Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | It's never effort-free with God! | 1 Thess 5:23 | EWE | 135117 | ||
I love friendly discussions. Please forgive me if I misunderstand your question. However, here is my answer (please allow me this premise, which others may not agree with, but I hold to this): Jesus' atonement is all I need, period. Allow me to explain my fervent belief. Romans 3:23 and James 2:10 both state that we fall short. We WILL sin (be rebellious to God's law). Matthew 5:48 says to be perfect, yet we cannot. Romans 6 states we war with our very desires and constantly do that which we do NOT wish to but that which we WANT to do (good) we find hard to do. Romans 10:9 says we are to confess our sins to the Lord and we will be saved. Isaiah 1:18 says that our sins (as scarlet) shall be white as snow (bright bright white and clean). Matthew 10:32-33 states whoever acknowledges God before men, Jesus will acknowledge to God the Father in heaven (and visa versa-ouch). John 1:12-13 states believing in Him gives us the RIGHT to be children of God (yahoo!!!!!). John 6:47 says, "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life." -and- Ephesians 2:8-9 states "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. Wowzers. Okay, so, I hold that my justification into heaven is not by my works or anything I do here on earth, but through confessing that I am a sinner, I need Jesus Christ to save me from the penalty of my sin (all of it) and calling on His free gift of salvation, through His most precious blood.......is enough. Now, grace without works is bad. For the Bible says we will be known by our fruit, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Yet, that is between God and each person. I hold it is His responsibility to work with us, like a "potter with clay" and it is God's grace, through the blood of Jesus Christ and my not rejecting God's Son, Jesus that will gain my entrance into heaven. I do not just say Jesus is Jesus, for even Satan knows who Jesus is. I call him, "My Savior." In Him, Cheryl |
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2 | It's never effort-free with God! | 1 Thess 5:23 | Dalcent | 135150 | ||
Hi there, I think I very nearly hold your views on justification (however I contend that faith is always evidenced by works: always! no hypothetical explanations how actually works are separate and not essential). However, most Christians of every stripe (I think) hold that there is also a divinely-led journey to actual (not imputed) sinlessness / holiness / sanctification. It is the former justification which gets you into heaven, only Christ's expiatory sacrifice gets you this amnesty! However, it is God's will that we become perfectly holy in actuality too. This is a separate issue. Regards Dalcent |
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3 | It's never effort-free with God! | 1 Thess 5:23 | EWE | 135284 | ||
Well, I agree that faith is evidenced by works, since we are called to be salt by God. Without evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, we are not saved. For we CANNOT be saved without showing fruit. The Bible plainly states we will be known by our fruit. However, where the Bible states to be perfect for Jesus was (is) perfect, God also knows we CANNOT be perfect here on earth. The Apostle Paul warn us that even though ALL our sins have been forgiven, that it is not a reason to sin more (emphasis on the word more). So I have to believe God wants us to STRIVE to be holy and perfect, knowing we will constantly fail at this, for we are sinful creatures. The only way we can truly sin less, is to memorize scripture. I now believe we will be held accountable for that one. One of my proffs in college wrote a book on this (Danny Lovett) He says (and it makes sense) Just as a soldier will LOSE IN BATTLE if he holds his sword with one or two fingers, so will we constantly lose the battle against sin, without hearing the Word, reading the Word, Studying the Word, memorizing the Word and reviewing (meditating) on the Word of God. He states (and it impacted me) that since the Word of God (the Sword of the Spirit) never comes back empty, that the more scripture we memorize, the more the Holy Spirit has to work with us, to fight temptation just as Jesus fought off the temptation with Satan...with Scripture. So, to answer your question/debate (thank you for your clarification), God commands us to memorize scripture. It's a command. You say, "God uses our earthly lives to discipline us and develop our sanctity." I think we have many things to learn here on earth. Yet (please correct me if I missunderstand), from what you say, I get the impression that you believe God will continue His sanctification, discipline and lessons in His kingdom. I don't want to continue on some rabbit trail if this is NOT what you mean. Would you mind expounding on your question?? Cheryl |
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