Ephesians 2 is not preaching faith alone.

[Just_A__Follower]

Random thoughts from my mind:

To catch fish(be saved) you need a lake(faith). If there is a lake(faith) then you can catch fish(be saved). If there is no water(works) then there is no lake(faith). So yes you can catch fish(be saved) in a lake(faith) alone. The water(works) is only proof that the lake(faith) is there. For without water(works) there would be no lake(faith). There would only be a dry lake bed(dead faith). And you can’t catch fish(be saved) in a dry lakebed(dead faith).

 

[Dino246]

Random thoughts from my mind:

To catch fish(be saved) you need a lake(faith). If there is a lake(faith) then you can catch fish(be saved). If there is no water(works) then there is no lake(faith). So yes you can catch fish(be saved) in a lake(faith) alone. The water(works) is only proof that the lake(faith) is there. For without water(works) there would be no lake(faith). There would only be a dry lake bed(dead faith). And you can’t catch fish(be saved) in a dry lakebed(dead faith).

Your analogy is interesting but not biblically sound, because you have posited works as the origin of faith.

 

[Just_A__Follower]

Your analogy is interesting but not biblically sound, because you have posited works as the origin of faith.

Yea I was just attempting break it down for the faith plus works crowd so they could see it is works because of faith. The origin of the lake is in fact works but rather works of the Creator not us. Our faith is proof of His works in us as our works are proof of the faith He has produced in us.

 

[ATG]

But works IS NOT faith. They have a symbiotic relationship, they are different things.

Only to sinful man justifying self by faith alone apart from works. Not by God justifying man by works of faith.

Your gospel of salvation by faith alone without works, is justifiable to you in this life, but ends in the grave, when God will judge you and each of us by our works, not by our faith alone.

Rom 2:3
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?...For there is no respect of persons with God.

Gal 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting…For there is no respect of persons with God.

1 Peter {1:15}
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:

The false gospel of justification by faith alone apart from works, takes away from the believers the fear of the Lord not to do evil, lest we too be judged transgressors with all transgressors.

2Ti 2:19
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Mat 7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Dead faith is no faith at all. It has no substance, hope, or evidence.

False. Dead faith is of devils and men that trust believing in God alone, will save them from judgment of their evil works.

Jas 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

James 2 is warning to all believers, not to trust their faith alone will save them, if doing evil.

James 2 is not to unbelievers with no faith at all.

The formula is Faith --> Works, not Faith + Works.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is justification by faith with works, not by faith alone without works:

James{2:22}
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Works added to faith ensures the believer is justified with God forever.

2 pet 1:4
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

And so let's here the whole sum of the matter: No man doing any evil work, is ever justified with God.

Isa 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

1 Cor 6:9
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind…Gal 5:19 and such like of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Rom 2:3
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?...For there is no respect of persons with God.

People are free to believe what they want in this life, but any faith they have in being justified with God apart from their works, is the great delusion of their dead faith alone.

2Th 2:10
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

[ATG]

The faith that saves is not of/from men. Period.

Correct. The faith of and from men with works they can boast of, does not save them from judgment of God by our works.

Only the faith with works of grace, that no man can boast of, saves the soul in the day of God's judgment of our works.

The proud works of men by their own faith are condemned. Only the good works of God by His faith are justified.

It simply tells us that (saving) faith is a gift from God, not from men themselves.

Correct again. The faith from God is His gift by grace. The faith from men themselves is by pride alone.

It is telling us that saving faith comes from God, not from ourselves.

And correct again. Saving faith comes from God without works to boast of, not from ourselves with works to boast of.

 

[ATG]

ATG said:
God doesn't see inward faith, where there are no outward works to judge.

Prove it with Scripture.

Jas 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Mark{2:4}
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

1Jo 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

All faith and love is seen by works, without which all faith and love is dead both to God and man.

Do you honestly think that anyone believes that "dead faith" saves? A straight answer with no deflection will do.

No. There are those who believe their faith alone without works saves, because don't believe their own faith alone is dead.

They don't believe the Scripture, but only their own dead faith alone.

 

[ATG]

ATG said:
You've never heard of anyone having a saving faith within themselves alone, that is apart from the works they do?

That's not what I said.

Ok. We agree. No one having faith within themselves alone, that is apart from the works they do, is saved.

 

[ATG]

What does faith alone mean?

I only give Bible answers. If you want another, then ask someone with another answer.

 

[wattie]

From GotQuestions:

While James 2:24 is the only verse that contains the precise phrase “faith alone,” there are many other verses that do, in fact, teach salvation by faith alone. Any verse that ascribes salvation to faith/belief, with no other requirement mentioned, is a declaration that salvation is by faith alone. John 3:16 declares that salvation is given to “whoever believes in Him.” Acts 16:31 proclaims, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” See also Romans 3:28; 4:5; 5:1; Galatians 2:16; 3:24; Ephesians 1:13; and Philippians 3:9. Many other verses could be referenced in addition to these.

 

[Blue155]

I only give Bible answers. If you want another, then ask someone with another answer.

Good. Then what does faith alone mean according to the Bible?

 

[Kroogz]

From GotQuestions:

While James 2:24 is the only verse that contains the precise phrase “faith alone,” there are many other verses that do, in fact, teach salvation by faith alone. Any verse that ascribes salvation to faith/belief, with no other requirement mentioned, is a declaration that salvation is by faith alone. John 3:16 declares that salvation is given to “whoever believes in Him.” Acts 16:31 proclaims, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” See also Romans 3:28; 4:5; 5:1; Galatians 2:16; 3:24; Ephesians 1:13; and Philippians 3:9. Many other verses could be referenced in addition to these.

@wattie IMO, you are the closest to the truth on this subject.....Considering we are finite and He is an infinite God.

Not one mention of discipline, rewards, reign, blessings (temporal and eternal.)........And we can LOSE these rewards.

It remains 2 dimensional for the majority. Not really saved or loss of salvation............. ALL based on works.

Sad state that most believers are in.......judging eternal life based on THEIR lives,morality and works. And Not the Lord Jesus Christ's life and works.

 

[ATG]

Yea I was just attempting break it down for the faith plus works crowd so they could see it is works because of faith. The origin of the lake is in fact works but rather works of the Creator not us. Our faith is proof of His works in us as our works are proof of the faith He has produced in us.

The problem is with people who want to separate the origin from the results, as though the results don't matter to the origin. I.e. the origin alone saves without results. The lake of water alone is good, without feeding men. That is not the Creator's will for faith being alone without works.

1Th 4:3
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

If the will of the Creator is not done, then the lake is dead to men, being alone without fishing.

The lake of water is indeed the work of the Creator, but not to stand alone without feeding men. The work of the Creator is made of none effect to men that don't fish. A lake standing alone saves no man from hunger and death, but only those who come to the lake to fish and eat and be filled:

Isa 55:1
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Mat 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Faith, as with the lake of waters, is the work of God's grace, and fishing is the work of faith to eat thereof. Without the fishing, the faith is made of none effect to save from hunger and death. Faith alone feeds no man any fish, nor does it teach to fish.

Faith is from God, but faith standing alone is not the will of God, but only the vain ideology of men.

Jas 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Only those fishing from the lake, can eat. Only those doing the will of God with the faith can live:

Heb 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Jhn 8:29
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Those who don't fish from the lake that God has created, are left alone with their lake full of faith, that does not please God being dead without works and alone.

Those not doing the will of God, die of hunger by having their faith alone.

 

[ATG]

From GotQuestions:

While James 2:24 is the only verse that contains the precise phrase “faith alone,” there are many other verses that do, in fact, teach salvation by faith alone.

One verse of Scripture declaring that faith alone is dead and cannot save, is enough to reject any teaching of verses of Scripture, that salvation is by faith alone.

Any verse that ascribes salvation to faith/belief, with no other requirement mentioned, is a declaration that salvation is by faith alone.

By this faulty teaching of isolating Scripture from other Scripture, the lone prophecy of Is 53 is the only coming of the Lord to earth. By the verse of Is 53 alone, the Lord only comes in the flesh, not with power and great glory a second time.

Any verse that ascribes salvation to faith/belief, with other requirement mentioned, is a declaration that salvation is not by faith alone.

James{2:21}
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Not just one verse only, but two with other requirement:

Rom 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

And three with other requirement:

2 pet 1:4
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Faith alone without the requirement of the mouth's confession, work of the hands, and added virtuous deeds, is the vain ideology of believers, that seek their salvation and justification through their faith alone, without the other requirements of Scripture.

Jas 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

The faith of devils and men in God without works, is dead being alone...There is no virtue in faith standing alone.

 

[ATG]

Good. Then what does faith alone mean according to the Bible?

Already told you. Once is enough.

 

[Blue155]

Already told you. Once is enough.

I must have missed it. Do you mind sharing it again with me? You don’t seem very patient with this.

 

[Just_A__Follower]

The problem is with people who want to separate the origin from the results, as though the results don't matter to the origin. I.e. the origin alone saves without results. The lake of water alone is good, without feeding men. That is not the Creator's will for faith being alone without works.

1Th 4:3
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

If the will of the Creator is not done, then the lake is dead to men, being alone without fishing.

The lake of water is indeed the work of the Creator, but not to stand alone without feeding men. The work of the Creator is made of none effect to men that don't fish. A lake standing alone saves no man from hunger and death, but only those who come to the lake to fish and eat and be filled:

Isa 55:1
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Mat 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Faith, as with the lake of waters, is the work of God's grace, and fishing is the work of faith to eat thereof. Without the fishing, the faith is made of none effect to save from hunger and death. Faith alone feeds no man any fish, nor does it teach to fish.

Faith is from God, but faith standing alone is not the will of God, but only the vain ideology of men.

Jas 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Only those fishing from the lake, can eat. Only those doing the will of God with the faith can live:

Heb 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Jhn 8:29
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Those who don't fish from the lake that God has created, are left alone with their lake full of faith, that does not please God being dead without works and alone.

Those not doing the will of God, die of hunger by having their faith alone.

You can say faith alone because where faith is works will be also. As with where there’s a lake water will be also. Saying faith plus works is like saying lake plus water. I usually go to the lake alone in my boat.

 

[wattie]

@wattie IMO, you are the closest to the truth on this subject.....Considering we are finite and He is an infinite God.

Not one mention of discipline, rewards, reign, blessings (temporal and eternal.)........And we can LOSE these rewards.

It remains 2 dimensional for the majority. Not really saved or loss of salvation............. ALL based on works.

Sad state that most believers are in.......judging eternal life based on THEIR lives,morality and works. And Not the Lord Jesus Christ's life and works.

Yea, James gets isolated from Romans and John..whereas they all preach salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, but with emphasis on different aspects of faith.

 

[ATG]

Heb 10:26-27
"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?"
Certainly there are many warnings about partaking of sin once one is born again. This section, however, is about how it is impossible to be born again after being born again. It is impossible to renew such a person in the manner in which they were brought into salvation.

Disagree.
If born again renewed believers sin fulfill against the Son, we can repent as any worker of iniquity, and become born again renewed believers.

"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?"

After being washed clean by the blood of the Lamb, willful sinning is not washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. His sacrifice no more remains for forgiveness of doing iniquity. The worker of iniquity is now judged the same with all workers of iniquity. Even as them transgressing the law of Moses, he is dead by transgression against Christ. And without repentance, he despises the blood of the Lamb and the convicting Spirit of grace more than all workers of iniquity that never knew the Lord, nor named His name by faith.

However, the Scripture is not of reprobation, but of probation from the sacrifice of the Lamb. Even as any worker of iniquity can repent for Jesus' sake, and be washed by His blood and forgiven of all past sins, so can anyone that has been washed and forgiven, can repent as before and be cleansed from their iniquity:

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1Jo 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Scripture assures the born again believer, that if with sin against the Father and the Son, then we can confess and repent for forgiveness from all iniquity, the same as any man on earth. Sinning willfully after being born again of God, is not a casting away offense of reprobation.

Even as the Jews that had our Lord crucified were broken from the olive tree of God, and by repentance grafted in again. So can the Christian that willfully sins against the Son is broken from the true vine of Christ, and by repentance can be grafted on again.

Heb 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 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 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.

This is the Scripture for the born again believer falling away to reprobation, where there is no more washing and forgiveness of willful sin, because they do not repent.

1Jo 5:16
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

1Sa 16:1
And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?

As with the LORD forbidding Samuel from praying for Saul, whom the LORD had rejected by impenitent transgression, so also does the Lord forbid the Christian from praying vainly for them that were once born again, that likewise transgress and repent not unto the grave.

Now that they are a child of God they will face correction, punishment, or even excommunication with the intent to produce godly sorrow so that they might confess their sins and turn from their ways. The writer ends the passage with this:

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

So this is about correcting the wayward believer who is willfully sinning NOT about losing his place in Christ.

Agree and disagree again:

While correction and punishment, and even excommunication by the church, is purposed for goldy sorrow unto repentance, it's for repentance unto salvation:

2 Cor 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:

Jas 5:19
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

If a born again believer willfully sins against the Lord, then he must and can repent to be converted again, to that same faith of Jesus Christ, by which his soul was once first saved from death, and enlightened by the light of Christ.

No worker of iniquity has any place in the holy body and temple of Jesus Christ:

2 Cor{6:14}
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;

No one committing sin with the devil, is born of God:

1Jo 3:8
He that is committing sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is born of God is not sinning; but he that is begotten of God is keeping himself, and that wicked one is touching him not.

 

[ATG]

Furthermore, no man may crucify the Lord for themselves. It is impossible.

Furthermore, no man may crucify the Lord for themselves. It is impossible. Because Christ cannot be crucified on a cross again, and is not what the Scripture says:

Heb 6:5
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.

Man cannot crucify Jesus on a cross again, but can crucify Him to themselves by willful unrepented sinning and again.

Gal 6:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

If the world is not crucified to us, Christ is crucified to us. Either the world is crucified to us, or Christ is crucified to us.

Gal 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

No man uncrucified to the world can be crucified with Christ, who was crucified to the world for our sakes, who crucify ourselves to the world for His sake.

And no man may bring shame upon the Lord. That is also impossible.

Same again. For no man is able to bring shame to the Lord, who is without sin and shame. But men can certainly bring shame upon themselves in the name of the Lord, by denying Him due to sins and trespasses.

Mar 8:38
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Tit 1:16
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The believer caught in sin cannot, AGAIN, be born of the Spirit.

The believer caught in sin cannot, AGAIN, be born of the Spirit, without repentance.

Born again believers can be cut off from the olive tree of God:

Rom 11:18
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

 

[ATG]

But because he is born of the Spirit and of the house of God, he will face the correction that God brings to him; first through the saints and lastly by His own hand. It is always best to heed the word of correction spoken by the elders than to have the Lord intervene directly.

True. All correction of a brother or sister committing transgression against the law of Christ, is for repentance unto salvation and conversion into the household of faith by the Spirit of grace.

Your version of the Body of Christ is a revolving door: in and out, in and out, depending upon the state of the believer.
God's gospel of converting the sinner back to His grace and saving faith, may indeed be in and out, but depending on the repentance or impenitence of the believer, the in will stays in, or the out will stay out:

Rev 22:10
And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Rev 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Any doctrine of unconditional salvation and justification with God by faith alone, while doing evil, is preaching a seared conscience and false faith against the convicting Spirit of grace, and without fear of the Lord's judgment by works:

2Ti 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Eze 33:11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Rom 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

I was told by one who believed such things that he "always had a prayer in mind when riding my motorcycle in case I was going to wreck so that I could be forgiven of any sin before I died". How foolish!

Exactly. Not trusting in the blood washing and forgiveness of sins confessed and repented to the Lord, is not faith in His promise to do so for past sins:

1Jo 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Rom 3:25
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

And even more foolish was when I heard from a believer in such 'Faith Alone' things, that he knew he would be forgiven and saved of fornication, when he fornicates again. Because he was taught by his faith alone, that all his sins past, present, and future are already forgiven by grace.

He was the honest believer in the false gospel of salvation and justification by 'Faith Alone' apart from works. He did not try to flower it up with sweet smells of tempting and seductive words:

Isa 30:9
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

Rev 2:20
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.[/QUOTE]