I'm reading many comments that would seem to be saying that OUR GOOD WORKS make some contribution to our salvation. That they can initiate our salvation. That they can maintain our salvation. That they are a requirement for our salvation. And it is true that we can find verses, that when isolated from the rest of the Bible, could lead to that understanding.
But when we look at EVERYTHING the Bible declares regarding the Nature of Salvation, we find that Salvation is 100% the WORK of God Himself. And if we are following a gospel where we are trusting in OUR GOOD WORKS to contribute to our salvation in any way, we are trusting in a false gospel that cannot save.
This is the snare that the church at Galatia fell into. Read Galatians, the entire chapter, very carefully. Read Romans. Read Ezekiel 36. Read the ENTIRE Bible. When we do this, we find that OUR FAITH, OUR REPENTANCE, OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW OF GOD are the REDULT of our Salvation. They are NEVER THE CAUSE.
OUR obedience to any commandment in the Bible is a GOOD WORK. And God is very clear that our GOOD WORKS cannot and do not contribute to our Salvation in ANY WAY. They are the EVIDENCE of our Salvation. NOT THE CAUSE.
There also seems to be a misunderstanding on the part of some as to what it mean to be "saved". And that mankind has a BODY and a SOUL (or spirit essence). And that both in body and soul, apart from Salvation, we are SPIRITUALLY DEAD, in bondage to Sin and Satan, lust after sin, and subject to Eternal DEATH.
When God applies His Salvation to one of His Elect, God gives them a brand New Resurrected SOUL, in which they now have Eternal Life. This new soul still resides in a body that does not experience any change until the Last Day, when God completes their Salvation by giving them a new Resurrected Glorified Spiritual Body. So that we are now "saved" in our complete personality and will live and reign with Christ in New Heavens and New Earth throughout eternity.
This is just the point David,I've been making all alone. Faith does not come by reading, studying, pastor preaching, Sunday school, etc: Its comes by Rom 10:17; this is the faith that Paul preached, speaking to you personally within your heart. These others maybe good execises to support & encourage if there inspired by Holy Spirit. But it cannot stand alone or take the place of having a personal relationship with Jesus, & this is what God has set His heart upon. John 14:21,23,26; John 17:21,22,23; Our faith is cannot be base on other people experinences, though ever be so helpful. In the work of regeneration we come to 1John 1:1-4 Here John is speaking of His Spirit appearance within our hearts, the Life/Light was manifested, Grace appearance. As we diligently hearken to His still small Voice we come to experiential knowledge of the Lord, 1John 5:20; "we have heard, seen with our eyes & have looked upon & our hands have handled of the Word of Life, spiritually, in this working out of our salvation. Hebrews 9:28; 2Cor 4:6,7; that the excellency to the Power to understand & receive the things of God, is of God & not of ourselves. John 3:27; We come to know His mind/will & good pleasure. Its what King David experience in Psalm 119:130; it what made him more wiser than his teacher Psalms 119:99; it was his Psalm 119:105; Psalm 123:2; Psalm 59:9; Psalm 69:3 & he commands his soul to wait upon the Lord Psalm 62:5; its call in Scripture the Key of David, Rev 3:7; He alone can Rev 5:2,5; Isa 22:22: He is the Treasure we have in these earthen vessel. Col 1:26,27,28; 1 Cor 2:12;
Blessing to you, you have a great desire & a zeal David.
Grace saves, not works. Good works are the fruit of a genuine follower of Christ. Without works or fruit one might question that person's walk. And without obedience to Christ is that person a real Christ follower? Some fall into this category: Matthew 7:21
I perceive you have a desire & zeal for God, but not according to a true knowledge. Rom 10:2; I would like to discuss this futher with you if you like, but on one condition, every statement be back up with the Holy Scriptures & sound reasoning. Pro 30:6 This way, Truth alone may be exalted, for Truth is not a subject here, but a Person, personalified in Christ.
I wrote a 3 part comment entitled "Salvation". You have responded to part 1 where I have summarized in my own words some of what I believe the Bible declares regarding the Nature of God's Salvation Program.
Parts 2 and 3 offer some of the scriptural references that teach this.
I've read some of your writing, can not agree with most of it, I pray that you seek to continue to grow in meekness & humility, with a teachable spirit.
Psalm 25:9James 4:82Thessalonians 2:10 a love for the Truth, has brought me out of being deceived & keeps me from being decevied. Jesus said John 7:17 as I actually put these previous 3 Scriptures into practices, in daily everyday ordinary life experiences, I have come the know the doctrine of it, its not like before "a highmindedness, an airy knowledge without the power, a profession without the possession", but an personal experiential knowledge of God's Spirit of Grace within my heart. He desires this for all, but because it comes in such a low & meekly appearance people reject it, they don't care to stoop so low & be a bond servant to all through Christ, 1John 2:6
I'm reading many comments that would seem to be saying that OUR GOOD WORKS make some contribution to our salvation. That they can initiate our salvation. That they can maintain our salvation. That they are a requirement for our salvation. And it is true that we can find verses, that when isolated from the rest of the Bible, could lead to that understanding.
But when we look at EVERYTHING the Bible declares regarding the Nature of Salvation, we find that Salvation is 100% the WORK of God Himself. And if we are following a gospel where we are trusting in OUR GOOD WORKS to contribute to our salvation in any way, we are trusting in a false gospel that cannot save.
This is the snare that the church at Galatia fell into. Read Galatians, the entire chapter, very carefully. Read Romans. Read Ezekiel 36. Read the ENTIRE Bible. When we do this, we find that OUR FAITH, OUR REPENTANCE, OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW OF GOD are the REDULT of our Salvation. They are NEVER THE CAUSE.
OUR obedience to any commandment in the Bible is a GOOD WORK. And God is very clear that our GOOD WORKS cannot and do not contribute to our Salvation in ANY WAY. They are the EVIDENCE of our Salvation. NOT THE CAUSE.
There also seems to be a misunderstanding on the part of some as to what it mean to be "saved". And that mankind has a BODY and a SOUL (or spirit essence). And that both in body and soul, apart from Salvation, we are SPIRITUALLY DEAD, in bondage to Sin and Satan, lust after sin, and subject to Eternal DEATH.
When God applies His Salvation to one of His Elect, God gives them a brand New Resurrected SOUL, in which they now have Eternal Life. This new soul still resides in a body that does not experience any change until the Last Day, when God completes their Salvation by giving them a new Resurrected Glorified Spiritual Body. So that we are now "saved" in our complete personality and will live and reign with Christ in New Heavens and New Earth throughout eternity.
"what I believe the Bible declares"
This is just the point David,I've been making all alone. Faith does not come by reading, studying, pastor preaching, Sunday school, etc: Its comes by Rom 10:17; this is the faith that Paul preached, speaking to you personally within your heart. These others maybe good execises to support & encourage if there inspired by Holy Spirit. But it cannot stand alone or take the place of having a personal relationship with Jesus, & this is what God has set His heart upon. John 14:21,23,26; John 17:21,22,23; Our faith is cannot be base on other people experinences, though ever be so helpful. In the work of regeneration we come to 1John 1:1-4 Here John is speaking of His Spirit appearance within our hearts, the Life/Light was manifested, Grace appearance. As we diligently hearken to His still small Voice we come to experiential knowledge of the Lord, 1John 5:20; "we have heard, seen with our eyes & have looked upon & our hands have handled of the Word of Life, spiritually, in this working out of our salvation. Hebrews 9:28; 2Cor 4:6,7; that the excellency to the Power to understand & receive the things of God, is of God & not of ourselves. John 3:27; We come to know His mind/will & good pleasure. Its what King David experience in Psalm 119:130; it what made him more wiser than his teacher Psalms 119:99; it was his Psalm 119:105; Psalm 123:2; Psalm 59:9; Psalm 69:3 & he commands his soul to wait upon the Lord Psalm 62:5; its call in Scripture the Key of David, Rev 3:7; He alone can Rev 5:2,5; Isa 22:22: He is the Treasure we have in these earthen vessel. Col 1:26,27,28; 1 Cor 2:12;
Blessing to you, you have a great desire & a zeal David.
in Love & Truth
Frankie J
John 14:15
Grace saves, not works. Good works are the fruit of a genuine follower of Christ. Without works or fruit one might question that person's walk. And without obedience to Christ is that person a real Christ follower? Some fall into this category: Matthew 7:21
I think what you stated in this last comment regarding James 2, John 14:15 and Matt 7:21 is exactly what I have been saying.
I perceive you have a desire & zeal for God, but not according to a true knowledge. Rom 10:2; I would like to discuss this futher with you if you like, but on one condition, every statement be back up with the Holy Scriptures & sound reasoning. Pro 30:6 This way, Truth alone may be exalted, for Truth is not a subject here, but a Person, personalified in Christ.
in love & truth
Frankie J
I wrote a 3 part comment entitled "Salvation". You have responded to part 1 where I have summarized in my own words some of what I believe the Bible declares regarding the Nature of God's Salvation Program.
Parts 2 and 3 offer some of the scriptural references that teach this.
I've read some of your writing, can not agree with most of it, I pray that you seek to continue to grow in meekness & humility, with a teachable spirit.
Psalm 25:9 James 4:8 2Thessalonians 2:10 a love for the Truth, has brought me out of being deceived & keeps me from being decevied. Jesus said John 7:17 as I actually put these previous 3 Scriptures into practices, in daily everyday ordinary life experiences, I have come the know the doctrine of it, its not like before "a highmindedness, an airy knowledge without the power, a profession without the possession", but an personal experiential knowledge of God's Spirit of Grace within my heart. He desires this for all, but because it comes in such a low & meekly appearance people reject it, they don't care to stoop so low & be a bond servant to all through Christ, 1John 2:6
The Lord blessing on you
In love & truth
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