Saved by Grace Through Faith

[SunshineGirl]

... he is like a ravenous dog on a leash, a hungry lion, a snake ... he will destroy, he must destroy.

He is pure evil but I know Jesus has the victory over the devil

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Can I ask what does a person look like who acts on God's word? What is their character like? I don't mean how many Bible verses a person can remember. After all anyone can remember the words in a book. When my six year old was four she made us all laugh. She was sitting there reading The Gruffalo word for word we soon realised she wasn't reading it but that she had remembered the book.

Do you mean a person can read the Bible but stay the same as they were before reading it?
Many thanks

That's so sweet to see little ones doing that.
It's been proven that the more parents read to children, the more interests they typically have reading on their own when able.

The same tends to be true of baby Christians.
When they place their trust in Jesus and what He did to pay for their sins , instead of what they think they do to pay for sins by good works of obedience, then they are born spiritually.
John 3
Titus 3
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us"

The new baby Christian believer will desire the sincere milk of the Word of God.
The more they are exposed to the reading, the teaching and preaching of it, the more they typically grow.
If they choose to feed the flesh, the old sin nature, the stronger the flesh becomes.
A believer in Christ can resemble a lost hell bound unbeliever just as the converse is true. Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for this as he did those at Galatia.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Saducees often too. They appeared righteous on the outside, however they were spiritually dead.
Like today's preachers, people tend to think that if anyone is going to heaven, certainly they would. The fact is that most of them are lost according to the Bible. THIS
is what the Bible says about the subject.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

Can you please help me to understand this about the devil... If the devil knew who Jesus was why did he want him to get on the cross?

Precious friend, yes, he knew Who Jesus was, but he did not know "What Was
Hidden In God", or he would not have "stirred up the Jews to kill their Messiah":

"But we speak the wisdom of God in A Mystery, even the hidden wisdom,​

which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the​

princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have​

crucified The Lord Of Glory." ( 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 AV)​

Hope this helps. Amen.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Can I ask what does a person look like who acts on God's word? What is their character like? I don't mean how many Bible verses a person can remember. After all anyone can remember the words in a book. When my six year old was four she made us all laugh. She was sitting there reading The Gruffalo word for word we soon realised she wasn't reading it but that she had remembered the book.

Do you mean a person can read the Bible but stay the same as they were before reading it?
Many thanks

Sunshine Girl,

You have a good question .
I answered previously because many read these forums not knowing for certain their destiny because they are trusting in something they heard somewhere about a changed life and some of these 600 pound preachers brag about how they gave up their cigarettes when they got saved. Everyone listening goes away wondering why they have an addiction, bad habit, or conversely proud that they no longer do and take credit for it .

Anyhow, the Lord's prayer in John 17, He said, "sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth."

The continual hearing/ reading of the Word of God sanctifies or sets us apart from the sinful proclivities of our flesh . He only does this with we believers from the new birth on and it varies from person to person. God's will is that a Christian's character would improve over time and we would grow to love Him with all of our being.

Have a great day

 

[Stan_the_Man]

Can you please help me to understand this about the devil... If the devil knew who Jesus was why did he want him to get on the cross? Is it because he didn't think God would raise him? And he just wanted Jesus out of the way Jesus seems to talk a lot about his own resurrection so it makes me think that surely the devil would have known he would have been risen if so the devil don't seem very clever. Many thanks

The devil did not understand what God was doing by sending Jesus to the Cross so the devil thought going thru with killing Jesus was going to be a victory for him, but the devil was wrong!

1 Corinthians 2:6-8
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Can I ask what does a person look like who acts on God's word? What is their character like?

Acting on God's Word primarily is being led by the Holy Spirit since God's Word is Truth

Jesus said the Holy Ghost would lead us in to ALL Truth (John 16:13),
and Jesus said God's Word IS Truth (John 17:17)

Romans 8:14
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

We see the contrast of walking after the flesh verses walking after the Spirit in Galatians:

Galatians 5:19-25
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

So, James does not teach that we are saved "by" works.

The Lord says the following thru the Apostle James:

James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 1:21,22
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness (walking after the flesh – see Gal 6:7,8), and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

We are called and ordained to walk in good works which those abiding in Christ will do:

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Those that are saved and have submitted their lives to the Lord will be led by the Holy Spirit to do good works.

I don't believe Satan wanted Jesus to die on the cross.

1 Corinthians 2:8 tells the the princes of this world crucified the Lord, so apparently the devil and his adherents did actually want to kill Jesus

 

[SunshineGirl]

That's so sweet to see little ones doing that.
It's been proven that the more parents read to children, the more interests they typically have reading on their own when able.

The same tends to be true of baby Christians.
When they place their trust in Jesus and what He did to pay for their sins , instead of what they think they do to pay for sins by good works of obedience, then they are born spiritually.
John 3
Titus 3
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us"

The new baby Christian believer will desire the sincere milk of the Word of God.
The more they are exposed to the reading, the teaching and preaching of it, the more they typically grow.
If they choose to feed the flesh, the old sin nature, the stronger the flesh becomes.
A believer in Christ can resemble a lost hell bound unbeliever just as the converse is true. Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for this as he did those at Galatia.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Saducees often too. They appeared righteous on the outside, however they were spiritually dead.
Like today's preachers, people tend to think that if anyone is going to heaven, certainly they would. The fact is that most of them are lost according to the Bible. THIS
is what the Bible says about the subject.

My little six year old loves her books and is always reading

Sadly I know a lot of children who were brought up in Christian families who now want nothing to do with Jesus

I always think it's up to God as anyone can fake it and only he knows our hearts

 

[SunshineGirl]

Precious friend, yes, he knew Who Jesus was, but he did not know "What Was
Hidden In God", or he would not have "stirred up the Jews to kill their Messiah":

"But we speak the wisdom of God in A Mystery, even the hidden wisdom,​

which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the​

princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have​

crucified The Lord Of Glory." ( 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 AV)​

Hope this helps. Amen.

The devil most have known that Jesus was different than the people. I don't mean different as he wasn't human but that he couldn't be tempted even though the devil tried every way he could.

 

[Stan_the_Man]

The devil most have known that Jesus was different than the people. I don't mean different as he wasn't human but that he couldn't be tempted even though the devil tried every way he could.

Yeah, the devil figured that out when he met up with Jesus in the wilderness to tempt Him and Jesus took the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and beat the devil so badly the ol devil had to leave!

Jesus done put a good ol country boy whippin on the devil... cause Jesus ain't no city slicker!

 

[mailmandan]

The Lord says the following thru the Apostle James:

James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

In regard to "faith being alone" or "faith without works is dead," James does not mean that faith is dead until it produces works and then it becomes a living faith or that works are the source of life in faith. That would be like saying that a tree is dead until it produces fruit and then it becomes a living tree, and the fruit is the source of life in the tree. James is simply saying faith that is not accompanied by evidential works demonstrates that it's dead. Again, if someone merely says-claims they have faith, but lack resulting evidential works, then they demonstrate that they have an empty profession of faith/dead faith and not authentic faith. (James 2:14)

James 2:24

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Faith only here is not genuine faith but a bare profession of faith that only claims to be genuine but demonstrates by the lack of works that it's dead. (James 2:14) James is not using the word "justified" here to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3)

In the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the Greek word for justified "dikaioo" #1344 is:

1. to render righteous or such he ought to be
2. to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered - fits the context.
3. to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be

In Matthew 12:37, we read - "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." This is because our words (and our works) reveal the condition of our hearts. Words/works are evidence for, or against a man being in a state of righteousness.

God is said to have been justified by those who were baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 7:29). This act pronounced or declared God to be righteous. It did not make him righteous. The basis or ground for the pronouncement was the fact that God IS righteous. Notice that the NIV reads, “acknowledged that God's way was right.." The ESV reads, “they declared God just.” This is the "sense" in which God was “justified.” He was shown to be righteous.

Matthew 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified/vindicated/shown to be right by her deeds."

The harmony of Romans 4:2-3 and James 2:24 is seen in the differing ways that Paul and James use the term "justified." Paul, when he uses the term, refers to the legal (judicial) act of God by which He accounts the believer as righteous. James, however, is using the term to describe those who would show the genuineness of their faith by the works that they do.

James 1:21,22

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness (walking after the flesh – see Gal 6:7,8), and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

We are called and ordained to walk in good works which those abiding in Christ will do:

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Those that are saved and have submitted their lives to the Lord will be led by the Holy Spirit to do good works.

Of course, and we are saved UNTO/FOR good works and not by good works. (Ephesians 2:8,9). We must not put the cart before the horse.

 

[SunshineGirl]

Yeah, the devil figured that out when he met up with Jesus in the wilderness to tempt Him and Jesus took the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and beat the devil so badly the ol devil had to leave!

Jesus done put a good ol country boy whippin on the devil... cause Jesus ain't no city slicker!

I love the way Jesus stays so calm when being tempted by the devil in the wilderness he is amazing

 

[Stan_the_Man]

James is simply saying faith that is not accompanied by evidential works demonstrates that it's dead. Again, if someone merely says-claims they have faith, but lack resulting evidential works, then they demonstrate that they have an empty profession of faith/dead faith and not authentic faith. (James 2:14)

Yes, and some today that claim to be Christian but are friends with the world living in sin are an example of those that maybe used to be saved but now they are not since they are not living in submission to the Lord and refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them in their lives.

Romans 8:14
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3)

Yes, and some get saved and are actually saved and then they quit walking with the Lord and are no longer saved due to taking off the new man and putting the old man back on

2 Peter 2:20
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Galatians 6:7-8 (see Gen 8:22)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Romans 8:13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
(NOT in our own strength - see Philippians 4:13)

There's numerous warnings in God's Word that prove the Lord does not embrace once saved always saved so serious Christians are aware of this

1 Peter 1:14-17
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Of course, and we are saved UNTO/FOR good works and not by good works.

And yet, those without good works are not saved in the end. Good works are the good fruit Jesus speaks of.

Those being led by the Holy Spirit WILL do good works and it's only those bring led by the Spirit that are the true children of God (Romans 8:14)

John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Matthew 7:16-21
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

John 8:35
And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

Those led by the Spirit are the sons of God (Romans 8:14)

Those that get born again and turn away from the Lord to go back to living after the flesh have become corrupt.

Popular teaching claims they are saved anyway and that is error.

 

[Stan_the_Man]

I love the way Jesus stays so calm when being tempted by the devil in the wilderness he is amazing

And this is how WE should be too as Jesus is the model we are called to follow.

Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Ephesians 5:1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children

 

[PennEd]

those that maybe used to be saved but now they are not

No one who is a saved, truly converted, born again child of God "Used to be saved" and now are not.

JESUS keeps us saved NOT us!

Your error in this regard is probably 90% of your posts is on James, to the exclusion of all other clear Scripture.

James is not at odds with Jesus or Paul. Only your interpretation of him is.

 

[Stan_the_Man]

No one who is a saved, truly converted, born again child of God "Used to be saved" and now are not.

JESUS keeps us saved NOT us!

Your error in this regard is probably 90% of your posts is on James, to the exclusion of all other clear Scripture.

James is not at odds with Jesus or Paul. Only your interpretation of him is.

Unfortunately, this is the security in sin gospel, the license to sin argument.

This comes out of the false doctrines of reformed theology where they hated the Book of James!

2 Peter 2:20
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2 Peter 2:20 is very clearing speaking of those that were born again having escaped corruption and then went back to living in sin and their end is actually worse for them than they were before they got saved!

But, thanks for jumping in to tell us your personal opinion.

 

[PennEd]

Unfortunately, this is the security in sin gospel, the license to sin argument.

This comes out of the false doctrines of reformed theology where they hated the Book of James!

2 Peter 2:20
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2 Peter 2:20 is very clearing speaking of those that were born again having escaped corruption and then went back to living in sin and their end is actually worse for them than they were before they got saved!

But, thanks for jumping in to tell us your personal opinion.

Hey Stan, let’s get down to it.


What would YOU, Stan the Man, have to do to lose YOUR Salvation?

 

[PennEd]

Unfortunately, this is the security in sin gospel, the license to sin argument.

I'm VERY glad to see you have NO answer to what YOU would have to do to lose YOUR Salvation!

Befuddling as to why you would tell others THEY can lose theirs though.

 

[Stan_the_Man]

What would YOU, Stan the Man, have to do to lose YOUR Salvation?

Turn away from the Lord - take off the new man, put the old man back on and live after the flesh rejecting the leading of the Holy Spirit to not live in sin.

2 Peter 2:20 is very clearing speaking of those that were born again having escaped corruption and then went back to living in sin and their end is actually worse for them than they were before they got saved!

Befuddling as to why you would tell others THEY can though.

The only befuddling going on here is coming from the false doctrines of reformed theology which have been defunct and debunked.

 

[PennEd]

Turn away from the Lord - take off the new man, put the old man back on and live after the flesh rejecting the leading of the Holy Spirit to not live in sin.

And just how many sins must you commit before you lose your Salvation?

 

[Stan_the_Man]

And just how many sins must you commit before you lose your Salvation?

Do you believe one can sin and still be in right standing with the Lord?
That would be choosing to turn away from the Lord and do something they know is sin, but decide to do it anyway.

That's the security in sin gospel - those who think it's all good as long as they don't do serious sin like murder someone or rob a bank or something.

When we see why the church is so weak and why this nation is under judgement from the Lord - it's because of this false doctrine, this license to sin gospel.

Some folks will just have to learn the hard way that the warnings in God's Word are real!

 

[PennEd]

Do you believe one can sin and still be in right standing with the Lord?

I'm a little confused.

Have YOU sinned since you accepted Jesus as your savior?

license to sin gospel.

Again I ask.
How many sins must someone commit before they lose their salvation?