"Not by works" - false!

No, I haven't.
It's something I'm working on, and which I ask for God's help with every day.

Have you?

Belief in Jesus IS absolutely necessary for salvation.

However...

Hebrews 10:26
"Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins".

I have asked you this several times now:
Are you saying that Christians do not need to keep God's commandments?

and how many times have you read through the Bible??

Have you stopped sinning yet?

If you wish to rely on other's interpretation of scripture to inform your own understanding, that's your choice.

But I put it to you that there is no Biblical justification for relying on somebody else's interpretation as representing the truth.
As an aside, Catholics do this with the pope.

My approach is to open myself up and allow God to speak to me directly by doing the hard work and going through the Bible for myself.

See post #4 in this thread: I have already addressed this.

You are correct in implying that we are not saved through compliance with the law, but are you saying that Christians do not need to keep God's commandments?

Is somebody who has read through the Bible 10 times a 'better Christian' than somebody who has read through it 5 times.

Your question is irrelevant, and is designed to undermine my message.
Why would you try to do that to me?

Is somebody who has read through the Bible 10 times a 'better Christian' than somebody who has read through it 5 times.

No, I have not.


I wish to be guided by others. Then, like a good Berean see if the Bible can validate.

Prov 11:14 Without counsels do a people fall, And deliverance [is] in a multitude of counsellors.
The bible speaks of the gift of teaching given to some ... thus implying the usefulness of those teachers. For example, I don't speak Greek or Hebrew so I depend exclusively on others to do that for me.

Granted, one should study and be skeptical.

You are outnumbered in this debate. I give you props for standing by your beliefs.

I am not trying to do anything to you, just asked a question.

do you care to answer the question?

I do not mind being outnumbered since the truth of the Bible is not determined by casting a vote.

I don't mind being guided by others.
I would however warn against relying on others to understand the Bible.

For instance, in trying to show me that my understanding of Hebrews is incorrect, you did not provide Biblical evidence, but the (actually inconclusive) opinions of others.
I would warn against such an approach.

I am not against you. I agree with some of the things you say.

No, I haven't.

HOWEVER, Jesus repeatedly told people to stop sinning, and we are warned that if we deliberately/knowingly continue in sin following the acceptance of Jesus into our lives, Jesus' sacrifice will NOT cover these sins:

None of us should be against eachother, nor do I believe that any of us are

I just believe that, along with believing in Christ, we should keep God's commandments.

For some reason some people seem to have been offended by me saying this, as if they think Christians cannot sin, or that Christians can behave as they please.

None of us should be against eachother, nor do I believe that any of us are

I just believe that, along with believing in Christ, we should keep God's commandments.

For some reason some people seem to have been offended by me saying this, as if they think Christians cannot sin, or that Christians can behave as they please.

For instance, in trying to show me that my understanding of Hebrews is incorrect, you did not provide Biblical evidence, but the (actually inconclusive) opinions of others.
I would warn against such an approach.

Have you stopped sinning yet?



You have not clarified how you define 'we deliberately/knowingly continue in sin" means in regard to "Jesus' sacrifice will NOT cover these sins". Any particular sins, any number of times, must it be knowingly ???? Please quantify.

My belief: We are saved by the gift of faith. Regeneration causes me to desire to obey God. This obedience is imperfect as I am still in the flesh (have a sin nature). All Christians will show 'some evidence' of their obedience ("SOME EVIDENCE" I cannot define quantitatively).
Christians are justified to God by faith alone according to Paul. Christians are justified in men's eyes by obedience according to James.

This is the third time i have asked you.....how do you keep the Ten Commandments every day?

This is the third time i have asked you.....how do you keep the Ten Commandments every day?