Salvation by works or faith isn't the point.

  • 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.

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#21
Nice try at a deflection, not buying it though.

A nation is made up of individuals. Again I ask, can you lift up 'the Jews', as a people or a nation. Because both are ''favored" in the eyes of God. And it's part of Jesus' mission to bring back and restore ALL, which includes the individual people who make up the nation of Israel.

I've stated this here before and I stand by it. The message of Jesus is one of reconciliation, not condemnation. So yes, we can tell his sheep by the message they hold.

Amos 9:11​
Israel Will Be Made Like New Again​
11 "The time will come when I will rebuild David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places. I will rebuild what was destroyed. I will make it what it used to be. 12 Then my people will take control of those who are left alive in Edom. They will also possess all of the nations that belong to me," announces the Lord. He will do all of those things. 13 "A new day is coming," announces the Lord. "At that time those who plow the land will catch up with those who harvest the crops. Those who stomp on grapes will catch up with those who plant the vines. Fresh wine will drip from the mountains. It will flow down from all of the hills. 14 I will bring my people Israel back home. I will bless them with great success again. They will rebuild the destroyed cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink the wine they produce. They will make gardens and eat their fruit.​
15 I will plant Israel in their own land. They will never again be removed from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God.​

This is when heaven comes down to earth. It's not a completely spiritual thing. To bring it back to the OP, Faith produces Works. The Spiritual is 'connected' to the physical. Just like the Spirit 'dwells' within your physical body. If you believe...

If you remember correctly, this prophesy was mentioned by James in Acts 15, in connection with Gentiles receiving what was given to the Jews. The end has both Jews and Gentiles restored, both reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus.

The tent of David (Israel) is restored that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord. Yeshua is that tent. And we are both to be dwelling equally and securely under it, without any condemnation.

Israel will be restored. God's message and is completely connected with the Word that comes out of Messiah's mouth. The nation's salvation is ours as well.

Will you stand with me for Israel as God stands for her?! Will you not proclaim her restoration as you proudly and boldly as you proclaim your own?

iT IS OBVIOUS YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO THE TRUE jEWS ARE NOR WHO THE TRUE INHABITANTS OF THEiSRAEL OF gOD, yAHWEH ARE.

i KNOW THOSE WHO TRULY KNOW THEIR kING KNOWWHO THEY ARE...….
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#22
aS LONG AS A PERSON BELIEVES THERE WAS AND IS SUCH A THING AS jUDAISM, OR ANY Christian DENOMINATION THAT jESUS, yESHUA, WILL ADOPT they will never understand the Israel of God, Yahweh, nor who the true praisers of Yah are.

Messianich Jews, Jews for Jesus, etc are just more denominations contrived by the minds of men, flesh.
 

WalkingTree

Active member
Jan 13, 2019
168
100
43
#23
iT IS OBVIOUS YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO THE TRUE jEWS ARE NOR WHO THE TRUE INHABITANTS OF THEiSRAEL OF gOD, yAHWEH ARE.

i KNOW THOSE WHO TRULY KNOW THEIR kING KNOWWHO THEY ARE...….
No, what is obvious to me is, your cap lock, and you hold to replacement theology.
 

WalkingTree

Active member
Jan 13, 2019
168
100
43
#24
aS LONG AS A PERSON BELIEVES THERE WAS AND IS SUCH A THING AS jUDAISM, OR ANY Christian DENOMINATION THAT jESUS, yESHUA, WILL ADOPT they will never understand the Israel of God, Yahweh, nor who the true praisers of Yah are.

Messianich Jews, Jews for Jesus, etc are just more denominations contrived by the minds of men, flesh.
Jews are coming to faith in Jesus, in record numbers. So much so that the State ministry has to create laws against us, and perpetuate decades of discrimination. Why would you treat us the same? Is that a proper form of evangelizing? Never understand? That is a lie. Why can't you love us as God loves us? Yeshua represents Israel, who represents the nations. A house divided will not stand, so you simply divide the house and claim your standing?
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#25
No, what is obvious to me is, your cap lock, and you hold to replacement theology.
What is obvious to you is not always what is reality. I touch type, though vision impaired. I use text-tovoice to read, and when the caps lock I do not see it, and it does not come up when read out loud by my software. So what is obvious to you is not necessarily acurate.
 
Dec 22, 2018
59
19
8
#26
Why does one need to explane away ? What is it that you see as a contradiction? Please explain..
People should read before replying, I don't think they're is a contradiction, this isn't a works v faith debate. It's an appeal for love, an encouragement. It's not about contradicting being saved by faith, but that love and loyalty are also important.
The faith v works arguments seem to essentialise the religion into its bare minimum. Motivation had many threads to it.
 

WalkingTree

Active member
Jan 13, 2019
168
100
43
#27
People should read before replying, I don't think they're is a contradiction, this isn't a works v faith debate. It's an appeal for love, an encouragement. It's not about contradicting being saved by faith, but that love and loyalty are also important.
The faith v works arguments seem to essentialise the religion into its bare minimum. Motivation had many threads to it.
And I hope you can tell that through my wrangling with those who seek to divide rather than join together I have been calling for the uplifting of others as opposed to the divisive nature of us vs them, or faith 'vs' works. I too believe that faith produces works and they are joined as one. And I'm not meaning works 'of the law' as if to be bound by observance to the law as given Israel. I mean works. All being good as from God. Because the Spirit is dwelling within you leading you to all truth and wisdom.

I agree with your premise as stated above.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
#28
So how do you explain away this?

Acts 21
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
Through rightly dividing the word of truth...I would warn not to build doctrine on the book of Acts. It's a transitional book guiding us through from Jew to Gentile, Peter to Paul, Jerusalem to Antioch, Law to Grace...
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#29
Let us call for the uplifting al the Israel of God.

This encompasses all who believe Jesus, Yeshua, no matter what they presently believe their individual labels are.

All who praise God are praisers of God, Yah. Unhappily most do not understand from Leah's naming Judah to the Judah of Israel, the Judah who betrayed Him, and the two flocks now one.
 

WalkingTree

Active member
Jan 13, 2019
168
100
43
#30
Through rightly dividing the word of truth...I would warn not to build doctrine on the book of Acts. It's a transitional book guiding us through from Jew to Gentile, Peter to Paul, Jerusalem to Antioch, Law to Grace...
My God is not linear that he would follow such a divisive path. My God existed before time, and planned the end from the beginning as he dwells with us along the way. What was will be, and what will be will become again. There is nothing new under the sun. Jesus existed in glory with God in the creation. He exists now in our hearts by the power of the spirit. And will exist again as King and Lord of all. Yet, in fact, he IS all these things now, then, and forever. It is only our human perspective that can not see the complete picture. But with God all things are possible. Not by might, but through the spirit.

Wisdom is to be sough above all things. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, but not it's final goal.
 

WalkingTree

Active member
Jan 13, 2019
168
100
43
#31
Let us call for the uplifting al the Israel of God.

This encompasses all who believe Jesus, Yeshua, no matter what they presently believe their individual labels are.

All who praise God are praisers of God, Yah. Unhappily most do not understand from Leah's naming Judah to the Judah of Israel, the Judah who betrayed Him, and the two flocks now one.
Sorry, too much identity politics going on here to properly relate. Israel of God is refering to Jewish believers, btw. If you want to be honest with the text.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#32
Nice try at a deflection, not buying it though.

A nation is made up of individuals. Again I ask, can you lift up 'the Jews', as a people or a nation. Because both are ''favored" in the eyes of God. And it's part of Jesus' mission to bring back and restore ALL, which includes the individual people who make up the nation of Israel.

I've stated this here before and I stand by it. The message of Jesus is one of reconciliation, not condemnation. So yes, we can tell his sheep by the message they hold.

Amos 9:11​
Israel Will Be Made Like New Again​
11 "The time will come when I will rebuild David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places. I will rebuild what was destroyed. I will make it what it used to be. 12 Then my people will take control of those who are left alive in Edom. They will also possess all of the nations that belong to me," announces the Lord. He will do all of those things. 13 "A new day is coming," announces the Lord. "At that time those who plow the land will catch up with those who harvest the crops. Those who stomp on grapes will catch up with those who plant the vines. Fresh wine will drip from the mountains. It will flow down from all of the hills. 14 I will bring my people Israel back home. I will bless them with great success again. They will rebuild the destroyed cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink the wine they produce. They will make gardens and eat their fruit.​
15 I will plant Israel in their own land. They will never again be removed from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God.​

This is when heaven comes down to earth. It's not a completely spiritual thing. To bring it back to the OP, Faith produces Works. The Spiritual is 'connected' to the physical. Just like the Spirit 'dwells' within your physical body. If you believe...

If you remember correctly, this prophesy was mentioned by James in Acts 15, in connection with Gentiles receiving what was given to the Jews. The end has both Jews and Gentiles restored, both reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus.

The tent of David (Israel) is restored that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord. Yeshua is that tent. And we are both to be dwelling equally and securely under it, without any condemnation.

Israel will be restored. God's message and is completely connected with the Word that comes out of Messiah's mouth. The nation's salvation is ours as well.

Will you stand with me for Israel as God stands for her?! Will you not proclaim her restoration as you proudly and boldly as you proclaim your own?
It has nothinng to do with trying

I alread posted romans 11

The bible also says jesus came to his own and they did not recieve him

The jews are the ones who chose barabbus over christ,

And as punishment for their sin and rebellion, they were destroyed in 70 ad.

Israel will be restored, they will be saved, but that has not happened yet, and for you to say they have, well you need to study some more
 

WalkingTree

Active member
Jan 13, 2019
168
100
43
#33
It has nothinng to do with trying

I alread posted romans 11

The bible also says jesus came to his own and they did not recieve him

The jews are the ones who chose barabbus over christ,

And as punishment for their sin and rebellion, they were destroyed in 70 ad.

Israel will be restored, they will be saved, but that has not happened yet, and for you to say they have, well you need to study some more
Are the nations restored yet? Are they on their way to being restored? Should I focus and quote all the texts that point out the folly of the nations?

I guess we have opposite perspectives. I choose to focus on the love God has for Israel, and the restoration that is fully connected with the mission of Jesus Christ. I choose to see how God is restoring his people Israel even now, and how he was with them all along. I mean, come on, is this not the way you see your salvation? God is restoring you to himself even now, and he was with you even as you were in sin. He called and formed you in it, he called you out of it and he remains with you the whole time. Even when you don't realize he is there. Even when you think he rejects you for all the sin in your life.

My God is forever loving, ever merciful and ever ever patient. He forgives. He FORGIVES. Why would you continually remind others of our sins when God forgives them, as he forgives you?

No, full restoration has not happened, yet. Never said that. But I speak things as God sees them, as God speaks them. Not as we choose to see them. Yes, I think you are choosing to see and focus only on the sins of Israel. When will you focus on her redemption? Why is yours greater than hers? If not, why should I speak redemption to you when you will not openly speak of reconciliation and redemption of others? Answer, only because I am not called to do unto others as they do unto me. Not saying your doing eye for eye, just that to hold onto and proclaim your own redemption and forgiveness while denying Israel that same right is what I am meaning.

Israel may enter last, but they were called first. And those inbetween are called to help others along the way. How is it a help to point out faults more than blessings?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#34
Are the nations restored yet? Are they on their way to being restored? Should I focus and quote all the texts that point out the folly of the nations?

I guess we have opposite perspectives. I choose to focus on the love God has for Israel, and the restoration that is fully connected with the mission of Jesus Christ. I choose to see how God is restoring his people Israel even now, and how he was with them all along. I mean, come on, is this not the way you see your salvation? God is restoring you to himself even now, and he was with you even as you were in sin. He called and formed you in it, he called you out of it and he remains with you the whole time. Even when you don't realize he is there. Even when you think he rejects you for all the sin in your life.

My God is forever loving, ever merciful and ever ever patient. He forgives. He FORGIVES. Why would you continually remind others of our sins when God forgives them, as he forgives you?

No, full restoration has not happened, yet. Never said that. But I speak things as God sees them, as God speaks them. Not as we choose to see them. Yes, I think you are choosing to see and focus only on the sins of Israel. When will you focus on her redemption? Why is yours greater than hers? If not, why should I speak redemption to you when you will not openly speak of reconciliation and redemption of others? Answer, only because I am not called to do unto others as they do unto me. Not saying your doing eye for eye, just that to hold onto and proclaim your own redemption and forgiveness while denying Israel that same right is what I am meaning.

Israel may enter last, but they were called first. And those inbetween are called to help others along the way. How is it a help to point out faults more than blessings?
I have no idea what your trying to say, or how it relates to my origional comment, which still stands, so i will leave it at that.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#35
Sorry, too much identity politics going on here to properly relate. Israel of God is refering to Jewish believers, btw. If you want to be honest with the text.
You are absolutely correct as long as you are aware of what a true Jew is. Jesus Christ, Yeshua, is King of the Jews. He is my King.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
#36
My God is not linear that he would follow such a divisive path. My God existed before time, and planned the end from the beginning as he dwells with us along the way. What was will be, and what will be will become again. There is nothing new under the sun. Jesus existed in glory with God in the creation. He exists now in our hearts by the power of the spirit. And will exist again as King and Lord of all. Yet, in fact, he IS all these things now, then, and forever. It is only our human perspective that can not see the complete picture. But with God all things are possible. Not by might, but through the spirit.

Wisdom is to be sough above all things. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, but not it's final goal.
Not sure what you have said or mean but God follows what He has stated in His word.
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,314
1,442
113
#37
What the people of the world seek for is realness: love relationship, and vitality. Faith in God can be seen as a mere intellectual exercise that somehow tries to appease deity and does nothing for the psyche of the person.

The Sufi sect of Islam endeavors to find love, realness, and vitality by emphasizing the love of God instead of simply being a "slave" of God (as is typical of Islam). But it winds up becoming a swirling confusing mass of dances, chants, and bashed hopes of something that is never found. Why? because the core is Sufism is still selfishness! I want to find meaning and love for myself!

But the God of the Bible speaks truth and shows the way. Jesus said" I am the way, the truth, and the life". Man has sinned and the wages of sin is death! We are doomed to hell and eternal death. But God stepped in! His love gave a way through the death of His Son. This is way faith is so central to the Christian faith. We believe what God said and do not depend on our own works. We believe that the death of Jesus was the full payment for our sins.

But the human quest for love and reality is the key underlying story. It is the love of God that forms the foundation of the Christian faith. And it is a love story that results in devotion and vital service for the King of King and Lord of Lords.

But love will never be found in trying to find it by one's own ideas: it only be found the way that God said: by faith in His Son.!
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
2,107
763
113
#38
I heard a story about a Sufi saint, her name was Rabia of Basra. She would walk down the street carrying a container of water in one hand and container of fire in the other. People wondered why?
She said that the water was to put out the flames of hell, and the fire was to burn down heaven!
The point she was trying to make was that she didn't practice her religion to avoid hell or to attain salvation, her motivation was out of love for God, not for what would happen to her. She herself didn't matter. I think she would have willingly gone to hell if that was what God wanted, out of love for God. In the same way Abraham would have taken his son's life if God wanted him to. That is what James gave as an example of faith.
It's what James gave as an example of faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This whole debate on salvation is very worthy, but the emphasis seems to be on how to avoid hell and attain heaven. If you have faith you will be ok, but would it be better to emphasise love, devotion and submission?
If you have faith, it doesn't necessity mean you will be ok.

I don't mean this in a nasty way at all. Look at. Buddhism. It's the enlightenment of man, without God. Satan also appears as an angel of light. It's nice that's Buddhists want to live in peace with everyone, but this is nothing more than atheism wrapped in a blanket. And the idea that if you don't attain enlightenment in this life, you might get there in the next is nonsense because,

it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Heb.9:27

As far as Rabia of Basra, its nice she want to devote her life to others for God. Jesus will decide where she goes, along with her Prophet Muhammad.

No hard feelings intended here my friend.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,774
113
#39
The point she was trying to make was that she didn't practice her religion to avoid hell or to attain salvation, her motivation was out of love for God, not for what would happen to her. She herself didn't matter. I think she would have willingly gone to hell if that was what God wanted, out of love for God.
Sounds peachy but has no relevance to spiritual realities. The whole point of the preaching of the Gospel is so that no one will go to Hell. Everything else follows salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone and His finished work of redemption. If there was no Hell, there would have been no need for the cross.

Since you mention Sufism, which is a branch of Islam, even the Quran has much to say about Hell and Paradise. Except that according to the Quran, it is Christians and Jews are are deemed to be infidels bound for Hell.
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,121
1,800
113
#40
So how do you explain away this?

Acts 21
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
Sounds like they are going to have to learn what Paul meant when he said all that stuff I count as dung.
Under the new covenant believing the WORD of GOD Is all that Is needed and then renewing the mind to the new creation they had become.

Romans 12:1-2
King James Version


1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.