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NASB | Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace [God's remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; |
Subject: Saved or hoping to be saved? |
Bible Note: Cited for reference: John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. I'm sorry Tim, but I can't agree with your overall statement but somehow you guessed that was coming, right? I'm afraid to me and most other Bible students I know this passage is a very clear picture of the future, that is Judgment Day. To me, it's imperative that we as christians take heed of this warning, especially verse 8 for Jesus said we must "prove to be My disciples." I do agree with one of your statements. As long as we're in God's family, that is we have complied with His Terms and Conditions, yes we're entitled to receive that gift of salvation. BUT according to Rev 2:10, we also must be faithful till death. So it doesn't matter how long we've been a christian. What matters most is the condition of our soul and our conscience. Are we striving to get closer to God? OR are we content to "tread water" and maintain our status quo with our relationship to God? For the latter, I would refer you to the letter to the Laodiceans in Revelation. I can't think of anything more I could possibly say about this subject so I'll let you have the last word and trust all those reading these posts will make up their own mind as to who's closer to the truth. God bless you, friend. --Rowdy |