I've thought a lot about this, especially in regard to political leaders. I find it difficult to handle, in light of what I observe in Washington
D.C. Surely we are not to sit idly by, and see them destroy the nation. Help me out here.
this verse teaches that if you add any thing to the grace of God,it makes void the gift,it nullifies the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8,9Titus 3:5John 1:12Acts 15:11. Shortly before Jesus died he made it very clear the repented thief could do nothing but except the gift of God, he confessed he was a sinner and put his faith in Christ,salvation by Grace plus nothing else.
The Bible says we must test all the "spirits" and find out which is true and this obviously involves asking questions.So the Bible doesn't condemn healthy arguments that lead to the revelation of Biblical truths,but ones that result in quarrels due to the use of offensive or disparaging language in the quest to find the truth.We can ask questions and make arguments though but we must ensure that we find the answers from no other source than the Bible.Besides, the Bible speaks of only 'two ways':one leading to everlasting life and the other to destruction.Therefore the way to eternal life is only 'one',and to find this one way,we need to ask questions and seek the appropriate answers to them from the Bible(Matt.7:7)So lets keep asking questions,but not foolish ones that lead us nowhere!I HAVE SPOKEN!
it is true we have to avoid asking foolish question because that will not lead us to the truth. As mortals, the most important and the most glorious thing to do is to gain the mind of Jesus Christ, to believe what he believed, to do what he did, to say what he said and to be as he is then we can exercise faith in God and to life and salvation.
"Thou shall have no other Gods before me." Jesus is the personality through whom God was speaking to the people. We know this is true because of what Paul said about him in 1 Corinthians 10:2-5:"As followers of Moses, they were all baptized in the cloud and the sea. And all of them ate the same miraculous food, and all of them drank the same miraculous water. For they all drank from the miraculous rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.
Then it says this about Jesus: "Yet, after all this, God (in the person of Jesus) was not pleased with most of them, and he destroyed them in the wilderness." This means that Jesus will not save anyone who does not recognize him as God. This is true no matter how serious they are, or how much emotion they display. Satan knows that only God can die for the sins of man, and anyone who denies this fact, can't be saved. That's why Paul in Titus 3:4 calls Jesus "God our Savior."
If you want to know more along this line, please as Jesus to help you, and he will. He is able and willing to save anyone who come to him in true repentance. As he said in the Sermon on the Mountain, "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God."
As a note: The role of the Father in God is to direct his affairs, and the role of the Holy Spirit is to inspire us. But it is always Jeses who saves!
Titus 3:5"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"
The washing of--regeneration-(newness of life)-which found in Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should ---walk in newness of life." Newness of life which is regeneration--our life is REGENERATED through water baptism. Romans 6:5 "For if we have been planted (buried, or baptized) together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin". It's only by water baptism( in Jesus name)can we have a regenerated life, a newness of life. Water baptism destroys the OLD MAN of sin.
@mel
I whole heartally agree with you and excellent advice to tom. we need more to teach the word of Christ. To Tom, if God gives you a personal revelation, embrace it! that is a great beauty of God! he will teach each of us individually and personally. He has given me knowledge for me personally to help increase my faith in him. And a good teacher always should make his students think for themselves and learn individually. God bless all.
@Tom,
Please continue to preach the Truth of God's Word, and let The Lord defend the testimony and fellowship of the church. You are not carrying the burden of "getting good results" among the people of the congregation, rather, you should deal with what you can deal with among the people. But give them His Word. He will build His church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it! All else is His to deal with.
@Myia Sanders,
On verse 24:
1. I am a little concerned about the way you stated your comment on verse 24;
2. It is a wakeup call, but we do not get to heaven by finishing our work here on earth;
3. Before the cross that's how it was done and after the rapture of the church that's the way it will be. But now in this age of grace, and we simply trust Jesus Christ as our saviour ( Ephesians 2:8,9);
4. At present time, we do good works because we are saved ( Ephesians 2:10), we do not do good works to get saved ( Titus 3:4,5 and Romans 10).
Rebuke and exhort, with all authority… I can comment about one’s behavior if it’s contrary to the Word of God… easily with confidence, HE gives us that reasonability.
Worried for myself. As a teacher, I occasionally uncover ideas of others (like the 'rapture’, and 'what Jesus did when he went to hell') that have very little if any support in the whole of Scripture. Folks are ready to fight for a position of 'doctrine' that is not of the Apostles doctrine, but something they heard from a charismatic individual who tells good stories. If I challenge the class to think for themselves, read for themselves, I feel as though I am causing division in the congregation. I know that the word heretic doesn't mean only 'those who cause division' but there is a continual spirit of dissension present when we draw near to certain subjects.
@Mindy,
There is difference to make between questions that are asked to profit, and those tha are asked to distract or deter. And verse 9 here is very clear: “.. avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” Those should be avoided, because they bring nowhere.
Now coming to Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” That means that above all things, our heart can tell us lies than ever, because it is wicked, it tends to tell us that evil is good, which actually is not the case.
The only cure is in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
When the word of God dwells in us, and is in rule in our life, God’s judgments become our judgments, God’s views become our views; and with that the word shall separate very sharply, like a twoedged sword, what is of God and what is not, it shall bring light in every single aspect of our life; and then show us the way out.
God bless you.
A very moving Chapter of the Holy Scriptures, especially the part where John fell at his feet as dead and sees the nail print in his feet at least that’s what I saw in the movie Revelation on Youtube for free. Look under biblical movies on Youtube. One day thank God, I too will bow before him as my Lord and my God. And he wants to forgive your sins and save you too if you are not already. By repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ who died for all our sins on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead the third day, was seen of men, and went back up to heaven. He is the only way to miss hell for our sins and go to God's heaven. And it’s not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saves us. Titus 3:5. But 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. Romans 10:9. Come to him today as a member of the sinful human race and he will save your soul since God is no respecter of persons and will save those of any nation or people. He said also, him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. Sincerely.
The word of God is the true light. It's guidance is not subject to human opinion. Is it not amazing to know that our salvation is not based on our works of righteousness but by grace? Titus 3:4-5. It doesn't matter what you think you have done, how dirty you think your life may have been, or what people think about you. His love for you is greater than the judgement of men against you. Accept his righteous works done on your behalf then you can produce fruits of righteousness.
Verse 26-29 Is talking about the person who rejects the finished work of Christ and tries to establish their own righteous through the law of Moses. Even though the law is holy righteous and true it can not make you holy righteous and true.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Grace does not justify us to sin. When you put faith- only in the finished work of Christ, you are justified in the sight of God from all sin. Not by what you did; but rather, by what Christ did for you. Exodus 12:13 and the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye [are]: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy [you], when I smite the land of Egypt.
The scripture says when I see the blood – not when I see your good works. Titus 3: 8 [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Good Works will not save you –Only the blood of Jesus. The scripture teaches good works are important –but not for salvation. If you love God you will maintain good works for his glory and for the sake of the lost man. To love your neighbor as your self is to live your life for the sake of the lost man. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Always the issue comes down to grace vs works
Any one who teaches faith + works = salvation is teaching a false gospel. It is a lie and can not save you.
Just remember Faith alone = Salvation
What about James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James is speaking to believers about Service unto the lord –Verse 1 “My brethren”
Read James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.
If you are going to maintain your righteousness through the law then you will have to be absolutely perfect in maintaining the whole law order to enter heaven.
There is only one man who fulfilled the whole law- Jesus Christ.
Any one who teaches grace gives you the freedom to sin does not truly understand grace.
I love the christians' code of conduct prescribed by the great Apostle Paul. Let's abide by them and we shall find ourselves pleasing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I LOVE the BIBLE and every word GOD prophesied!
Would love to chat with single woman of GOD. 52 year's old and the world dateing is WELL, THE WORLD! Love the sinner! Hate the SIN!!
V. 22b.Eat of the tree of life and live forever. After humanity chose the deceiver and was separated from God (died), they were also banned from eating the fruit of the other trees in the garden, especially the tree of life. God did not want his love project to live forever in this fallen miserable state of being. However; there is access to the tree of life and eternal existance after restoration to God. 1 John 1:1 describes Jesus as the Word of life (Maybe presentation or offer of life). Rev.22:14 says,"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may go through the gates into the city. Only by relying on Jesus can we have this washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit( Titus 3:5). Lets press for that eternal life that God had planned for humanity, even before the fall.
The meaning of Lev 18:22 is clear and your argument is with God. Rest assured, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord as explained in Philippians 2:10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;
Titus 3:3
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Revelation 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
God doesn't make sinners, people choose the wrong path. Be not deceived for Satan can transform himself into an angel of light as stated in 2 Corinthians 11:14: And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Sin, on any kind, has the capacity to look or feel good from our polluted perspective but sin always will take you where you don't want to go, keep you there longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you ever wanted to pay. Fighting a battle with Satan is never easy. We have the Holy Spirit as our aid. Jesus sits on the right hand of God as our advocate every time Satan tells God what we did wrong. I hope you've received Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior. The battle is lost otherwise. May the Lord put a hedge of protection around you and may only the Holy Spirit minister to your heart. May your heart not be hardened. Christians out here love you and only want what is best for your life and for the life of your buddy. God has good planned for each of your lives. Satan brings discouragement while God offers hope and life everlasting.
it is not for us to question what god has done, why and how. we are to walk in faith. e.g. the church long ago has corrupted herself by claims that are untrue and unfounded. in this, xmas and easter celebration have nothing to do with god. to question what day and details about jesus' life is irrelevant to the fact we are to love and obey god and follow his way. our reasonings are feeble and faulty at best, and god specifically told man not to question what he does not understand. look at the division between church institutions in this world,self righteousness is not righteousness! christianity as it was in the beginning is long extinct. if we lived by the word nobody would be without!
Hunh........... I guess Eph 2:8-9 must have been a type O then.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ones works are insufficient: Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as FILTHY RAGS; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Romans 3:10
As it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one:
Good works are a manifestation of a born again spirit to be sure. But they did not save anyone. That would mean that Christ's death alone on the cross was not sufficient.
2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are SUFFICIENT of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is SUFFICIENT for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
One cannot earn God's favor (Grace) it is freely given. We only need to believe.
Romans 3:20
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.
Romans 3:24
Being JUSTIFIED freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is JUSTIFIED by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 4:2
For if Abraham were JUSTIFIED by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God.
Romans 5:1
Therefore being JUSTIFIED by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:9
Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 8:30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also JUSTIFIED: and whom he JUSTIFIED, them he also glorified.
1 Corinthians 4:4
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby JUSTIFIED: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not JUSTIFIED by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be JUSTIFIED by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be JUSTIFIED.
Galatians 2:17
But if, while we seek to be JUSTIFIED by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, [is] therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Galatians 3:11
But that no man is JUSTIFIED by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be JUSTIFIED by faith.
Galatians 5:4
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are JUSTIFIED by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, JUSTIFIED in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Titus 3:7
That being JUSTIFIED by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
When verses in scripture seem to contradict each other you must do three things.
1. Find out what the rest of scripture tell us about the subject. *scripture interprets scripture*
2. Know the meaning in the original language as some does not translate well from its original. ( 1 John 3:6 and 3:9 are perfect examples) its says one born again is sinless; we know that not to be true it is impossible. A better translation would be to say; anyone born again will not continue in their sinful life style.)
3. Look at the historical context in which the subject was being written about.
Conclusion: Man has no part in his salvation, it is truly a gift to them that believe.
D.C. Surely we are not to sit idly by, and see them destroy the nation. Help me out here.
Then it says this about Jesus: "Yet, after all this, God (in the person of Jesus) was not pleased with most of them, and he destroyed them in the wilderness." This means that Jesus will not save anyone who does not recognize him as God. This is true no matter how serious they are, or how much emotion they display. Satan knows that only God can die for the sins of man, and anyone who denies this fact, can't be saved. That's why Paul in Titus 3:4 calls Jesus "God our Savior."
If you want to know more along this line, please as Jesus to help you, and he will. He is able and willing to save anyone who come to him in true repentance. As he said in the Sermon on the Mountain, "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God."
As a note: The role of the Father in God is to direct his affairs, and the role of the Holy Spirit is to inspire us. But it is always Jeses who saves!
The washing of--regeneration-(newness of life)-which found in Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should ---walk in newness of life." Newness of life which is regeneration--our life is REGENERATED through water baptism.
Romans 6:5 "For if we have been planted (buried, or baptized) together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin". It's only by water baptism( in Jesus name)can we have a regenerated life, a newness of life. Water baptism destroys the OLD MAN of sin.
Romans 6:77For he that is dead is freed from sin.
I whole heartally agree with you and excellent advice to tom. we need more to teach the word of Christ. To Tom, if God gives you a personal revelation, embrace it! that is a great beauty of God! he will teach each of us individually and personally. He has given me knowledge for me personally to help increase my faith in him. And a good teacher always should make his students think for themselves and learn individually. God bless all.
Please continue to preach the Truth of God's Word, and let The Lord defend the testimony and fellowship of the church. You are not carrying the burden of "getting good results" among the people of the congregation, rather, you should deal with what you can deal with among the people. But give them His Word. He will build His church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it! All else is His to deal with.
On verse 24:
1. I am a little concerned about the way you stated your comment on verse 24;
2. It is a wakeup call, but we do not get to heaven by finishing our work here on earth;
3. Before the cross that's how it was done and after the rapture of the church that's the way it will be. But now in this age of grace, and we simply trust Jesus Christ as our saviour ( Ephesians 2:8,9);
4. At present time, we do good works because we are saved ( Ephesians 2:10), we do not do good works to get saved ( Titus 3:4,5 and Romans 10).
There is difference to make between questions that are asked to profit, and those tha are asked to distract or deter. And verse 9 here is very clear: “.. avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” Those should be avoided, because they bring nowhere.
Now coming to Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” That means that above all things, our heart can tell us lies than ever, because it is wicked, it tends to tell us that evil is good, which actually is not the case.
The only cure is in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
When the word of God dwells in us, and is in rule in our life, God’s judgments become our judgments, God’s views become our views; and with that the word shall separate very sharply, like a twoedged sword, what is of God and what is not, it shall bring light in every single aspect of our life; and then show us the way out.
God bless you.
A very moving Chapter of the Holy Scriptures, especially the part where John fell at his feet as dead and sees the nail print in his feet at least that’s what I saw in the movie Revelation on Youtube for free. Look under biblical movies on Youtube. One day thank God, I too will bow before him as my Lord and my God. And he wants to forgive your sins and save you too if you are not already. By repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ who died for all our sins on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead the third day, was seen of men, and went back up to heaven. He is the only way to miss hell for our sins and go to God's heaven. And it’s not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saves us. Titus 3:5. But 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. Romans 10:9. Come to him today as a member of the sinful human race and he will save your soul since God is no respecter of persons and will save those of any nation or people. He said also, him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. Sincerely.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Grace does not justify us to sin. When you put faith- only in the finished work of Christ, you are justified in the sight of God from all sin. Not by what you did; but rather, by what Christ did for you.
Exodus 12:13 and the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye [are]: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy [you], when I smite the land of Egypt.
The scripture says when I see the blood – not when I see your good works.
Titus 3: 8 [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Good Works will not save you –Only the blood of Jesus. The scripture teaches good works are important –but not for salvation. If you love God you will maintain good works for his glory and for the sake of the lost man. To love your neighbor as your self is to live your life for the sake of the lost man.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Always the issue comes down to grace vs works
Any one who teaches faith + works = salvation is teaching a false gospel. It is a lie and can not save you.
Just remember Faith alone = Salvation
What about James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James is speaking to believers about Service unto the lord –Verse 1 “My brethren”
Read James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.
If you are going to maintain your righteousness through the law then you will have to be absolutely perfect in maintaining the whole law order to enter heaven.
There is only one man who fulfilled the whole law- Jesus Christ.
Any one who teaches grace gives you the freedom to sin does not truly understand grace.
Would love to chat with single woman of GOD. 52 year's old and the world dateing is WELL, THE WORLD! Love the sinner! Hate the SIN!!
I HOPE will STAND FAST! FOR THE GOD who never FAIL TO LOVE US...FOR HIS GLORY not ours...
Lets just keep praying for each other. THE MOST WE ALL NEED this end times!
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;
Titus 3:3
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Revelation 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
God doesn't make sinners, people choose the wrong path. Be not deceived for Satan can transform himself into an angel of light as stated in 2 Corinthians 11:14: And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Sin, on any kind, has the capacity to look or feel good from our polluted perspective but sin always will take you where you don't want to go, keep you there longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you ever wanted to pay. Fighting a battle with Satan is never easy. We have the Holy Spirit as our aid. Jesus sits on the right hand of God as our advocate every time Satan tells God what we did wrong. I hope you've received Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior. The battle is lost otherwise. May the Lord put a hedge of protection around you and may only the Holy Spirit minister to your heart. May your heart not be hardened. Christians out here love you and only want what is best for your life and for the life of your buddy. God has good planned for each of your lives. Satan brings discouragement while God offers hope and life everlasting.
Love that!
Grace! G-ods R-iches A-t C-hrist E-xpense
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ones works are insufficient: Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as FILTHY RAGS; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Romans 3:10
As it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one:
Good works are a manifestation of a born again spirit to be sure. But they did not save anyone. That would mean that Christ's death alone on the cross was not sufficient.
2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are SUFFICIENT of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is SUFFICIENT for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
One cannot earn God's favor (Grace) it is freely given. We only need to believe.
Romans 3:20
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.
Romans 3:24
Being JUSTIFIED freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is JUSTIFIED by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 4:2
For if Abraham were JUSTIFIED by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God.
Romans 5:1
Therefore being JUSTIFIED by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:9
Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 8:30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also JUSTIFIED: and whom he JUSTIFIED, them he also glorified.
1 Corinthians 4:4
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby JUSTIFIED: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not JUSTIFIED by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be JUSTIFIED by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be JUSTIFIED.
Galatians 2:17
But if, while we seek to be JUSTIFIED by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, [is] therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Galatians 3:11
But that no man is JUSTIFIED by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be JUSTIFIED by faith.
Galatians 5:4
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are JUSTIFIED by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, JUSTIFIED in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Titus 3:7
That being JUSTIFIED by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
When verses in scripture seem to contradict each other you must do three things.
1. Find out what the rest of scripture tell us about the subject. *scripture interprets scripture*
2. Know the meaning in the original language as some does not translate well from its original. ( 1 John 3:6 and 3:9 are perfect examples) its says one born again is sinless; we know that not to be true it is impossible. A better translation would be to say; anyone born again will not continue in their sinful life style.)
3. Look at the historical context in which the subject was being written about.
Conclusion: Man has no part in his salvation, it is truly a gift to them that believe.