Are we saved by faith alone or faith plus works?

JLB777

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"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" Ephesians 2:8-9

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love" Galatians 5:6

"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the spirit and belief in the truth: 2 Thessalonians 2:13

and there are so many other verses


None of which say “faith alone”.


Quite the opposite it says ... faith working through love.


For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6



Faith must have the action of obedience to complete it, otherwise faith is dormant or dead, and unable to produce the intended divine result.


Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? James 2:21-22



The “work” Abraham did was to obey God by offering his son Issac on the altar.



JLB
 
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GodsGrace101

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Progressive sanctification is a religious control doctrine. Do your own study about what sanctify really is. Either you're set apart (sanctified) or you're not. It's like being kinda pregnant. You are or you aren't. There's no in between.
But what about our own experience?
Personally, I'm not too controlled by anyone or anything...and I have studied this stuff on my own.

We are set apart.....
However I do see myself as being much better than I was almost 40 years ago when I first met Jesus.

I'm not saying there's an in-between...I'm saying that we do get better and better.

You don't think you're better than you were?
Or WILL GET better?
 
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ace of hearts

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God! prayer! one thing I pray for every morning is to be a light, and throughout the day I find myself acting in ways that are pleasing to God. it's out of your own intrinsic motivation to act righteously, because of how much we love God and we always want to be glorifying him, right?
Excellent answer.
 
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ace of hearts

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But what about our own experience?
Personally, I'm not too controlled by anyone or anything...and I have studied this stuff on my own.

We are set apart.....
However I do see myself as being much better than I was almost 40 years ago when I first met Jesus.

I'm not saying there's an in-between...I'm saying that we do get better and better.

You don't think you're better than you were?
Or WILL GET better?
Are you confusing or conflating holiness, righteousness or living righteously with sanctification?
 
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DM25

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Nowhere am I suggesting that a person can be saved without God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ (i.e. John 3:16, for God so loved the world...), but we also have to love God and love our neighbor in addition to that. If not, we will not have eternal life. Luke 10:25-28 is teaching what must follow after we are saved by God's grace. Salvation is in both God's grace through faith and in works of faith (that follow). It's not by a belief alone in Jesus (if a person lives out their faith) anymore than it is Works Alone Salvationism (Without God's grace). A person has to distort God's Word in tons of places in order to make salvation all about a belief alone on Jesus (for those who live out their faith).

While we do have a new nature from being born again spiritually, we are also not forced against our will to live a holy life, either. We still have free will; And the believer is given many warnings.
Wrong. That is unbiblcical. We are saved by grace through faith alone. After we are saved we get sanctified and have the holy spirit, no we don't have the free will to live "in darkness" anymore because we have the spirit. We do have free will but that's related to rewards and consequences in this life, NOT losing salvation. You follow a false unbiblical teaching. Salvation is by faith alone all over scripture. If you don't believe that, and you aren't being deceived, I sincerely question your salvation, and I ask you to repent.
 
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FreeGrace2

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None of which say “faith alone”.

Quite the opposite it says ... faith working through love.
Let's not be so disingenuous.

First, there are NO verses that say we are saved by faith working through love.

Second, in EVERY verse about how to have salvation/eternal life, the requirement is believing, or faith. Nothing more.

I'm sure you've seen these verses many times, but it seems a refresher is in order:

Salvation:

Mark 16:16 " He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Luke 8:12 "Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.

Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."

Acts 11:14 and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.'

Acts 16:31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Rom 10:9, 10 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Cor 1:21 - For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

2 Tim 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

2 Thess 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Eternal Life:

John 3:15-16 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

John 6:40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

John 6:47 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

1 Tim 1:16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6
The words "in Christ Jesus" indicates that this verse is FOR believers, who have already been saved. This verse has nothing to do with how to be saved.

iow, those who are "in Christ" are to exercise their Christian faith through love.

Real clear and simple.
 
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timothyu

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We are either of the selfless Kingdom or remain loyal to the self serving world of man. Man (we) did not bring the Kingdom into being (Jesus did that by completing his mission and following the will of only the Father) but belief in it and it's ways vs the traditional ways of man gives access to those worthy of living in a world backwards to the world man has made.
 
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Jason0047 said:
Nowhere am I suggesting that a person can be saved without God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ

That's okay.
However, please realize that there are not too many Christians out there claiming they are saved by works apart from faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Based on Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 4:1-4:
I believe this was the heresy that Paul was combatting at the time with his fight against "Circumcision Salvationism" (i.e. Works Alone Salvationism without God's grace through faith). For the Jews were trying to deceive certain Christians into thinking they needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. In other words, they were attempting to make circumcision the entrance gate and or the foundation of their faith instead of having faith in Jesus (for salvation).

Jason0047 said:
but we also have to love God and love our neighbor in addition to that.
You said:
We are certainly told to show our faith by our actions and in the way we live our lives, yes.

We are actually commanded to love God and to love our neighbor and it does deal with eternal life (See again Luke 10:25-28 cf. Matthew 19:17-19, Romans 13:8-10, Matthew 25:31-46).

Jason0047 said:
If not, we will not have eternal life.
You said:
But when we believe in Jesus,

There is no "buts." Luke 10:25-28 says otherwise; Unless of course you do not like what Luke 10:25-28 says and you either:

(a) You choose to ignore it.
(b) You attempt to change what it plainly says.

You said:
accept that he took our sin on the cross and there is nothing we can DO to "get to heaven", we have eternal life. John 3:16, John 3:36, John 6:40, 1 John 5:12. If someone were to accept Jesus and believe but have a heart attack 2 hours later; they had been saved from eternal death, were reconciled to God and had eternal life.

Many "Belief Alone Proponents" wrongfully attempt to emphasize the word "eternal" in the words "eternal life" as meaning that the "life" they are given is "eternal" and unending and can never be forfeited because it is "eternal." Unfortunately, they make this false assumption based on their ignoring many other verses in the Bible.

Only Jesus alone has immortality (1 Timothy 6:16).
It's not you.
He that has the Son has life, and he that does not have the Son does not have life (1 John 5:12).
Paul says we are to prove that Christ is in us, unless we are reprobate (2 Corinthians 13:5).
So we need to abide in Jesus in order to have everlasting life.
For Jesus is the source of everlasting life and it is not us.
The test (or way) we can have an assurance in knowing if we are abiding in Jesus is if we find that we are keeping His commandments (1 John 2:3).
If a person says they know the Lord and yet they do not keep His commandments, they are a liar and the truth is not in them (1 John 2:4).

As for John 3:16:

You have to keep reading.
Look at John 3:19-21.
Verse 20 says, "everyone that does evil hates the light."
John 3:20 does not say, "Everyone who does evil hates the light (except Christians who do evil)." The verse refers to all people or men. It says:

"everyone that does evil hates the light" (John 3:20).

Logic dictates that a person cannot hate God and yet go to Heaven.
In fact, Paul says if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed (1 Corinthians 16:22). Jesus says if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

As for John 6:40:

It says:

"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." (John 6:40).

The word "may" is not a guarantee. If I said, "I may come over your house,"
You would take that to mean that I would "potentially" be coming over, and it would not be a guaranteed promise on my behalf.

You said:
So that would mean a) that Jesus isn't enough and b) that no one could be saved on their death bed.

Unless you believe in "Universal Salvation," there is not a "one size fits all" salvation plan.

Babies did not need to believe in Jesus as their Savior, and yet if they die, they are saved by Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.

So yes, I do believe a person can be saved on their death bed by having faith in Jesus Christ. But God knows this person's heart and life and what they would do if they were given a chance to live out their faith. God would not allow a person who is unfaithful to come Him to enter His kingdom for final salvation. God is sovereign. Note: This does not mean we do not have free will in accepting or rejecting the Lord.

You said:
Or if they became Christians and died/were killed very soon afterwards, their belief alone was not enough to save them; 'sorry, you were unlucky enough to die before you could show your faith by your works.'

James says he will show his faith (belief) by his works in James 2:18.
James says faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Meaning, a dead faith cannot save anyone.
James says we are justified by works and not by faith alone (or faith only) (James 2:24).
This of course is works of faith that follow after being saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus and it would not be "Works Alone Salvationism" (That does not include God's grace through faith).

You said:
Yes.
And I believe that if someone is born again, realises how much God has done for them and loves him, they will want to serve him. I think that "if you love me you will keep my commandments" is not some kind of emotional blackmail; IF you love me you WILL show it, but a statement of fact.
If we love someone we want to please them, hence "if you love me you will keep my commandments."

No. If such were the case, then God would never give us warnings to endure to the end as a part of salvation.

We need to endure in our faith to continue to be saved:

"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" Hebrews 3:13-14.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12.

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13.

"...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Revelation 2:11.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Revelation 3:5.

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 1:21.
 
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Would you mind interpreting that for us?

It means what it says.
But most try to re-write their Bible to fit what they have learned from their Pastors and or what they have learned from popular Christianity.

Luke 10:25-28 says:

25 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." (Luke 10:25-28).​

Verse 25: The lawyer asks Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life.
Verse 26: Jesus asks what is written in the Scriptures (the Torah) and how does he understand them.
Verse 27: The lawyer replies, To love God (with certain details) and to love his neighbor.
Verse 28: Jesus says, "You have answered right or correctly." Jesus says: "DO THIS, and YOU WILL LIVE." Jesus did not say: "Wrong Lawyer!" "You cannot do anything to save yourself." "Just believe in me and that's it." "If you attempt to love God and love your neighbor as a part of inheriting eternal life, you are not going to make it." Yet, again, Jesus did not say that. Jesus said, "this do, and thou shalt live.'

Now, am I saying that we are saved by "Works Alone Salvationism" (without God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ)? No. A person is initially and ultimately saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus. If we stumble into sin on our holy walk with the Lord, do we go out and do another work to get clean or forgiven (saved)? No. We confess our sins and he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9 cf. 1 John 2:1). But this confession is not with a believer's mindset who thinks they will simply sin again as a matter of fact). Believers have to strive to overcome "grievous sin" in this life (Which is only by the power of the working of the Lord within them). Grievous sin would be: Not loving God and not loving your neighbor (according to what the Bible says and not what we say).

Side Note:

Yes, I am aware that we are not under the 613 laws given to Moses within the Law of Moses. We do not have to keep the Saturday Sabbath, circumcision, the dietary laws, etc. Those things were for Israel. But the Moral Law from the Old Law has carried over into the New Covenant (that officially began with Christ's death). For after Christ's death and resurrection, John says that if we do not love our brother, we are like a murderer, and no murderer has eternal life abiding in them (See 1 John 3:15). So yes. We still have to love as a part of eternal life.
 
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Wrong. That is unbiblcical.

Not true. The Bible says otherwise. For...

After we are saved by God's grace,
God’s works (done through us) are also required as a part of the Salvation Process:



(Here are a List of Verses):


“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24).

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18).

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16).

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, "(1 Timothy 6:3-4).

"...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6).

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2).

"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Hebrews 5:9).

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

“...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

“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).

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1).

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16).

“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:4).

"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." (1 Corinthians 16:22).

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15).

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10).

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” (Luke 10:25-28).

“...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 19:17-19).

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38).

”If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:24-26).

"...No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62).

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21).

"But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God." (Romans 2:8-11).

”And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:12-15).

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:20).

“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:21-22).

"...but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17).

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12).

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

“...And having become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end, everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22).

”Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-40).

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:41-46).

”His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21).

”And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:30).

”Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation [i.e. as the people of Israel did when they rebelled against him in the desert.”] (Hebrews 3:12-15) (Note: The explanation on verse 15 in brackets is taken from the Living Bible Translation (TLB)).

”Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)” (Hebrews 3:10-11).

”Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:11).

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:10).

“He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47).

You said:
We are saved by grace through faith alone.

Actually, when the Bible uses the words "faith alone" it refers to the fact that we are not justified (saved) by "faith alone."

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24).

After we are saved we get sanctified and have the holy spirit, no we don't have the free will to live "in darkness" anymore because we have the spirit.

Not true.

We need to endure in our faith to continue to be saved:

"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" Hebrews 3:13-14.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12.

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13.

"...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Revelation 2:11.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Revelation 3:5.

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 1:21.

You said:
We do have free will but that's related to rewards and consequences in this life, NOT losing salvation.

Again, not true.

Here are several lists of verses that makes it absolutely clear that believers can fall away from the faith:

Here is a General List of Verses on How Believers Can Fall Away:

1 Samuel 16:14
1 Samuel 31:4
Ezekiel 18:24
Hebrews 3:12-14
Hebrews 4:11
Hebrews 6:4-9
Hebrews 10:26-30
Hebrews 12:15
1 Timothy 1:18-20
1 Timothy 4:1-7
Galatians 3:1-5
2 Peter 2:20-22
2 Peter 3:17
Matthew 13:18-23
1 Corinthians 10:12
2 Thessalonians 2:3​

Now, do not misunderstand me, believers cannot lose their salvation, but they can forfeit their salvation (i.e. they can willingly throw it away by rebelling against God). In fact,

Here is a list of believers who have forfeited their salvation:

Saul (1 Samuel 16:14) (1 Samuel 31:4)
Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
Judas Iscariot (Psalm 41:9) (Luke 6:16) (Acts 1:25)
Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17-18)
Unnamed Christians destroyed by false teaching (2 Timothy 2:17-18)
Many Unnamed Disciples (John 6:66)
Some Younger Christian Widows (1 Timothy 5:14-15)
Some Christians Eager For Money (1 Timothy 6:8-10)
Ananias and Sapphira (Acts of the Apostles 5:1-11)​


And here is a list of potential fallen believers:

The Servant Who is Not Looking For Him (Luke 12:45-46)
Recent Convert Who is a Potential Spiritual Leader (1 Timothy 3:6)
The Unforgiving in Heart (Matthew 6:14-15)
Luke Warm Unrepentant Believer (Revelation 3:14-22)
Fruitless Christians (John 15:1-10) (Matthew 25:14-30)
Widows That Live in Pleasure (1 Timothy 5:5-6)
Believers Whose Seed Fell Upon the Rocks (Luke 8:13)
Believers Whose Seed Was Choked by Thorns (Matthew 13:22)
Gentile Believer Who Did Not Have on a Wedding Garment (Matthew 22:1-14) (Revelation 19:7-8)
The Potential Fellow Believer Who Erred From the Truth & Was Converted Back
(James 5:19-20).​

You said:
You follow a false unbiblical teaching. Salvation is by faith alone all over scripture. If you don't believe that, and you aren't being deceived, I sincerely question your salvation, and I ask you to repent.

Not true. In fact, speaking of repentance (Which is seeking forgiveness with the Lord by way of prayer), it says in Matthew 12:41 that the Ninevites will rise up in judgment against this generation because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. If you were to turn to Jonah 3:6-10, you would learn that the King of the Ninevites told his people to do two very important things.

#1. Cry out unto God (i.e. repentance).
#2. Forsake their evil ways or sin (i.e. the natural fruits of repentance cf. Luke 3:8).

What is interesting is that God did not turn back in bringing wrath upon the Ninevites UNTIL they forsaken their evil ways and it was not when they cried out to God for forgiveness. Read it for yourself. Jonah 3:6-10.

In fact, 1 John 1:7 says that if we walk in the light as he (Christ) is in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Walking in the light is loving your brother (See 1 John 2:10-11). Loving your brother (neighbor) is the same equivalent as keeping the moral law or God's commandments (See Romans 13:8-10).

For Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who OBEY Him (See Hebrews 5:9).
 
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ace of hearts

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That's okay.
However, please realize that there are not too many Christians out there claiming they are saved by works apart from faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Based on Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 4:1-4:
I believe this was the heresy that Paul was combatting at the time with his fight against "Circumcision Salvationism" (i.e. Works Alone Salvationism without God's grace through faith). For the Jews were trying to deceive certain Christians into thinking they needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. In other words, they were attempting to make circumcision the entrance gate and or the foundation of their faith instead of having faith in Jesus (for salvation).



We are actually commanded to love God and to love our neighbor and it does deal with eternal life (See again Luke 10:25-28 cf. Matthew 19:17-19, Romans 13:8-10, Matthew 25:31-46).




There is no "buts." Luke 10:25-28 says otherwise; Unless of course you do not like what Luke 10:25-28 says and you either:

(a) You choose to ignore it.
(b) You attempt to change what it plainly says.



Many "Belief Alone Proponents" wrongfully attempt to emphasize the word "eternal" in the words "eternal life" as meaning that the "life" they are given is "eternal" and unending and can never be forfeited because it is "eternal." Unfortunately, they make this false assumption based on their ignoring many other verses in the Bible.

Only Jesus alone has immortality (1 Timothy 6:16).
It's not you.
He that has the Son has life, and he that does not have the Son does not have life (1 John 5:12).
Paul says we are to prove that Christ is in us, unless we are reprobate (2 Corinthians 13:5).
So we need to abide in Jesus in order to have everlasting life.
For Jesus is the source of everlasting life and it is not us.
The test (or way) we can have an assurance in knowing if we are abiding in Jesus is if we find that we are keeping His commandments (1 John 2:3).
If a person says they know the Lord and yet they do not keep His commandments, they are a liar and the truth is not in them (1 John 2:4).

As for John 3:16:

You have to keep reading.
Look at John 3:19-21.
Verse 20 says, "everyone that does evil hates the light."
John 3:20 does not say, "Everyone who does evil hates the light (except Christians who do evil)." The verse refers to all people or men. It says:

"everyone that does evil hates the light" (John 3:20).

Logic dictates that a person cannot hate God and yet go to Heaven.
In fact, Paul says if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed (1 Corinthians 16:22). Jesus says if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

As for John 6:40:

It says:

"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." (John 6:40).
Very fascinating. The word "echō" is used in verse 47 and translated hath. The definition of the word includes to have, to hold, own possess. All are current in meaning. I see no room for permission to have or indicating doubt. See also JN 3:36 and 5:24.
The word "may" is not a guarantee. If I said, "I may come over your house,"
You would take that to mean that I would "potentially" be coming over, and it would not be a guaranteed promise on my behalf.
But hath is a guarantee.
Unless you believe in "Universal Salvation," there is not a "one size fits all" salvation plan.
Beg your pardon. JN 3:16 says whosoever believeth. And the verses I referenced above back that up.
Babies did not need to believe in Jesus as their Savior, and yet if they die, they are saved by Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.

So yes, I do believe a person can be saved on their death bed by having faith in Jesus Christ. But God knows this person's heart and life and what they would do if they were given a chance to live out their faith. God would not allow a person who is unfaithful to come Him to enter His kingdom for final salvation. God is sovereign. Note: This does not mean we do not have free will in accepting or rejecting the Lord.



James says he will show his faith (belief) by his works in James 2:18.
James says faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Meaning, a dead faith cannot save anyone.
James says we are justified by works and not by faith alone (or faith only) (James 2:24).
This of course is works of faith that follow after being saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus and it would not be "Works Alone Salvationism" (That does not include God's grace through faith).
Yes it does because faith comes from God. It's evident that not everyone has this faith when I look around me.
No. If such were the case, then God would never give us warnings to endure to the end as a part of salvation.
The word also means to remain. So there's more to it than enduring harsh conditions or hardships. Your quote of Heb 3 backs this up.
We need to endure in our faith to continue to be saved:

"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" Hebrews 3:13-14.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12.

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13.

"...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Revelation 2:11.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Revelation 3:5.

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 1:21.
 
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ace of hearts

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It means what it says.
But most try to re-write their Bible to fit what they have learned from their Pastors and or what they have learned from popular Christianity.

Luke 10:25-28 says:

25 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." (Luke 10:25-28).​

Verse 25: The lawyer asks Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life.
Verse 26: Jesus asks what is written in the Scriptures (the Torah) and how does he understand them.
Verse 27: The lawyer replies, To love God (with certain details) and to love his neighbor.
Verse 28: Jesus says, "You have answered right or correctly." Jesus says: "DO THIS, and YOU WILL LIVE." Jesus did not say: "Wrong Lawyer!" "You cannot do anything to save yourself." "Just believe in me and that's it." "If you attempt to love God and love your neighbor as a part of inheriting eternal life, you are not going to make it." Yet, again, Jesus did not say that. Jesus said, "this do, and thou shalt live.'

Now, am I saying that we are saved by "Works Alone Salvationism" (without God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ)? No. A person is initially and ultimately saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus. If we stumble into sin on our holy walk with the Lord, do we go out and do another work to get clean or forgiven (saved)? No. We confess our sins and he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9 cf. 1 John 2:1). But this confession is not with a believer's mindset who thinks they will simply sin again as a matter of fact). Believers have to strive to overcome "grievous sin" in this life (Which is only by the power of the working of the Lord within them). Grievous sin would be: Not loving God and not loving your neighbor (according to what the Bible says and not what we say).

Side Note:

Yes, I am aware that we are not under the 613 laws given to Moses within the Law of Moses. We do not have to keep the Saturday Sabbath, circumcision, the dietary laws, etc. Those things were for Israel. But the Moral Law from the Old Law has carried over into the New Covenant (that officially began with Christ's death). For after Christ's death and resurrection, John says that if we do not love our brother, we are like a murderer, and no murderer has eternal life abiding in them (See 1 John 3:15). So yes. We still have to love as a part of eternal life.
If I have to do anything more that accept the free gift, salvation is by our own efforts. Scripture won't support this. Both testaments record that there are none who do do this. Ps 14:3; Rom 3:23 Rom 6:23 says our works bring death and God gives a gift. Anything received as a result of our doing is earned wages.
 
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Albion

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In addition, what can we say about the veracity of a theological system which insists that we are saved partially by faith and partially by the works we do BUT can offer its listeners no answers as to which works count for more than others or how many good works are to be done in order to qualify for salvation?
 
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ace of hearts

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Funny how many of the anti-works crowd still like to see themselves as the Bride (broadsiding the true Bride, the New Jerusalem), which of course calls for preparation (works).
What's funny (really sad) is people think we're saved by our works. The works I do are the good works of my Father. Eph 2:10 is rarely quoted when it comes to works.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
 
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ace of hearts

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In addition, what can we say about the veracity of a theological system which insists that we are saved partially by faith and partially by the works we do BUT can offer its listeners no answers as to which works count for more than others or how many good works are to be done in order to qualify for salvation?
That's because the law is preached to control people. Yes the wrong things are preached. I find it amazing that anyone remaining under a bully pulpit ever continues to love God and desire a relationship with Him. Fear doesn't work for me.
 
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Rescued One

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No contradiction there, friend. Obedience and love are also parts of it. Working out our salvation does mean that we respond to His love with works and that we work our salvation out; it is not a given, and is a process.

I would say that God begins the work in us and will continue what He begins.

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 15
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
 
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