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.
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
It's about BELIEVING.
Genuinely hold fast that which you received and believed in the beginning about the forgiveness of sins through Christ's blood and you'll be fine. If you keep that as the foundation of your relationship with God He will lead you into all the rest.
This is not true belief. This is pseudo belief.

it says I will continue to believe, as long as God is faithful. He second I feel that God is not worthy of my faith, I walk away.

It is conditional love. Which will never save anyone.
 
Nov 24, 2019
395
196
43
Virginia
www.youtube.com
We live out, manifest the perfection we have received from Jesus.... He alone is Perfect.
I'm always testifying how "I live it out and manifest it", as you say. And you gnash your teeth, though it is what is written.

Assuming you have come in to the sheepfold the right Way (we would be one), how then do you live it out and manifest it?
 
Nov 24, 2019
395
196
43
Virginia
www.youtube.com
So you were not saved because you kept sinning and now you are saved because you are making yourself righteous..... is that what you are stating here...:unsure:
I could never have made myself righteous, as you know. I am in Christ, therefore, I am a new creation. Old things have gone; all things have been made new.

Why can you not hear my words? Are you not one of His sheep?
 
Dec 6, 2019
1,206
691
113
The gift of salvation is given in this life.

All we can do is receive it by faith... knowing that all is forgiven and Jesus has paid the debt in full.

And once we are saved we are exhorted, admonished to live according to our new nature because that is the only life worth living.
Well said
 
Dec 6, 2019
1,206
691
113
No! It isn't! Is it?
Yet? That's ALL you OSAS'ers, in y'alls "cherry picking" even Paul's teachings, CARE about!
Y'all don't WANNA "covet earnestly" the best gifts!
Because that would require WORKS, "beyond the principles of the doctrine of Christ!"
Which "blows away" OSAS'ers "the gift of salvation, and not spiritual gifts, are all we are interested in!" :cry:
I strongly desire God and all the things that accompany salvation, including the best spiritual gifts to use to edify others
 

TooFastTurtle

Active member
Apr 10, 2019
460
247
43
Lets see if this helps.

the law states you must obey every word. Failure to live in complete obedience brought about a curse


Deuteronomy 27:26
‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ”

Galatians 3:10
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed iseveryone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

James 2:10
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

For this reason, as scripture says

rom 3 - for ALL have sinned and fall short (God’s standard is the requirement, one sin and you fall short of this standard)

Rom3 - there are no righteous no not one

Rom 6 - the penalty of sin is death. Every sin we commit has attached to it a decree of guilt. The judgment of guilty requires death.


remembering as paul said, the law is a tutor to lead us to christ. We see according to the law. Not one person living stands up against it, Every man woman and child who ever lived as paul said in Colossians has obtained a certificate of death against them, and God will require them to pay that judgment. No other act of penance or works or attempting to pay of this sin debt you owe God will be accepted. You are Charged, Found guilty and one day the judge will come calling to pronounce this judgment on you and collect on what you owe, this is called the second death, for this reason...

1. No one can “earn” salvation by their own deeds, you can never be goo enough, you can never do enough works, you can never do anything to earn your right to heaven, You are judged guilty where you stand

2. No one can “maintain” Their salvation once it is given because any “sin” which is commited father one is saved would occure the sam judgment as sin before a person was saved, hence they would still be in the same boat apart from being “rescued” from the penalty of sin.

3. “prevent themselves from losing” salvation by being obedient. SInce the “standard” God requires is perfection. And since NO ONE has reacted that state in this lifetime, we can never be good enough to earn salvation, let alone good enough to keep from losing salvation. If salvation was dependent on how good we are. We would all fail. and would end up on the wrong side on judgment day

The law also shows us what God will accept as payment for sin. Death of an innocent, unblemished animal, who is tasked to shed his blood for atonement of the people. As the author of hebrews says, without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness

Of course, the same author says the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sin. So if this is true, what hope do we have? We can not save ourselves. Animal sacrifice can not save us, were do we go?

thats the point of the law. It showed us how desperate our situation is, I caused us to repent, and look to the only thing which could save us

”the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”

There is your only hope.

God comes, and he offers each os us this gift. Now we have to chose

1. continue to try to save ourselves. Maintain our salvation of or try to be old enough not to lose it (how good is good enough?)

2. Become like the tax collector. Or as Jesus said in his sermon on the mount, Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom. The greek word for poor literally means to become bankrupt. Now think about this, what has to happen for a person to come to the point they have to file bankruptcy? They have to be completely broke right? To see no hope. To see no way out of their present situation and continuing on the way they are will just make things worse. Not better. This is what God says needs to happen to us before we can enter the kingdom of God. If we think there is ANYTHING we can do to help. Or think we can believe in Jesus, but add all these works to maintain or keep salvation. Have we really become bankrupt? Have we really got on our knees and said God I am hopeless. I need your gift, because without it I am lost?

That was Paul's point in Galatians. If we think we can be saved by the spirit but have to perfect our salvation int the flesh, we are foolish. Because

1. We have not become bankrupt. So we have not had true living faith
2. We have failed to repent, we still are holding on to our own pride and human nature of trying to do it ourselves
3. We have spit on the cross. And in turn Jesus. And trampled him and his grace underfoot.


Thats why Pauls warning was so dire. He feared for their very salvation. And thats why he sai, if your going to add even ONE command, yoru indebted to follow every part. Because you have taken yourself out of Grace, due to your unbelief, and placed yourself under law. Which takes us back to my very first point. If you obey every command, yet stumble in even the smallest point, Your guilty of all. What is your just reward? Death.

I hope this helps some, I know you understand what the law i thats why I used it in my words. To try to show you what I see.

Praying for you brother!!
Thank you for the message and prayers. I can admit I am now completely bankrupt, that is true. I never cry and I even shed a tear.

If we are to be justified by obedience that would require perfect faithfulness which none of us have. That is why Jesus is the only way.

The problem for me was that I viewed salvation in a way that is a process of sorts. You could believe in Jesus today, now you are saved, but then it is up to you, how you do with that free gift either you throw it away or cherish it and keep it clean. That all is depending on yourself to top off your salvation, which the Scriptures witness Jesus being the finisher of.

I was very blind for not seeing the free gift is eternal life, not temporary life or a probationary life. It is important to pay attention to every word in detail.

But by no means, do not listen to me, I am just typing my thoughts out. I do believe in Jesus alone, only, for my salvation
 
Dec 6, 2019
1,206
691
113
I do, I am sorry for confusing language. I am just in distress so to speak. I believe on Him alone for salvation, not my anything, but empty hand. I want to stop that me me me righteousness. I do not want to be one of the ones who say Lord, Lord did we not do this that and the other?
No one who trusts the Lord will be put to shame. Only trust Him. You trusted him to save, trust Him for everything, including keeping you and finishing the work in you. He will. That includes giving you the ability to cease from your own works and rest in His. Which will produce more fruit than you can imagine

If you have already trusted Him, be at peace. He knows your struggle, and He knows your heart. I have had the same struggle, and still wrestle with it to some degree.

But He is growing us, all of us

Philippians 1:6
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Thank you for the message and prayers. I can admit I am now completely bankrupt, that is true. I never cry and I even shed a tear.

If we are to be justified by obedience that would require perfect faithfulness which none of us have. That is why Jesus is the only way.

The problem for me was that I viewed salvation in a way that is a process of sorts. You could believe in Jesus today, now you are saved, but then it is up to you, how you do with that free gift either you throw it away or cherish it and keep it clean. That all is depending on yourself to top off your salvation, which the Scriptures witness Jesus being the finisher of.

I was very blind for not seeing the free gift is eternal life, not temporary life or a probationary life. It is important to pay attention to every word in detail.

But by no means, do not listen to me, I am just typing my thoughts out. I do believe in Jesus alone, only, for my salvation
A good way to remember is this, and this helped me.

1. Who paid for the gift
2. Who offered the git
3. Who made the gift so it is desirable and will do what it was intended to do
4. Who has a reputation that will be affected if the gift is lost, or does not have the power to do what the giver said it would do?

Its gods reputation at stake. Not ours. If salvation (the gift) can be lost. Thats on God. Not us.
 
Dec 6, 2019
1,206
691
113
No one who trusts the Lord will be put to shame. Only trust Him. You trusted him to save, trust Him for everything, including keeping you and finishing the work in you. He will. That includes giving you the ability to cease from your own works and rest in His. Which will produce more fruit than you can imagine

If you have already trusted Him, be at peace. He knows your struggle, and He knows your heart. I have had the same struggle, and still wrestle with it to some degree.

But He is growing us, all of us

Philippians 1:6
Btw, a lot of times when I am typing, I am preaching to and reminding myself. 🙂
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
I could never have made myself righteous, as you know. I am in Christ, therefore, I am a new creation. Old things have gone; all things have been made new.

Why can you not hear my words? Are you not one of His sheep?

And if you are a new creation in Him then you know you are eternally saved...why because God tells us plainly in His word and He does not lie :)
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
I'm always testifying how "I live it out and manifest it", as you say. And you gnash your teeth, though it is what is written.

Assuming you have come in to the sheepfold the right Way (we would be one), how then do you live it out and manifest it?
You manifest it by yielding to Him.. being persuaded of His truth and agreeing with Him that you are a new creation.

Allowing grace to be the divine influence of God on our heart... which means not trying to uphold the law but rather leaning into what has been accomplished within us.
 

OneOfHis

Well-known member
Mar 24, 2019
1,430
2,210
113
Thank you for the message and prayers. I can admit I am now completely bankrupt, that is true. I never cry and I even shed a tear.

If we are to be justified by obedience that would require perfect faithfulness which none of us have. That is why Jesus is the only way.

The problem for me was that I viewed salvation in a way that is a process of sorts. You could believe in Jesus today, now you are saved, but then it is up to you, how you do with that free gift either you throw it away or cherish it and keep it clean. That all is depending on yourself to top off your salvation, which the Scriptures witness Jesus being the finisher of.

I was very blind for not seeing the free gift is eternal life, not temporary life or a probationary life. It is important to pay attention to every word in detail.

But by no means, do not listen to me, I am just typing my thoughts out. I do believe in Jesus alone, only, for my salvation
Reading this just brought so much joy...
We all have been there... hard to believe in such a merciful and loving and giving God when He is so righteous and so just and we deserve His wrath....

We feel like we need to add to His gift... but we would only muddy it....

We could never add to the perfect righteousness of Christ which is what will justify us before God (though we can show how grateful we are by walking in love and letting His love shine outwardly as examples of His body)

I pray you have a blessed holiday season and this new year will be the best one youve had.😁
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
I do, I am sorry for confusing language. I am just in distress so to speak. I believe on Him alone for salvation, not my anything, but empty hand. I want to stop that me me me righteousness. I do not want to be one of the ones who say Lord, Lord did we not do this that and the other?
If you are not working for salvation you will not be one of them.

Please do not fret.... Jesus is more than able to save us completely.... He gives us His righteousness ... letting Him shine through ...He is victorious..... men at best fail.
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
Thank you for the message and prayers. I can admit I am now completely bankrupt, that is true. I never cry and I even shed a tear.

If we are to be justified by obedience that would require perfect faithfulness which none of us have. That is why Jesus is the only way.

The problem for me was that I viewed salvation in a way that is a process of sorts. You could believe in Jesus today, now you are saved, but then it is up to you, how you do with that free gift either you throw it away or cherish it and keep it clean. That all is depending on yourself to top off your salvation, which the Scriptures witness Jesus being the finisher of.

I was very blind for not seeing the free gift is eternal life, not temporary life or a probationary life. It is important to pay attention to every word in detail.

But by no means, do not listen to me, I am just typing my thoughts out. I do believe in Jesus alone, only, for my salvation
Amen and Amen!!

I feel so blessed to read your words here!

Wow.......... see this is the reason for this thread @dcontroversal ;):)

Turtle the truth has been revealed to you......only in eternal security will you really be set free to live victoriously!!
 
Nov 16, 2019
3,441
860
113
The problem for me was that I viewed salvation in a way that is a process of sorts. You could believe in Jesus today, now you are saved, but then it is up to you, how you do with that free gift either you throw it away or cherish it and keep it clean.
Your problem is you are looking at the 'keeping' as if it's by the merit of works, as if salvation is payment owed you for righteous work. It's not.
You keep the free gift by continuing to trust in and rely on the message of forgiveness you first heard. That's how you received the free gift of life, that is how you will keep it.

That all is depending on yourself to top off your salvation, which the Scriptures witness Jesus being the finisher of.
This is no more true than you being left on your own by your parents to learn how to walk.

I was very blind for not seeing the free gift is eternal life, not temporary life or a probationary life. It is important to pay attention to every word in detail.
The free gift is eternal life.
You have a down payment of that life in you through faith in Christ. As long as you have the down payment of eternal life in you through continued trust and belief in Christ it guarantees that you'll get the rest of it later. That's why you should keep that down payment through continued trust in Christ until the time comes when He gives the rest of the promise to those who are trusting him for it.