The Security Of The Believer

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Eli1

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A lot of talk about justification through faith but ultimately Paul ends his thoughts with 31 Do we, then, make law void through faith? Let it not be: on the other hand, we establish law. The Law is very much alive even through the New Covenant.
 

John146

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How so? One audience (the Israelites) are "accounted as righteous" by works but not another audience? Is that what you believe?
The audience is the twelve tribes scattered abroad during the time of Jacob's trouble. The Jews will be called to endure to the end through faith and works. If they do so, they will gain entrance into the Millennial kingdom of Christ.

James does not match up with Paul in many areas because the book of James is doctrine for the Jews, and Paul is doctrine to the body of Christ. During the current age, we are all one in Christ. But when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, the Lord's attention is directed to his physical people the Jews.
 

mailmandan

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A lot of talk about justification through faith but ultimately Paul ends his thoughts with 31 Do we, then, make law void through faith? Let it not be: on the other hand, we establish law. The Law is very much alive even through the New Covenant.
We establish or uphold the law by putting our faith in the One who fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the law on our behalf and who offers us His perfect righteousness as a free gift. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9) Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)
 

John146

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What Paul sees in "Justification" is of God while James based on the context sees" Justification" is of man giving proof of his faith.
Paul and James are being led to write under the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit.
 

John146

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Properly harmonizing scrpture with scripture (in order to avoid contradictions in scripture) before reaching our conclusion on doctrine is not dangerous.

An interpretation of scripture that results in contradiction to other scripture and culminates in works righteousness is dangerous.
To whom is the writer speaking to, to whom does the doctrine apply? All doctrine is not written to the same audience. God has directions for different audiences throughout scripture. All scripture is written for me, but not all is written to me. Yes?
 

John146

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The man who is saved without any works to show for it will be judged at the JSOC. His life works will be burned, but he himself will be saved. He will suffer the loss of rewards.
 

Nehemiah6

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A lot of talk about justification through faith but ultimately Paul ends his thoughts with 31 Do we, then, make law void through faith? Let it not be: on the other hand, we establish law. The Law is very much alive even through the New Covenant.
The real issue for you is whether you have been saved by the Law or by grace through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption. "The Law" (the Ten Commandments) has been incorporated and integrated into the Law of Christ (which is also the Law of Love).
 

Bible_Highlighter

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In regard to 1 John 1:7, believers were (past tense) once/formerly darkness but are now light in the Lord and we are to walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8) *Walking in darkness is descriptive of children of the devil. Walking in the light is 'descriptive' of children of God.

Only those who are saved/believers are in the light.

Acts 26:18 - to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.

2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

1 Thessalonians 5:4 - But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

1 John 1:6 - If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

In 1 John 2:9, we read - He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. In vs. 11 - But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

*Compare with 1 John 3:10 - In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, (compare with 1 John 1:6 - does not practice the truth) nor is he who does not love his brother.

*Notice that walks in darkness, hates his brother is 'descriptive' of children of the devil.

1 ohn 3:7 - Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;

Those who practice righteousness do so BECAUSE they are righteous and not in order to become righteous. Works-salvationists and eternal IN-securists confuse 'descriptive' passages of scripture with 'prescriptive' passages and the end result is works-righteousness.
As for 1 John 1:7:

Uh, no. The words “If” and “we” are in th verse. It’s a conditional statement and John is including himself by saying “we.”
 

fredoheaven

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Paul and James are being led to write under the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit.
The Book of James is generally written in the time Jewish people suffered expulsion from the Roman Empire under Emperor Claudius which took place around AD 41-54. It was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit around 49 AD as a generally accepted date. The temptation or trial of faith cannot be placed in the future or at the coming millennial reign of Christ though it discusses the return of Christ. These “brethren” were to seek the elders of the church in cases of anointing and in prayers especially when someone got sick.

At this time, the church was still primarily Jewish with a simple church structure. The message of the letter is of course also apply to all believers of today as it teaches the following:

  • The Mercy of God
  • The regeneration through Christ's resurrection.
  • The assurance of salvation through faith
  • The preaching of the gospel
  • Redemption through the precious blood of Christ.
The theme does not talk about “faith and works” but rather “faith that works”.
 

Kroogz

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The audience is the twelve tribes scattered abroad during the time of Jacob's trouble. The Jews will be called to endure to the end through faith and works. If they do so, they will gain entrance into the Millennial kingdom of Christ.
Just to be clear, you're speaking of their physical deliverance correct? Eternal life is faith alone in Christ alone. If they perish during the Trib, they are saved eternally according to whether or not they trusted Christ alone for their salvation.
 

Bible_Highlighter

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Well, this is not to derail the thread, but I see you as KJB preferred what you call yourself "Core KJB". Well, a real KJB Only is not only after pointing out errors of the Modern Bibles. They preach on it. They believe what it says. I don't believe they "never" read modern versions. They are reading for comparisons. They too used dictionaries but the dictionaries were not their "Final" authority. I think KJV-onlylists are the same as KJB Finally.
Core (Definition):

The most important part of a thing; the essence;​
the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;​
A central and often foundational part.​

Sources:
https://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/Core
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/core

The idea of the core of something is the most important and foundational thing. It is the most essential or vital part of an idea (belief). KJV preferred is not saying that the King James Bible is the most important thing or the most essential. They just prefer it even they believe it has errors in it. I know. I seen several debates with a KJV preferred Christian debating with a KJV only Bible believer. So the term “Core KJB” in no way suggests KJV preferred.
 

Bible_Highlighter

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What Paul sees in "Justification" is of God while James based on the context sees" Justification" is of man giving proof of his faith.
I have heard this more times than you know. However, this statement is usually said blindly or parroted without any real good evidence from the context. The only case one will use is James 2:18. But this verse is not saying he is justified before men alone and not God. He is merely illustrating the point of example of his own life. He can equally be referring to being justified before God by his statement in James 2:18. In fact, we know James is talking about being justified before God. How do we know?

Looking at just James:

#1. You have to receive the engrafted words of the New Covent, which is able to save your souls. “…lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21).

#2. Like being a doer of the Word. However, the person who just hears the Word only deceives themselves. “ …be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22).

#3. This includes having a pure religion undefiled before God in loving the fatherless and the widows in visiting them in their affliction and remaining unspotted from the world (Which are actions or works). “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27).

#4. James then mentions a situation among the brethren whereby they showed “respect of persons” by giving favor to the rich brethren and not the poor brethren. This is sin. “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:9).

#5. And it leads to having judgment without mercy who showed no mercy. “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (James 2:13).

#6. James 2:14-16 (KJB) says, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” We see here another parallel of not having “respect of persons” in James 1:1-13 with James 2:14-16. It asks the question, “Can faith save him?” This is in view of not providing for your brother if they are naked or they do not have any food. We learn in 1 Timothy 5:8 that it says, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 John 3:10 says, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

#7. James 2:14-16 is the context to James 2:17 in that faith without works is dead. So this is an example of showing how it is a salvation issue involving one’s right standing with God. Well, that is if you believe the context. But many who hold to Unconditional Eternal Security will of course try to explain away the context because it does not fit their OSAS belief. They attempt to try and come up with a work around and cram new meaning into the Bible (eisegesis), and they will not let the text speak for itself (exegesis).
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
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Core (Definition):

The most important part of a thing; the essence;​
the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;​
A central and often foundational part.​

Sources:
https://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/Core
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/core

The idea of the core of something is the most important and foundational thing. It is the most essential or vital part of an idea (belief). KJV preferred is not saying that the King James Bible is the most important thing or the most essential. They just prefer it even they believe it has errors in it. I know. I seen several debates with a KJV preferred Christian debating with a KJV only Bible believer. So the term “Core KJB” in no way suggests KJV preferred.
Okay, I will let this pass.
 

Bible_Highlighter

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Nov 28, 2023
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Well, this is not to derail the thread, but I see you as KJB preferred what you call yourself "Core KJB". Well, a real KJB Only is not only after pointing out errors of the Modern Bibles. They preach on it. They believe what it says. I don't believe they "never" read modern versions. They are reading for comparisons. They too used dictionaries but the dictionaries were not their "Final" authority. I think KJV-onlylists are the same as KJB Finally.
Another term for “KJV preferred” would be, “Swiss Cheese KJVism.” Like a piece of Swiss cheese, it has holes in it. They think the KJV has holes or errors. I don’t believe that. The KJV is like the central core of the Earth or the solid foundation of a house. Without the burning core of the Earth or a solid foundation for your house, you would be in trouble.
 

Bible_Highlighter

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Add your favorites here if you don't mind. It'd be easy so we can all go through them and select the ones we haven't seen.
Christian related movies - Christian Chat Rooms & Forums
Thanks.
I just added my top favorite Christian movies starting here in your thread. There are 23 films. There used to be more on my list, but I have grown in my faith and I now do not accept certain things in a Christian film. So I am really picky.
 

fredoheaven

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Nov 17, 2015
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I have heard this more times than you know. However, this statement is usually said blindly or parroted without any real good evidence from the context. The only case one will use is James 2:18. But this verse is not saying he is justified before men alone and not God. He is merely illustrating the point of example of his own life. He can equally be referring to being justified before God by his statement in James 2:18. In fact, we know James is talking about being justified before God. How do we know?

Looking at just James:

#1. You have to receive the engrafted words of the New Covent, which is able to save your souls. “…lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21).

#2. Like being a doer of the Word. However, the person who just hears the Word only deceives themselves. “ …be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22).

#3. This includes having a pure religion undefiled before God in loving the fatherless and the widows in visiting them in their affliction and remaining unspotted from the world (Which are actions or works). “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27).

#4. James then mentions a situation among the brethren whereby they showed “respect of persons” by giving favor to the rich brethren and not the poor brethren. This is sin. “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:9).

#5. And it leads to having judgment without mercy who showed no mercy. “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (James 2:13).

#6. James 2:14-16 (KJB) says, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” We see here another parallel of not having “respect of persons” in James 1:1-13 with James 2:14-16. It asks the question, “Can faith save him?” This is in view of not providing for your brother if they are naked or they do not have any food. We learn in 1 Timothy 5:8 that it says, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 John 3:10 says, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

#7. James 2:14-16 is the context to James 2:17 in that faith without works is dead. So this is an example of showing how it is a salvation issue involving one’s right standing with God. Well, that is if you believe the context. But many who hold to Unconditional Eternal Security will of course try to explain away the context because it does not fit their OSAS belief. They attempt to try and come up with a work around and cram new meaning into the Bible (eisegesis), and they will not let the text speak for itself (exegesis).
I’ll try to simplify things:

The scripture says “though a man may say” which specifically faith is not just a verbal aspect or a mental assent just like the devil v.19 which is to be contrasted to “the faith of Jesus” v.1. Real faith works. The core belief has nothing to do with faith and works to be saved. Works providing your brother with their needs when you are capable of doing so is to show you really are saved. Yes, this conduct of believers is seen by the Lord and it is one of the proofs we are saved. This work will actually complement and not contradict Paul’s justification which is an act of God to declare righteous. Whereas those justified by God will need to validate, give evidence, or “justify” through their works.

Fulfilling the “royal law according to the scripture” is to do well James 2:8 yet keeping the law is not God’s way to obtain the favor of God “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” hence, this is not about faith +works = salvation. This merely shows, that saved “brethren” is to give evidence and not act like what the scripture said of a “vain man” v.20 who of course has his faith (verbal/mental) yet it’s dead.
 

Bible_Highlighter

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Nov 28, 2023
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I’ll try to simplify things:

The scripture says “though a man may say” which specifically faith is not just a verbal aspect or a mental assent just like the devil v.19 which is to be contrasted to “the faith of Jesus” v.1. Real faith works. The core belief has nothing to do with faith and works to be saved. Works providing your brother with their needs when you are capable of doing so is to show you really are saved. Yes, this conduct of believers is seen by the Lord and it is one of the proofs we are saved. This work will actually complement and not contradict Paul’s justification which is an act of God to declare righteous. Whereas those justified by God will need to validate, give evidence, or “justify” through their works.

Fulfilling the “royal law according to the scripture” is to do well James 2:8 yet keeping the law is not God’s way to obtain the favor of God “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” hence, this is not about faith +works = salvation. This merely shows, that saved “brethren” is to give evidence and not act like what the scripture said of a “vain man” v.20 who of course has his faith (verbal/mental) yet it’s dead.
You want “Perpetual Belief Alone Salvationism” to be true but you set up a contradiction by saying that a genuine saving faith will always produce good works to some degree. This sounds like Calvinism but in reverse order. As if we no longer have free will and we are turned into robots whereby our programming will force us do good works no matter what. Why all the warnings in Scripture to be fruitful or to do good works if it was all just automatic to having faith? Again, I am not denying that God’s grace and mercy can help us to be fruitful like in 1 Corinthians 15:10, and Luke 7:36-50. But we are also told to affirm works constantly to others (Titus 3:8) so that they will not be unfruitful (Titus 3:14).

Your belief is a contradiction (i.e., it is confusion).

Hand #1. (On the one hand you say): “Works do not save.”​
Hand #2. (On the other hand you say): “Works will always be present to show a true saving faith.”​

In order to TRULY BELIEVE Hand #1, you have to claim that you can have no works and still be saved by a belief alone without works. That is the only consistent way for your statement by Hand #1 to actually work.

If you hold to Hand #2, then you must claim that works is a part of the salvation equation because you cannot ever have a faith lived out without any kind of works. Therefore, you would have to believe like I do in that works are necessary as a part of God’s plan of salvation. Why? Because you are saying that a true saving faith (belief alone) will always have works or fruit to show itself to be true.

This is why your belief is a contradiction and it is confusion.
But God is not the author of confusion. I am able to easily reconcile both the grace through faith without works verses by the apostle Paul, and being justified by works verse by James. This is something that your belief cannot allow. The way to reconcile Paul and James is to understand that….

#1. Paul is talking about Initial Salvation and he is fighting against the false heresy of “Circumcision Salvationism” as mentioned in Acts 15. For if a person thought they had to be initially saved by circumcision instead of faith in Jesus, they would be making a work the entrance gate and foundation of their salvation. This would then be “Works ALONE Salvationism” that did not include being saved initially and foundationally by God’s grace.​
#2. James is talking about Sanctification or the next step in our faith involving God’s plan of salvation. Just look at 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Romans 8:13, Galatians 6:8-9, and 1 Timothy 5:8. It is inescapable, unless somebody just simply does not like what the Bible says in these verses and they do backflip twists through hoops of fire to either avoid or change them.​
It also helps if you accept all the conditional statements in the Bible like “IF,” etcetera.
Salvation is conditional and Jesus and His followers warned about how sin can destroy our souls in the afterlife if we do not confess and forsake such sins. This is pretty basic to even believing the Bible at face value. But a sin and still be saved type belief is more comforting these days. So folks are just not able to see it.