SALVATION

[fhansen]

Looking to ourselves for the righteousness that survives death and avoids condenmnation requires, as you have stated, that we ignore the depravity of our own flesh, it requires that we don't count our little sins as sins, and it requires that we muster up the stength to avoid the big sins

It requires that we look to God rather than ourselves for the overcoming of ours sins, and rather than pretend that we don't really have them. And He wants a little of our strength, our wills, our effort involved in this. for our greatest good, and then for us to become even stronger yet in that choice and conviction to become even more like Him yet. Again, "At the evening of life we shall be judged on our love", the "most excellent way" as Paul puts it in 1 Cor 12:31.

And, again, the correct way to look at this matter of sin was hammered out by the church many, many centuries ago, as outlined in post #669.

 

[setst777]

Let me rephrase that to be more clear. You are saying, "Jesus only forgives the sins of people who live a santified life of righteousness". That makes a lot of sense doesn't it?

That makes complete sense to me and to all Christians who believe the Bible is God's Word, because that is what the Scriptures state and teach in many ways throughout the New Testament.

For instance:

1 John 1:5-7 (WEB) 5 This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 2:1-6 (WEB) My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 2 And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. 3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4 One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5 But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

The true believers still live in corrupted flesh in a sinful world.
True believers have committed themselves not to commit any sins, but to live sanctified lives onto God in righteousness and love.
Even so, true Christians will sin in weakness.
God is merciful to cleanse the believer from sins of weakness if we confess our sins.

However, a Christian will not live in sin, for that is impossible to do and still remain a Christian.

1 John 3:7 Little children, don’t be deceived. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 John 3:9 No one born of God continues living in any sin, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

2 Timothy 2:19 However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” [Numbers 16:5] and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”

Galatians 5:24-25 (NIV) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Can a professing Christian be “of the devil”?

1 John 3:10 This is how the children of God are differentiated from the children of the devil. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God...

 

[Mark Quayle]

Of course it would behoove you to believe that as you've bought into a novel and somewhat skewed gospel, but I don't need to repeat-already been their. You've objected to support from the voice of Scripture, experience, reason and history while sticking with a theology that seeks to resolve certain questions regarding the order of salvation, but fails and in so doing does some violence to the gospel.

Paul is the one who preached the Gospel I attempt to show. It is no more novel nor skewed than that.

Everyone's private interpretations of Scripture will be prone to some error on the basics of our faith. Some will be closer and so me will be further. The closer ones have generally strayed less far from the faith as taught historically.

Assumption, but even then, not proven, except by your adherence to RCC. Numbers of adherents don't make truth.

I'm not sure. As long as we don't fall into the error of presuming that we are necessarily numbered among the elect, that we will necessarily persevere, so that the identify of any such persons are hypothetical, then we are on truer ground.

Agreed.

No, faith is the first "event" in response to grace. That faith is to enter a state of justice which means rebirth salvation, as long as we remain in that state, still friends with God meaning that we will be living and walking justly.

Agreed, except that I would say faith is the first 'event' of grace. That we exercise faith, I don't contest, but that salvific faith is generated by the will of man, I disagree vehemently. We do indeed turn to him, and that, willfully, upon recognizing his grace toward us, and we gratefully submit and continue in belief, but that is subsequent to our changed heart, that is done in us, without consulting us for permission. And for THAT, I thank God, or I would never have granted him the permission, even if I was desperate, except in words only. And the words don't do it.

 

[fhansen]

Paul is the one who preached the Gospel I attempt to show. It is no more novel nor skewed than that.

It’s your partial, skewed, misunderstanding of Paul.

Assumption, but even then, not proven, except by your adherence to RCC. Numbers of adherents don't make truth.

Nothing gets proven to anyone who doesn’t want to know the truth. And it’s not just RCC but EO and ECFs as well.

Agreed, except that I would say faith is the first 'event' of grace. That we exercise faith, I don't contest, but that salvific faith is generated by the will of man, I disagree vehemently.

And I've said nothing of the kind. Faith is a gift. generated by God. The difference in our opinions is in whether or not man must respond to the gift, to that grace, and keep responding to it. And I think we all really know that the answer to that is "no". I think we also know that our response can be more or less strong, more or less weak, and can vary according to places and situations. But the stronger and more consistent it becomes, the surer and truer is our relationship with Him.

 

[Mark Quayle]

And I've said nothing of the kind. Faith is a gift. generated by God. The difference in our opinions is in whether or not man must respond to the gift, to that grace, and keep responding to it. And I think we all really know that the answer to that is "no". I think we also know that our response can be more or less strong, more or less weak, and can vary according to places and situations. But the stronger and more consistent it becomes, the surer and truer is our relationship with Him.

I have always insisted that man MUST respond to that grace, and not only that, but that he WILL, if indeed he is born again of the Spirit of God. Where do you get that I think otherwise?

Because I also insist that his response is not what saves him?

 

[fhansen]

I have always insisted that man MUST respond to that grace, and not only that, but that he WILL, if indeed he is born again of the Spirit of God. Where do you get that I think otherwise?

My point, which should be obvious by now, was that said grace is still resistible-man can reject it. He can refuse to respond. And without his response, he's not saved. Can't be saved without grace-as then there would be nothing to respond to-but he can still refuse to be saved; he can refuse that grace.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

It requires that we look to God rather than ourselves for the overcoming of ours sins, and rather than pretend that we don't really have them.

The pretense is thinking that one's sins won't be counted against him. The only way to avoid that is by receiving His forgiveness because...

But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away. (Is 64:6)

And He wants a little of our strength, our wills, our effort involved in this. for our greatest good, and then for us to become even stronger yet in that choice and conviction to become even more like Him yet. Again, "At the evening of life we shall be judged on our love", the "most excellent way" as Paul puts it in 1 Cor 12:31.

Yeah, that quote has no connection whatsoever with 1 Corinthians 12:31.

And, again, the correct way to look at this matter of sin was hammered out by the church many, many centuries ago, as outlined in post #669.

There was no need for the Catholic church to hammer out the matter of sin because God did that when He codified His laws to convict the world of sin and drive them all to Jesus for forgiveness, as Paul puts is in Galatians 3:24-25,

24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (Ga 3:24–25)​

And David described the righteousness that is derived not by obedience to the law, which you promote, but by forgiveness of sins when he wrote,

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.” (Ps 32:1-2; Ro 4:7–8)

It seems as though the hammering out has made the doctrine of sin and forgiveness unrecognizable.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Let me rephrase that to be more clear. You are saying, "Jesus only forgives the sins of people who live a santified life of righteousness". That makes a lot of sense doesn't it?

That makes complete sense to me and to all Christians who believe the Bible is God's Word, because that is what the Scriptures state and teach in many ways throughout the New Testament.

No it doesn't make sense. Your whole point is that people who live a sanctified life don't sin except in moments of weakness. In those moments of weakness, they are not living a sanctified life of righteousness. So, under your doctrine, they can't be forgiven because failing to live a sanctified life of righteousness disqualifies them for forgiveness. So forgiveness is only for those who do not need forgiveness.

But your doctrine shows that you believe forgiveness is earned by a person's commitment and demonstrated follow-through at living a sanctified life of righteousness. It fails to recognize that 1) every instance of sin is the result of having fleshly lusts upon which temptation can act (James 1:14), and 2) every temptation that one yields to is a willful choice to not take the way of escape that the Lord provided (1 Cor 10:13).

For instance:

1 John 1:5-7 (WEB) 5 This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 2:1-6 (WEB) My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 2 And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. 3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4 One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5 But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

The true believers still live in corrupted flesh in a sinful world.
True believers have committed themselves not to commit any sins, but to live sanctified lives onto God in righteousness and love.
Even so, true Christians will sin in weakness.
God is merciful to cleanse the believer from sins of weakness if we confess our sins.

However, a Christian will not live in sin, for that is impossible to do and still remain a Christian.

Does believing false doctrines constitute living in sin and does it cancel a person's Christianity?

1 John 3:7 Little children, don’t be deceived. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 John 3:9 No one born of God continues living in any sin, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

These verses in 1 John are speaking of the new creature that God brings into existance when He comes to live in a person's heart. This new man is joined to the Lord and is one spirit with Him. He is truly righteous and holy.

Some people do as you are doing and attempt to make these verses about sinning only a little bit. They add words or subtract words to the verses to to take away the strident language found in the original text. What is most stiking to me is the relativism in this view that says 1) some undefined amount of sin does not disqualify one from being as righteous as Jesus, and 2) some undefined amount of sin does not disqualify a person from having God's seed remain in him. That relativism requires that we not look at our own histories and judge that years and years of frequent sins place us in the category of sin being a habit.

2 Timothy 2:19 However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” [Numbers 16:5] and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”

Galatians 5:24-25 (NIV) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Can a professing Christian be “of the devil”?

1 John 3:10 This is how the children of God are differentiated from the children of the devil. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God...

This is how I know that I am a child of God. He lives in me, I am joined to Him, and I am one spirit with Him. I see Him and His righteousness in me, and I see that the new man He created in me is in perfect agreement with Him. I can walk free of the condemnation that is due me because of the sins and sinfulness of the flesh, and I can serve Him in the newness of life. When I walk as He leads, I enjoy the fruits of His righteousness. When I don't I experience His correction.

Under your definition, how much sin do you tolerate in your own life before you decide that you are not "practicing righteousness"? Or is this verse only for other people? Hint: This verse and others like it are written for you to judge yourself, not others.

 

[AbbaLove]

The reason that sin/moral evil can exist at all is due to the abuse of the gift of free will. We can either continue to follow Adam's path in this, or by grace, we can turn from it.

You would be more specific to have said, by obedience (or by Faith with the Holy Spirit).

So, shall we then continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! (Romans 6:2). To continue in repetitive sin shows a misunderstanding of His Grace (i.e. hyper-grace) and a disregard, if not contempt, for Christ's' atoning sacrifice.

 

[fhansen]

The pretense is thinking that one's sins won't be counted against him. The only way to avoid that is by receiving His forgiveness because...

But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away. (Is 64:6)

Forgiveness is one part of the story. Overcoming sin is another part.

Yeah, that quote has no connection whatsoever with 1 Corinthians 12:31.

Yes, it has everything to do with 1 Corinthians 12:31. And it's a sad state to think that Christianity has lost sight of this-of the centrality of love in the Christian faith.

It seems as though the hammering out has made the doctrine of sin and forgiveness unrecognizable.

Clever, but Jesus didn't die so you could remain in the sins that you're no longer held accountable for. The law teaches us one fact, that we cannot be righteous-who we are created to be -on our own, apart from the Vine that gives us life. And God didn't create you to be a sinner. "Righteousness" is not dirty word just because it cannot be obtained by mere observance of the law. Only He can make you right, can adorn you with clean robes rather than filthy rags, only He can justify you.

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." Rom 8:12-14

I know, we hate obligation, being a debtor. But that's just our flesh speaking anyway-and God's purpose is want to elevate us above that.

 

[fhansen]

You would be more specific to have said, by obedience (or by Faith with the Holy Spirit).

Alright. In any case faith is a gift of grace, and walking in the Spirit is the life of grace. It all begins with grace.

So, shall we then continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! (Romans 6:2). To continue in repetitive sin shows a misunderstanding of His Grace (i.e. hyper-grace) and a disregard, if not contempt, for Christ's' atoning sacrifice.

Yes, this is our obligation that I spoke of in the previous post. But it's an obligation we cannot simply begin to fulfill on our own now. The righteousness that now overcomes sin is a gift of grace itself. When we remain in Him, walking by the Sprit, that channel of grace is open, and the grace that abounds can and will and must overcome the sin that otherwise abounds as we fail to remain in Him.

"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!" Rom 5:17

 

[fhansen]

I know everyone is quite sincere in their beliefs and positions, with plausible enough arguments from Scripture for the most part, but rather than continuing to go round and round trading verses, which is very easy to do with Scripture (think 2 Tim 2:14-15), I think it could be time in this thread to just summarize our positions. And perhaps let it rest from there, if such is possible for the likes of us .

In historic Christian teachings man is forgiven of sin and given the gift of justice/righteousness, with new hearts and new spirits as he turns to God in faith, faith being both a gift of grace and a human choice to accept and act upon that gift. Faith means the life of grace, God’s own seed/life implanted into us. Man is now obligated to walk in that righteousness, by remaining in the Spirit. He’s expected to invest and express and grow in that righteousness, that love, to put it best, as He grows nearer to God with whatever gifts and time and opportunity he’s allowed.

Grace is resistible from the beginning of his walk to the end of his life. But as he cooperates with that grace, with God’s work, then his righteousness, his love, and therefore his calling and election, his salvation, is all the more sure. Our fruits, motivated by the love He’s poured into us (Rom 5:5), are the greatest marker or evidence of our sonship. At the end we let Him tell us how we’ve done with what we’ve been given, with more expected from those given more. This combination of God’s grace associated with man’s obligation is a good and wise work of God's-because it’s an incomparably good obligation, this obligation to know Him and to love as He does, possible only by virtue of communion with Him.

I firmly believe that, at the end of our lives. we shall be judged on our love. Not on works of the law, not on our faith, or on some self-determined state of regeneration, but on our love.

 

[AbbaLove]

You should post your above #1,152 in this Salvation thread ... Salvation from the Catholic View Compared to the Eastern Orthodox View

Thus saving it from becoming 58 pages. Unfortunate that it took you so long to arrive at your concluding post. Now we know your justification for sprinkling an infant with holy water.as well as other Christian SALVATION doctrine. Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8) ...

Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:27 and 1 Corinthians 13:13
​

Thanks to Christian fellowship all Christians agree with your concluding post #1152 before you started your controversial thread.

 

[Gr8Grace]

-
​

In The Bible it has always been belief in Jesus for Eternal Life salvation.

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

God Bless you. 58 pages of nonsense, and you presented the truth on the first page.

 

[Gr8Grace]

Salvation is only by faith in Jesus Christ.

"Whoever believes in the Son is not condemned. . .whoever does not believe stands condemned already." (Jn 3:18)

Great to see your posts! Truth.

 

[setst777]

No it doesn't make sense. Your whole point is that people who live a sanctified life don't sin except in moments of weakness. In those moments of weakness, they are not living a sanctified life of righteousness. So, under your doctrine, they can't be forgiven because failing to live a sanctified life of righteousness disqualifies them for forgiveness. So forgiveness is only for those who do not need forgiveness.

I will stick with the Scriptures. We are to walk in the light as he is in the light for the blood of Christ to cleanse us of any sins. You will likely never understand this plain teaching, but that is what God reveals to us in plain language.

1 John 1:5-7 (WEB) 5 This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

If a Christian lives in sin, he is no longer in the faith; rather, he has become a child of the devil.

1 John 3:9 No one born of God continues living in any sin, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

2 Timothy 2:19 However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” [Numbers 16:5] and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”

Galatians 5:24-25 (NIV) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

1 John 3:10 This is how the children of God are differentiated from the children of the devil. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God...

But your doctrine shows that you believe forgiveness is earned by a person's commitment and demonstrated follow-through at living a sanctified life of righteousness. It fails to recognize that 1) every instance of sin is the result of having fleshly lusts upon which temptation can act (James 1:14), and 2) every temptation that one yields to is a willful choice to not take the way of escape that the Lord provided (1 Cor 10:13).

A Christian who does not continue to sow to the Spirit will reap corruption.
The Spirit will only give eternal life to the Christian who sows to the Spirit in righteousness without giving up.

Galatians 6:7-9 Paul warns the Galatian Christians 7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for what a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will {{{from the Spirit}}} reap Eternal Life. 9 Let {{{us}}} not be weary in doing good, for {{{we}}} will reap in due season, {{{if we}}} do not give up.

Romans 8:12-14 (NIV) 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Does believing false doctrines constitute living in sin and does it cancel a person's Christianity?

Yes.

1 Timothy 4:16 Pay attention to yourself and to your doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing so you will save yourself and those who hear (listen to) you.

2 Timothy 3:4-5 (WEB) 3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.

These verses in 1 John are speaking of the new creature that God brings into existance when He comes to live in a person's heart. This new man is joined to the Lord and is one spirit with Him. He is truly righteous and holy.

These are the only Christians who are saved - those who live righteously before God, walking in the Light, walking just as Lord Jesus walked.

1 John 2:4 One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5 But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word.

1 John 3:6 Whoever remains in him doesn’t live in sin. Whoever lives in sin hasn’t seen him, nor knows him.

Such Scriptures are plain to understand.

Some people do as you are doing and attempt to make these verses about sinning only a little bit. They add words or subtract words to the verses to to take away the strident language found in the original text. What is most stiking to me is the relativism in this view that says 1) some undefined amount of sin does not disqualify one from being as righteous as Jesus, and 2) some undefined amount of sin does not disqualify a person from having God's seed remain in him. That relativism requires that we not look at our own histories and judge that years and years of frequent sins place us in the category of sin being a habit.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (Paul addressed the born-again Christians, admonishing them) 3 For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God, 6 that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because, the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we keep warning you. 7 For God called us [Christians] not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.

This is how I know that I am a child of God. He lives in me, I am joined to Him, and I am one spirit with Him. I see Him and His righteousness in me, and I see that the new man He created in me is in perfect agreement with Him. I can walk free of the condemnation that is due me because of the sins and sinfulness of the flesh, and I can serve Him in the newness of life. When I walk as He leads, I enjoy the fruits of His righteousness. When I don't I experience His correction.

Under your definition, how much sin do you tolerate in your own life before you decide that you are not "practicing righteousness"? Or is this verse only for other people? Hint: This verse and others like it are written for you to judge yourself, not others.

The newness of life is a life that is sanctified unto righteousness, just as Lord Jesus walked.
A sanctified life onto righteousness is the only faith by which God gives us eternal life.

Romans 6:2-4 (WEB) 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:18-23 … 18 Being made free from sin, you became {{{slaves of righteousness.}}} 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now, being made free from sin and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit of sanctification and the result is eternal life.

 

[d taylor]

God Bless you. 58 pages of nonsense, and you presented the truth on the first page.

-
​

Thank you glad to know there are a few around who believe the simple truth of belief in Jesus gives people God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Forgiveness is one part of the story. Overcoming sin is another part.

There you go again with works based salvation. Of course there are two parts to salvation. We see it in John 3:16 (and many other verses). God sent Jesus to earth that whoever believes in Him 1) shall not perish because He forgives their sins, and 2) shall have everlasting life because He separates then from sin and gives them His life when He comes to live in their hearts. Both parts of salvation are accomplished in their entirety by Christ upon Him saving us and they both always remain effective during our lives as we live out the new lives He gave us when He came to live in our hearts. It is not by good works that we overcome sin. It is our separation from sin that sanctifies us unto good works.

Yes, it has everything to do with 1 Corinthians 12:31. And it's a sad state to think that Christianity has lost sight of this-of the centrality of love in the Christian faith.

No it doesn't. Your quote says that at the end of our lives God will judge us on the basis of our love. That is not what 1 Corinthians 12:31 says. And there is no verse that supports this doctrine.

Clever, but Jesus didn't die so you could remain in the sins that you're no longer held accountable for. The law teaches us one fact, that we cannot be righteous-who we are created to be -on our own, apart from the Vine that gives us life. And God didn't create you to be a sinner. "Righteousness" is not dirty word just because it cannot be obtained by mere observance of the law. Only He can make you right, can adorn you with clean robes rather than filthy rags, only He can justify you.

I see that you do not understand rigtheousness apart from the law. I will show it to you again...

5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:​

​

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,​

And whose sins are covered;​

8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”​

​

The New King James Version (Ro 4:5–8). (1982). Thomas Nelson.​

A person whose lawless deeds are forgiven by God and whose sins are covered by God and whose sins will not be counted against him by God is blessed by God and is right with God. This is rightness with God outside of obeying the law.

You turn righteousness into a requirement to obey the law (i.e., works). But this is foolish (see Galatians 3). When you pick up the law to secure your righteousness, you place yourself under the curse of the law because the law requires perfect obedience. This is something you apparently do not understand. But you would be wise to seek to understand it and adopt it.

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." Rom 8:12-14

I know, we hate obligation, being a debtor. But that's just our flesh speaking anyway-and God's purpose is want to elevate us above that.

Yes, salvation through good works needs an obligation. But Romans 8:12-14 does not provide it. It does not say we have an obligation, it says we are not under obligation to the flesh. And the passage proves the veracity of what I have been saying, i.e., that the flesh is corrupt, cannot be made less corrupt, and should not be indulged. It goes on to say that by the Spirit, we condemn the depravity and vileness our own flesh, but we celebrate the fact that He has separated us from the flesh, that He has made us one spirit with Him, and that we will be free of the flesh when we exit the flesh and obtain our sure inheritance. The Spirit leads us into these truths and we rejoice in them...

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Ro 8:14–17)​

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22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Ro 8:22–25)​

This is what salvation is all about. It is not gained or maintained by being a loving person.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

I will stick with the Scriptures.

It appears you are adding to and subtracting from the Scriptures.

We are to walk in the light as he is in the light for the blood of Christ to cleanse us of any sins.

This is adding to the Scriptures. There is no quid pro quo for God's forgiveness.

You will likely never understand this plain teaching, but that is what God reveals to us in plain language.

You just committed a sin. Perhaps it was committed in weakeness.

If a Christian lives in sin, he is no longer in the faith; rather, he has become a child of the devil.

This is a false doctrine.

The Spirit will only give eternal life to the Christian who sows to the Spirit in righteousness without giving up.

Another false doctrine. They are starting to pile up.

Does believing false doctrines constitute living in sin and does it cancel a person's Christianity?

Yes.

These are the only Christians who are saved - those who live righteously before God, walking in the Light, walking just as Lord Jesus walked.

Another false doctrine.

The newness of life is a life that is sanctified unto righteousness, just as Lord Jesus walked.
A sanctified life onto righteousness is the only faith by which God gives us eternal life.

One more.

To summarize your false doctrines, you think that people earn eternal life by living righteous lives. This is an old religion, but it is antithetical to the gospel of Christ. The best thing I can do for you is to point you to Galatians and ask you to ruminate on these Scriptures...

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (Ga 1:6–7)​

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? (Ga 4:21)​

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3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? (Ga 3:1)​

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10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Ga 3:10–14)​

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5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. (Ga 5:1–6)​

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Am I to assume that the reason you are not willing to answer the question below is because you do not want to admit you believe in the doctrine of sinless perfection?

Since you are always walking in the light and never hide the truth, please confess that you believe in sinless perfection. If you can't say so with a simple statement like, "Yes, I believe in sinless perfection", your deception disproves your theory. If you deny that you believe in sinless perfection, please clarify the differnce between your concept of sinlessness and the doctrine of sinless perfection.​