Discuss Ephesians 2 Page 12

Sister Dianne.

What comes out the mouth comes from the heart,

The Gospel is meant to share not store up to ourselves.

We need to take ownership.

Here is two verses I will attempt to draw a picture of the way we "play Christianity"

Consider these two verses in 1 John and James. next the other posted scriptures and then I will explain where we need to take ownership. So please bare with me.

1 John 3:17. and James 2:15-16.

Luke 19:10. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

2 Corinthians 5:15. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Matthew 5:14-15. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

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.

I'm sure we're familiar with the slothful servant in the parable in

Luke 19:20-26.

NOW YO MY POINT.

We complain so much especially here in the US of America. about the spiritual decay and gross sin dating back to Slavery!! AND ALL THAT MATTERS IS WE HAVE THE GOSPEL STORED IN OUR HEART. Brother and Sisters getting it out undefiled should be top priority to the lost. In a way it parallels with the examples presented in

1 John 3:17. and James 2:15-16.

It's so much we all can do together if what's in our heart generated work rather a SHOW of Holiness.

WHAT'S THE POINT REASONING SCRIPTURE TO SOMEONE ABSENT OF THE SPIRIT?

THEY NEED IN THEM WHAT'S WORKING IN US!!

1 Corinthians 2:14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Love is not hiding the Gospel it's presenting it.

God bless.

HI Rebecca.

I agree with sister Dianne. Ephesians 2:8. For by grace are ye saved ( through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:)

I would like to add a verse or two.

1 John 2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation ""to every one that believeth;"" to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

I suggest getting an understanding of Romans 5:1-21. Romans 6:1-23.

and James 2:14-26.

God bless

Rebecca Gods divine unmerited favour Ephesians 2:8-10. Another Example Genesis 6:6-8 noah and family. His Will His Judgement, His power our precious Gift.

May we be as David was. As we reflect on what God the Lord Jesus Christ did and is doing for us, it should move us to do something to praise and glorify Him. Ephesians 2: 8-10

We should intensify and draw closer in our relationship with the Lord. Our prayer life and private devotions should glorify the Lord. Our efforts should be in line with His will. Matthew 28: 18-20. We are in great need of the Lord's hand on us. Especially during this global pandemic we are going through. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - 16.

I am striving to do this, but find myself falling woefully short. May we lift all the saints in prayer, especially those in positions of authority, both civil and ecclesiastical. Prayer for the lost, as it is not God's desire that anyone be lost 2 Peter 3:9

God bless all the saints on this platform. July 2021

Sister Dianne, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit that now worketh in the CHILDREN of disobedience:

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we had our conversation in times past in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the CHILDREN OF WRATH, even as others.

1 Corinthians 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (mature): yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the PRINCES OF THIS WORLD, that come to nought:

1 Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the PRINCES OF THIS WORLD knew, for had they know it, they would not have crucified the prince of glory.

1 John 3:8 He that COMMITTETH SIN IS OF THE DEVIL (children); for the devil SINNETH FROM THE BEGINNING.....

1 John 3:10 In this the CHILDREN OF GOD are manifest, and the CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL: whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loved not his brother.

Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou CHILD of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, will thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord.

John 8:44 Ye are (children) of your FATHER THE DEVIL .....

Brother S Spencer, in your studies, would you please, find the Hebrew word that has been translated to the word Lucifer and see how it is defined in other scriptures. Man's belief that Lucifer was perfect contradicts other scriptures. If this is the only place that word is translated Lucifer? If it has another meaning, then maybe Lucifer was not perfect.

Job 26:13 By his SPIRIT he hath garnished the heavens, his hand hath FORMED (MADE) the crooked serpent.

Isaiah 27:1 In that day (TODAY) the LORD with sore and great and strong sword (THE WORD) shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and shall SLAY (kill by the word of God) the dragon that is in the sea (the sea represents us, Revelation 17:15). (We die daily by the word of God).

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil (flesh); for the devil (flesh) committeth sin from the BEGINNING (not perfect and fell). For this purpose the Son of God was manifest, that he (SPIRIT) might destroy the works of the devil (FLESH).

From the (BEGINNING); Adam and all of us were FORMED (MADE) FLESH out of dust.

1 Corinthians 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (mature): yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the PRINCES OF THIS WORLD, that come to nought:

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world (flesh), according to the PRINCE of the Power of the Air (flesh), the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience (flesh).

Mark 8:33 ....he rebuked Peter, saying, get thee behind me, Satan....

Peter was (flesh) not yet BORN AGAIN of the SPIRIT.

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (flesh).

Jesus was already BORN OF SPIRIT so the devil (flesh) had no power over him.

1 Corinthians 15:46 Howbeit that which was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural (flesh); and afterwards that which is spiritual.

Food for thought; the Spirit reveals.

Page 2.

In very truth, God accepts the penitent sinner purely on the act of true repentance for sins & faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ( Acts 16:31-33). That's the Holy Spirit's Work to draw you to God & give you faith to believe ( Ephesians 2:8,9). Water baptism doesn't save or even help in the saving of a person's soul - only one's faith in Christ's finished Work on the Cross does. If anything we do (even baptism) is added to faith, then it's no longer faith but of works ( Titus 3:4-6), & one can then unwisely say "I helped in securing my salvation". Our salvation lies only in the Cross & in believing it to be so. But baptism is an important step in a believer's Christian life.

I pray the Lord would help you & guide you in your difficult situation at home & provide a clear way to proceed with a water baptism with the consent of your husband. Every blessing in Christ.

Salvation in the Bible is as simple as to belief in God and that he sent his son to die for your sins, "True repentance" and this is the message that John the Baptist was preaching, is repentance from false beliefs and turn to the true God, repent of sin for salvation is never taught or mentioned in the Bible, that would be works and not by faith alone. John 3:16

There is nothing we can do to save us, Rom. 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Rom. 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Did Abraham repent of his sins?

Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And these examples are just in the beginning of Romans

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Hebrews 11 "the faith chapter" verse 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. etc. etc. So.....

After salvation we should strive to live as God want us to live , and to show his love, die each day to ourselves and allow the Spirit of God to lead us but once saved always saved you cannot loose your salvation.

The 70 th Week

Part 3

Jesus confirmed the last 3.5 years through His apostles ending when Stephen was killed, Paul was converted, Peter had his dream the conformation to Judah ended and the gospel was sent to the Gentiles. This fulfills the 70=weeks 490/483 years

We have been told to study, we are told to test the spirits, trust our teacher the Holy Spirit and pray. These are the six things that were determined on Judah and the holy city Jerusalem, a few verses that may help see if this has been fulfilled by Jesus.

1. To finish the transgression ( Isaiah 53:5, 8) ( Isaiah 53:11) ( Hebrews 9:15-18)

2. To make an end of sins ( Matthew 1:21) ( Hebrews 10:8-11) ( John 1:29) ( 1 Corinthians 15:3)

( 1 John 3:5) ( Psalm 32) ( Romans 8:3)

3. To make reconciliation for iniquity ( Colossians 1:20-22) ( Isaiah 53:6) ( Isaiah 53:11) ( Ephesians 2:16) ( Titus 2:14) ( 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

4. To bring in everlasting righteousness ( Romans 5:17-21) ( Romans 3:21-26) ( 1Peter 2:24)

( 2 Corinthians 5:21) ( Isaiah 61:10-11)

5. To seal up vision and prophecy ( Daniel 9:23) ( John 6:27) ( Mark 1:14-15) ( Acts 3:18)

( John 5:36-40) ( Matthew 11:11-15)

6. To anoint the most holy ( Hebrews 8:1-12) ( Hebrews 9:6-14)

The 70 th week has been used along with other Bible verses to paint a fantastic picture of end times. The pre, mid, or post rapture of the Church, an antichrist, 7-year tribulation, 3.5-year covenant with Israel, a third temple, abomination of desolation, 3.5 years great tribulation after breaking covenant, and more. Many of these teachings started in the late 1600s. I hope this helps, if this prophecy has been fulfilled, it will show the falsehoods of these teachings because without using part of the 70 weeks prophecy given to Daniel, these teachings will fall apart.

Acts.3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

RLW

Satan's objective is to keep the mind "blind" to the Gospel. Satan has a vast assortment of weapons at his disposal. Remember that Satan has 6,000 years of experience with billions of people. You will not win any battle with Satan on your own, but you can be victorious through Christ. To accomplish his task, Satan looks to our flesh, our fallen nature, to build his kingdom on our lusts and weaknesses. Fallen nature is the nature of the flesh ruling. Satan rules in this realm, he keeps those under his influence as captives.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the WAYS of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air ( Ephesians 2:1).

Our relationship with Jesus Christ liberates us from Satan's power. We are now a part of the Lord's army, advancing the kingdom of God on enemy territory. This does not stop Satan from trying and as such, we must remain ON GUARD. He works through lust to capture us. The word for lust in Greek is epithumia, and means desire, craving, longing, and the desire for what is forbidden. Satan pursues our fallen nature through the mind, feeding our lusts with perceptions. Satan attacks three areas of our mind. They are lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world ( 2 John 2:16).

John 3. You must be born again to receive:

Salvation through Jesus

Forgiveness of sins: past, present, future

Receive right standing with God the Father

Confess that the Holy Spirit is your Teacher

Tell someone that you have been born again.

Stay in 1 Corinthians until you see what is available to you, through the Holy Spirit. Ask him to Help you with fleshly passions. Rid your house of objects of temptation. Everything. Stay in the New Testament until you are stronger. Talk to Jesus 24/7 He hears you!

Mishael

Michael. If you're thinking of Isaiah 45:7, please don't assume that there is any evil within the Godhead to produce evil. We need to understand that verse properly. Just as the LORD "formed the light", so too can He "create darkness". That is, when God chooses to remove the light, darkness remains - darkness is the default. God had to introduce light to dispel darkness ( Genesis 1:1-5); Jesus had to become Light unto men to reveal & dispel their inner darkness ( John 12:46).

Likewise, God said, "I make peace and create evil". Evil came from the father of evil & sin, who is the devil. And the devil has controlled the world with his wickedness ( Ephesians 2:1-3). But in that overwhelming wickedness, the merciful God has still brought peace to the hearts & lives of many: to His people, Israel, if they obeyed: Psalm 119:165; Proverbs 16:7 and to all others who come to Him through the Cross of His Son ( John 14:27; Ephesians 2:13-18).

But what happens when God chooses to remove His Peace? And what happens when God chooses to remove His Light? If Peace goes, evil will immediately take over - if Light is removed, darkness instantly prevails. So, God is not the author of evil, but that evil is the result when His Peace is removed; hence, as it is written, "I create evil", or, 'I have allowed evil to take hold (or, make evil happen), because I have removed My Peace'.

Maybe if Satan was bound soon after him troubling mankind with evil, there would be no need for such verses that would require God to act against evil, but in the Wisdom of God & to make His Power, Love & Salvation known to all, we who have been drawn to & choose His Light & Peace, can always know His Power constantly working in us. But if that Light & Peace fades away in us, we know it's because we have given Satan a foothold in us, bringing us into darkness & sin.

Hi Stephanie.

We worship EVERYDAY OF OUR LIVES!!!

We don't stop worshipping Sunday through Friday to make Saturday Special, Nor do we do that for any other day!! We need to understanding we're vessels!!

2 Timothy 2:20-21. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

WE DON'T FILL THESE VESSELS!!

We are LAMPSTANDS!! And OUR FATHER

supplies oil!!

Matthew 5:14-16. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

""TRUE"" Worship is not of ourselves!!

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.

Worship is also NOT a place you Go!!

John 4:21, 23-24. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

We are fruit barriers!!!

John 15:5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

WE DON'T PRODUCE THE FRUIT!!!

WORSHIP IS A NEW LIFE, NOT A 9 TO 5.

The Sabbath day is everyday because we don't do it. CHRIST DID!! We join him in his rest.

We're beneficiaries of a Promise.

GOD BLESS.

Brother david, may christ in us grace us with his wisdom and his understanding.

you are saved!

i am using god's words showing brothers and sisters that all of salvation is of god. man plays no part in salvation. we have been deceived.

at each mans appointed time (by god). god will bring about the circumstances to cause that man to respond to god.

man does't believe god does this. they believe it is their choice.

paul was on his way to kill more of god's church. he believed he was doing god's work.

in one blinding moment god caused saul to become paul.

ephesians 2:10 for we are his workmanship .....

ephesians 1:11 .....being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will.

philippians 1:29 for unto us it is given in the behalf of christ, not only to believe on him, but to also suffer for him.

philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not having our own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of christ, the righteousness of god by faith (of christ).

romans 2:4 ......not knowing that the goodness of god leadeth thee to repentance.

all is of god. god appoints at time, gives man his faith to causes man to believe and causes man to repent.

i give my glory to no one.

i will bring down the high and lofty one.

you died on the cross with christ. he is the life you now have and live by.

thank god for the works of christ.

In much love, Hugo.....Once you receive and believe the truth of the Gospel you turn from your old way of thinking and living your life. That's repentance, its means a turning away or to go in a different direction. By believing Jesus Christ, His resurrection and confessing this truth, salvation has come to you. Also, the Holy Spirit indwells you upon hearing and believing through faith. Roman 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9......You don't have to run from person to person to ask for forgiveness. The Lord will orchestrate the right time and place for this to occur if needed. Simply, you know that it is impossible for you to go to all the individual that you have wronged while you were in the world. People will see the change in you without you saying one word. Furthermore, we have already been converted when we are told to go to the brethren and our adversary before we bring our gifts to the altar. Matthew 5:23-26

Page 1.

Hello Norman. As I read your question & comments, Ephesians 2:8-10 came to mind. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

I know that you are well aware of that Scripture, as we've come to know you from your other comments in the past. So if I may expand on that passage in line with your question.

The very basis of our acceptance by God as His children is because of His Grace that He has showered upon us, giving us faith to believe in His Salvation. This is the Gift of God: not just salvation or just faith, but the whole deal: His Grace + His Faith to believe + His Salvation. I believe, from what you've written in the past, that you not only know this but are in possession of it. There are many people & some sadly, occupying Church pews, who know about this salvation but are not in possession of it: they know ABOUT Christ but have not received faith to believe IN HIM. And this salvation, indeed God's Grace & Faith as well, is given to all who have been drawn by God ( John 6:44) with the Holy Spirit's ministry of conviction of sin ( John 16:8), resulting in repentance & being born again ( Acts 2:38; John 3:3). That is God's requirement for sinners to be accepted & the person who has been so led & then dealt with by the Lord, has been truly saved by Him. There is no work that we can ever perform that will give our salvation an extra guarantee - if that were so, then salvation is no longer of Grace & Faith, but of our efforts.

Hi Patty.

You're right when said-

""You go to His words. You pray. After, you keep the Faith to believe it will be done. You go day to day believing and waiting for His soon return. That is what you do""

But we are inspired by the Holyspirit to go out and distribute what you have faith and believe in. ( We work!)

NOT TO BE SAVED, "BECAUSE WE ARE SAVED".

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

This is what James is saying in his epistle.

James 2:17-18. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

God bless.

For any who are looking at theories on how it ends. There is a fantastic picture that has been painted and taught since the early 1800s and is taken from Daniel 9:27 to create the last week (7 years). The entire theory and all that is taught that will happen hinges on taking the last week/7 years from this 70-week prophecy.

This prophecy was determined on Daniel's people (house of Israel) and the holy city (Jerusalem).

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

If Jesus fulfilled what was determined in this prophecy, does that make this entire theory and all that is taught in this theory untrue?

How will it change the picture if the 70th week in the book of Daniel has been fulfilled?

What is our blessed hope?

We have been told to study, trust our teacher the Holy Spirit and pray.

These are the six things that were determined, and a few verses that may help your study.

1. To finish the transgression ( Isaiah 53:5, 8) ( Isaiah 53:11) ( Hebrews 9:15-18)

2. To make an end of sins ( Matthew 1:21) ( Hebrews 10:8-11) ( John 1:29) ( 1 Corinthians 15:3)

( 1 John 3:5) ( Psalm 32) ( Romans 8:3)

3. To make reconciliation for iniquity ( Colossians 1:20-22) ( Isaiah 53:6) ( Isaiah 53:11) ( Ephesians 2:16) ( Titus 2:14) ( 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

4. To bring in everlasting righteousness ( Romans 5:17-21) ( Romans 3:21-26) ( 1Peter 2:24)

( 2 Corinthians 5:21) ( Isaiah 61:10-11)

5. To seal up vision and prophecy ( Daniel 9:23) ( John 6:27) ( Mark 1:14-15) ( Acts 3:18)

( John 5:36-40) ( Matthew 11:11-15)

6. To anoint the most holy ( Hebrews 8:1-12) ( Hebrews 9:6-14)

RLW

Many are still ignorant with regards to their relationship to the Lord God, Jesus Christ. The difference is simply why and how you live. I trust and obey the Scripture because the Lord saved me unto good works. Ephesians 2: 8-10. The Key is that I am already saved so I work. Why? To show My Lord and Saviour that I love Him. I work because I am saved, Not to get saved

Hi Douglas.

To add to what Brother Chris has given,

Romans 3:30. Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the "CIRCUMCISION BY FAITH," and "UNCIRCUMCISION THROUGH FAITH."

Romans 3:19-20. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

I believe the Jews "BY FAITH " placed there faith in their offerings which pointed towards The Lord, "The sacrifices itself shows you couldn't keep the law."

The Gentiles place their faith on what has taken place, CRUCIFIXION. Jesus came to fulfill all those sacrifices.

The Jews faith looked ahead.

The Gentiles faith looks behind.

Romans 3:24-25. Being justified freely by his grace "THROUGH" THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS:

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation "THROUGH" FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, TO DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS THAT ARE PAST, through the forbearance of God;

Ephesians 2:8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

GOD BLESS

No one is saved by the works they do.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

And you are saved the moment you believe Jesus died for your sins.

Romans 10:9-10

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

What James 2 is talking about is that saving faith produces good works. If you get saved, but there is no change in your life, you're not saved.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

James 2:17

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Once saved always saved is true. If one of Jesus's sheep goes astray, he will go after it.

Matthew 18:12

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Of course we are not free to sin

Romans 6:1-2

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

if you continue in the sin and you don't repent or care, then it's willful sin.

But if you do repent

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

"[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Not works of ours are involved, Be sure to always look a scripture carefully and having the Holy Spirit help you

Ephesians 2:8-10

"[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

I'm glad I won't be forgiven on the basis that I have forgiven others. That is Law not Grace. We are now forgiven because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. He forgave us all our sins, past, present and future. That is Grace. Now we forgive because we were forgiven not to gain forgiveness. The Law was given by Moses. God raised up Paul to preach Grace to Gentiles who were - "with out Christ, being ALIENS from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" Ephesians 2:11-12.

When you read the Bible take note of who it is addressing. We were not told to sacrifice animals, build an ark, keep Jewish holidays, etc. that was under the Law of Moses. We are saved by faith alone. Romans 4:4; Colossians 2:14; Galatians 2:20.

Hello,

John 14:15 where Jesus says to obey His commandments, He didn't specify to only obey the 10 Commandments and He didn't say to only obey the greatest commandments. He didn't specify or narrow it down to which commandments, so by default, I believe it means all of them. I think this includes things spoken to us through the Holy Ghost, as it says in John 14:26...

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

James 2:10. We should strive to be obedient, while loving and forgiving ourselves too when we get off track. Ephesians 2:8.

Daniel,

I don't know of any place in scripture that teaches that a person who belongs to Christ can end up in Hell. No Christian who has been truly born of God's Spirit will ever end up in Hell.

The entire salvation process from start to finish is all of God. The only thing we as human beings can contribute is the sin from which we need to be saved from. Now, once we are saved, at what point does salvation go from God's grace to human works? Are we not saved by God's grace alone according to Ephesians 2:8-9?

If we believe we can lose our salvation, what do we have to do to lose it? Again, if it is something we do to lose it, then it is no longer grace, but works on our part.

If you can please share with me any place in scripture that says Christians can end up in Hell, I am open to checking out what you can show me that teaches that.

(Part 2)

Jesus Himself said in John 6:37, "All that the Father gives to me will come to me; and the one coming to me I will NEVER CAST OUT." Jesus goes on to say in John 6:39, "And this is the will of the Father who has sent me, in order that of all which he has given to me I SHOULD LOSE NOTHING, but should raise it up in the last day." If you read John 17:11-12, you see that we are kept by God's power.

I firmly believe in the permanency of salvation because the Bible teaches that God is the One who saves and He does so from out of His mercy. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8 that grace, faith, and salvation are gifted from God.

In 1 John Chapter 5 Verse 18, John says "We know that everyone who has been born from God does not practice sin; but the one who has been born from God, God IS KEEPING him, and the evil one does not touch him." John also says in John 10:27-29, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them; and they follow me. And I give to them eternal life; and they will NEVER PERISH FOREVER and not anyone will seize them from out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one is able to seize them from out of the hand of my Father."

Paul emphasized the keeping power of God's Spirit. He says in Ephesians 1:13-14, "In whom also after having heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also, after having believed, you were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the GUARANTEE of our inheritance, for redemption of the possession, for the praise of His glory."

Paul says again in Ephesians 4:30, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God in whom you were SEALED FOR THE DAY OF REDEMPTION."

(One more post to come)

Hi Michael,

I agree with you on not having to keep the "7th day Sabbath". Another verse I came across tonight to back that is Galatians 4:9-11. I don't know if I understand correctly your statement of "we are commanded the opposite". As I stated, my feeling, that to follow Christ is to be Holy as He is Holy as in 1 Peter 1:14-17, Hebrews 12:14. To strive to keep every day Holy retaining the Lord in us. That following love from a pure heart is what makes God our Father and Christ happy 1 Peter 1:22-23.

To the Ten Commandments. Like I stated I believe they are good and are throughout the NT, as to follow them, though all spread out. Here is one actually discerning it as a commandment of the OT Ephesians 6:1-2. Here are the rest in different places. Romans 1:28-32, Galatians 5:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Colossians 3:1-10. As you are able to go through all those epistles of the NT and see it notes the same things the Ten Commandments tells to us to stay away from. Even more as some are in the Mitzvot laws. As stated there are a lot that are void though just letting the Spirit guide you, you can see the ones that are moral and righteous.

Love from a pure heart is above all and shall never fail Colossians 3:12-17. Walking in the Spirit producing good fruit for the Lord. To keep us from the temptations and lusts of the flesh which leads to sin. Which no one is perfect and may slip and fall. To be vigilant and confess our sins in prayer they shall be forgiven. Though we are to strive to stay away(repent) from sin in our walk with the Lord to be Holy in this temple He has Blessed us with.

Just to make clear if anyone may perceive I'm stating that "good works" is what saves us. That is not true and not what I'm stating. Though we are called by God through Christ to good works Ephesians 2:10. Showing our faith and newness of life in the Lord. All glory to our Father and Jesus Christ. Amen.

God Bless you Michael.

To Janet, I believe anytime we fill that we have done wrong; bad thoughts, saying something bad about somebody, or anything that would hinder us from getting closer to our Lord, we should repent. If it takes 1 or a thousand times A DAY, that's what we need to do. James 4:17 (Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.) God bless and thanks for writing back.

There's many verses that show once-saved-always-saved is an unbiblical idea often used by Christians to feel better about them enjoying committing sin. But all someone needs is one verse to see that the belief contradicts itself- that is the unforgivable sin of blasphemy of the holy spirit Matthew 12:31-32. Someone who believes OSAS probably has a hard time with this verse, because it clearly says it's unforgiveable. Unforgiveable means no grace, which means not saved. So, to believe in OSAS someone must believe that Christians either don't have freewill, which isn't possible, because it would contradict other scripture, or that Christians could commit the unforgiveable sin, but somehow don't. They often say, if they do, then they're not 'true Christians'. But then you ask who is a 'true Christian' then- is giving your life to jesus enough? Do you have to go forward on an altar call at church? If you don't ever know who is a 'true Christian' then how can you know if anyone is ever saved? So, quite quickly the OSAS contradicts itself.

The Bible doesn't support OSAS. If someone commits their life to Christ, sins no more as Jesus said, and genuinely follows Jesus, then they are saved by grace and can even have assurance of salvation. But confidence in salvation doesn't mean someone is instantly saved and have a license to sin and have fun in the world, commit mass murder and do whatever and still be saved, as some assume. That behavior is contradictory to the Christian lifestyle. You must give up your life of sin- obey God. Many Christians do turn their back on Jesus and denounce the faith, unfortunately.

Some Christians assume they have a get out of hell pass and can sit back and do whatever feels good. That's from the devil. We are not of this world and are called to be different- a light. Also salvation isn't granted until after judgment day, not during this life as some assume. And no one goes to heaven until they're judged first. Keep the armor of God on and run the race well to the end as Paul said. Remember Jesus's many parables about few making it.

Thank you Pastor I appreciate you response . You mention about repenting but does that mean always remembering every sin. Sometimes you don't remember every single sin that you said or did or in your thoughts life . Or maybe you staying don't forget to repent of your sins each and every day . Please explain / thanks again Pastor

Thank you so much for clarifying that for me . I have heard once saved always saved so many times but lately that hasn't felt right in my spirit . Thank you so much for the truth ( the word of God ) on this subject. God Bless