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.

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,752
8,262
113
Do you do God’s will so that you will not lose your salvation? That’s rather selfish of you. Instead, you should do God’s will of bearing fruit for the pure joy of it and rest easily knowing you cannot lose your salvation that is freely and irrevocably given to everyone who has faith in Christ. May God bless you with His glorious truth.
Amen to that brother (or sister).
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,752
8,262
113
Like I have said....they peddle a lottery type of hope instead of the bible's hope....a confident expectation of SOMETHING GUARANTEED............these false gospels make me want to spew...
Alister Begg was invoking the term "hope" in a sermon I downloaded yesterday. He meant well of course, but indeed it was cringe-worthy because of it. Too bad really. IMO improper use of the term "hope" is a minor form of intimidation. Tragic and unnecessary. Really puts a damper on the rejoicing when used incorrectly.
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MAKE YOU BELIEVE THAT ALL THE SCRIPTURE LISTED ABOVE, DOES NOT SAY WHAT IT seems to SAY?
Would that come across as confusing? What would that do to a Christian if every thing that seemed to be straight forward, cut and dry, wasn't at all what it seemed to be? Is God the author of confusion? No. will some try to convince, yes.

You yourself are adding to the CONFUSION, NOT GOD.

2 Timothy 1:9 (HCSB)
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.

Philippians 1:6 (HCSB)
6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

2 John 1:2 (HCSB)
2 because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever.

2 Timothy 2:19 (HCSB)
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and Everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NJB)
8 Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God;
9 not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit.


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.

Romans 11:6 (NASB)
6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Ephesians 1:11-14 (HCSB)
11 We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will,
12 so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.
13 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
14 He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.

1 Peter 1:3-5 (HCSB)
3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Psalm 50:15 (NRSV)
15 Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

1 John 3:14 (HCSB)
14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers.
The one who does not love remains in death.


You absolutely have to be BORN AGAIN, to correctly interpret the Scriptures.


1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (NIV)
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--
10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
There is a problem with keeping the Lords people safe and secure.
Jesus prayed this

3> Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4> I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

12> While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None
has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

15> My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16> They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17> Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
John 17

Jesus keeps His people safe. But those who are lost, may well be not some of the elect.
Seeds will always fall on hard ground, stoney ground and take hold for a while and then
fail, while other good ground and sprout to bring much fruit.

The parables put it simply. No fruit no blessing rather judgement. It is this that causes problems.
But if one grasps the nature of love, it is obvious where things end up in Christ.
To be with the creator is to find healing, life and freedom. So for those over burdened with issues,
we need more of Christ and His Spirit not destroying the boundary between love, righteousness and
evil, which is just capitulation to the enemy, and also impossible for a believer to survive.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
You yourself are adding to the CONFUSION, NOT GOD.
Arrogance. This is a prophetic word, if wrong, from a false teacher.
The problem with prophetic words is they can only be from God, or else we can testify to our
position and invite others to comment.

Is this arrogance part of a group or just this group on the internet or a certain type of preaching?
From past fellowships I know, it might well be part of group identity politics.

Maybe if you preach to passive people who just submit, and do not argue, one way traffic is what one
gets used to even when the audience do not understand or miss-apply the teaching.

If one has been a believer 10+ years and know most of all the different theological takes, it is annoying
to be told, your problem is ..... , or wrong ..... , or no it is like this.

Now in grace it might be we have school teachers here who are only used to speaking to young people,
but if this has gone on for years, it is probably just rudeness and disrespect. One does not need anything
more than this to know, no grapes or figs here guys. God bless you.
 

FollowHisSteps

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2019
3,674
1,201
113
Easy believism - a ticket touts entry into heaven

Come here, come here, I have these front row seats to the banquet of the King, passed over
by these really important dudes, which you can purchase by filling in the quick questionare.
Even better I can give you the answers, so you qualify special and easy, and even better,
it does not matter what you do between now and the feast you are guaranteed a place,
sealed in by your optimism you got the best seats in the house. Come on guys, put a smile
on, the King would never reject you, even if it is a fake ticket, He is so loving, kind and generous.

Trouble is Jesus declared we will be judged by what we do in the body.

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
1 Tim 3

10 For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Rom 14

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive
what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Cor 5

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what
will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
1 Peter 4

36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Matt 12

Imagine this. Some believe God knows who are His before He hears or listens to what they have done
or said. But this is naive, because it is words and actions that define who we are.
So if one takes ones whole life, what will it testify to? Truth in Christ or hypocrisy?

Some think they already have a pass, to face Christ alone for rewards for good deeds done in Him or
just passing through fire, though saved. Sounds rather like the opposite. We are either true in Christ
or it is just some self appeasing act, or we are just sinners flying a kite. Our greatest failure is often
to believe we are something different than how are lives have actually been led or the words we have
spoken. It is like the act we think we are, is what we think God sees, rather than the truth, which maybe
a lot more scary and shameful than we can even begin to face today.

God bless you, for if in Christ we confess our sins and repent, He will forgive our sins and heal us from the
consequences of our sin, Amen.
 

DeighAnn

Banned Serpent Seed Heresy
Jun 11, 2019
2,436
760
113
You yourself are adding to the CONFUSION, NOT GOD.
How me, Quoting scripture straight from the Word of Gods, with a question, is confusing to you, may be the problem. DO NOT IMPLY I AM NOT SAVED, NOT ONE MORE TIME IN ANY WAY.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,401
113
Exactly why I explain the biblical definition of hope.....


Alister Begg was invoking the term "hope" in a sermon I downloaded yesterday. He meant well of course, but indeed it was cringe-worthy because of it. Too bad really. IMO improper use of the term "hope" is a minor form of intimidation. Tragic and unnecessary. Really puts a damper on the rejoicing when used incorrectly.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,020
4,439
113
So is that yes they can or no they can't or won't.

I assume you say they cannot come back to Christ?

@DeighAnn

Ref Hebrews?

No I believe in repentance and the infinite value of the Blood of Christ.
As you say above.

Your response whether a believer can fall away and could or not come back to Jesus..
 

DeighAnn

Banned Serpent Seed Heresy
Jun 11, 2019
2,436
760
113
Philipians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Philipians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Philipians 3:9 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: Righteousness through faith of Christ, righteousness of God by faith. There is other righteousness in God. This being one form of Gods.
That I MAY win Christ and be found. the power of His resurrection, fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death conformable - similar in form or nature; consistent.

BIG problem - picking out parts you like - yet not doing it in the only way in which it would succeed, which would be the "Spiritual mans" way, not the "earthly man" way. When conversing with someone, anyone, everyone as yourself, is thes a Spiritual mans nature, showing me the spiritual ways of God?

I feel earthly mans nature all over the place. along with a lot of earthly man attitudes, responses, stances, corrections.... Have I felt the natures that come across with peace and love, and mercy and charity and all the rest of the things I associate with the "new creature" coming up out of the water having been baptized with the Holy Spirit?

"similar in form or nature" of The Lord Jesus Christ. Only a truly saved man would in all ways be striving to be conformable. It is a daily work on our parts, "give us this day, our daily bread"

Philipians 3:10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death (baptism- crucify that flesh, that flesh attitude, self-rise clean, a new creature a new nature, a new spirit filled walk)
Philipians 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
that I MIGHT attain
Philipians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
not as though I had already attained, I follow after, if that I may,
Philipians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I count not.......to have apprehended
Philipians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I press toward
Philipians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Philipians 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

New International Version
Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
New Living Translation
But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.
English Standard Version
Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Berean Literal Bible
Nevertheless, to that which we have attained, we are to walk by the same.

New American Standard Bible
however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

Philipians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Philipians 3:18 For many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are enemies of the cross of Christ
Philipians 3:19 Whose end is destruction whose God is their belly and whose glory is in their shame who mind earthly things.
Whose end is their belly, mind the earthly things
I am comfortable with the Lord.
 

DeighAnn

Banned Serpent Seed Heresy
Jun 11, 2019
2,436
760
113
@DeighAnn

Ref Hebrews?

No I believe in repentance and the infinite value of the Blood of Christ.
As you say above.

Your response whether a believer can fall away and could or not come back to Jesus..
I believe God gave us repentance for sin. Why would He do that? Because we are in the flesh. So yes, you can after sin, go back to GOD. Don't fool yourself into thinking it isn't written down in the book. It is written in the book. There is a way to get it blotted out. You must realize how you have hurt the Lord and you must have a change of heart from within. A true conviction to try better. To be more Christlike. You want it out, repent. The infinite worthiness of the Blood from the Cross will wipe clean.

If you turn your back on God, I believe God will not be mocked. So, what I believe past that is GOD WILL Judge, and I am told not to, so I don't. And I won't be tempted. And I will not tempt. (God give me strength PLEASE) His ways are not our ways. Love God will all your heart and love me as you love yourself. So, to be clear that is what I think. This is all I will say or commit to. I leave it in Gods hands and I pray that you do the same. Does this separate us, or does this bring us together? I hope it brings us together.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,020
4,439
113
I believe God gave us repentance for sin. Why would He do that? Because we are in the flesh. So yes, you can after sin, go back to GOD. Don't fool yourself into thinking it isn't written down in the book. It is written in the book. There is a way to get it blotted out. You must realize how you have hurt the Lord and you must have a change of heart from within. A true conviction to try better. To be more Christlike. You want it out, repent. The infinite worthiness of the Blood from the Cross will wipe clean.

If you turn your back on God, I believe God will not be mocked. So, what I believe past that is GOD WILL Judge, and I am told not to, so I don't. And I won't be tempted. And I will not tempt. (God give me strength PLEASE) His ways are not our ways. Love God will all your heart and love me as you love yourself. So, to be clear that is what I think. This is all I will say or commit to. I leave it in Gods hands and I pray that you do the same. Does this separate us, or does this bring us together? I hope it brings us together.
What I am trying to get from you is your thoughts.

Can a believer stop believing but come back again?
Repent and come back to God the Father?

Not talking based on our observations of such people, because that would be subjective.

Now I get from your post above that actually a person can.

Blotted out but a change of heart come back.

Now if I have got this correct why do you quote the following as evidence of losing salvation?

Hebrews 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

It's impossible for them to be renewed unto repentance.
So they cannot return back to God.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,020
4,439
113
@deighAnne

Post 104,339 below that you posted

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Hebrews 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Hebrews 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
 

DeighAnn

Banned Serpent Seed Heresy
Jun 11, 2019
2,436
760
113
What I am trying to get from you is your thoughts.

Can a believer stop believing but come back again?
Repent and come back to God the Father?

Not talking based on our observations of such people, because that would be subjective.

Now I get from your post above that actually a person can.

Blotted out but a change of heart come back.

Now if I have got this correct why do you quote the following as evidence of losing salvation?

Hebrews 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

It's impossible for them to be renewed unto repentance.
So they cannot return back to God.
Because Salvation, is guaranteed by God "PROVIDED" and that is on OUR part, not HIS. Do it His way and you can count on it. DONT, and HE WILL NOT BE MOCKED. How could that be unclear? Who could that be unclear to? Are you are aware of all the "mays, ifs, buts, ands, ects" ?From what I have perceived and experienced, they ones who are like the Pharisees, ask questions not for conversation but for "entrapping", have a lot of "earthly or manly" emotions that are clearly seen and no "spiritual" emotions ever put forth. It seems that in even general morals of society in kind communications they do not possess, let alone ANY part of Jesus except maybe the cleansing of the temple. Seeing that Jesus did that once, it should not be the only thing put forward to everyone, with the exception of "those they already love" I know there is something written about that somewhere as it is unproductive or something. Anyway, back to some meat, just needed a sip of milk. Thank youl
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,098
959
113
Gift is either to be received or rejected. You cannot possessed the gift if you don't received. You cannot throw away that which you haven't.
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,098
959
113
Because Salvation, is guaranteed by God "PROVIDED" and that is on OUR part, not HIS. Do it His way and you can count on it. DONT, and HE WILL NOT BE MOCKED. How could that be unclear? Who could that be unclear to? Are you are aware of all the "mays, ifs, buts, ands, ects" ?From what I have perceived and experienced, they ones who are like the Pharisees, ask questions not for conversation but for "entrapping", have a lot of "earthly or manly" emotions that are clearly seen and no "spiritual" emotions ever put forth. It seems that in even general morals of society in kind communications they do not possess, let alone ANY part of Jesus except maybe the cleansing of the temple. Seeing that Jesus did that once, it should not be the only thing put forward to everyone, with the exception of "those they already love" I know there is something written about that somewhere as it is unproductive or something. Anyway, back to some meat, just needed a sip of milk. Thank youl
Mankind cannot do it the same way God did it.
Isah. 55:
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,401
113
Gift is either to be received or rejected. You cannot possessed the gift if you don't received. You cannot throw away that which you haven't.
You cannot throw it away even if you tried....it is irrevocably given and if we become faithless, he abides faithful because HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF

LET the bolded sink
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,098
959
113
You cannot throw it away even if you tried....it is irrevocably given and if we become faithless, he abides faithful because HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF

LET the bolded sink
Very true DC, what God said He will do, he promise us eternal life. That eternal means for eternity. We are keep in the Father's hand, Jesus hand and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Yep He still abides. God still God.