Salvation is a process of co-operation between man and God

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theoneandonlypencil

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IMO, it all about the attitude of your heart.
BTW, Jesus does call us to be perfect.
Maybe that's what He's referring to ... having a perfect heart attitude!

Keep on scratchin' wit da plastic, hear!

Hey, got a question for you ...
Why were both the Word (John 1) and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1, Luke 1)
necessary in the forming (please, not creating) of the little Baby Jesus?

Amen. That seems the most likely, since if it were left up to us purely...well, nobody would be going to heaven ;p As a side note, it would seem as though the word 'perfect' in the bible also can mean 'maturity' in other parts. With the bible stressing how hopeless we are(living in the flesh as we do now)and how we cannot earn our way to heaven, it seems likely that the key is to strive to be holy--not to expect perfection or to become sinless. Such as Ephesians 5:1

“Be imitators of God, as beloved children”

We can imitate, but I doubt God expects flawless perfection here in the fallen world.

And thank you, I will keep scratchin' with my plastic lol.


Anyways, I'm no theologian and I'm certainly not an expert with the bible yet, but I believe the Word and the Holy Spirit were necessary for forming Jesus because it's a parallel to what is necessary for humans to have a relationship with God; we feel the Holy Spirit through His word, you cannot have one without the other. There is no Holy Spirit without His word, and there is little to be gained from knowing His word if you, as a result, are not connected to the Holy Spirit in some way.
 
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eleos1954

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Believers are accountable to the Lord God who saved them!
Dozens of NT verses teach that their salvation is conditional.
After the Holy Spirit indwells them, they are sanctified (set apart)
for further sanctification unto holiness. During this process, believers
are required to co-operate with the Holy Spirit’s efforts to sanctify them,
and to overcome sin, Satan, persecution, etc. (see Revelation 3:21).

There is only space below for some of the topics and “proof text” verses …

Believers are in a saved condition IF they are obedient
This is about obedience to Jesus’ teachings and commands. Continuing obedience is
what “being faithful” means. True believers love Jesus, and want to follow and obey Him!

● “If you love Me, obey My commandments …
Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me …
If anyone loves Me, he will obey My word” (John 14:15-23)

Truly, does anyone get into heaven who does not love Jesus?

Believers are obedient IF they are NOT habitual sinners
● “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey,
you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether (slaves) of sin leading to death,
or (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness?
… so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6:16-19)
● “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish
ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;
of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past,
that those who practice such things will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)


Believers are righteous IF they practice righteousnesss
● “… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous.
He who sins is of the devil … Whoever has been born of God does NOT sin (habitually) …
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: whoever does
NOT practice righteousness is NOT of God, NOR is he who does NOT love his brother.” (1 John 3:7-10)

Believers who are “faithful” will be obedient to Jesus’ commandments, and will practice righteousness!
● “… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)
● “… who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him”
(Acts 10:35)

Believers are in a saved condition IF they are repenting
“Repent (metanoeo) and believe (pisteou) may be understood as being opposite sides of the same coin.
… John used believe since this term included all of these ideas.” (The Holman Christian Standard Bible)

When they were first saved, believers were ONLY forgiven of their PAST sins …
● “… forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.” (2 Peter 1:9)
“former sins”
(NASB, ESV) --- “past sins” (NIV, HCSB) --- “old sins” (NKJV, NLT, RSV)
● “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Confession needs to be followed by repentance!
“This is an extremely important verse … all men need to be repeatedly purified from all unrighteousness,
from all their sins … We must confess our sins and turn from them” (The Applied New Testament Commentary)


Believers were chosen and called to live holy lives
● “God’s will is for you to be holy … live in holiness and honor … God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives … anyone who refuses to live by these rules is rejecting God.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
● “God has given us everything we need to live a godly life … Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen … It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it, and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life”
(2 Peter 1:3, 1:10, 2:21)
● “God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.
… work at living a holy life, for those who are NOT holy will NOT see the Lord.
… Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking.” (Hebrews 12:10-25)


Believers faith must endure until the end of their lives
In the NT, the Greek indicates that “believe” is a present tense imperative verb!
Yes, a continuing belief-faith is necessary for continuing salvation-eternal life!

● “… whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe] in Him
may have
[present tense: may continue to have] eternal life. For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes
[present tense: continues to believe] in Him
should not perish but have
[present tense: continue to have] eternal life.” (John 3:16)
● “… to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — IF indeed you
continue in the faith … and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:22-23)
● “It is this Good News (the gospel) that saves you,
IF you continue to believe the message I told you” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

The Bible shows us both sides of obedience because both sides are true. We need God before we can obey, and we must choose to obey to receive the power to obey.

Any good found in a believer is from God and there is nothing wrong with being thankful and praising the Lord for the good changes He makes in the believer.

It is the sanctification process of the Lord in the believer.
 
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Anguspure

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Believers are accountable to the Lord God who saved them!
Dozens of NT verses teach that their salvation is conditional.
After the Holy Spirit indwells them, they are sanctified (set apart)
for further sanctification unto holiness. During this process, believers
are required to co-operate with the Holy Spirit’s efforts to sanctify them,
and to overcome sin, Satan, persecution, etc. (see Revelation 3:21).

There is only space below for some of the topics and “proof text” verses …

Believers are in a saved condition IF they are obedient
This is about obedience to Jesus’ teachings and commands. Continuing obedience is
what “being faithful” means. True believers love Jesus, and want to follow and obey Him!

● “If you love Me, obey My commandments …
Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me …
If anyone loves Me, he will obey My word” (John 14:15-23)

Truly, does anyone get into heaven who does not love Jesus?

Believers are obedient IF they are NOT habitual sinners
● “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey,
you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether (slaves) of sin leading to death,
or (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness?
… so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6:16-19)
● “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish
ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;
of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past,
that those who practice such things will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)


Believers are righteous IF they practice righteousnesss
● “… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous.
He who sins is of the devil … Whoever has been born of God does NOT sin (habitually) …
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: whoever does
NOT practice righteousness is NOT of God, NOR is he who does NOT love his brother.” (1 John 3:7-10)

Believers who are “faithful” will be obedient to Jesus’ commandments, and will practice righteousness!
● “… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)
● “… who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him”
(Acts 10:35)

Believers are in a saved condition IF they are repenting
“Repent (metanoeo) and believe (pisteou) may be understood as being opposite sides of the same coin.
… John used believe since this term included all of these ideas.” (The Holman Christian Standard Bible)

When they were first saved, believers were ONLY forgiven of their PAST sins …
● “… forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.” (2 Peter 1:9)
“former sins”
(NASB, ESV) --- “past sins” (NIV, HCSB) --- “old sins” (NKJV, NLT, RSV)
● “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Confession needs to be followed by repentance!
“This is an extremely important verse … all men need to be repeatedly purified from all unrighteousness,
from all their sins … We must confess our sins and turn from them” (The Applied New Testament Commentary)


Believers were chosen and called to live holy lives
● “God’s will is for you to be holy … live in holiness and honor … God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives … anyone who refuses to live by these rules is rejecting God.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
● “God has given us everything we need to live a godly life … Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen … It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it, and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life”
(2 Peter 1:3, 1:10, 2:21)
● “God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.
… work at living a holy life, for those who are NOT holy will NOT see the Lord.
… Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking.” (Hebrews 12:10-25)


Believers faith must endure until the end of their lives
In the NT, the Greek indicates that “believe” is a present tense imperative verb!
Yes, a continuing belief-faith is necessary for continuing salvation-eternal life!

● “… whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe] in Him
may have
[present tense: may continue to have] eternal life. For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes
[present tense: continues to believe] in Him
should not perish but have
[present tense: continue to have] eternal life.” (John 3:16)
● “… to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — IF indeed you
continue in the faith … and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:22-23)
● “It is this Good News (the gospel) that saves you,
IF you continue to believe the message I told you” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
This then is the path:
Matthew 5:3-6 NIV
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

When we recognise our poverty of spirit due to sin, and are sorry for that, we are able to be lead into the Land and in the ways of righteousness.

Then we move forward into the ways He has prepared for us:
Matthew 5:7-10 NIV
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

...and we can take comfort in that we are not the first to tread this path, there is a cloud of witnesses observing our struggle:

Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
 
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BCsenior

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All born-again believers are perfectly sanctified positionally in Christ
(1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:10, etc).
As they walk with God, they increasingly manifest their positional sanctification in their daily living.
Hey, I got as far as this!
But, I had a heck of a time gettin' up off the floor!
Almost had a heart attack I wuz laughin' so much!
 
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BCsenior

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Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil
against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Yes, because of what Jesus taught, I am persecuted.
If these were the OT days, I would have been stoned to death a long time ago!
But, I don't care about any reward in heaven.
Every day, I tell Him that what I do for Him is ONLY for His glory.
 
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BCsenior

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Grace-only, cheap-grace, hyper-grace, easy-believism are called antinomianism!
This is the notion that a one-time justification saves … apart from sanctification.
But, this is an “incomplete” understanding of God’s wonderful free gift of grace.
It is incomplete because God’s grace is intended to be made “complete” by the
believer doing his part in his salvation … co-operating with the precious Holy Spirit
… as He works to fully sanctify the believer unto holiness!

The problem with "easy-believism" is ...
it allows those who are NOT walking in obedience
>> to live comfortably with a false sense of assurance,
which leads to the tragedy described in Matthew 7:21-23.
BTW, Jesus said He never "knew" those who did NOT do the Father's will,
but practiced lawlessness (instead of practicing righteousness).

"Grace-only" encourages people living in hypocrisy, disobedience, and sin
>> by offering them a false assurance.

BTW, why would deceived “grace-only” people fear the Lord?
You probably haven't read any NT verses about fearing the Lord,
but I can provide you with exactly 10.
 
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Guojing

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Brother, this is all very nice and pretty and popular ...
BUT, what are going to do with the many NT verses
which stand against it? ... HUH?

It’s very simple to me. Under the gospel of grace preached by Paul to all gentiles, salvation is by faith alone apart from works.

There was a gospel of the kingdom preached to the Jews during the 4 gospels.

Under that gospel, which is now postponed, salvation was by faith AND works.
 
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BCsenior

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It’s very simple to me. Under the gospel of grace preached by Paul to all gentiles,
salvation is by faith alone apart from works.
There was a gospel of the kingdom preached to the Jews during the 4 gospels.
Under that gospel, which is now postponed, salvation was by faith AND works.
Nay razbeerum (Don't understand).
Are you saying that Jesus preached a different gospel
to the Jews than He did to the Gentiles?
 
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Guojing

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Nay razbeerum (Don't understand).
Are you saying that Jesus preached a different gospel
to the Jews than He did to the Gentiles?

Jesus was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel to fulfil the promise of a king to them.

After the nation rejected their king for the final time in acts 7, Jesus saved and raise Paul for him to deliver a new gospel to everyone, Jews and Gentiles.
 
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BCsenior

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Jesus was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel to fulfil the promise of a king to them.
After the nation rejected their king for the final time in acts 7, Jesus saved and raise Paul for him to deliver a new gospel to everyone, Jews and Gentiles.
Great, so the 4 gospels don't pertain to us.
Do you recommend that I rip them out of my Bible?
No biggie, it's too big and heavy anyway!
 
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Job3315

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Was JESUS GOD MESSIAH SAVIOR FRIEND REDEEMER COMFORTER "LAMB OF GOD"
able to get the religious leaders to believe in Him instead of to reject Him ?

People have not changed. Mankind is still evil and full of wickedness, hating the LIGHT (JESUS).

Once you know God's love EVERYTHING changes. His love compels and draw us closer to Him. It is part of becoming His child.
“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For thus saith the Lord; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32:37-42‬ ‭KJV‬‬
Jeremiah 32:37-42 Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwe | King James Version (KJV) | Download The Bible App Now
 
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Basil the Great

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Nay razbeerum (Don't understand).
Are you saying that Jesus preached a different gospel
to the Jews than He did to the Gentiles?
Some have claimed that He did, but the evidence is not overly persuasive.
 
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aiki

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Hey, I got as far as this!
But, I had a heck of a time gettin' up off the floor!
Almost had a heart attack I wuz laughin' so much!

You aren't the first to use derision as the final refuge of their failed argument. If you can't beat your opponent, laugh at him, eh? Does this really seem like a good way to defend your position? It doesn't to me...

I suspect that you laugh at what I wrote because you don't understand it. That's okay. You'll come to understand the faith better in time.
 
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Aussie Pete

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Believers are accountable to the Lord God who saved them!
Dozens of NT verses teach that their salvation is conditional.
After the Holy Spirit indwells them, they are sanctified (set apart)
for further sanctification unto holiness. During this process, believers
are required to co-operate with the Holy Spirit’s efforts to sanctify them,
and to overcome sin, Satan, persecution, etc. (see Revelation 3:21).

There is only space below for some of the topics and “proof text” verses …

Believers are in a saved condition IF they are obedient
This is about obedience to Jesus’ teachings and commands. Continuing obedience is
what “being faithful” means. True believers love Jesus, and want to follow and obey Him!

● “If you love Me, obey My commandments …
Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me …
If anyone loves Me, he will obey My word” (John 14:15-23)

Truly, does anyone get into heaven who does not love Jesus?

Believers are obedient IF they are NOT habitual sinners
● “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey,
you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether (slaves) of sin leading to death,
or (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness?
… so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6:16-19)
● “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish
ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;
of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past,
that those who practice such things will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)


Believers are righteous IF they practice righteousnesss
● “… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous.
He who sins is of the devil … Whoever has been born of God does NOT sin (habitually) …
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: whoever does
NOT practice righteousness is NOT of God, NOR is he who does NOT love his brother.” (1 John 3:7-10)

Believers who are “faithful” will be obedient to Jesus’ commandments, and will practice righteousness!
● “… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)
● “… who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him”
(Acts 10:35)

Believers are in a saved condition IF they are repenting
“Repent (metanoeo) and believe (pisteou) may be understood as being opposite sides of the same coin.
… John used believe since this term included all of these ideas.” (The Holman Christian Standard Bible)

When they were first saved, believers were ONLY forgiven of their PAST sins …
● “… forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.” (2 Peter 1:9)
“former sins”
(NASB, ESV) --- “past sins” (NIV, HCSB) --- “old sins” (NKJV, NLT, RSV)
● “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Confession needs to be followed by repentance!
“This is an extremely important verse … all men need to be repeatedly purified from all unrighteousness,
from all their sins … We must confess our sins and turn from them” (The Applied New Testament Commentary)


Believers were chosen and called to live holy lives
● “God’s will is for you to be holy … live in holiness and honor … God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives … anyone who refuses to live by these rules is rejecting God.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
● “God has given us everything we need to live a godly life … Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen … It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it, and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life”
(2 Peter 1:3, 1:10, 2:21)
● “God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.
… work at living a holy life, for those who are NOT holy will NOT see the Lord.
… Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking.” (Hebrews 12:10-25)


Believers faith must endure until the end of their lives
In the NT, the Greek indicates that “believe” is a present tense imperative verb!
Yes, a continuing belief-faith is necessary for continuing salvation-eternal life!

● “… whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe] in Him
may have
[present tense: may continue to have] eternal life. For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes
[present tense: continues to believe] in Him
should not perish but have
[present tense: continue to have] eternal life.” (John 3:16)
● “… to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — IF indeed you
continue in the faith … and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:22-23)
● “It is this Good News (the gospel) that saves you,
IF you continue to believe the message I told you” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
The confuses arises because of the lack of understanding of what "salvation" means. You can quote many scriptures to back your position. There are many scriptures that contradict you. To be born again is instant and irrevocable. God is not going to condemn His own life. If you are born of God then you are eternally secure. However, there is an ongoing process, which is the "salvation of the soul". I prefer the word "deliverance" because "salvation" has lost so much of its meaning.

Lord Jesus preached the Kingdom of God. You can't even see the Kingdom of God unless you are born again. Lord Jesus also commanded the apostles to make disciples, not just converts.

Once a person is born again, he/she needs to be delivered in the realm of the soul. This entails the new spirit being taught they ways of God. This comes about by revelation from the Holy Spirit and will be according the the Bible.

As the spirit is edified, the Christian needs to learn to follow the leading in the spirit, which is where God reveals His will. Most Christians are conflicted at this stage. People have been immersed in the world since birth. It is not easy to break the habits of a lifetime. For example, very few Christians are real givers. We are told to invest, save, spend on ourselves. Often leaders are slandered as greedy when they talk about giving. We will need to be delivered from that kind of attitude.

Keep in mind that around 95% of church attenders are not born again. Often we are judging people as if they were Christians when they are not.

As Christians begin to realise that they have a new life within, they will want to go God's way. The indwelling Spirit of God leads us that way. However, there is another, emphatically opposed desire from the soul that demands its own way. This is why the Lord Jesus spoke of carrying the cross. That is daily, a lifetime, not a once-off decision. If we come to the place that we see that Lord Jesus is our life, and what that means, we will be transformed.

You don't see birds reading flight manuals before they head off. Flight is in their nature. Christians should come to the place where they realise that they are new creations and that the Christian life is normal, not exceptional. They also learn to depend entirely on the Life of the Lord Jesus, not on their own talents, temperament and character strengths. They will say, as I do, "For me to live is Christ". That is literal, not some kind of noble concept or fine philosophy.
 
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BCsenior

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The confuses arises because of the lack of understanding of what "salvation" means.
You can quote many scriptures to back your position.
There are many scriptures that contradict you.
To be born again is instant and irrevocable.
By born again you mean eternally secure, right?

I'm interested ... what do you think about my signature below?
Who is Paul writing to?

Is it possible for a born-again Christian to be a slave of sin,
which is to say a habitual sinner?
 
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Guojing

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Great, so the 4 gospels don't pertain to us.
Do you recommend that I rip them out of my Bible?
No biggie, it's too big and heavy anyway!

Well I don’t rip off my ot off my bible even though most of it after abram starting from genesis 12, are written to the Jews.

I love reading the 4 gospels to read about Jesus lessons to the Jews, but I know they are not directed to me
 
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Basil the Great

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Well I don’t rip off my ot off my bible even though most of it after abram starting from genesis 12, are written to the Jews.

I love reading the 4 gospels to read about Jesus lessons to the Jews, but I know they are not directed to me
That is the first time that I have heard such a claim, though I suppose you could be right. I guess anything is possible....
 
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throughfiierytrial

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The problem with this variation on the theme called "works righteousness," the process of working ones way to salvation by performing well in this life on Earth, thus winning God's approval...

...is that it sounds great in theory but no one knows how many or which deeds are sufficient. Not even the churches which teach this doctrine can tell you.

And nothing that we can do really merits such a payoff as eternal life (!) anyway.

If anyone tries to quantify or list the necessary good deeds, it looks patently ridiculous to say that 15 times of helping old ladies across the street, plus $5,000 contributed to the Red Cross, plus something else is adequate to insure one's salvation...but if you happen to fall short in any category, you miss out. It's absurd.
I agree with both of you only with exceptions. The OP forgets to mention that if one sins/stumbles/falls one needs to take that to the Lord for heartfelt repentance and remembering that the days are evil and the evil foe is ready to attack...even against those efforts to do good works...some may experience a putting out of the Spirit's fire (which is sin) we can encourage such folks as a good deed example.
I believe it to be very bad practice to suppose one can *work* one's way to heaven also...that is to discredit God's work on the cross. However, what is said about sanctification in the OP is excellent if one is doing it with a desire to work hard in God's Kingdom...Ephesians says...
Ephesians 2:10:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
and...
Matthew 22:10-12:
So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

(I believe the wedding clothes are faith and deeds here or perhaps even only good deeds)
and...
Revelations 19:7-9:
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
 
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By born again you mean eternally secure, right?

I'm interested ... what do you think about my signature below?
Who is Paul writing to?

Is it possible for a born-again Christian to be a slave of sin,
which is to say a habitual sinner?
Paul rebuked the Corinthians for tolerating a sin that even the unbelievers found objectionable. Was that person going to hell at that point? Was he then going to heaven when he was restored? Do we lose our salvation every time we disobey? if that is the case, no one will make it.
Holiness is not the same as righteousness. Holiness is the result of consecration.

John says that whatever is born of God does not sin. What is that supposed to mean if not that the new spirit of the born again believer is sinless. We know that everyone one of us sins from time to time. John also says that if we say we have not sin we are liars. So it is the soul realm that is the issue, not the spirit. The soul can certainly suffer destruction. The spirit for sure is eternal.
 
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