Subject: Unforgivable sin |
Bible Note: Your response is very clear and answers my question. You say, "the following phrase is most definitely found - 'not by works'". I disagree. The passage from the NASB says, "not as a result of works". This may just be inconsistency in translations but to me this means that salvation is not a result of works but that good works are produced from our faith and our faith results in salvation. Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. I believe that God has provided a means for man to reestablish a relationship with Him through Christ. This act is by God's grace. Through our faith in Christ, as the only begotten of the Father, the propitiation for sin, our mediator, and our redeemer we are saved. This faith acts upon Christ's teaching and produces good works which are summed up in the following. Matt 22:36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." These two commandments contain the attitude necessary to worship and obey God and to treat each other as we would want to be treated, in all things. |