Romans
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There are many denominations out there and many are filled with the wisdom of man with I am right, and you are wrong, not love. Salvation is in the simplicity that is in Christ that is with faith and prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the Bible you will find the truth.
Romans 10:8-11 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 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. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Is being baptized in water in the name of Jesus in the Bible? Acts 2:38 Romans 6:3-4 and more. Is being baptized with the Holy Ghost/Spirit in the Bible? 1 Corinthians 12:13 Titus 3:5 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 and more. Does one come before the other, not necessarily, Acts 10:45-48, but the sealing of the Holy Ghost/Spirit in us is a must, Romans 8:11, read all of 8.
We must work out our salvation, Philippians 2:12, we will stand in judgment accountable for ourselves, what different denominations say will not acquit us. It is a lifetime journey, love and obedience are a must, Romans 6:16.
God bless you and God bless your journey He will always be with you and lift you up, John 16:13 1 Corinthians 16:23-24.
RLW
These are examples of people in fear, sickness and death situations and my ways and interpetation to overcome through Jesus Christ is God died /sacrifice on the cross , buried in a grave, after 3 day rose from the dead.
1) A man with health concerns was about to undergo another major surgery, he said that while he was anxious about his health and didn't want to die, he wasn't afraid of being sick or dying. He was asked why -and said he knew that whatever happened, God was in control. My interpetation he had faith ( Psalms 30:2 KJV ) and believed Jesus Christ is God ( Isaiah 56:6 KJV )
2) A trembling woman who had been sick for many years approached Jesus . Then she touched the edge of his cloak and was immediately healed! While she was afraid to speak up about what she had done. Jesus assured her that her faith in him had made her whole. Here is a textual scripture: Mark 5:25-34 KJV My interpetation is meaning she listened to God's commands believing the truth-Jesus Christ is God.( Isaiah 54:10 KJV,) bringing and end to the law Romans 10:4 KJV meaning made well and healed.
Mark 5:33 KJV
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
3)Sickness and death are things that we all fear in one way or another My interpetation believing in God and not believing in God. But as we look at these grim realities, we need to see them through the lens of a Jesus sacrifice for us My interpetation: ( Matthew 3:2 KJV, Matthew 4:19 KJV, John 3:16 KJV) and God love for us Romans 5:8 KJV.
Matthew 3:2 KJV
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:19 KJV
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Have someone ever spoke to you or gave you writings about God's love?
Written and spoken interpetation Word by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
Daniel 5:17 KJV
Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
Respond:
This pronouncement was a direct consequence of Belshazzar's refusal to honor God and his reliance on his own strength and wisdom.
At this time Genesis 11:1-11 KJV ' This time is about a mythical tower built after the Deluge in the land of Shinar (Babylonia). The Babylonians wanted to build a city and a tower that would reach thr heavens to make a name for themselves and to symbolize their power. They believed that their unity of one language and hearing one god would allow them to collaborate efficiently and accomplish anything they wanted.
Ways you can overcome today believing in yourself like king Belshazzar' loss of his kingdom and not God is by when you think you hear from God, hearing his voice speak to you check the holy bible scriptures to see if its God's word and to obey God. You can overcome yourself (sons of men) by honoring and acknowledging God not to choose the riches of the world instead choose the riches of God. Psalms 112:3 KJV.
God had blessed me believimg in God to choose the riches of God to receive and honoring, acknowledging God in my life.
Honor- The esteem due and paid to worth, high estimatation.
Ways you can honor God is to believe in God, Romans 10:9-10 . To spend time with God in prayer, and worshiping God. Live of life that honors God living righteous in God sight. Submit to God's authority.
Ways you can acknowledge God is by prayer, gratitude, worshiping God, loving others with the love of God, confession of sins to God, to be part of a holy bible believing church.
Published and spoken by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
AFTER the Rapture - You MUST Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and Believe without shame. Romans 10:9-13
amen
2 Chronicles 25:19 KJV
Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
My Respond:
It's best not to do what you believe in yourself if not of God to say and do. Because it can turn into pride that can lead to a defeat.
2 Chronicles 25:18 KJV
And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
My Respond:
"Our strength and success, should always be grounded in obedience to God, not in your abilities & pride." My interpetation what has blessed me not to believe in thistle but to Trust in God Ephesians 6:15 KJV having obedience not to go astray staying aligned with God's will.
When it comes to our own logics and preparations we must see logic as the set of rules we must follow to think like God thinks , when is to think rightly . Logic undegirds morality , making decisions between right and wrong. Gives a clear conscience to speak and behave and helps you making decisions not to be bitter and harm people. To help have preparations is to read your bible ( Romans 12:2 KJv)
Preparation- In a general sense, to fit, adapt, or qualify fir a particular purpose,end, use, service, or state, by any means whatever.
Ways your logic can be in God's logic is come to God in humility to receive Jesus Christ in your heart ( Romans 10:9-10 KJV) believing in his death burial , resurrection.- Matthew 27:50 KJVMatthew 27:51 KJV, Matthew 28:9 KJV .
Published by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
In Romans 9 Paul mentions the condition of Israel (AS A NATION)
Verses 31,32- "But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone.
Romans 10:16 reads But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT?
So the Gospel was preached to them! as we see in Romans 10:16-18.
Romans 11:8 declares their position then, as well today!
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Romans 11:25-28 sums it up.
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
When Israel "as a nation" call on their Messiah and behold him as their Messiah they will call on him!
I believe this will happen in the tribulation and that is what Hosea is speaking of.
"I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, AND SEEK MY FACE: in their AFFLICTION they will seek me early.
THEY WON'T BEHOLD HIM (Remain in this blinded state) untill they shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Matthew 23:39.
God bless
I believe that is a very good and fair question.
I believe we are somewhat limited in this knowledge of how God would judge soul that has absolutely heard nothing about the Gospel.
For one we can't be for sure about that number.
However, we do know God can send the message of salvation in many ways that points to the need of a savior, perhaps in types as he done in the old testament.
What Paul says in Romans 10:17 we often quote. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Then we come to verse 18! "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words UNTO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.
So we do have record that the Gospel went out to the whole world and I believe if it's any thing that would be reserved it would be his word in some way.
Many of these "Third world countries" have gotten the Gospel in some fashion well before we became a nation. At some time or another there was an decay and judgment.
We are also headed for judgment due to pride.
We do get a glimpse of the fair judgment or atleast different degrees of judgment of God in the parable in Luke 12 and in Matthew 11:21-24.
That's just my take Jaz.
Perhaps others can add.
God bless.
Recently Rosaria Butterfield spoke as seen in a Cross Con site about repentance originally posted 5 months ago; but I am not sure where specifically she spoke. She mentioned how it is Christ in us and used verses in Romans about how sin dwells in us yet not I ( Romans 7:17). As to discussion on whether our old sin nature is completely dead or in a dying state as we are sanctified I will leave to another discussion. Here I am focusing on the audacity as it were; to anyone's reaction to such a bold statement that Christ lives in us.
If we think carefully; we become aware that the Holy Spirit works in a believer when we are convicted of sin and thus it is more than just carefully scripted language that fits the Biblical formula for salvation that affects anyone. The Lord chooses to use His Word along with the Spirit ( Romans 10:14) through the Great Commission to reach souls. There are instances where people read the Word and are convicted and come to conversion without a human agent directly involved in sharing scriptural truth; and reports of visions; dreams etc which have to be carefully evaluated. I believe it is possible for someone to recognize the Lord in someone even before sharing scripture. In any case the Lord does the work and receives all credit due.
Let me state what these facts are NOT.
1) Boasting in any way or through our attitudes displaying any air of superiority that we are saved; sanctified and delivered from the wrath to come. Christ Himself clearly came to serve and not to be served; and show the ultimate love sacrificing His life for His sheep ( Mark 10:45).
2) Working in our own strength to live out a life of righteousness or by merely following a confession or catechism or profession of faith.
It should be Christ in us that leads to true persecution and also draws people to Himself. It is not contention and strife merely to start an argument or get attention.
Proverbs 16:18 KJV
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Psalm 45:11 KJV
My Respond evidence scriptures:
'So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: For he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. '
Psalm 119:128
'Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right, And I hate every false way.'
Believing in God ( Romans 10:9-10) is a precept.
Matthew 6:33 KJV
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Ways you can seek God is by reading your bible, and praying. Reading your bible and prayer is a sign of worship.
2 Kings 9:30-37 KJV 2 Kings 10:1-36 KJV
My Respond:
Romans 10:9-10 allows you to become like God at the time you believe. Believing in God is a sign of worship.
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
9 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.
Colossians 2:14 KJV
'blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; '
Ephesians 2:15-16 KJV
15 having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
God has blessed me to become like his image, my inner man having faith and believing in Jesus Christ ( Romans 10:9-10 KJV) becomes a sign of worship. Reading my Bible and praying allows things to be added to me food, raiment and to do God's commission.
Commission- The state of that which is entrusted, as the great seal was put into commission; or the state of being authorized to act or perform service
Respond:
Romans 8:26-27KJV
'Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. '
My Respond: To Verse: Romans 8:27
Luke 23:46-47 KJV 'And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. '
At the time of Jesus death has giving direct access to God through Jesus Christ. My faith in this scripture has giving me access to God through prayer.
Ways you can can have intercession with God is having faith trusting in Jesus death, burial, resurrection.(Gospel)
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
'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. 11 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. '
Thank you for those words. I do agree that salvation is offered to all through Christ, but not all will receive Him. Romans 10:8-10 which you have shared is a promise to everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord, that they will, not might, but they will be saved.
But yes, there has to be a response. A person must receive Christ. Please know that I never say "accept Christ" because the Bible never tells us to accept Him. It does tell us to receive Him. To me, to accept just means to mentally agree with something or someone. A person must receive Christ!
As far as there having to be a response from us, did you know that we are saints by calling?
In some of Paul's letters, we see the phrase "called to be saints," and the words "to be" are in italics. It's because the words "to be" were added. We are not called to be saints. We are called saints. It is God who called us, and we simply responded to the call!
And yes, I agree with you on the future restoration of the Jewish/Hebrew people. I believe that when Christ returns, every Jew alive on this earth will then realize that He is their Messiah that they crucified, and they will be saved!
God Bless!!!
Paul makes it clear in Romans 10:8-10. "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
There mustbe a response! You must receive and receiving a gift is not a act of works!
This doesn't add anything to the foundation already laid!
Once we recieve that precious gift then we are able to build on that foundation.
The Holyspirit takes action! Our actions exhibits our faith. It confirms a connection with our Lord.
It's amazing we're called God's elect by most, and they agree that is a work of God that can't be reversed. ( Well some of us agree to that)
But yet Israel is called God's elect but they would say Israel blew it.
While I'm on the subject of Israel look at Matt. 23:37
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, AND YE WOULD NOT!
(And they would not!)
There was a response needed to be made after the fulfillment of all those prophecies concerning their Messiah.
However, Thank God Paul lays their future out for us in Romans along with many references of their future restoration.
God bless.
I think I do not quite get what you want to say. Of course trying to obey what God commands us to do comes after new birth. No doubt about that. The New Birth and the Baptism in the Sprit are the "tools" that God provides us in our struggle against sin and for changing our sinful heart to a holy heart. This change is not done at once, it takes time. Please read 1 Cor 3:1, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ." So when we are born again and we are babies in Christ our heart is still carnal. As we grow spiritually (and allow God to work that carnal heart) then we become spiritually mature. And this takes time.
I don't think we disagree on this.
But new birth can not come before faith. As Brother Chris has said if one is saved by God by being born again before hearing about Christ, what is the point in believing in Christ after that? He is already saved anyway.
Romans 10:14-15, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
So faith comes by hearing (the gospel) and salvation comes by calling upon the name of the Lord (of which we have been preached about)
But maybe I haven't understood exactly what you want to say. You said, "And that we are entirely dependent upon God ALONE to change this horrible situation in our life" which means to change our heart. Yes, I agree on that.
Ephesians 2:1,8-10. As earlier mentioned, these verses show that we were dead in sin, but now made spiritually alive. And this has happed by God's Grace & God's Faith that are given to the sinner under conviction so that he might be saved. Grace & Faith must be present before re-birth - not after; if after re-birth, then there is no point in such needed Grace & Faith after salvation, for salvation is already received.
You may "fail to see how my understanding fits with any of the verses you have quoted", so I've shared what my understanding of those verses is. "Universal Atonement", or better, 'The Gospel to be brought to all people' is taught in the Bible ( John 3:16, Matthew 28:18-20), that all need to hear of this Good News of Salvation & express faith in Jesus' finished Work to be accepted of God. Or else, the Holy Spirit should have alerted Paul, Peter, and others as to specific individuals that should hear, receive the Gospel & be saved, to the exclusion of all others. And I simply don't find them doing any such thing or even teaching it. True, the Lord knows who will come to Him in repentance & faith, but all must have the opportunity to hear & respond. And those who seriously attend to the Gospel & affected by it, will surely engage the Spirit's ministry to lead that lost sinful soul to the point of repentance & calling upon the Lord for salvation. Romans 10:12-17.
Yet, when I consider God's Part in it, I can only conceive of His Plan, His Provision of the Sacrifice, His Acceptance of that Work if fully completed, & His Receiving of those who have embraced it & been changed by His Spirit. I sense that the Plan you adhere to, stops at His completed Work, & anything subsequent to that completion is treated as 'adding to His Work - adding to our salvation'. If a repentant sinner, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, responds to the Gospel, calling out to a Merciful God for forgiveness, I cannot believe that this sinner has added to the Gospel (even, to God's Plan) in any way at all. The Plan was conceived & fully completed - nothing could be added to it, though some have tried & still try. But to say that when we cry out for mercy & forgiveness is adding to that Plan, this becomes too unbelievable for me.
Therefore, in all of this, I cannot leave out both the convicting Work of God's Spirit ( John 16:7-11) coupled with Romans 10:8-10, "the word of faith, which we preach; 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation": after hearing the Word, being convicted, confession & believing in what God has provided, salvation is given; and this is just the sinner's response to a Work that has already been done by God alone.
If the water does represent the "hearing" of the word in this passage, Jesus didn't answer him.
That would make no sense to Nicodemus, being that he was a Teacher of the law.
If water represents a physical birth that would ring a bell.
But I'm not sure Jesus was trying to give him anything earthly or fleshly in this discourse when I consider verses 11 and 12.
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
I sort of lean towards the scriptures you provided in Ephesians and Romans 10:8-9. "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
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.
Again, That may be inconclusive.
God bless you Brother.
As to your question you have received several answers, my understanding in the Bible baptism is done only by immersion as the word means. As Jesse said sprinkling did not start until the 1300s and it was for the reason it was so inconvenient. So, this was done just because of convenience's sake, nothing Biblical about it. I agree with Giannis, and we must believe as Jesus said in Mark 16:16.
All we do is to be done in our Lord Jesus's name, Colossians 3:16-17. Many use Matthew 28:19 but we also see in the rest of Scripture that a person who is baptized in Jesus' name is someone who believes in Jesus as Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God who for us died, was buried, and was resurrected we acknowledge this by being baptized in His name, Acts 2:38 Acts 8:12 Acts 8:16 Acts 10:48 Acts 19:5 Acts 22:16 Romans 6:3 Galatians 3:27 Colossians 2:12 Ephesians 4:5.
Paul shows the importance of being baptized in the name of Jesus, Acts 19:1-6. God has placed Jesus and His name above all that is in heaven and earth, Matthew 28:18 Philippians 2:9-11. Salvation only comes in His name Acts 4:12 Romans 10:13. The name of Jesus is the source of power and authority for healing, miracles, and deliverance, Mark 16:17 Luke 10:17 Acts 4:7 Acts 4:30 Acts 16:18.
We are to give thanks in Jesus's name, Ephesians 5:20. Our faith is through Him and in His name, Acts 3:16. We must believe in Jesus, John 3:16 John 6:47 Acts 16:31 1 John 3:23 1 John 5:13. Whatever we ask for we are to ask in His name, John 14:13-14. We are to pray to the Father in His name, James 5:14. Jesus is our priest and the only mediator between God and men, 1 Timothy 2:5.
God bless,
RLW
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
And John 14:23
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Proverbs 8:36 states that those who hate God love death (that is also somewhere in John I believe).
I am going out on a limb here somewhat; but I would say that in the context of verses in John and 1 John that indicate
evidence of saving faith is loving the brethren that would necessitate as with these other passages that first there is in
the individual a hearing of the Word of God. That would be probably what scripture would define as calling someone; or the "general call". The parable of the seed and the sower shows that; with the exception of the one in stony ground that Satan steals immediately; there is a process where BEFORE fruit comes to maturity there is a testing of trials as well as worldly temptations to try to thwart fruit coming to maturity.
At the very least; this proves that some come to faith and immediately begin to grow when they first hear the Gospel and others fall away. It also shows the third possibility such as is illustrated in Matthew 21:29-31 about two sons; one of whom says he won't follow but later does; and vice versa. This could be insight as to those who appear to be averse to conversion but later come to faith; along with a warning of those who only make a VERBAL assent but don't have a heart change as indicated by Romans 10:9. I haven't heard this analysis but think there is some merit to it; as anyone who falls away short of producing good fruit appears NOT to be saved in reality. Could part of being saved be our reaction to the testing of God? This could be a key factor many are missing and these verses show deeds follow words.
I would like to expound a little more on your statement saying, "you know how to get saved and it's hard for you because you're scared and nervous about it"
Here's why I asked you for clarity on that statement..
There's some hold to a legalistic viewpoint when coming to God for salvation.
In the Old testament Israel was given the Law and commandments the showed them and the world "Including us" we all have a fallen nature and is need of a savior.
As did the Israelites in the old testament they feared approaching God under that ministry of condemnation.
However, to them and us God provided a savior, our Lord Jesus Christ!
There is no need to fear, we have found mercy in Christ.
Ephesians 2:4-9.
We can now approach the throne of grace and there is no need of fear!
Hebrews 10:19-23 states, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
And having an high priest over the house of God;
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Romans 10:9 states "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.
We confess that are a sinner, turn our hearts to God for his grace and mercy and he is faithful to forgive us.
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out"
John 6:37.
God bless you Gideon.
For Your meditation,
John 14:6 kjv,
John 1:12-14,
1 Timothy 2:5,
1 Corinthians 15:1-4,
John 1:9,
Ephesians 1:7,
Romans 10:4,
John 8:32.
My last post began to delve into the concept of how the Lord and a saved individual communicate; or perhaps better expressed "commune" with one another. We all have to beware of what is expressed in Matthew 7:23 when after a whole laundry list of things that were done "for the Lord" or "in His Name" Jesus states "I never KNEW you" before they are cast into damnation.
Obviously in a marriage situation there is a close analogy; two people don't get to know each other intimately without there being a unity; in that case of "one flesh".
I have probably delved into the concept another time of the fact that our salvation was determined before the foundation of the earth (see Rev. 13:8). In the practical understanding we have of our mortal existence on earth we see a time and place when our salvation occurred; perhaps more precisely stated as its activation. I have no doubt that those who through God's foreknowledge WOULD come to faith are guaranteed to live until that moment of confession and contrition ( Romans 10:9).
This can be proven more or less by the usual scenario; people who witness to us and circumstances that occur that trigger our interest in "spiritual" matters. Or; we could say simply that as God determined where and when we would be born; which parents; etc. certainly He also determines those details when someone is "Born Again".
Because assurance of salvation is something we all need to consider in light of 2 Corinthians 13:5 and other passages such as Phillippians 2:12 where we are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" we need to be cautious of our own profession of faith and that of others. We can't use the "grace card" to sidestep obedience to the Lord to His commandments. 1 John 5:3 states that His commands aren't "burdensome" much as would be the case if we tried to follow all the details of the Old Testament law. Christ shows that true worship is from the heart.
QUESTION: Is salvation "one sided" or interactive? On this site; I would expect a unanimous affirmation of the first idea that God and God alone is able to save. I am pretty much in line with "Calvinist" (or I would say BIBLICAL) reasoning; namely that repentance itself is a gift from God and that Christ saves each and every one God has given Him; and no one else.
What I would NOT agree to is that understanding a FORMULA how to be saved; such as memorizing verses such as Romans 10:9-13 or "accepting" Christ as Lord when of course He is Lord whether we ascribe to it or not is sufficient; at least without TRULY believing in our heart as that verse states. What I WOULD say (sorry for the caps for emphasis) is that a relationship is part of KNOWING Christ. This enables us to sense His love as well as His chastisement and discipline so that we not only are aware of the law but sense in our spirit when we are displeasing to Him. In our society today; it is clear to anyone studying our society that family discipline is at an all time low. It is certain that a certain number of homes are ruled through discipline; but many or most invole tyrannical and hypocritical domination and quite often blatent hypocrisy so that we cannot respect that sort of authority. We hear a lot of talk on God's goodness; but His severity isn't very popular today. Of course when kids aren't properly disciplined and trained how to be independent; mature and responsible in this world they end up as they are now.
The Lord does not allow His children to continue in this manner (see 1 Corinthians 13:11). Our character and trustworthiness affects others who may base their faith in God on our actions.
For a true child of God; often we are STRIPPED OF OUR FRIENDS; FAMILY AND SUPPORT SYSTEM. In spite of this we are to follow Hebrews 10:25; even if the Lord calls us elsewhere from our current fellowship we trust Him to provide a new one in His timing.
In previous postings I have discussed many different applications to the scripture. In reality an atheist can gain much from an academic exercise in a literary study as anyone else to deduce historical narratives that correspond with archaeology or an English professor can find beauty in the acrostic patterns of poetry in the Psalms and other hidden places in scripture.
Luke 12:48-50 indicates that more is required to those given much (my paraphrasing). If we are searching for truth it is one thing; but if we claim we are Christians and want to play games cherry picking to avoid tough verses related to our conduct; or just seeking "pleasant" scripture snippets then we are doing what one well known media advertises (I'll leave that to the audience to figure that out). I am convinced one of the most dangerous trends are those who are knowingly living in rebellion and yet claiming "authority" to "name and claim; blab and grab; etc". Promises in scripture are conditional; and even those that are UNCONDITIONAL related to promises in the New Covenant are based on HIS accepting us in the beloved ( Ephesians 1:6). However you slice it on terminology related to Predestination or "free will" it is clear that God chooses to reveal His Son to the elect ( Matthew 11:27). Just WHO the elect is; and whether God determines that ahead of time to those who will respond is beyond the scope of this study. The same idea is related to the PLAN of salvation; all those saved come to Christ the same way whether we consider the plan in general or the individual conforming to it. In short we only come to Christ one way through the Son; and as Romans 10:9 states that involves a verbal affirmation and a heart change which truly loves and embraces the Lord. Godly sorrow is associated with repentance; worldly sorrow leads to death ( 2 Cor. 7:10).
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing
We really can't disengage the concept of the comprehension that we have nothing to offer but a "broken and contrite heart" as Psalm 51:8 states when we first come to a saving faith. God Himself grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25 and 2 places in Acts) but this results in our heartfelt plea for God's mercy. In the same logic salvation isn't a one way street. Realizing our own unworthiness and helplessness is what unregenerate man cannot or will not concede in this lifetime as we see illustrated in Jeremiah 18:12. Man finds ways to justify demon worship as giving them something; of course we see a perfect example in Acts 19:25-28 for example where a whole town spent an afternoon rioting; or in 1 Kings 18:28 with the so called "prophetic contest" between idols and the true and living God.
This illustration of what theologians title "Irresistable Grace" (not my favorite term) seems to fit here. Some could say that our response of realization of our sins; along with a verbal affirmation ( Romans 10:9-12) is a choice we make; rather than a response to the Spirit's prompting. I would agree as to the general search for truth that some have may come first for many; although we can't rule out a "Damascus Road" sort of conversion today either. In the mindset of unregenerate man; to be controlled or "possessed" by the Holy Spirit which results in a predictable response makes us robots and is a frightening concept in "losing our individual freedom of choice"; etc. Man's logic doesn't consider that our Creator should have ownership or mastery over His own created beings and of course we can struggle even as believers in trusting God to see us through the trials of life. This ties into the verse in Luke 17:33-37 in regard to really living when we lose our life
Just me, seems there are fewer discussions lately on this site and Momsage's post suggested discussion. My understanding of discussions is brothers and sisters sharing their understanding of a subject not to belittle or to prove one as being wrong, but by sharing our understanding of a subject that will encourage each other to study in prayer for the truth.
What is faith? We see in Hebrews 11:1,6 We also have Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We are to have faith but our faith cannot be based on the word of man where we can be deceived and taken out of the way. Our faith must come from the word of God guided by His Spirit and His word is the Holy Scripture, He has given us.
This one subject is based on the word of man, nowhere in Scripture does it tell us we must believe or have faith in a triune God, but the opposite, Deuteronomy 6:4 Mark 12:29 1 Timothy 2:5, and many more. "God made us a living soul" Soul is the Hebrew word nephesh, a living being, any living being, every air-breathing creature is a nephesh, a living being/soul.
Genesis 1:26 many apply the Trinity to this verse but then we must ignore verse 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. This could also easily be first-person plural, like mom says, let us make tacos and then she is the one who makes the tacos. If we lived before 489 AD, before the Trinity doctrine was made the foundational belief of Christianity, and the punishment of heresy, how would we take this verse?
If we walk in the world we will perish, if we walk in the Spirit our faith is in Jesus and our hope is as Jesus was resurrected in His glorified body so we shall also be resurrected in our glorified body into eternal life with Him.
God bless,
RLW
Whether in the "Arminian" or "Calvinistic" camps; God's sovereignty and man's inability to save himself apart from His grace is fairly universally accepted. The issue comes in as to whether mans' "free will" acts to make a decision whether to follow or not follow Christ and "accept" Him into their hearts. Both camps will hold to Romans 10:9 related to a verbal and heartfelt confession accompanying saving faith. I would contend that it is not as some like to call it "decisional regeneration" that occurs as a result of something we say; but that what we say is a reflection of God already moving one towards repentance as scripture states it is a gift of God ( 2 Tim. 2:25 and also stated in the Book of Acts). We are truly saved "apart from the law" ( Romans 3:21) by grace; but of course Paul makes it clear that we aren't granted a "license to sin" once we have escaped from the wrath of God. Nothing we can do will earn us grace; and more importantly there is no desire in unregenerate man to follow God; at best man can try to avoid the consequences of sin which of course makes us all as Judas Iscariot who betrayed Christ yet realized he had betrayed an innocent man and thus hung himself. (see 2 Corinthians 7:10). It should be obvious how essential the doctrine of grace is; as all other eligions and even Christian cults will offer a combination of faith in Christ and works as needed to be saved; or it is asceticism such as Eastern religions offer that seem to bring a utopia for someone after doing good works after a lengthy cycle of death and rebirth (reincarnation) which of course fundamentally is opposed by Hebrews 9:27. Often it is another Christ; whether presented as as sage or great prophet which is expounded that we should follow rather than the true Jesus who was the Son of God. John 8:24 makes it clear that we must believe that "I am" truly meaning that He is the Christ. ( Matt. 16:13-20). ONLY CHRIST CAN REVEAL THE TRUTH TO A MAN.
1. Payment of the redemption; illustrated with the "Kinsman-Redeemer" situation between Boaz and Ruth in the book of Ruth. This is the first visible action from the Lord only when one comes to salvation; it was predetermined in the counsel of God before the foundation of the world ( Eph. 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20).
2. Repentance being granted. This is also mentioned in Acts 11:18 and 2 Timothy 2:25.
3. Confession by the mouth as a result of believing in the heart ( Romans 10:9-13). This is an action of response to God's saving grace.
There is no other way or method to salvation but by God's prescribed measure of believing on the Son ( Matt. 11:27)
The gospel is not good advice.
However, the gospel is much more than good news!!
The gospel is "the power of God UNTO salvation".
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. Romans 1:16.
The gospel is power!
Good advice is not worth the snap of the fingers unless there is power to see it through.
There is three steps to our Salvation.
Justification.
Sanctification.
Glorification
Justification is "an act of God whereby He pronounces a sinner to be righteous because of that sinner's faith in Christ." We are justified, or declared righteous, at the moment of our salvation.
Sanctification is "the process by which Christians are set apart for God from the rest of the world, or the process by which Christians are made holy." Progressive, or experiential, sanctification, as it is sometimes called, is the effect of obedience to the Word of God in one's life. It is the same as growing in the Lord ( 2 Peter 3:18) or spiritual maturity.
Glorification is "God's final removal of sin from the life of the saints so that they stand faultless before Him in glory in eternity"
As Christians, we were justified when we confessed Christ and believed ( Romans 10:9), we are sanctified as we grow in holiness through the work of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-32; Galatians 5:16-24, and we will someday be glorified when we are resurrected into eternal life ( Colossians 3:4).
Justification is a one-time event, sanctification is a process, and glorification is a future event.
If you are a Christian, you are guaranteed all three steps.
THE GOSPEL IS "THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION!
God bless.