD EVER DO THAT. PLEASE KNOW THIS IS TRUE. I will, I promise, state my study results. It may take a while. But I will.

LOST SALVATION is in the context of NEVER HAD IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. You with your wild theories about losing your Salvation that you ONCE HAD; only CREATE NUMEROUS CONTRADICTIONS, and they is NO Contradiction in the BIBLE. Anytime you THINK you found a Contradiction in the BIBLE, YOU have made a mistake in interpretation of one verse or BOTH.


Romans 10:1-3 (CSBBible)
1 Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation.
2 I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3 Since they are ignorant of the righteousness of God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God's righteousness.

Romans 10:11-13 (CSBBible)
11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame,
12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him.
13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 11:29 (HCSB)
29 since God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable.

John 10:27-30 (HCSB)
27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
30 The Father and I are one.”

irrevocable

Romans 5:9 (HCSB)
9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.

irrevocable

Ephesians 2:5 (HCSB)
5 made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

irrevocable

Ephesians 2:8-9 (HCSB)
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—
9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

irrevocable

Titus 3:5-8 (HCSB)
5 He saved us— not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6 He poured out this ⌊Spirit⌋ on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.

irrevocable

Ephesians 2:4-5 (HCSB)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us,
5 made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

irrevocable

2 Timothy 1:8-9 (HCSB)
8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.
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.

irrevocable

I have told you before, you are counting short time followers of Christ, too, when only those who are BORN AGAIN after mourning over their Sinfulness, and out of LOVE receive Jesus Christ as LORD, meaning MASTER are SAVED.

John 6:66 (NIV)
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.


They were NEVER BORN AGAIN, only short time followers of JESUS.

The TITLE disciples does not equal SALVATION. You MUST be BORN AGAIN.

 

[DeighAnn]

Be not deceived,
GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP

 

[VCO]

I used to give the invite to become real CHRISTIANS this way, in the Prisons Ministry:

"Is Jesus Christ LORD really LORD OF YOUR LIFE, meaning MASTER;
or are you lord of your own life? I invite you to RECEIVE Jesus as LORD."

That is why those disciples followed him nor longer; because they wanted to remain lord of their own lives.

 

[OneOfHis]

But they sure are important to how you will be looking, aren't they?

Absolutely.

A son of God who is living like the world, imagine how dull his light would be....

Though still a son come when he is judged... his works will be burned and his rewards are no better than ashes....

How many can we help as a hypocrit?

God is still mighty enough to use this type as an example of what not to do, and they surely will reap what they sow in this life.

But if we are His...
1 cor 3
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.



Before God we are justified by grace through faith..... but a muslim or legalist or even a moral atheist man who hears you attempt to witness and profess to be part of the body of Christ will look only to your deeds and words.



A reason many brothers and sisters stand so hard against working FOR salvation opposed to working OUT salvation is because it is a dangerous place to be to think your efforts add to or take from God's gift.

Be not deceived,
GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP

Definitely, but without mercy there would be no salvation.


To those who are not born again... 1 sin = death.


To those who are justified before God by grace through faith, even though we will be saved... lets say a saved man keeps going back to his drinking....

He may get illness like kidney failure... lose his position for witnessing or fellowship in his congregation... lose his job or money or home....

who but God knows the level of chastening God will give to this son for his deeds...

But he will in no wise be cast out, and if God began in this person He will continue until the day of Christ..

He will be justified by Jesus.


Philippians 3:9
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

1 John 3:4
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

 

[VCO]

Be not deceived,
GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP

HE KNOWS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF TIME, WHO WOULD THROW AWAY THE GIFT, SO THEY NEVER GOT SALVATION BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE ALL KNOWING NATURE OF GOD.

Revelation 17:8 (KJV)
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

Was Gods call on Kings Saul's life irrevocable?
Was the calling of Judas irrevocable?
Was Korah called irrevocably?

The answer to these is no.

If any man is given a choice, they take the responsibility for that choice or else it
is not a choice.

Either man is destined for heaven or the lake of fire or they can choose.
Now it follows that for love to work, choice is involved or else this is forced
loyalty.

I have heard it argued, that it is unjust for man to be created to be doomed to damnation
or heaven, yet once chosen one cannot get out. The trouble with choice is how do you know
the true motivation of anyone or their standing.

Satans argument with God about Job was his motivation was blessing and protection.
Now some claim God knows the true motivation and could tell and know, except God chooses
to let Job be tested. This demonstrates that motivation is only known after action has taken place.
Abraham until he gave Isaac to be offered, he could have been faking it. God declares He now
knows Abraham truly feared God. "Now I know that you fear God" Gen 22:12

The whole premise of passive faith, is God knows this passive faith is really working faith,
it is we who do not see like God sees. But it appears in truth until faith is working, it is
passive and those who rely on passive faith are lost and deluded.

Equally those who want security in slavery and imprisonment do not know Jesus and the
Father. He wants everything to know His nature and worship Him because of it, or walk away
to their fate and judgement. Everyone is literally tested in this way, and given ample opportunity.
God bless you

 

[FollowHisSteps]

To those who are not born again... 1 sin = death.

As we are born in sin, separation from God, rebellion and rejection, they are already dead.
And sin destroys the relationship between God and ourselves and unless repented of stays.

But Christ has made a way through the cross and through confession of our sins, Amen.

 

[Smooth]

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Rom 14

You quoted scripture, now answer the question.

 

[Smooth]

But they sure are important to how you will be looking, aren't they?

So you’re saying looking good is more important than the life, love, faith, sacrifice, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Very interesting.

 

[Smooth]

Be not deceived,
GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP

And nothing reaps more than having faith in Jesus Christ. 😎

 

[OneOfHis]

And nothing reaps more than having faith in Jesus Christ. 😎

Amen.

John 6:39-40
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

You quoted scripture, now answer the question.

I have an unfortunate message for you.
If you have no understanding of history and societies and what your language leads to,
I have to stop interacting. Three things come to mind
PolPot, Rwanda, Achwitz. When you understand how words, disgust and dehumanisation combine,
then you can begin to understand what goodness in Christ truly represents.

Answering your question, I have answered as is needed, I know your heart, I need know no more.
God bless you.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. I did not understand this phrase before, but now I do.

 

[Chester]

I think he means specifically in regards to being saved. Born again.

The not by works thread is a thread meant to give glory to Jesus.

Only be grace through faith we are saved.


(of course they matter .... otherwise why would God chasten His saved children for sin... He wants us to conform to His ways.... but we are saved and kept saved appart from our performance because in regards to salvation we will be covered by the righteousness of Jesus <-spotless)

I like a lot of what you say above - but this statement makes no sense to me: "the not by works thread is a thread meant to give glory to Jesus" - but you seem to be saying that our salvation is by grace through faith and keep the works out!

But do not works done by the power of might of Jesus bring glory to him? Isn't his works in our lives one of the greatest way the world sees His glory?

 

[Smooth]

Amen.

John 6:39-40
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen, beloved. The simplicity of God’s grace is one of its most beautiful aspects. To God alone be the glory.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

A light on the Hill

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matt 5

If there is no light, if there is no deeds, if the salt has gone bad then it will be thrown away.