Why do people hate easy believism?

[Danthemailman]

100% I do. I put my trust in the lord Jesus Christ finish work and not in my self.

John 6 "39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

All the glory is to him. Any brother who believe is save. You have no right asking or questioning if someone is they following the law. When you yourself are guilty of all.

Amen! Nobody is arguing for salvation through dead faith, which is a straw man argument used by works-salvationists who try to use James 2:14-24 in an effort to teach that man is saved by faith and works.

In James 2:14, we read of one who says/claims they have faith, but have no works (to evidence their claim). That is not genuine faith, but a bare profession of faith. So when James asks, "Can that faith save him?" he is saying nothing against genuine faith, but only against an empty profession of faith/dead faith. So James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine.

In James 2:24, James is not using the word "justified" here to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3). Works bear out the justification that already came by faith.

In regards to doing good in John 5:29, the good deeds of the redeemed (those who have done good) are not the basis or means by which they obtain salvation, but is the evidence of it. A person's conduct, whether good or evil, reveals the condition of his heart.

Doing good flows inescapably from a heart that is saved and doing evil flows equally inescapably from a heart that is unsaved. Notice that ALL who come forth unto the resurrection of life (believers - vs. 24) are described as those who have done good and ALL that come forth unto the resurrection of damnation (unbelievers) are described as those who have done evil.

Works-salvationists typically confuse "descriptive" passages of scripture with "prescriptive" passages of scripture and the end result is salvation by works. Believers are described as "those who have done good" and unbelievers are described as those "who have done evil."

What did Jesus say in John 3:18? - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already.. That is the dividing line.

 

[Albion]

Easy Believism teaches this.

I meant really, not in theory.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

In Titus 2:14, Jesus gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own possession who are zealous for doing good works,

I agree 100%.
There is also Ephesians 5:25-27, and Titus 2:11-12 that can be added to that, as well.

25 “...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (Titus 2:11-12).

so if we put our trust in Christ's finished work and not in ourselves, then what that looks like is becoming zealous for doing good works in obedience to God's law (Acts 21:20).

I don't think this phrase is compatible with what the Bible actually teaches. The finished work of Christ was not just with His death, burial, and resurrection, but the Lord continues to make us holy in our own lives as we walk with Him in the Sanctification Process.

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14).

OSAS proponents and or Belief Alone Proponents usually mean by the phrase, “we put our trust in Christ's finished work and not in ourselves,” as being a belief alone in Jesus for salvation and nothing else. Meaning: Believers do not have to do any good works as a part of salvation. Meaning: Believers do not have to live holy unto the Lord as a part of salvation. Meaning: Believers can even sin sometimes (or all the time), and not worry about it jeopardizing their salvation.

Obviously they have not read and understood 2 Timothy 3:1-9, and many other scores of verses.
Obviously they do not grasp the concept of basic morality just yet.
God cannot agree with sin. But that is what they are basically saying when they say that they do not lose salvation by committing grievous or mortal sin.
They do not understand that they have to confess and forsake sin in order to have mercy (Proverbs 28:13).

In Matthew 19:17, Jesus said that if we want to enter eternal life, then obey the commandments, so so that matched with John 6:39-40 means that obedience to the commandments is what it looks like to believe in Christ.

I 100% agree. Somehow they fail to understand this. Well, I think many have chosen to simply not see it (Cherry picking what verses they want to hear from their own slanted perspective).

Likewise, in Revelation 14:12, those who kept God's commandments are the same as those who kept faith in Jesus.

Yeah, it just seems like this verse does not exist in their belief system. Most of them by the use of other words will essentially say that no believer will overcome grievous or mortal sin in this life. They are basically saying no one is able to keep God's commands and that is why they need to believe in the finished work of Christ and nothing else. But they are just parroting what their Pastor says or what they read online. Why? Because it's a more comforting message. It's the easy wide gate path. Everyone is doing it, so why not go with the flow.

In Matthew 23:23, Jesus said that faith is one of the weightier matters of the law, so again obedience to the commandments is what it looks like to put our trust in Christ.

Thank you for saying this. This is very true. Many tend to think of faith and the Law as two separate things, when they are not. I believe Paul was condemning Works Alone Salvationism (via by man's rules and thinking) when he was speaking negatively of the generic use of the word “law.” They were the commandments of men. This form of man directed salvation did not include God's grace, and or proper obedience to ALL of God's true laws (Especially the most important ones like loving God and loving your neighbor).

But if one believes salvation is solely in the finished work of Christ and nothing else, then there is no real motivation to love God and love your neighbor properly according to Scripture. There is no real incentive to do so.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Amen! Nobody is arguing for salvation through dead faith, which is a straw man argument used by works-salvationists who try to use James 2:14-24 in an effort to teach that man is saved by faith and works.

In James 2:14, we read of one who says/claims they have faith, but have no works (to evidence their claim). That is not genuine faith, but a bare profession of faith. So when James asks, "Can that faith save him?" he is saying nothing against genuine faith, but only against an empty profession of faith/dead faith. So James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine.

In James 2:24, James is not using the word "justified" here to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3). Works bear out the justification that already came by faith.

In regards to doing good in John 5:29, the good deeds of the redeemed (those who have done good) are not the basis or means by which they obtain salvation, but is the evidence of it. A person's conduct, whether good or evil, reveals the condition of his heart.

Doing good flows inescapably from a heart that is saved and doing evil flows equally inescapably from a heart that is unsaved. Notice that ALL who come forth unto the resurrection of life (believers - vs. 24) are described as those who have done good and ALL that come forth unto the resurrection of damnation (unbelievers) are described as those who have done evil.

Works-salvationists typically confuse "descriptive" passages of scripture with "prescriptive" passages of scripture and the end result is salvation by works. Believers are described as "those who have done good" and unbelievers are described as those "who have done evil."

What did Jesus say in John 3:18? - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already.. That is the dividing line.

It's not a straw man. It's simply the truth. If you are not for works as a part of the faith or salvation then you are for anti-works. One is either for good works or they are not for good works. If you are for good works as a part of the faith, then you will not speak against good works. Same thing with holy living. If you are for holy living as a part of the faith or salvation, then you will not speak against such a thing. The same is true with sin. Do you believe you can commit grievous or mortal sin and still be saved while committing such sins? Can a Christian watch porn, and get drunk and still be saved while committing such sins? If so, then they can do all kinds of debauchery and still be saved. That is what this really about. It is about turning God's grace into a license for immorality as Jude 1:4 warns us about. Some believe in sinning a little bit with being handed the keys to the kingdom, and others believe that they can be excessively evil men and still be saved all because they have a belief alone on Jesus. Sure, you may talk up a work around to say true believers will not justify sin. But your definition is not living holy according to the Bible. Jesus never said we can sin and still be saved on any level.

So in conclusion: Belief Alone Proponents and or OSAS Proponents do not understand that the true grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (See: Titus 2:11-12). Such a concept is alien to them and does not exist.

 

[Albion]

It's not a straw man. It's simply the truth. If you are not for works as a part of the faith or salvation then you are for anti-works. .

I'm sorry, but that part is just ridiculous. Anyone who understands that salvation comes by Faith also knows that good works will be done by such a person simply because the one (Jesus) in whom he believes taught his disciples to live by kindness and love.

 

[Danigt22]

In Romans 3:21-22, the Torah and the Prophets testify that the righteousness of God comes through faith in Christ for all who believe, so this has always been the one and only means to become saved. In Genesis 6:8-9, Noah found grace in the eyes of God and was a righteous man, so he was saved by grace through faith in the same means as everyone else. God had no purpose in providing an alternative and unattainable means of becoming saved by obeying the Torah when a perfectly good means was already in place, so the Torah was never given for that purpose.

In Titus 2:14, Jesus gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own possession who are zealous for doing good works, so doing good works in obedience to the Torah is honoring what Jesus did for us (Acts 21:20) while returning to the lawlessness that Jesus gave himself to redeem us from is what would be diminishing what he did for us. Jesus set us free from the law of sin so that we might be free to obey the law of God, not the other way around (Romans 8:3-4). In Romans 8:4-7, those who walk in the Spirit are contrasted with those who have carnal minds who refuse to submit to the Torah.

Everyone who believes walks in the spirit, some better than others. Some with more rewards, other are save through fire. We need to put our trust in the finish work in the Cross only. Remember how Abraham thought he needed to help God for the promise to be fullfil. Well, that child that was born didnt inherit the kingdom.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Sure. But God was the one who paid the penalty for our sin, not us. It sounds unfair but that's just the truth.

Univeralists can say the same thing. But why are the Universalists wrong? Just because the Bible says so? Yes, but it is also a moral issue which you don't seem to be able to grasp.

If God paid for your present and future sin, then that means He is giving you a license to sin and to live however you want. This means God would have to agree with your sin on some level because He is saving you despite your evil. This is a distortion of the goodness of God and His holy and loving character.

Note: Universalists believe all will be saved in the end (Including the wicked).

No, it's salvation by works which cheapens God's grace.

Just because you say so or because it was drilled into you by Pastors over and over and over again. If somebody keeps repeating a lie to themselves long enough, they will believe it is true.

I sent you a long list of verses that supports Sanctification as a part of the salvation process.
I will attempt to shorten the list for you.

Short List on Works or Sanctification:

1. We are justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24).
   
   
2. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
   
   
3. A person can deny God by a lack of works (Titus 1:16).
   
   
4. Jesus agreed with the lawyer that to love God, and to love your neighbor is a part of inheriting eternal life (Luke 10:25-28).
   
   
5. Those who have done good, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, shall come forth unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:29).
   
   
6. We have to continue in His goodness, otherwise we can be cut off [just like the Jews were cut off] (Romans 11:21-22).
   
   
7. Helping the poor, and the unfortunate relates to inheriting the Kingdom (Matthew 25:34-40), and not helping the poor, and the unfortunate relates to going away into everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:41-46).
   
   
8. Whoever does not righteousness or does not love his brother is not of God (1 John 3:10).
   
   
9. Whoever does what Jesus says is likened unto a wise man who built his house upon the rock, and when a storm came, it did not fall, (Matthew 7:24-25), but the person who does not do what Jesus says is likened unto a fool who built his house upon the sand, and when a storm came, great was the fall of that house (Matthew 7:26-27).
   
   
10. Abiding in Jesus will bear much fruit, but if a person does not abide in Jesus [thereby being unfruitful], they are cast out [or cut off] like a branch to be burned in the fire (John 15:5-6).
    
    
11. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing (1 Peter 4:18-19).
    
    
12. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14) (NKJV).

The Bible says that our own righteousness is like a filthy rag. So if you can buy salvation by giving God a filthy rag, then that's pretty cheap.

No offense, but I think you are just parroting what others have taught you and you have not done the study to seek out this truth for yourself. Why do I say this? Because you don't understand the context of Isaiah when he talked about the Israelites' righteousness being like filthy rags.

5 “Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
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.
7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.” (Isaiah 64:5-7).​

Obviously you are not reading verses 5 and 7 in the above passage and you are ripping those words out of context to make your belief that justifies sin in some way work.

Do you even recall when Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their man made traditions? This would be their own righteousness. That is what verse 6 is referring to. God gave commands for Israel to obey. It would not be their own righteousness if they were to obey the commands God gave them. They would be obeying God.

Easy believism doesn't cheapen God's grace; it says it's free. If something is free it's not cheap.

It's cheap not because the Bible talks about how God's grace is a free gift, the OSAS version of grace is cheap because it teaches that one can turn God's grace into a license for immorality as Jude 1:4 warns us against.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I'm sorry, but that part is just ridiculous. Anyone who understands that salvation comes by Faith also knows that good works will be done by such a person simply because the one (Jesus) in whom he believes taught his disciples to live by kindness and love.

Then you believe that salvation includes good works then. If not, then you believe that a believer can have no good works and be saved. Do you believe that a believer can sin and still be saved? Was King David saved while he committed his sins of adultery and murder? Yes, or no? If he was saved, then that means the believer can also commit murder and adultery with the thinking they are saved, too.

 

[Albion]

If God paid for your present and future sin, then that means he is giving you a license to sin and to live however you want.

No, it does not.

If God paid for your sins and in so doing makes it possible for you to be saved through Faith...

you will not live a life of the kind you are describing. It is an impossibility.

The only way that any person could feel that he has a license to sin would be if he has not been saved, even though he might think and even announce that he has been.

 

[Albion]

Then you believe that salvation includes good works then.

Good works will follow salvation. Do you think that a saved person will avoid doing good?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Everyone who believes walks in the spirit, some better than others. Some with more rewards, other are save through fire.

Romans 8:13 gives a person two choices in life. One leads to life and the other to death.

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13).

Paul says we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Did Jesus justify sin? No, of course not.
A person who believes does not justify sin because Jesus did not justify sin.

We need to put our trust in the finish work in the Cross only.

Which translates into opening the door to creating more George Sodini's and Kenneth Nally's.

Check out this article here:
O.S.A.S. – THE WATCHMAN'S CRY

Remember how Abraham thought he needed to help God for the promise to be fullfil. Well, that child that was born didnt inherit the kingdom.

Okay. Jesus and His followers gave us many commandments. To obey Jesus and His followers is to obey God or to obey His instructions. Abraham was not obeying any instructions of God by trying to help God with the promise by sleep with his servant.

What else does the Bible say about not inheriting the kingdom?

In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists various sins like murder, hate, idolatry, drunkenness, adultery, etc. and say that they which do such sins will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In Matthew 25:34, we are told that the believer who helped the poor was told to inherit the kingdom. The believer who refused or disobeyed in helping the poor was told, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: ...” etc. (Matthew 25:41).

 

[Oompa Loompa]

I meant really, not in theory.

To be honest, I have only found a small handful of people who believe this. But they are out there. Typically it comes from an ignorant laity trying to evangelize a false gospel they themselves do not fully understand.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Good works will follow salvation. Do you think that a saved person will avoid doing good?

Sure, good works follow the salvation of God's grace. So if salvation always includes good works then you cannot deny that works plays a part in the salvation process. I believe Sanctification is also included in the salvation process. But somehow you don't believe that. Yet, you say Sanctification will follow? But what if no Sanctification happens? They are not saved?

 

[Junia]

The only reason why someone would dislike the fact that salvation is easy is because they are prideful. Think about this. Whenever you do something that isn't easy, don't you become prideful? It was not easy for me to do my first job interview. But after I was done I was proud about the fact that I managed to do it anyway. I was prideful because I did something that was not easy. But that's not salvation. Salvation is the easiest thing in the world. You don't get saved by accomplishing anything (let alone something that isn't easy), you get saved by receiving a free gift that is freely given to everyone. The only way to get saved is by believing in Jesus, not by believing in yourself. That's why it's impossible for prideful people to get saved.

Whenever someone dislikes the term "easy believism", that is a sign that you are dealing with a prideful person. The more prideful you are, the more you hate easy believism. The prideful person delights in the fact that they earned their salvation by their own efforts, and hates the idea that salvation could be easy. The prideful person gives glory to himself rather than giving glory to God.

But the truly humble person loves it. He loves the fact that salvation is so easy and so simple. They don't mind the fact that they can't take any glory out of their own salvation, but that God takes all the glory.

I

Amen

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I meant really, not in theory.

I talked with several people who believe they could mow down a crowd of people with a machine gun and they said they would be saved while doing so. One guy I talked with in person about this and others who believe this way I have talked with online. Then there is George Sodini who believed that Jesus paid for all future sin by having a belief alone on Jesus and nothing else. George Sodini murdered a bunch of people, and took his own life. Then there are the many testimonies online of people who believed in OSAS and or Belief Alone-ism and how these beliefs had led them to backslide into sin. Then there are many others who have committed suicide because of OSAS, too. They thought they would be saved even if they killed themselves. Kenneth Nally killed himself as a part of the teachings in John MacArthur's church. They taught that those who commit suicide will be saved.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

No, it does not.

If God paid for your sins and in so doing makes it possible for you to be saved through Faith...

you will not live a life of the kind you are describing. It is an impossibility.

The only way that any person could feel that he has a license to sin would be if he has not been saved, even though he might think and even announce that he has been.

Okay. Let's make this real simple here. Do you believe that someone who believes as you do is capable of committing mortal or grievous sin? If so, did they lose their salvation when they committed a mortal sin? If not, then what stops a person from thinking they cannot sin all the time and think they are saved? What is the difference between thinking one is saved while one sins when they stumble vs. the one who sins all the time and thinks they are saved? I don't see the difference because one is not believing that confessing sin leads to forgiveness of sin as 1 John 1:9 teaches. One is not believing the words of Jesus that the sin of looking upon another in lust can cause a person to be cast bodily into hellfire (Matthew 5:28-30). One is not warning others properly of what sin does and thus, many slip into hell as a result.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

No, it does not.

If God paid for your sins and in so doing makes it possible for you to be saved through Faith...

you will not live a life of the kind you are describing. It is an impossibility.

The only way that any person could feel that he has a license to sin would be if he has not been saved, even though he might think and even announce that he has been.

The problem with your belief here is that the same EXACT message can be heard and one person obeys and the other does not. The one who obeys is of God. But the problem is that the MESSAGE is what is causing the other person to disobey. When we say that we are saved by a belief alone in Jesus and nothing else, they can take your words as thinking they can disobey God and still be saved. For the message the George Sodini believed sounds like the same one you do. Granted, you believe a believer must live holy or they were not saved. But again, the initial message sounds the same and can lead a person to potentially sin. For George Sodini justified his sins of murder and suicide based on the words that Jesus paid for his future sins in his own suicide letter.

 

[Danthemailman]

It's not a straw man. It's simply the truth.

It's not simply the truth, but is a straw man argument and man is saved by grace through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9)

If you are not for works as a part of the faith or salvation then you are for anti-works.

I'm not anti-works. I simply put good works in their proper place. Subsequent to having been saved through faith. We have been saved through faith and created in Christ Jesus FIRST then unto/for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)

One is either for good works or they are not for good works. If you are for good works as a part of the faith, then you will not speak against good works.

I am all for good works as part of the Christian walk AFTER having been saved through faith. Works are the fruit of faith, but not the essence of faith. Works-salvationists typically wrap both faith and works up in a package, then simply stamp "faith" on the package, making no distinction between faith and works. The end result is salvation by faith and works.

Same thing with holy living. If you are for holy living as a part of the faith or salvation, then you will not speak against such a thing.

If we are saved based on the merits of holy living/works (which could include any number of good works) then just how holy must you be/how many good works does it take? That's not salvation through faith, but salvation by works.

The same is true with sin. Do you believe you can commit grievous or mortal sin and still be saved while committing such sins? Can a Christian watch porn, and get drunk and still be saved while committing such sins? If so, then they can do all kinds of debauchery and still be saved.

Typical straw man argument from those who see themselves as "holier than thou." The Christian life is not about committing continuous, willful grievous sins as a Christian (1 John 3:7-10) so save your straw man arguments.

That is what this really about. It is about turning God's grace into a license for immorality as Jude 1:4 warns us about.

That's not what it's about at all, but that is your continued straw man argument. Jude is exhorting believers to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (vs. 3) because certain ungodly men who have crept in unnoticed. Jude further describes these ungodly men as ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit (vs. 19) In CONTRAST to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and PRESERVED in Jesus Christ (vs. 1).

Some believe in sinning a little bit with being handed the keys to the kingdom, and others believe that they can be excessively evil men and still be saved all because they have a belief alone on Jesus. Sure, you may talk up a work around to say true believers will not justify sin. But your definition is not living holy according to the Bible. Jesus never said we can sin and still be saved on any level.

So now you are teaching sinless perfection? This is all about you promoting yourself as "holier than thou" while looking down on and judging others. Particularly those in the OSAS camp. Seeking to live holy according to the Bible is not about "works righteousness." It's also not about the absolute perfection of our walk, but the direction of our walk.

So in conclusion: Belief Alone Proponents and or OSAS Proponents do not understand that the true grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (See: Titus 2:11-12). Such a concept is alien to them and does not exist.

I understand perfectly that the "grace of God" teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, so save your straw man arguments. It's time for you to come down off your high horse and stop exalting yourself and judging others (just like in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector - Luke 18:9-14). It's really getting old.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

It's not simply the truth, but is a straw man argument and man is saved by grace through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9)

I'm not anti-works. I simply put good works in their proper place. Subsequent to having been saved through faith. We have been saved through faith and created in Christ Jesus FIRST then unto/for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)

I am all for good works as part of the Christian walk AFTER having been saved through faith. Works are the fruit of faith, but not the essence of faith. Works-salvationists typically wrap both faith and works up in a package, then simply stamp "faith" on the package, making no distinction between faith and works. The end result is salvation by faith and works.

If we are saved based on the merits of holy living/works (which could include any number of good works) then just how holy must you be/how many good works does it take? That's not salvation through faith, but salvation by works.

Typical straw man argument from those who see themselves as "holier than thou." The Christian life is not about committing continuous, willful grievous sins as a Christian (1 John 3:7-10) so save your straw man arguments.

That's not what it's about at all, but that is your continued straw man argument. Jude is exhorting believers to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (vs. 3) because certain ungodly men who have crept in unnoticed. Jude further describes these ungodly men as ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit (vs. 19) In CONTRAST to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and PRESERVED in Jesus Christ (vs. 1).

So now you are teaching sinless perfection? This is all about you promoting yourself as "holier than thou" while looking down on and judging others. Particularly those in the OSAS camp. Seeking to live holy according to the Bible is not about "works righteousness." It's also not about the absolute perfection of our walk, but the direction of our walk.

I understand perfectly that the "grace of God" teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, so save your straw man arguments. It's time for you to come down off your high horse and stop exalting yourself and judging others (just like in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector - Luke 18:9-14). It's really getting old.

After we are saved by God's grace, God does the good work through us as a part of the salvation process, as well:

1. We are justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24).
   
   
2. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
   
   
3. A person can deny God by a lack of works (Titus 1:16).
   
   
4. Jesus agreed with the lawyer that to love God, and to love your neighbor is a part of inheriting eternal life (Luke 10:25-28).
   
   
5. Those who have done good, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, shall come forth unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:29).
   
   
6. We have to continue in His goodness, otherwise we can be cut off [just like the Jews were cut off] (Romans 11:21-22).
   
   
7. Helping the poor, and the unfortunate relates to inheriting the Kingdom (Matthew 25:34-40), and not helping the poor, and the unfortunate relates to going away into everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:41-46).
   
   
8. Whoever does not righteousness or does not love his brother is not of God (1 John 3:10).
   
   
9. Whoever does what Jesus says is likened unto a wise man who built his house upon the rock, and when a storm came, it did not fall, (Matthew 7:24-25), but the person who does not do what Jesus says is likened unto a fool who built his house upon the sand, and when a storm came, great was the fall of that house (Matthew 7:26-27).
   
   
10. Abiding in Jesus will bear much fruit, but if a person does not abide in Jesus [thereby being unfruitful], they are cast out [or cut off] like a branch to be burned in the fire (John 15:5-6).
    
    
11. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing (1 Peter 4:18-19).
    
    
12. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14) (NKJV).

You have to twist these verses above in order to make your belief in Belief Alone-ism (Which has led many into sin or treating God's grace into a license to sin) work.

 

[Albion]

To be honest, I have only found a small handful of people who believe this. But they are out there. .

and I think you are right about that. No matter what the strange twist may be, someone, somewhere, believes it.

But that isn't the problem with "Easy Believism."

The people who talk, talk, talk about "Easy Believism" want everyone to think it is typical of Christians who believe in the venerable doctrine of Sola Fide, or at least that it's commonplace. Here on this very thread, we've read claims that if a person believes in salvation by Faith, it supposedly raises the issue of "Easy Believism."

So while it no doubt exists among some very confused people, it is not a consequence of Sola Fide and not at all typical of Protestant Christianity.