Not By Works
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I'm not responsible for neither my bad choices nor my good choices, er I mean, I'm held responsible for my bad choices but don't deserve any credit for my good choices, because well, shucks, I'm really, really and exceptionally humble, I mean we're going to speak with all honesty.
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What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! In form and moving
how express and admirable! In action how like an angel! In apprehension how like a god! The
beauty of the world! The paragon of animals! . . . this quintessence of dust. <= Shakespeare
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according
to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit
is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit,
if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
how express and admirable! In action how like an angel! In apprehension how like a god! The
beauty of the world! The paragon of animals! . . . this quintessence of dust. <= Shakespeare
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according
to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit
is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit,
if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
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I think this clip from Vodie nails it:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1156402545562480?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=0VwfS7
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1156402545562480?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=0VwfS7
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Precious friends, in my own case of "receiving God's Eternal Life," I believe I
see That God's Responsibility (Grace) and my responsibility (faith) Intersected
simultaneously in a [ "twinkling of an eye" ] moment of time:
can "a proud one boast of saving himself", and then now I can simply
continue in "humble submission" to The Christ Living Within:
All Thanks, Praise, Honor, and Glory Belong To The Great God And
Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Amen.
see That God's Responsibility (Grace) and my responsibility (faith) Intersected
simultaneously in a [ "twinkling of an eye" ] moment of time:
"Even when we were dead in sins, Hath Quickened us together With
Christ, ( By Grace ye Are Saved; ) And Hath Raised us up together, and
Made us sit together in Heavenly Places In Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come He Might Shew The Exceeding Riches
Of His Grace In His Kindness Toward us Through Christ Jesus.
For By Grace Are ye Saved Through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is The Gift Of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast..."
Therefore, there is Neither "God Forcing" His Program Onto "a robot" Norcan "a proud one boast of saving himself", and then now I can simply
continue in "humble submission" to The Christ Living Within:
"...For we Are His Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God Hath Before Ordained that we should walk in them."
(Ephesians 2:5-10 AV)
All Thanks, Praise, Honor, and Glory Belong To The Great God And
Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Amen.
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God's grace and love is truly remarkable. It's the fact that it's not by works that makes it so incredible. The fact that Jesus paid it all on the cross showcases his Holy and authentic love.
I'm so greatfull for His love and Mercy. It's not because of what we have done but because of what Christ has done for us.
I want to be real for a moment. I really connected with this particular post because I'm a transgender Christian woman. I don't want to hide the fact of who I'm. I want to be real with people, especially people of faith.
This is why this particular post connected with me and why I'm so thankful for Jesus's love and grace. I'm also thankful that it's not of works or by being good enough. Instead it's by what He has done for us.
May God's love continue to overflow with Grace and love.
- Lilly
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
Deuteronomy 4:29 KJV
“Ask, and it shall be given you;
Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8 KJ
“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Matthew 11:27-29 KJV
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32
V
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
Deuteronomy 4:29 KJV
“Ask, and it shall be given you;
Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8 KJ
“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Matthew 11:27-29 KJV
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32
V
What cannot be gained through moral perfection, cannot be lost through moral imperfection.
You either believe, or you don't.
Some have big faith, as to move mountains.
Others have small faith, but large enough to ask the Lord, "help my unbelief."
Whether your faith is big or small,
it is a gift from God.
This grace, this faith, leads men to repentance. If I encourage my brothers faith, will I not also enlarge his repentance?
And is it reasonable to suppose that all men should work out their faith or express it in exactly the same way? All men are not the same.
Paul had a faith large enough to raise the dead.
The Publicans faith was so small that he couldn't even look up to heaven, but smote his breast and begged for mercy. And yet, Christ referred to this man as justified.
This thread and similar threads are the most popular threads on this forum by far. Why is that? Why all the debate? If I am able to convince a man that he can lose his salvation, what have I accomplished, other than perhaps, to make his already weak faith, even weaker?
Focusing on whether a man can or cannot lose his salvation, and to the point of bitter contention, I have no doubt, delights our adversary, and saddens our Savior.
We are instructed to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
THE FAITH
Is sound doctrine important? Indeed it is. But is it more important than faith, hope, or charity? Are we acting in love towards our brethren when we enter into these debates, really?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
It is a strange thing to me, that so many who claim to have received this precious gift, are so eager to hinder the outworking of this gift in others, or to judge those who's faith may not be as strong as their own.
To tell someone they are in danger of losing their salvation, which is basically saying, you better not sin too much or you are going to hell, flies directly in the face of everything we are told in scripture about the nature of this gift as well as the Gift Giver.
Is not Christ the Author and the Finisher of our faith?
Instead of focusing on human weakness and imperfection, should we not rather encourage one another in our faith, the faith of Christ, in His perfection and the perfection of all His works?
What is it exactly that drives these controversies? I would not presume to judge the hearts or motives of anyone who participates in these debates, my own wicked heart is more than enough to deal with.
But I fear... nay, I know that there are dark forces at work here. We should all be very concerned, that in our efforts to convince others of the correctness of our interpretations, we are not being used by the devil to undermine the work of the Holy Spirit, His Holy Word, and the finished work of Gods Holy Son.
But hey, what do I know? I'm just another fool for Christ. Foolish enough to believe that He who began a good work in me is able to see it through to completion.
You either believe, or you don't.
Some have big faith, as to move mountains.
Others have small faith, but large enough to ask the Lord, "help my unbelief."
Whether your faith is big or small,
it is a gift from God.
This grace, this faith, leads men to repentance. If I encourage my brothers faith, will I not also enlarge his repentance?
And is it reasonable to suppose that all men should work out their faith or express it in exactly the same way? All men are not the same.
Paul had a faith large enough to raise the dead.
The Publicans faith was so small that he couldn't even look up to heaven, but smote his breast and begged for mercy. And yet, Christ referred to this man as justified.
This thread and similar threads are the most popular threads on this forum by far. Why is that? Why all the debate? If I am able to convince a man that he can lose his salvation, what have I accomplished, other than perhaps, to make his already weak faith, even weaker?
Focusing on whether a man can or cannot lose his salvation, and to the point of bitter contention, I have no doubt, delights our adversary, and saddens our Savior.
We are instructed to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
THE FAITH
Is sound doctrine important? Indeed it is. But is it more important than faith, hope, or charity? Are we acting in love towards our brethren when we enter into these debates, really?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
It is a strange thing to me, that so many who claim to have received this precious gift, are so eager to hinder the outworking of this gift in others, or to judge those who's faith may not be as strong as their own.
To tell someone they are in danger of losing their salvation, which is basically saying, you better not sin too much or you are going to hell, flies directly in the face of everything we are told in scripture about the nature of this gift as well as the Gift Giver.
Is not Christ the Author and the Finisher of our faith?
Instead of focusing on human weakness and imperfection, should we not rather encourage one another in our faith, the faith of Christ, in His perfection and the perfection of all His works?
What is it exactly that drives these controversies? I would not presume to judge the hearts or motives of anyone who participates in these debates, my own wicked heart is more than enough to deal with.
But I fear... nay, I know that there are dark forces at work here. We should all be very concerned, that in our efforts to convince others of the correctness of our interpretations, we are not being used by the devil to undermine the work of the Holy Spirit, His Holy Word, and the finished work of Gods Holy Son.
But hey, what do I know? I'm just another fool for Christ. Foolish enough to believe that He who began a good work in me is able to see it through to completion.
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Putting this into the present tense, it's also a marvellous thing what Jesus is doing in and through us via the new birth. He continues to bear fruit in our lives...
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
1 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
1 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Jesus' words in Matthew 17:20-21
Faith the size of a mustard seed moved the mountain of my unbelief .
There are some who do not believe that...
1 Corinthians 4:7b; John 3:27; Romans 9:15-16 What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did also receive it, why do you boast as not having received it? John replied, "A man can receive only that which is given him from heaven." "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then, it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
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We can and we do, but you present calvinism once again in a way that most people would be tricked into thinking that its something good. But in reality, giving God all the glory, is code for God predestinated certain people to be saved and others He didnt, even though HE claimed He wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Its also code for God predestinating all the wickedness that has ever occured in this world.
THAT is what people are pushing back against, not giving God the glory or giving Him the credit for saving people. Of course, we wouldn't even have anything to believe in if there was no gospel, and the reason there is a gospel is because GOD. Without God no one CAN be saved, salvation is of the Lord. Everyone believes that. Some of us just believe that we have the responsibility to repent and believe the gospel, because if that is not in our power, and its God who has to do it for us, then its God's fault it aint happening, not man's.
THAT is what people are pushing back against, not giving God the glory or giving Him the credit for saving people. Of course, we wouldn't even have anything to believe in if there was no gospel, and the reason there is a gospel is because GOD. Without God no one CAN be saved, salvation is of the Lord. Everyone believes that. Some of us just believe that we have the responsibility to repent and believe the gospel, because if that is not in our power, and its God who has to do it for us, then its God's fault it aint happening, not man's.
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