Results 1 - 7 of 7
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | Bill Richardson | 230787 | ||
I just wanted to let you know that my statement about restitution is NOT based on just my opinion as you can below. REPENTANCE, CONFESSION AND RESTITUTION from h**p://www.unification.net/ws/theme127.htm Repentance is the first step on the road to recovery of a relationship with God or realization of the original nature. Sins, attachments, and mistaken views must be acknowledged as such; then it is possible to turn away from the old life and set out on the new path of faith. Since accumulated sins and delusions form a barrier obscuring the presence of God or the true self, repentance is a condition for God to forgive the sin and eradicate illusion, that the divine Presence may once again grace the penitent's life. Repentance is sometimes misunderstood as being fulfilled by words of contrition uttered in prayer. Words of contrition are indeed significant when they reflect a fresh inner realization that a particular course of action was wrong, and when they are accompanied by a sincere vow not to repeat the sin. But that is only the first stage of repentance. The second stage, one far more efficacious, is to confess the sin to others, particularly a confession to the person who had been wronged. The humiliation and shame which accompanies confessing one's sin to another makes such repentance extremely serious, and laying one's sins out in the open is a powerful cathartic. The third stage of repentance is to make some substantial compensation for the past misdeed. This means to do penance or to make restitution to the person who had been wronged, or, if that is not possible, to someone else representing that person. Finally, repentance should result in an actual change of direction in the life of the penitent, as he endeavors to perform good deeds and eschew his former transgressions. Matt 3:2 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Ps 51:17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 2 Chron 7:14 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Lk 18:10-14 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get." But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. Ez 33:14-16 Again, though I say to the wicked, "You shall surely die," yet if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right, if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him; he has done what is lawful and right, he shall surely live. I should emphasize as I mentioned in my previous post, this concept of restitution as being a part of repentance is one of attitude and action. Yes, it should be started as soon as possible BUT it is true that restituion cannot possibly be completed in its entirety before salvation from God. I'm convinced it should be started and continued thru one's life as necessary, especially in the case where complete restitution is impossible, ie taking a life. Again it's our attitude and intent God wants to see in our new way of life, our transformed lifestyle. Go with God and study His Word completely and He'll Bless you. Bill |
||||||
2 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | BradK | 230797 | ||
Hi Bill, I'm a little puzzled by your quotation of the post of "World Scripture" regarding repentance and the related link? It seems unquestionably from the Unification church? The entire post (not cited) includes many non-Christian quotes and clearly appears to embrace a broad ecumenical theology? I'm curious what lead you to cite this? Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
||||||
3 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | Bill Richardson | 230798 | ||
I was just responding to Brent's post. I'm not of the Unification faith. I guess you noticed I left out all the quotes from all those other non-Christian faiths out since this Forum is dedicated to the Bible. I do think it's interesting that all those other faiths from around the world coincide and agree with the basic sentiment of what I was trying to say. I guess one would have to say I'm a practical kind of guy. 1 Cor 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I HAVE BECOME ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN, THAT I MIGHT BY ALL MEANS SAVE SOME. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Of course the statement in all caps above is the ideal for me as well as all of us. But what do you think of the whole matter? Go with God in all things, Bill |
||||||
4 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | BradK | 230800 | ||
Hello Bill, Thanks for your response. Basically, my challenge with the statement from World Unification is that, at it's core, it's not Christian! As has been said, it may be something, but it's not Christian! The other "religions" serve another God, not the triune God of the Bible, who manifested Himself to us through the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the "lamb of God". The Lord Jesus Christ Who died for your and my sins that we could be reconciled to God through (by) His work on the cross.(2 Cor. 5:18) That's the God I believe in and serve. So, the statement itself has a tinge of truth to, but the world religions do not agree with any basic sentiment regarding repentance or salvation. Their wording may sound similar, but really is just an attempt by man to earn his merit with God. Since none of us posses any righteousness in and of ourselves, this is an impossibility (Rom. 3:23). Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Pluralism is clearly denied by scripture. No on comes to the father except through Him (John 14:6)Hence, they ALL propose a works-based salvation which denies salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Only Christianity has a Saviour who died and rose again from the grave- the Lord Jesus Christ- validating that he is in fact, God-incarnate. Repentance doesn't save us, only faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross can do that. I would not have confused repentance as it's described in the Bible with what the Unification church may believe as they're diametrically opposed to each other. Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
||||||
5 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | Bill Richardson | 230801 | ||
But Brad, wouldn't you agree that we as obedient children of God MUST comply with the terms and conditions of Jesus' Last Will and Testament as reflected in... Heb 9:16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. If we're agreed on that then we must agree to God's other Commands as given by His Son and His Apostles listed in... Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. and Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” I agree with you Repentance in of itself doesn't save us just like the act of Baptism doesn't save us. It's the fact that we're willing to humbly submit ourselves to God's Requirements so that we can receive the Gift of Salvation. This is made so clear by Jesus Himself in... Jn 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “IF ANYONE LOVES ME, HE WILL KEEP MY WORD; AND MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, AND WE WILL COME TO HIM AND AND MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. (As usual, all caps above are mine for emphasis.) I don't see how God's Word could make it any more clear. Repentance is most certainly REQUIRED of us IF we want to be saved from our sins. Go with God in all things, Bill |
||||||
6 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | Beja | 230810 | ||
Bill, I agree that there is no salvation without repentance. However, we we must be careful to distinguish is that it is by faith alone that we receive Christ, the benefits of His death, and the imputation of His righteousness. Wise and orthodox men of the past have often used a very good phrase: "We are justified by Faith alone, but not be a Faith that is alone." So we affirm that a "so called faith" apart from repentance and obedience is not saving in the least (See James 2:14 ff, and 1 John 3:9), but at the same time we affirm that our repentance and obedience merits absolutely nothing for us before God, but we stand by the righteousness of Christ received by faith for the purpose of our justification. This faith will be attended with all other graces. We also must clarify that this so called faith apart from obedience and repentance does not fail to save us on account of a lack of other things, but only because it is not saving faith at all, but a cheap counterfit. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
7 | Saved by Grace or Acts? | Lev 6:2 | Bill Richardson | 230812 | ||
Yes Beja, I agree with your statement. Very well said. Our faith MUST be real and genuine. As you say, it must be shown to be genuine to our God by our deeds as His obedient children. As you mentioned James makes this so very clear. BUT also, just as clearly you mentioned, we must NEVER think we can reach the point whereby we've earned this salvation or justification. If we start to develop that attitude, it leads to following the wrong path which leads away from our God and to certain eternal death. God Bless you my brother. Bill |
||||||