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.
Sep 9, 2018
2,244
1,032
113
71
Illinois
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

(GO TO)

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

(GO TO)

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.​
 

benhur

Senior Member
Feb 8, 2018
1,534
121
63
Even if a man does do the works that the Lord has 'reserved for them' -- they will not see God -- unless their performance of those things met His perfect standard. Anything less is eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord in the Lake of Fire.

It isn't about how bad a man is . . . it's about not being as good as he required to be.
So let me see if I can interpret your words correctly. If a man believes in Jesus and has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and has a new person in Christ, and is now engaged in the work of the Lord, directed by the Holy Spirit and is doing those good works that the Lord has preserved for them or saved them unto, he will still not see God, unless he does those works that meet the Lord's perfect standard. If they do not reach that perfect standard, the Lord throws him into the lake of fire and brimstone for all eternity? Have I interpreted that correctly?
 

Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,275
113
@benhur ..brass tacs here..salvation and being a christian is all about our personal relationship with Jesus Christ..period.
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
8,268
5,516
113
Anaheim, Cali.
You are correct. "Every branch in me" = saved people in Jesus.

Now let's look at the next part of the verse, it is: "that beareth not fruit". What is Jesus referring to when he says
"that beareth not fruit"? I will answer this for you because it is fairly straight forward. Jesus is referring to a branch that produces no fruit.

So putting this together with the first part, what do we have. "Every branch IN ME, that beareth not fruit". Jesus is referring to saved people that beareth no fruit. Am I OK with our interpretation so far?
Did you go and read 1st Corinthians 13 yet today?
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,401
113
it is written...
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
You must me dense.....what part of "I never knew you" escapes your ability to understand the fact that they were NEVER SAVED and then lost it, even though they believed their WORKS earned their right to enter!!!!
 

Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,275
113
So let me see if I can interpret your words correctly. If a man believes in Jesus and has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and has a new person in Christ, and is now engaged in the work of the Lord, directed by the Holy Spirit and is doing those good works that the Lord has preserved for them or saved them unto, he will still not see God, unless he does those works that meet the Lord's perfect standard. If they do not reach that perfect standard, the Lord throws him into the lake of fire and brimstone for all eternity? Have I interpreted that correctly?
You can do RELIGIOUS WORKS but not have a personal relationship with Jesus...its common..a lot of catholics practice that...
 
Sep 27, 2018
140
7
18
You must me dense.....what part of "I never knew you" escapes your ability to understand the fact that they were NEVER SAVED and then lost it, even though they believed their WORKS earned their right to enter!!!!
it is written...
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
 
Sep 9, 2018
2,244
1,032
113
71
Illinois
So let me see if I can interpret your words correctly. If a man believes in Jesus and has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and has a new person in Christ, and is now engaged in the work of the Lord, directed by the Holy Spirit and is doing those good works that the Lord has preserved for them or saved them unto, he will still not see God, unless he does those works that meet the Lord's perfect standard. If they do not reach that perfect standard, the Lord throws him into the lake of fire and brimstone for all eternity? Have I interpreted that correctly?
You really need to work on your reading comprehension. Jesus Christ has already done all those requirements perfectly - I don't have to lift a finger for the rest of my life for the Lord and I'm still heaven-bound.

So, uh, no . . . you have not interpreted that correctly.

As to the thing about not working at all, I have Abraham on my side . . .

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:4-5).