Salvation as a Journey Rooted in True Belief

[Dino246]

What exactly is idolatrous about the belief that God preserves His Word?

That is a whitewashed misrepresentation of the typical KJV-only position. Instead, it's a curated version chosen to garner support and respect while carefully ignoring the ridiculous excesses of the movement.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

This reminds me of the KJVO crowd. At some point it becomes idolatrous, such as this case with the "mistranslated" word.

16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Except for those liberal denominations that held to the heretical higher critics, Bible believing Christianity has always held to the doctrine of preservation and inerrancy.
We believe God was quite capable of communicating His word and establishing a more sure word of prophecy than even His voice to those eye and ear witnesses of the past.

To call that idol worship is heresy.

 

[NightTwister]

16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Except for those liberal denominations that held to the heretical higher critics, Bible believing Christianity has always held to the doctrine of preservation and inerrancy.
We believe God was quite capable of communicating His word and establishing a more sure word of prophecy than even His voice to those eye and ear witnesses of the past.

To call that idol worship is heresy.

Worshipping a single translation is the heresy.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

The first cause and final cause of our salvation is the death and resurrection of our Lord.

The simple four line gospel that Paul stated (1 Corinthians 15).

The Lord reconciled, atoned, saved us, through His love for us or should I say His grace.

Our Christian response to that free gift of salvation is our Christian walk.

The Christian walk is essentially based on the work of the Holy Spirit within in us.

Our salvation does not originate from anything we can accomplish.

That's why we boast in Christ and nothing else.

“The first cause and final cause of our salvation is the death and resurrection of our Lord.”

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

[memberofthebride]

Salvation as a Journey Rooted in True Belief

Many people believe salvation is secured the moment a person says they believe. They often quote verses from the Gospel of John that speak about believing and eternal life, and from this they conclude that nothing else matters afterward. This approach treats belief as a moment instead of a life. When the words of Jesus are read in their full setting, a different picture appears. Jesus never taught belief as a bare statement of agreement. In Scripture, belief is living trust that receives Him, follows Him, remains with Him, and is proven over time. Salvation depends on this kind of belief.

What Jesus Means by “Believe”
A major source of confusion is the modern meaning of the word believe. Today it often means agreeing with a fact in the mind. In the Bible, believing means trusting, relying on, and giving oneself over to something. It involves loyalty and direction, not just thought.
Jesus Himself shows this clearly. He said,
“He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life.” (John 3:36, ASV)
This is one sentence spoken by the same voice, yet it contrasts belief with disobedience. That tells us what kind of belief Jesus is talking about. True belief moves a person toward obedience. A belief that refuses obedience is not the belief that leads to life.
Jesus also said,
“This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29, ASV)
Believing is not presented as a human claim but as something God works in a person. When God produces belief, it reshapes the will, the desires, and the direction of life. This is why belief in Scripture is never passive.

Believing Requires Remaining and Abiding
The Gospel of John itself makes clear that believing must continue. Jesus never spoke of belief as something that happens once and then becomes untouchable.
He said,
“If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”(John 8:31–32, ASV)
The condition is simple and strong. If you abide, then you are truly His disciple. Abiding means remaining, staying, and continuing. Freedom is promised only to those who remain in His word.
Jesus then gave the image of the vine and the branches to explain this reality:
“Abide in me, and I in you… If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered.” (John 15:4,6, ASV)
This picture only makes sense if remaining matters. A branch must already be connected in order to be removed. Jesus is warning His own followers that life depends on staying connected to Him.

Eternal Life Is Given, but It Must Be Kept
Jesus clearly taught that eternal life is given to the believer.
“He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life.” (John 5:24, ASV)
This is often quoted as if it ends the discussion. But Jesus never treated eternal life as permission to stop listening or following. Eternal life is a living gift that must be guarded.
Later He said,
“If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.” (John 8:51, ASV)
Here eternal life is tied to keeping His word. Hearing and believing bring life, but keeping His word shows that the life is real and continuing.

Jesus’ Warnings Only Make Sense if Continuance Matters
Jesus repeatedly warned His own listeners about failing to endure.
“He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13, ASV)
This statement would have no meaning if salvation were guaranteed at the first moment of belief. Endurance only matters if turning away is possible.
Jesus explained this in the parable of the sower. He spoke of people who receive the word with joy, believe for a time, and yet later fall away:
“They believe for a while; and in time of temptation fall away.” (Luke 8:13, ASV)
Temporary belief is not saving belief. What matters is belief that survives testing.

Doing the Will of God Reveals True Faith
Jesus was direct about the final judgment.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, ASV)
These people believed enough to speak religious words and even acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Yet they were rejected because their lives did not match their claim.
Jesus ended this teaching with the parable of the two builders. Both heard His words. One obeyed, one did not. Only the obedient one stood in the end (Matthew 7:24–27). Hearing without doing leads to collapse.

The Narrow Way Is a Life That Is Walked
Jesus described salvation as a path.
“Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life.” (Matthew 7:14, ASV)
A gate is an entry point, but the way is a road that must be walked. Entering does not replace walking. Salvation is found on the path that follows.

To conclude, Jesus never taught salvation as a sentence spoken once and never tested again. He taught salvation as believing that remains, faith that obeys, and trust that endures. The verses in John about believing do not cancel Jesus’ commands and warnings. They explain the depth and nature of the belief that saves.
Salvation begins with believing, but it is completed by continuing.
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10, ASV)

Well said!

Fact: Belief; words from one's mouth-- with out action demonstrating, proving that belief --- is nothing!

Shadrach Meshach and Abednego demonstrated by their actions, willing to die by burning to death, that their belief was real!

those that believe they are accepted "just as they are", and "once saved always saved" are simply deceived.

 

[mailmandan]

So your hope for eternal life is not based on your belief in Jesus but in your hope you have done enough after you believed.
I find it ironic that people say they do not believe in works for salvation always want to add to what John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-10 states.

You hit the nail on the head!

 

[Dino246]

Well said!

Fact: Belief; words from one's mouth-- with out action demonstrating, proving that belief --- is nothing!

those that believe they are accepted "just as they are", and "once saved always saved" are simply deceived.

So someone who accepts the gospel and believes in Jesus is not saved? At what point is a person saved, in your view? How much “work” is sufficient to demonstrate the genuineness of their faith?

When is the Holy Spirit “deposited” in your timeline? When does His presence guaranteeing the inheritance become a reality?

 

[Inquisitor]

What exactly is idolatrous about the belief that God preserves His Word?

Lower case "w" when referring to every 'word' (scripture) and uppercase "W" when referring to 'The Word' (John 1:1).

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Lower case "w" when referring to every 'word' (scripture) and uppercase "W" when referring to 'The Word' (John 1:1).

Yes, the rules of grammer increased over the past 100 years, so I don't get too concerned about capitalization. It is a good practice to prevent confusion when the audience doesn't know the context. KJ Bible revisions were primarily of this nature, spelling changes, publishers format and punctuation.

The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times.
Psalm 12:6

But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
I Peter 1;25

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Well said!

Fact: Belief; words from one's mouth-- with out action demonstrating, proving that belief --- is nothing!

Shadrach Meshach and Abednego demonstrated by their actions, willing to die by burning to death, that their belief was real!

those that believe they are accepted "just as they are", and "once saved always saved" are simply deceived.

What do you do with the many affirmations of eternal security like this?

11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
I John 5

You don't have to answer me, but it should be studied. Eternity is forever.

 

[Inquisitor]

Well said!

Fact: Belief; words from one's mouth-- with out action demonstrating, proving that belief --- is nothing!

Shadrach Meshach and Abednego demonstrated by their actions, willing to die by burning to death, that their belief was real!

those that believe they are accepted "just as they are", and "once saved always saved" are simply deceived.

You don't follow the law to receive the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 3
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Neither the receiving of the Holy Spirit nor our perfection in Christ is attained by following the law.

Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh.

Simply because, the only thing the law can do is make you aware of some sinful behavior.

Following the law cannot deliver even a whisker of righteousness.

You must walk in the spirit.

It's never 'we will obey' it's walking in the Holy Spirit at all times.

The Christian life should be joyful, peaceful, kindness, and love to the extreme.

The Christian life is never striving to reach some target and failing.

 

[Dino246]

KJ Bible revisions were primarily of this nature, spelling changes, publishers format and punctuation.

The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times. Psalm 12:6

Are you implying that Psalm 2:6-7 refers to the KJV?