Ok, you say salvation is a gift. You also receive gifts in life, right? From your parents, teachers, supervisor, ect. But you still have to work in order to receive them. I have never known a student who did not study, stay up all night drinking and partying. At the end of the year he graduated.... Please put your thinking hats on, Faith without Works are dead and Works without Faith is dead... James 2:14-26
I see that there may be a confusion between a gift and a reward. A Gift is something given voluntarily without any expectation of a return; usually given out of love or deep concern. A Reward is something given to recompense or requite someone for some hard work, acknowledging an achievement, or meritorious act.
If the salvation of God to mankind required that man do a worthy work to gain it, then it would be God's reward for our efforts. If then it is our efforts to gain this gift of salvation, it would make our efforts of greater worth than what Jesus achieved, thus nullifying His Sacrifice for us. We can never hope to be able to do anything or contribute anything that would make Jesus' Sacrifice more effective.
Therefore, Salvation must be a Gift & not a Reward. Sinners certainly can't do anything to gain a reward from God, for "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" ( Isaiah 64:6), in God's Sight. And for this reason, God had to step in to help the sinner in his predicament, drowning in his sin, on his way to judgement for it. God's love could only bestow upon the sinner a Gift, undeserved & unmerited by us. It came without any conditions, just to receive it with grateful repentant hearts, with joy that our sins are fully paid for & dealt with. But if God left it there, we might be thankful for His Gift of Salvation, but have no power & convictions over the enemy that ever lurks to make us reprobates before God by compelling acts of sin.
Thus the Holy Spirit was sent as part of that Divine Gift, Who ensures that these redeemed lives remain true to God, living lives in the power of the Spirit. And yes, faith & salvation must now produce good works because of the Spirit's Presence & enabling, or else James 2:14 becomes very valid, 'can faith without works save him?' Salvation is the Gift from God - Works is our response - the two must go hand-in-hand - but Salvation stands alone as a Gift from God, apart from works or else it's no longer a gift.
" Sinners certainly can't do anything to gain a reward from God, for "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."
Thanks and Amen Brother Chris!
It's like a household chore ( being forced.)
Sinners can't do anything to gain a reward when doing something they should be doing anyway.
Luke 17:9-10. Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Doing these chores/commandments ( to receive something )
Amen! When I look back at the time I received Christ, and His gift of salvation, I ask myself, did I deserve to be saved? Why would God save me, a sinner? Was I righteous enough in God's eyes for Him to give me this gift? What is the standard of righteousness? I know God is righteous. But how do I compare with His righteousness?
When looked at this way, I can see that I fall short. It had to be a gift, not a reward. It is a gift, totally undeserved, meaning no amount of good deeds or righteousness on my part could ever earn this gift.
Christ's sacrifice paid for it all. But there are some who still say that salvation is conditional, based on our works and human effort, meaning we have to work for it. If this is the case, then Christ's sacrifice was insufficient. And if man still has to work to obtain salvation, then salvation is no longer by God's grace, but by grace plus works, meaning man plays a part in His/Her own salvation. How does God receive all the glory if I play a part in my salvation? If I'm saved partly by works, then I have something to boast. The only thing I had to contribute to my salvation was the sin in which I needed to be saved from.
I do agree with you that God's gift of salvation comes without any conditions. All we must do is surrender our lives to Christ, receive His gift of salvation, remain in submission to His Spirit working in our lives, and trust in God's power alone to keep us until the day of redemption. We can't work for our salvation. If we have to work for it, then what we receive is a reward, not a gift!
Thank you brother Jesse for those further thoughts on this important doctrine of God's Grace showered upon sinful man, through Jesus His Son.
True biblical Christianity stands well apart from any religion, even so-called Christian sects & cults, that require their adherents to attain some standard of good works or level of sanctification, to be acceptable to God. None can ever hope to reach the high standards that God would require - and God knowing this, stepped into this World, offering up Himself as the only payment & hope of mankind. How we would grieve the Spirit of God, if we should even contemplate adding our own efforts to secure that salvation that was well beyond our reach. And yet, when the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in the believer, not only our security in salvation is assured, but our lives & our works will be done and seen in demonstration of the Spirit's Power. That the Glory of God might be seen in His unfathomable Plan to save us and His great Power & Love exuding from His children. May we be circumspect in our daily walk, giving no cause to the unsaved around us to despise our Gracious Lord. Every blessing to you & brother Henry for your contributions; as you can see, I'm very passionate with this subject.
If the salvation of God to mankind required that man do a worthy work to gain it, then it would be God's reward for our efforts. If then it is our efforts to gain this gift of salvation, it would make our efforts of greater worth than what Jesus achieved, thus nullifying His Sacrifice for us. We can never hope to be able to do anything or contribute anything that would make Jesus' Sacrifice more effective.
Therefore, Salvation must be a Gift & not a Reward. Sinners certainly can't do anything to gain a reward from God, for "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" ( Isaiah 64:6), in God's Sight. And for this reason, God had to step in to help the sinner in his predicament, drowning in his sin, on his way to judgement for it. God's love could only bestow upon the sinner a Gift, undeserved & unmerited by us. It came without any conditions, just to receive it with grateful repentant hearts, with joy that our sins are fully paid for & dealt with. But if God left it there, we might be thankful for His Gift of Salvation, but have no power & convictions over the enemy that ever lurks to make us reprobates before God by compelling acts of sin.
Thus the Holy Spirit was sent as part of that Divine Gift, Who ensures that these redeemed lives remain true to God, living lives in the power of the Spirit. And yes, faith & salvation must now produce good works because of the Spirit's Presence & enabling, or else James 2:14 becomes very valid, 'can faith without works save him?' Salvation is the Gift from God - Works is our response - the two must go hand-in-hand - but Salvation stands alone as a Gift from God, apart from works or else it's no longer a gift.
Thanks and Amen Brother Chris!
It's like a household chore ( being forced.)
Sinners can't do anything to gain a reward when doing something they should be doing anyway.
Luke 17:9-10. Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Doing these chores/commandments ( to receive something )
nullifies the gift.
God bless.
Amen! When I look back at the time I received Christ, and His gift of salvation, I ask myself, did I deserve to be saved? Why would God save me, a sinner? Was I righteous enough in God's eyes for Him to give me this gift? What is the standard of righteousness? I know God is righteous. But how do I compare with His righteousness?
When looked at this way, I can see that I fall short. It had to be a gift, not a reward. It is a gift, totally undeserved, meaning no amount of good deeds or righteousness on my part could ever earn this gift.
Christ's sacrifice paid for it all. But there are some who still say that salvation is conditional, based on our works and human effort, meaning we have to work for it. If this is the case, then Christ's sacrifice was insufficient. And if man still has to work to obtain salvation, then salvation is no longer by God's grace, but by grace plus works, meaning man plays a part in His/Her own salvation. How does God receive all the glory if I play a part in my salvation? If I'm saved partly by works, then I have something to boast. The only thing I had to contribute to my salvation was the sin in which I needed to be saved from.
I do agree with you that God's gift of salvation comes without any conditions. All we must do is surrender our lives to Christ, receive His gift of salvation, remain in submission to His Spirit working in our lives, and trust in God's power alone to keep us until the day of redemption. We can't work for our salvation. If we have to work for it, then what we receive is a reward, not a gift!
God Bless!!!
Well spoken!
Galatians 4:28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Abraham had no part in their promise.
Galatians 4:1-31 speaks volumes on this.
God bless you.
True biblical Christianity stands well apart from any religion, even so-called Christian sects & cults, that require their adherents to attain some standard of good works or level of sanctification, to be acceptable to God. None can ever hope to reach the high standards that God would require - and God knowing this, stepped into this World, offering up Himself as the only payment & hope of mankind. How we would grieve the Spirit of God, if we should even contemplate adding our own efforts to secure that salvation that was well beyond our reach. And yet, when the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in the believer, not only our security in salvation is assured, but our lives & our works will be done and seen in demonstration of the Spirit's Power. That the Glory of God might be seen in His unfathomable Plan to save us and His great Power & Love exuding from His children. May we be circumspect in our daily walk, giving no cause to the unsaved around us to despise our Gracious Lord. Every blessing to you & brother Henry for your contributions; as you can see, I'm very passionate with this subject.
Either you put them to use or not. God's gift of Holy spirit is free you can't
By something that is so incredibly valuable communication with almighty
God. Now if YOU choose not to Go by the quite book of God's Word for
Guidance on application and renew your life to walk by God's Word the gift
Is still there but not being utilized to it's fullest potential or not at all. But
God is not an Indian giver he cannot do more unless we operate what we
Have been given and not sit on the tools. That's why in Phillipians we the
Christian with God's spirit working in us work out our salvation or wholeness
With respect and awe. We as saints should never be fearful or terrified by
Our Father God who always wants the best for us working within us to do
His good will and pleasure.
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