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Replying to Ben Johnson's 15 points of works

I'll just start this post by posting the following from Ben Johnson:

Look, if you're going to participate in these discussions, you gotta stop doing that. In Post 298 I very clearly demonstrated I am NOT pushing ANY kind of "works salvation". I don't blame you for ignoring the post; not only does it fully answer the charge of "works salvation" (demonstrating Responsible Grace is NOTHING of works), it fully ruins "predestination". But here is the list again:
1. Salvation is a free gift of grace, paid for by Jesus' loving sacrifice.
1b. Jesus died ONLY because He loved us, completely. Eph2:4

2. All who believe Jesus, and receive Him (as Savior and Lord/master), are saved. Jn6:40

3. Salvation is "being IN CHRIST" (2Cor5:17), and Christ dwelling in him. 1Jn4:16

4. Salvation begins with faith, faith that receives His sacrifice. Rom5:17, Eph2:8

5. God receives the faith of those who come to Him (not vice-versa). Heb11:6, Acts10:34-35
5b. Faith is not a gift of God --- His position is respondent to man's faith.

6. Works are the consequence of "Christ in us" --- Eph2:10, Philip2:13.

7. Faith that does not produce good works, is dead (unsaved). James2:17, Matt7:16-20

8. Because our place in Christ, is CAUSED by faith, our faith can be deceived to unbelief. Heb3:12-14

9. Sin can deceive us to unbelief, and perishing. James1:14-16.

10 DECEIVERS can deceive us to unbelief, away from Christ. Col2:6-8, 1Jn2:26-28, 2Pet3:17, 2Jn1:7-9.

11. It is arrogant to think we can NOT fall from salvation; we stand BY faith (belief!), those who were cut off, were cut off because of UNBELIEF; if we do not continue in steadfast faith we WILL be cut off --- and those who FELL, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be restored. Rom11:21-23

12. "Belief", means "abide in Christ and in His love". We are admonished to "keep ourselves in His love (building ourselves in faith!)", Jude1:20-21. Rebuked to be diligent that we HAVE godly fruits, that we enter Heaven, 2Pet1:5-10 (even given as bad-example a man who WAS saved, but is now IMPURE). Warned to take care regarding ourselves and our teaching, persevere that WE SAVE OURSELVES, 1Tim4:16.

13. Warned to "examine ourselves (see if we have godly works), that we prove 'Christ is in us'." 2Cor13:5 --- conspicuously using "adokimos-unapproved-disqualified", the opposite of "Christ in us"; the same word Paul used in 1Cor9:27, which in verse 23 absolutely reflects "Paul's participation in the GOSPEL". Paul asserted his OWN salvation was forfeitable.

14. A search on the word "blameless", turns up at least 4 instances where blamelessness is OUR CHOICE (Philip2:15, Col1:21-23, 2Pet3:14, Jude24 w/20-21).

15. Our very reconciliation conditions on our "continuing in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and NOT being moved away from (Jesus) the Hope of the Gospel." Col1:21-23 is very clear. Equal "if" verses are 2Pet3:17, and Heb3:6, and Heb3:14. They all say the same.
It would be an overstatement for me to say that I have a history with this guy - but it is not necessarily an ugly one - though it has gotten ugly at times.

In a recent discussion over on the Sotorieology forums in regards to Hebrews 6:4-6 Ben posted these fifteen points.

Ben teaches a horrible theology that he calls "responsible grace." In essence he believe that once a Christian has been saved they can loose their salvation. I totally disagree with this and this has been our point of contention for so many years.

I have taken it upon myself to reply to each of these fifteen point on that thread but I'm putting them all here for organization's sake. Since I can't reply to each one at once I have been chipping away at them over the past week and will probably have to keep chipping. With other posters coming in to post their comments things can get seperated and conglomerated - so for continuity's sake I'm putting them here.

I decided to start in the middle at number 11 because I really felt that was where the heart of his argument lay.

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