"Not by works" - false!

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May 19, 2020
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My experience was this:

After suffering a deep broken heart and not finding any purpose in life, not knowing where to turn to for peace, a thought suddenly entered my mind; the thought said, Buy a Bible.

After hearing the gospel in the scriptures I got saved. And through continual reading and meditation I grow stronger and stronger in the grace of God.

Hebrews 5:14
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We need our senses exercised by repeated and constant use of the scripture.

Titus 3:8
[8] This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works

Wow!....amazing..Praise God....you are right about reading scripture...I have a friend helping me....as I have concentration problems.
 
May 22, 2020
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1Jon4:10
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins"

1John4:14
"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be savior of the world".

He extended His grace to a sinful world by sending His son as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.
You ignored my question. :(
You state God loves everyone without exception.
When I ask "How can a holy GOD love wickedness" you have no answer.

Definition of God's love (one that ensures a holy God does not love the wicked son of Satan)
God’s love is an immutable emotion, a volition. Since God is holy He is separate from all that is unclean and evil. Thus, God’s love is an intellectual disposition of favor based on moral perfection (God is holy/light). Goes loves His son most as Christ is a perfect reflection of Himself.
As pertaining to the man, the absolute, innate holiness of God means that sinners have to be separated from Him unless a way can be found to constitute them holy. And that way has been provided in the merits of Jesus Christ to those IN CHRIST. God loves everyone else to the extent that the rain falls on the good and the wicked.
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
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Wow!....amazing..Praise God....you are right about reading scripture...I have a friend helping me....as I have concentration problems.
Jackrosie, what you said is important. Because we are to turn to the revealed scriptures to truly understand God and His revealed will. If we bypass the scriptures, we can so easily be led away in error. Perhaps creating a God in our own image (an image of what/who we think He is, as opposed to who He really is). And yes, we have the Holy Spirit in us right there along the Way, unlocking these scriptures and teaching us from these scriptures.
 
May 22, 2020
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John 10v29 - notice the words "them" and "no one". These are not the same. It means that OTHERS are not able to snatch you from the Fathers hand. But YOU are free to walk away by your own will.
John 10v29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Premise1: NO ONE [no person] CAN SNATCH YOU [any Christian] FROM THE FATHERS HAND.
Premise2: Christ1975 is a person
Conclusion: Christ1975, being a person, cannot snatch any person (himself) from the fathers hand.
The logic is inescapable.
 
Nov 16, 2019
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No the circle is yours
you claim you have no power to believe it is God yet claim you do have power what you do with that faith
that means it’s your power Not Gods
You're still not getting it.

God offers you the power and the ability to trust in Jesus. You are free to accept that power and through it choose to trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sin and be saved. And you are free to not accept that power and choose not to believe in Christ and be lost.
 
May 19, 2020
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Jackrosie, what you said is important. Because we are to turn to the revealed scriptures to truly understand God and His revealed will. If we bypass the scriptures, we can so easily be led away in error. Perhaps creating a God in our own image (an image of what/who we think He is, as opposed to who He really is). And yes, we have the Holy Spirit in us right there along the Way, unlocking these scriptures and teaching us from these scriptures.

Amen!..excellent post!
 
May 22, 2020
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Problem: Your logic is not based on the whole counsel of God.
Well, you make it fit then. Tell us who can snatch you from God's hand and yet not contradict the verse. I'm listening.

Aside: If you don't use words as found in the dictionary, please give your revised definition to lesson confusion. TY
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
You're still not getting it.
God offers you the power and the ability to trust in Jesus. You are free to accept that power and through it choose to trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sin and be saved. And you are free to not accept that power and choose not to believe in Christ and be lost.
Yep

Its you grabbing ahold in faith.

Or letting Go in lack of faith

Its still all about you

round and round and round we go
 
Nov 16, 2019
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EPH 2. No works of the law in context
romans 4. No works of the law in context
Next....
Romans is all about trying to be justified by works of the law.

"13It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham." - Romans 4:13-16


Justification by faith vs. justification by the law, particularly circumcision, is what his treatise is all about. It isn't about doing something vs. doing nothing at all. It's about doing the works of the law for justification vs. having faith in God for justification.
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
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2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
 
May 22, 2020
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Where does the Bible say 'believing' is one trying to earn their own salvation?
Every time I ask this, no one tells me where that is in the Bible.
It's not in the Bible because FAITH (as the dictionary defines it) comes from God. Therefore, it cannot be earned. Therefore, it is not in the Bible.
On the other hand, people like you, state that it is your responsibility to believe and continue to believe in God. Thus, your method, if true ... suggests one must earn ones salvation.

There, consider yourself told ... :)
 
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EleventhHour

Guest
Where does the Bible say 'believing' is you trying to earn your own salvation?
Every time I ask this no one tells me where that is in the Bible.
Keep believing .. your effort >>> earning your salvation.

Be honest at least and own up to what you assert.

It is Keep believing

Sustained human effort to maintain the gift.

So obvious!!
 
Jun 5, 2020
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Where does the Bible say 'believing' is you trying to earn your own salvation?
Every time I ask this no one tells me where that is in the Bible.
Salvation is a gift from God. You cannot earn salvation; it is freely given by Him to all who believe.
 
May 19, 2020
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Can anyone show scripture that Satan can dwell in the heart of a believer,...the two cannot dwell in there together?

Holy Spirit and Satan...in a believers heart...together...”No Way”
 
Nov 16, 2019
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How were you saved Judges....?
From about age 10 or 11 I was convicted by the Spirit of being a sinner.
By the time I was 15 I had become accountable for my sin and I knew I did not belong to God and would not go to be with him when I died. And I knew I could not change my behavior and could do nothing about my lostness.
This continued for a few years until God began to strongly call me to salvation through faith in Christ.
I resisted the call for a few years and finally caved in and asked God to forgive my sins.
The Spirit came into me and I was saved and transformed into a new creation that's been growing up into Christ and out of sin ever since.
 
Nov 16, 2019
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Salvation is a gift from God. You cannot earn salvation; it is freely given by Him to all who believe.
Thankfully, everybody here knows this.
Paul says believing is the exact polar opposite of trying to earn your salvation through works of the law.
 
May 22, 2020
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Can anyone show scripture that Satan can dwell in the heart of a believer,...the two cannot dwell in there together?

Holy Spirit and Satan...in a believers heart.
I don't think there is a scripture to support the ability of Satan to either dwell in or not dwell in the heart of a believer. It is assumed Satan can't because the Spirit is indwelling.
Maybe I am wrong. Hard to prove a negative. Maybe an implicit verse?
 
May 19, 2020
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From about age 10 or 11 I was convicted by the Spirit of being a sinner.
By the time I was 15 I had become accountable for my sin and I knew I did not belong to God and would not go to be with him when I died. And I knew I could not change my behavior and could do nothing about my lostness.
This continued for a few years until God began to strongly call me to salvation through faith in Christ.
I resisted the call for a few years and finally caved in and asked God to forgive my sins.
The Spirit came into me and I was saved and transformed into a new creation that's been growing up into Christ and out of sin ever since.

Wow!...Love it...Praise God!