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.

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,022
4,441
113
They went out from us but we're not of us to me says they were not saved to begin with. Another misunderstood example is Galatians chapter 6. FoMany people think that a suicide attempt is a selfish move because the person just does not care about the people left behind. I can tell you that when a person gets to that point, they truly believe that their loved ones will be much better off with them gone.This is mental illness not selfishness. TRUTH: Depression is a terrible disease and seems relentless. A lot of us have been close to that edge, or dealt with family members in a crisis, and some have lost friends and loved ones. Let's look out for each other and stop sweeping mental illness under the rug. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my family and friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy and paste this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune. Hope to see this on the walls of all my family and friends just for moral support. I know some will!!! I did it for a friend and you can too. You have to copy and paste this one, no sharing. Than



One who is truly saved is unable to reject. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. The ones who fall away never possessed true saving faith. For many will say to me at the last day, Lord, Lord...and I will profess to them get sway from me, I NEVER knew you
If your faith does not proceed from the spirit of God, then it is not true saving faith. It will not be recognized because the spirit of God fills chasm between our sinful nature and God's holiness. If it's possible to lose our salvation due to human error, then Christ died in vain. If I am able to disbelieve for any circumstances just as I was able to believe through circumstance then there was nothing defeated by the cross. The death and resurrection of Christ was carried no power.
I have been there and still struggle with it.

Many a time I have asked God to kill me.
Many a time I have thought if I kill myself then God will take care of my family.
My wife and 4 kids.

It is selfish but it's the reality of a person who struggles with mental health issues.

I have struggled with it now for 30 years.
I'm talking severe anxiety, so bad that I have to drag my sorry ass out of bed.

The thing is I cannot seek help for it.

The reason being is that it wasn't a gradual process.
Sat in church one day, in the service then all of a sudden it was like my stomach was ripped apart then a million butterflies were inserted and stomach sown up.

I can't go to a doctor and know when asked "When did it start"
I'm a genuine beliver I can't say "In church, one minute no anxiety then I want to die"
 

SaintMichaels

Active member
Jun 6, 2018
156
107
28
I would think that all the people in the 7 churches were of the saved type.

Jesus chose Judas, knowing he would kill him. Jesus chose Nicolas, even knowing he would be a troublemaker in his church. If you do not believe that Jesus chose Nicolas, then you must believe that the foundation of the church was Grecian women. Sorry, when the Grecians had presented the 7 to the apostles, this is what they did:
1) they prayed. Who did they pray to? Why would they even have to pray to Jesus? For revelation.
2) after they prayed and recieved revelation that these were the 7 to be chosen, they layed their hands on each of their heads and gave them the authority to do what they needed to to fulfill their callings, as assistants to the apostles.
Judas did not kill Jesus.
Nicolas was never a troublemaker in the church . Acts 6:5

I do not know why you are in this community however, it is clear it is not to discuss the true Bible nor respect the faith that you present falsehoods about.

You should be removed for the sake of all. Because pretending to be, while proving you know nothing about the Bible or our faith, is abomination.
Goodbye.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,022
4,441
113
I would think that all the people in the 7 churches were of the saved type.

Jesus chose Judas, knowing he would kill him. Jesus chose Nicolas, even knowing he would be a troublemaker in his church. If you do not believe that Jesus chose Nicolas, then you must believe that the foundation of the church was Grecian women. Sorry, when the Grecians had presented the 7 to the apostles, this is what they did:
1) they prayed. Who did they pray to? Why would they even have to pray to Jesus? For revelation.
2) after they prayed and recieved revelation that these were the 7 to be chosen, they layed their hands on each of their heads and gave them the authority to do what they needed to to fulfill their callings, as assistants to the apostles.
If Jesus chose Judas why did he say

John 6:64-65
64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
Well I learned a bunch about Catholicism in a sermon to day, that I did not know. It moved my opinion of them from a hard line Legalist denomination, to a Border-Line Cult. The Video Team that tapes the Sermons, are all volunteers, so it takes two to three weeks before they get the Sermons posted. I promise when it comes available, I will share the Sermon with everyone that wants to see it. Most of it was dealing with the Fact they call Mary "Queen of Heaven", which is the title that the Mystery Religions called their goddess, Centuries BEFORE THE CATHOLICS used the same title for Mary. We are in Rev. chapter 17, and this subject came up, so Pastor wants to show the similarities between the pagan goddess, and what they have done to Mary, and her authority and power.

In Babylon she was know as Virgo and Ishtar, in Egypt she was known as Isis, in Greece she was known as Aphrodite, in Rome she was known as Venus, the Phoenicians called her Ashtarte, the Semitic people called her Ashtoreth, etc. ALL were called the Queen of Heaven, and All are the same goddess, and the some totally of those religions were known as the Mystery Religions. These verses are references to the PAGAN goddess which started in Bablylon and spread world wide.

Jeremiah 7:18 (ASV)
18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

Jeremiah 44:18 (ASV)
18 But since we left off burning incense to the queen of heaven, and pouring out drink-offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.

Judges 10:6-7 (ASV)
6 And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and served the Baalim, and the Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Sidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines; and they forsook Jehovah, and served him not.
7 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the children of Ammon.

Revelation 17:3-6 (HCSB)
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit to a desert. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and 10 horns.
4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She had a gold cup in her hand filled with everything vile and with the impurities of her prostitution.
5 On her forehead a cryptic name was written:
BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES,
AND OF THE VILE THINGS OF THE EARTH.

6 Then I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.


Most scholars believe that is the same goddess as the Pagan Religions have always worshiped, and the Catholics want to elevate Mary to be "Queen of Heaven".


I promise when that video becomes available, I will share the Sermon with everyone that wants to see it, on this site. Very Eye Opening Video.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,022
4,441
113
I would think that all the people in the 7 churches were of the saved type.

Jesus chose Judas, knowing he would kill him. Jesus chose Nicolas, even knowing he would be a troublemaker in his church. If you do not believe that Jesus chose Nicolas, then you must believe that the foundation of the church was Grecian women. Sorry, when the Grecians had presented the 7 to the apostles, this is what they did:
1) they prayed. Who did they pray to? Why would they even have to pray to Jesus? For revelation.
2) after they prayed and recieved revelation that these were the 7 to be chosen, they layed their hands on each of their heads and gave them the authority to do what they needed to to fulfill their callings, as assistants to the apostles.
Rubbish pure rubbish.

But what I find interesting is that you say that Judas was a branch and therefore was saved to begin with, yet we know that Jesus refuted that, but you say he did not receive the instructions to begin with.

Is Judas saved
 

benhur

Senior Member
Feb 8, 2018
1,534
121
63
You continually spew false doctrine, don't you. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BELIEVER THAT TURNED TO BE AN UNBELIEVER.

They thought they were saved, many because they thought their works earned them the right to be saved.

1 John 2:19 (HCSB)
19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

1 Corinthians 16:22 (NCV)
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be separated from God—lost forever! Come, O Lord!

1 John 4:8 (ESV)
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.


How do I KNOW that the TRUTH that the Holy Spirit has convinced us to Believe about JESUS CHRIST, will LAST FOREVER? For the best verse that I know, that WILL explain that TRUTH to those who DOUBT, is this:


2 John 1:2 (HCSB)
2 because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever.


Believe me, Church goers and genuine Christians are two different things. Why do we put up with most who want to claim to be Christians, when it is obvious that they are not? Because of these verses:

Romans 10:17 (ESV)
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.


Our LORD is in the business of converting those who only know about Jesus, and turning them into genuine Born Again Christians.
Sorry, believers always have the choice to reject Christ and turn into unbelievers. Many examples in the bible.
 

benhur

Senior Member
Feb 8, 2018
1,534
121
63
Nothing. We are not responsible, obligated, to do anything in matters of the free gift of God's grace that called us to reconcile ourselves to him by repentance, and faith in his son.
The truth in Titus does not change. Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
You don't think repentance and faith are works?
 

benhur

Senior Member
Feb 8, 2018
1,534
121
63
Rubbish pure rubbish.

But what I find interesting is that you say that Judas was a branch and therefore was saved to begin with, yet we know that Jesus refuted that, but you say he did not receive the instructions to begin with.

Is Judas saved
BillG. Last time on Judas. Judas was not saved. He did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. He, was however a branch on the vine. We all are branches on the vine. But whether we take nourishment from the vine is another thing.

Some branches do not and whither and die. Some do and are saved, but fail to produce fruit and lose their saved position. Some do and are saved and then produce some fruit and then are purged to produce more. That is the parable of the vine. Proof perfect that ES is a false doctrine.

I will not speak to this again. We have gone over this many times, and I have said the same things every time. The end. Thank you.
 
N

NoNameMcgee

Guest
The only way Jesus will lose them, is if they reject him, too many examples in the bible that ES is not true.
another man suggesting men have power to break what is kept by the power of God


your false gospel suggest men have the power to save themself
and men have the power to destroy what God has sealed


sorry ben

men aint got it like that
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
They went out from us but we're not of us to me says they were not saved to begin with. Another misunderstood example is Galatians chapter 6. FoMany people think that a suicide attempt is a selfish move because the person just does not care about the people left behind. I can tell you that when a person gets to that point, they truly believe that their loved ones will be much better off with them gone.This is mental illness not selfishness. TRUTH: Depression is a terrible disease and seems relentless. A lot of us have been close to that edge, or dealt with family members in a crisis, and some have lost friends and loved ones. Let's look out for each other and stop sweeping mental illness under the rug. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my family and friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy and paste this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune. Hope to see this on the walls of all my family and friends just for moral support. I know some will!!! I did it for a friend and you can too. You have to copy and paste this one, no sharing. Than



One who is truly saved is unable to reject. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. The ones who fall away never possessed true saving faith. For many will say to me at the last day, Lord, Lord...and I will profess to them get sway from me, I NEVER knew you
If your faith does not proceed from the spirit of God, then it is not true saving faith. It will not be recognized because the spirit of God fills chasm between our sinful nature and God's holiness. If it's possible to lose our salvation due to human error, then Christ died in vain. If I am able to disbelieve for any circumstances just as I was able to believe through circumstance then there was nothing defeated by the cross. The death and resurrection of Christ was carried no power.
You entirely missed my point in the quote...Many are called yet they refuse to accept the invitation......<----this is choice
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
I would think that all the people in the 7 churches were of the saved type.
. . . .

OH MY, you have no idea how wrong you are. I should brush you off and leave you be, thoroughly deceived. You are quickly getting to that point, where I will kick the dust from my feet, and go on to someone else.

HERE IS A LESSON FOR YOU. The Seven Churches of Revelation, where REAL CHURCHES, that also represented SEVEN types of Churches, and FIVE of them has condemnation of various types. Not only did the did they represent SEVEN TYPES OF CHURCHES throughout Church History with all 7 types being present during every AGE, but they also Represent SEVEN types of Christians. I seriously doubt that you are even represent in the Seven different TYPES, not even the Laodicean type of Christian that CHRIST is about to VOMIT out of HIS MOUTH.

Revelation 3:15-16 (HCSB)
15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.

Why is it better to be COLD, than LUKEWARM? Because a Cold Christian knows his relationship is NOT right with GOD, therefore he is TEACHABLE.

Where as a LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN, thinks he has enough of GOD, and has fallen FOR THE LIES of a FALSE TEACHER, and THEREFORE HE IS ABSOLUTELY UNTEACHABLE.

So you are IF YOU ARE SAVED, then you have to be an LAODICEAN type of Christian.

Also, the TYPES OF CHURCHES that would DOMINATE in each AGE, are listed in the EXACT same order that they were GIVEN, as the MAJORITY of all the CHURCHES during each period of TIME. Church HISTORY, will bear that fact out. We are in the middle of the LAST AGE, the LAODICEAN AGE, VERY UNTEACHABLE.

Most of those here, I would Consider they are of the Philadelphia Type of Christian.

The TYPE OF CHRISTIAN YOU ARE, has NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR WORKS. IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR LOVE.
 

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
2,904
2,262
113
OH MY, you have no idea how wrong you are. I should brush you off and leave you be, thoroughly deceived. You are quickly getting to that point, where I will kick the dust from my feet, and go on to someone else.

HERE IS A LESSON FOR YOU. The Seven Churches of Revelation, where REAL CHURCHES, that also represented SEVEN types of Churches, and FIVE of them has condemnation of various types. Not only did the did they represent SEVEN TYPES OF CHURCHES throughout Church History with all 7 types being present during every AGE, but they also Represent SEVEN types of Christians. I seriously doubt that you are even represent in the Seven different TYPES, not even the Laodicean type of Christian that CHRIST is about to VOMIT out of HIS MOUTH.

Revelation 3:15-16 (HCSB)
15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.

Why is it better to be COLD, than LUKEWARM? Because a Cold Christian knows his relationship is NOT right with GOD, therefore he is TEACHABLE.

Where as a LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN, thinks he has enough of GOD, and has fallen FOR THE LIES of a FALSE TEACHER, and THEREFORE HE IS ABSOLUTELY UNTEACHABLE.

So you are IF YOU ARE SAVED, then you have to be an LAODICEAN type of Christian.

Also, the TYPES OF CHURCHES that would DOMINATE in each AGE, are listed in the EXACT same order that they were GIVEN, as the MAJORITY of all the CHURCHES during each period of TIME. Church HISTORY, will bear that fact out. We are in the middle of the LAST AGE, the LAODICEAN AGE, VERY UNTEACHABLE.

Most of those here, I would Consider they are of the Philadelphia Type of Christian.

The TYPE OF CHRISTIAN YOU ARE, has NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR WORKS. IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR LOVE.
Heart breaking but a wise post VCO, my personal prayer before bible study is, confession, create in me a clean heart o Lord, and give me a "Teachable spirit" and Holy Spirit please illuminate your word for me today.

As a new born babe in Christ I would pray, give me a teachable heart dear God because there was so much of the world and wrong teaching that was in my life, I needed to pour new wine into a "new wine skin" and begin my new life in Christ Jesus

"Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?
There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs26:12
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm51:10

God bless
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
I have been there and still struggle with it.

Many a time I have asked God to kill me.
Many a time I have thought if I kill myself then God will take care of my family.
My wife and 4 kids.

It is selfish but it's the reality of a person who struggles with mental health issues.

I have struggled with it now for 30 years.
I'm talking severe anxiety, so bad that I have to drag my sorry ass out of bed.

The thing is I cannot seek help for it.

The reason being is that it wasn't a gradual process.
Sat in church one day, in the service then all of a sudden it was like my stomach was ripped apart then a million butterflies were inserted and stomach sown up.

I can't go to a doctor and know when asked "When did it start"
I'm a genuine beliver I can't say "In church, one minute no anxiety then I want to die"

I have been in your shoes, I attempted suicide three times the last week of 1977. The situation was different, but the feeling I had were the same. I was told by my wife on Christmas Eve no less, that she wanted a divorce, as we were about to go to my Mom and Dad's house, after only SIX months of marriage. She told me "You can not earn enough money to buy me what I want in life. I want a divorce." I hit bottom HARD, and I felt like I was a complete failure! I kept spiraling downward, into deep, deep depression. I did not want to face another day, and I did not care if I hurt my parents or my brother, or sister. I JUST DID NOT WANT TO LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY.

The first two attempts was with a pistol, trigger half pulled, when an OVERWHELMING TERROR came over me. WAY BEYOND what a man with a knife to my throat could EVER MAKE ME FEEL. IT WAS A TERROR THAT I WAS ABOUT ABOUT TO WALK INTO HADES/HELL OF MY OWN ACCORD. First time the pistol fell on the bed, and the second time it fell to the floor, and I have no idea why it did not go off on that Second time, the day after the first try. Third time was two days later, I got as drunk as I could, then when out to a dirt road on my motorcycle, where I had seen them pouring the loss gravel that afternoon. I wanted to arrange a fatal accident, and I am very ashamed that TAUNTED God on that mile of lose gravel. I left my helmet at home on purpose, I hit the mile with the throttle wide open, Taunting GOD, "If you want me, you can take me any where you want me on this mile!" I could not believe it, the bike did not wobble as if I was riding on pavement, but it was VERY LOOSE GRAVEL.

I went slowly home, and sat up thinking about it, and sobering up. About 5:00 AM, when the attempt was about 1:30 AM, I was walking into my bedroom, when I realized, "I CANNOT RIDE A MOTORCYCLE LIKE THAT, EVEN IF I HAD BEEN SOBER!" I realize that God must have reached down and grabbed that bike, as if to say, "No you don't, I have a plan for your life!" Waive after waive of deep grief washed over me, for an hour or more. Not just for attempting suicide but for my entire life style. I was weeping like a baby as I said, "Forgive me, forgive me! If you have a purpose for my life, you have to come into my life and run it, I can't do it! I am making a complete mess of my life." I meant that prayer with my entire being, and NO ONE EVER TAUGHT ME TO PRAY LIKE THAT BEFORE.

Yes there is more, but Did HE COME IN? Oh boy, did HE! To make a long story short, I TRUSTED HIM WITH MY WHOLE BEING, and through a number of minor miracles, HE moved us (my second wife) from Nebraska to California. I had NO IDEA why California, but HE eventually used me to start a PRISON MINISTRY, in the end-of-the-LINE Prison, where the baddest of all the Inmates were housed. HE OPENED the doors, when I did not even have a single hour of Bible College. HE USED ME FOR 9.5 years there, and then we moved, and I got involved in the second highest level of super max Prison in California, for another 5.5 years. HE DID IT ALL through me.

Depression is VERY, VERY REAL. Whether it be Psychological Depression, or Medical Depression. Some time Depression can be caused by an imbalance of body chemistry, psychological emotions, an adverse reaction to medications, stress, and even a parasite infection. BUT IT IS VERY, VERY REAL. And needs to be treated, not ignored. Had you ever been tested for a Parasite Infection.

I will be praying for you, Bill.
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
4,615
113
Sorry, believers always have the choice to reject Christ and turn into unbelievers. Many examples in the bible.
So you think, BUT, CHRIST SAYS DIFFERENT.

John 14:15 (HCSB)
15 “If you love Me, {GENUINE SALVATION}
you will keep My commands.


2 John 1:2 (HCSB)
2 because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever.



I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS INSPIRED BY GOD, IN IT'S ENTIRETY,

Your beliefs come from SOMETHING ELSE.



2 Timothy 3:16 (GWT)
16 Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God's approval.

2 Peter 1:20-21 (GWT)
20 First, you must understand this: No prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation.
21 No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God's direction.
 

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
We have free will to choose only what is on the list of choices. Our eternal destination isn't one of them.
We choose whether to accept the free gift Jesus offers or not. That choice will affect how God views us at judgement time. Does he view us through the sacrific of Jesus removing our sins or just our sins.
 

Endoscopy

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
4,028
400
83
This is what I have been saying, thank you for your words. I have always believed that OSAS and ES are false and dangerous doctrines.
I go by what Jesus said.

John 10 AMPC

24 So the Jews surrounded Him and began asking Him, How long are You going to keep us in doubt and suspense? If You are really the Christ (the Messiah), tell us so plainly and openly.

25 Jesus answered them, I have told you so, yet you do not believe Me [you do not trust Me and rely on Me]. The very works that I do by the power of My Father and in My Father’s name bear witness concerning Me [they are My credentials and evidence in support of Me].

26 But you do not believe and trust and rely on Me because you do not belong to My fold [you are no sheep of Mine].

27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.

28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.

29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.

30 I and the Father are One.