Saved by faith alone
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Nova2216
If truth is discounted then lies become normal.
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Great Point.
12 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.
13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
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- Jul 22, 2014
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Read the verses I provided for you, and you will see what works are involved.
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I believe the Ephesians were Spirit baptized by Paul laying his hands on them. So it was a Spirit baptism and not a water baptism that was a later truth revealed in God's program for the New Covenant. Please go back and carefully re-read Acts of the Apostles 19:1-6.
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Yes. I am familiar with Romans 11:6. But I don't think you are understanding it correctly.
It says,
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11:6).
Belief Alone Proponents interpret the word “works” as referring to any kind works within this verse. However, their interpretation is not correct. In reality: Paul was arguing against “Circumcision Salvationism” (See: Romans 3:1, Galatians 2:3, Galatians 5:2, Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Acts of the Apostles 15:5, Acts of the Apostles 15:24). In other words, if a person believed they had to first be circumcised to be saved (i.e. Circumcision Salvationism), they would be making the Law alone the basis of their salvation instead of Jesus Christ and His grace; Hence, it would be works alone without God's grace.
Here is the verse again with my commentary.
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works [works alone]: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works [works alone], then is it no more grace: otherwise work [the work of God] is no more work [the work of God].” (Romans 11:6) (Note: words in blue within brackets is my commentary to the text).
To put it to you another way, God is against “Works Alone Salvationism” (that did not include God's grace), and yet on the other hand, God is not against the good works He wants to do through believers, though.
“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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:13-14).
“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 love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha” (1 Corinthians 16:22).
What is the way we are to love Jesus according to His own words?
Jesus said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
So if we are not loving Jesus by keeping His commandments, we are Anathema (accursed).
For Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (See: Hebrews 5:9).
Obedience involves the work of God.
It is our cooperation with the good work the Lord desires to do through us.
John 15:10 talks about how we abide in His love if we keep His commandments.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
(Philippians 2:13).
“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 11:22).
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Maybe a more important question in all this, what to do when I notice I am not really living in the Spirit. Am I to try harder, be more disciplined? Am I to turn my heart to God, trust in his mercy? What does the Bible say?
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The Spirit is given as a downpayment of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchase possession.
Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV
13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
If you know about house buying, the word “earnest” is your downpayment to take a house off the market that you want to purchase. If it is a new home builder in a new house community, it can be about 1,000 to 3,000 bucks. In other words, God gives us the earnest downpayment by giving us the Spirit when we receive Christ. But we have to continue to be faithful until God until the purchased possession. Meaning until God takes us home. Acts of the Apostles 5:32 says that the Spirit is given to all those who obey God. Can we be saved without the Spirit? The Spirit is our downpayment from God, so I don’t see how one can be saved without the Spirit. Salvation is about knowing and experiencing God.
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What you write is interesting. I won't say that obedience isn't important, because it is, but I didn't find peace thinking faith plus obedience. When everything went good I could feel somewhat secure. My focus was on myself all the time and that was really burdensome. What I did was never enough, I cut one thing and another out of my life, allways trying to do better without getting the real transformation in my heart.
I have tried this, but it didn't work. I didn't get the change I have been longing for. Has it come now? No, not really ... but at least I put less burden on myself and put more trust in God's mercy, and that gives me a chance to breathe.
I have come to accept I'm a miserable sinner, it's not in my power to change that. All I can do is hope on God.
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You may think of yourself (erroneously) as a "miserable sinner" but that's not the way that God thinks of you. You are a dearly loved son in God's eyes.
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First, I believe you were going about it the wrong way. We do not do the work alone, but it is God that does the good work through us. For Jesus says we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). So it is not about you, but it is about abiding in God and doing His will. Doing God's will by obeying Him is not about focusing on you, but it is about focusing on what God wants.
Second, things are not as we wish them to be. You either believe the Bible, or you don't believe it. The Bible makes it very clear that we are saved by God's grace, and Sanctification. There are three verses in the Bible that I discovered that teach that we are saved by both God's grace and Sanctification (See: John 5:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, and James 2:24).
Important Note: Okay. Stop reading. Did you hover your mouse over these verses above and read them? If you have not, please do so now and carefully think about what they say.
No. You didn't try what I believe the Bible plainly teaches. Jesus said there is none good but God. This is true. You believed that YOUR effort alone is what counted. You cannot do good on your own without God. You need GOD to do the good work through you. A believer asks the Lord for help, and they wait upon the LORD to allow GOD to do the good work through them (Realizing it is only God working through them to bring forth good fruit). We by ourselves alone are nothing. Remember, Paul said if any man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing deceives himself. Our worth and or ability to do good is only by God. That should have been your focus, but it simply wasn't.
You said:
Most Christians today have bought into the wide gate path of Easy Believism. The Bible does not teach Easy Believism or turning God's grace into a license for immorality on some level. Hebrews 12:14 says follow after holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. This also includes following after peace with all men, as well. So the focus by all believers should be holy action by God's power working through them, and not just in doing nothing (and fighting against God's will in doing good as He commands us).
You said:
I do not say these following words to you alone (so please do not take this as I am directing these words to you alone). But I say these following words to all believers so as to teach them what the Bible clearly says on this matter.
If a believer justifies sin, they need to carefully listen very slowly the following portions of Scripture:
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8).
“...I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” (1 John 2:14).
“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).
There is hope. We can seek forgiveness with the Lord Jesus, and ask for His help to overcome grievous or mortal sin.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)
Important Note: The word “law” here is in reference to the 613 laws of Moses that is no more as a contract or covenant; Believers now are under a new covenant with new commands with direct access to the mercy and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This grace is not a license for immorality (Jude 1:4). God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness, and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12). Sinning is contrary to God's will. Believers are to do God's will by obeying Him and living a holy life by asking God to do the good work through them. The focus would then be on God. However, the alternative popular belief is a person focusing on their own sin and in feeling helplessly defeated by their sin, and wrongfully turning God's grace into a license for immorality. This is not how things should be. God is good, and He wants His people to be good, too (By His working through them). For salvation is all about knowing GOD and walking with Him. Salvation is not about justifying sin (Which keeps us separated from GOD).
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While GOD may love all of creation, even sinners, He is not in the business of agreeing with anyone thinking they can justify sin. GOD is good, and He cannot agree with another person's thinking of doing evil.
There are different levels of God's love. God loves more those who do His will. Sin is not a part of God's will. He cannot agree with it because GOD is holy and good.
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Why do you ask about this? It sounds like Catholic labeling, but it's not biblical.
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Not all sin is the same. There are grievous sins that lead unto spiritual death, and there are minor infractions or hidden faults that do not lead to spiritual death.
Grievous sin is another name for a "sin unto death"
(Note: To check out the reference to the "sin unto death," see: 1 John 5:16).
(i.e. death = spiritual death or the second death) (Note: The second death is destruction in the Lake of Fire - Revelation 21:8).
"And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;" (Genesis 18:20).
Examples of Grievous Sin:
#1. Not loving God, and not loving your neighbor (For loving God and loving your neighbor is a part of eternal life; See: Luke 10:25-28 cf. Matthew 19:17-19; Not loving Jesus (God) means one is accursed, see: 1 Corinthians 16:22; As for not loving your neighbor, see the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), and then see number #5 below).
#2. Looking at a woman in lust = danger of being cast bodily into hell fire (Matthew 5:28-30).
#3. Not forgiving = not being forgiven by the Father (Matthew 6:15).
#4. One can be condemned by their words (Matthew 12:37).
#5. Not helping the poor or the unfortunate = Going away into everlasting punishment (or everlasting fire) (Matthew 25:31-46).
#6. No man who puts his hand to the plow (i.e. one who spreads the gospel and teachings to lead men of God into holiness by His Word) and looks back (turns away from doing so) is fit for the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:62) (Note: See the KJV rendering on this verse).
#7. 1 John 3:15 says, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
#8. Galatians 5:19-21 says, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Meaning, those who do these kinds of sins will not inherit (enter) God's kingdom (i.e. they will not be saved). For entering God's kingdom is associated with salvation in Matthew 25:34 (Note: Paul is mentioning the violation of the Moral Law. The Moral Law is the same equivalent as loving your neighbor; See Romans 13:8-10).
#9. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8).
#2. Looking at a woman in lust = danger of being cast bodily into hell fire (Matthew 5:28-30).
#3. Not forgiving = not being forgiven by the Father (Matthew 6:15).
#4. One can be condemned by their words (Matthew 12:37).
#5. Not helping the poor or the unfortunate = Going away into everlasting punishment (or everlasting fire) (Matthew 25:31-46).
#6. No man who puts his hand to the plow (i.e. one who spreads the gospel and teachings to lead men of God into holiness by His Word) and looks back (turns away from doing so) is fit for the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:62) (Note: See the KJV rendering on this verse).
#7. 1 John 3:15 says, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
#8. Galatians 5:19-21 says, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Meaning, those who do these kinds of sins will not inherit (enter) God's kingdom (i.e. they will not be saved). For entering God's kingdom is associated with salvation in Matthew 25:34 (Note: Paul is mentioning the violation of the Moral Law. The Moral Law is the same equivalent as loving your neighbor; See Romans 13:8-10).
#9. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8).
Minor infractions or faults of character is another name for a "sin not unto death" (i.e. not unto death = not unto spiritual death or the second death) (Note: While the "sin not unto death" mentioned in 1 John 5:17 is in context to confessed sin in John's epistle (See: 1 John 1:9), it can be extended loosely to refer to the kind of sins that do not lead to spiritual death by it's very name).
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."
(Psalms 19:12).
(Psalms 19:12).
Examples of Sins That Do Not Lead Unto Spiritual Death:
#1. 1 John 5:17 mentions the "sin not unto death."
In context to 1 John 5: This would be talking about confessed grievous sin that one is striving to overcome with the Lord's help (1 John 2:1) (1 John 1:9) (Romans 13:14). In 1 John 5, the brethren are praying for this believer to have victory (life) over their sin as this believer confesses their sin (Note: Grievous sin are sins the Bible warns with punishment by hellfire, or spiritual death, etc.; These would be sins like murder, hate, adultery, theft, idolatry, etc.). If these sins are confessed with the intention of forsaking them, the individual is not abiding in spiritual death.
#2. Psalms 19:12 says, "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." I believe these would be faults of character or minor errors that a person might make with people. Example: A person may not be a great listener, and they do not allow others to speak like they should. By not listening to others may come off a little like they do not care (even though they care in their own way or a different way). Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem. The Spirit warned Paul not to go. He was still determined to go because he loved His fellow Jews and wanted them to know the love of Jesus. The Spirit told the brethren that Paul will be imprisoned by his going to Jerusalem. The brethren warned Paul not to go. They were in tears and loved him and begged him not to go. But Paul did not listen. He would not hear them. He did not want to hear it. Fault of character. Hidden fault. Minor error of his character. It is not something that condemned him (See Acts of the Apostles 21, and read this article here by Ray Stedman; Note: There is even a better write up than this one by Bible commentator James Boice here; Please keep in mind I do not share their views on Soteriology, though; I merely agree with their view on what happened with Paul in Acts of the Apostles 21).
#3. The Command to Be Baptized.
Paul says Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17). If it was essential to salvation, then why would Paul say something like this? In 1 Peter 3:21: Peter says baptism is not for the putting away of the filth of the flesh. If you were to turn to 2 Corinthians 7:1, you would see that it uses similar wording ("filthiness of the flesh") that is clearly in reference to sin. So Peter is saying that baptism is not for the putting away of "sin" [i.e. filth of the flesh]. In other words, baptism is not a command that if disobeyed, leads to spiritual death.
#4. Other Commands in the New Testament that do not seem like a major violation of loving God and loving your neighbor that have no death penalties attached to them. One example would be the command to Rejoice when men persecute you or falsely accuse you of evil in Matthew 5:11-12.
Real world examples: Going 5 miles per hour over the speed limit in area that is not life threatening to others. Not taking out the trash yesterday when it was a little stinky. These minor transgressions would obviously not send a Christian to hell.
But we as Christians strive to obey and do good in all things in the Lord. We strive to keep His commandments. For it is written,
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.' (1 John 5:3).
In context to 1 John 5: This would be talking about confessed grievous sin that one is striving to overcome with the Lord's help (1 John 2:1) (1 John 1:9) (Romans 13:14). In 1 John 5, the brethren are praying for this believer to have victory (life) over their sin as this believer confesses their sin (Note: Grievous sin are sins the Bible warns with punishment by hellfire, or spiritual death, etc.; These would be sins like murder, hate, adultery, theft, idolatry, etc.). If these sins are confessed with the intention of forsaking them, the individual is not abiding in spiritual death.
#2. Psalms 19:12 says, "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." I believe these would be faults of character or minor errors that a person might make with people. Example: A person may not be a great listener, and they do not allow others to speak like they should. By not listening to others may come off a little like they do not care (even though they care in their own way or a different way). Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem. The Spirit warned Paul not to go. He was still determined to go because he loved His fellow Jews and wanted them to know the love of Jesus. The Spirit told the brethren that Paul will be imprisoned by his going to Jerusalem. The brethren warned Paul not to go. They were in tears and loved him and begged him not to go. But Paul did not listen. He would not hear them. He did not want to hear it. Fault of character. Hidden fault. Minor error of his character. It is not something that condemned him (See Acts of the Apostles 21, and read this article here by Ray Stedman; Note: There is even a better write up than this one by Bible commentator James Boice here; Please keep in mind I do not share their views on Soteriology, though; I merely agree with their view on what happened with Paul in Acts of the Apostles 21).
#3. The Command to Be Baptized.
Paul says Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17). If it was essential to salvation, then why would Paul say something like this? In 1 Peter 3:21: Peter says baptism is not for the putting away of the filth of the flesh. If you were to turn to 2 Corinthians 7:1, you would see that it uses similar wording ("filthiness of the flesh") that is clearly in reference to sin. So Peter is saying that baptism is not for the putting away of "sin" [i.e. filth of the flesh]. In other words, baptism is not a command that if disobeyed, leads to spiritual death.
#4. Other Commands in the New Testament that do not seem like a major violation of loving God and loving your neighbor that have no death penalties attached to them. One example would be the command to Rejoice when men persecute you or falsely accuse you of evil in Matthew 5:11-12.
Real world examples: Going 5 miles per hour over the speed limit in area that is not life threatening to others. Not taking out the trash yesterday when it was a little stinky. These minor transgressions would obviously not send a Christian to hell.
But we as Christians strive to obey and do good in all things in the Lord. We strive to keep His commandments. For it is written,
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.' (1 John 5:3).
Side Note:
Please understand that it is not possible for a person to obey God's commands without them first being saved by Jesus Christ and His grace (i.e. by seeking forgiveness of their sin with Him, and believing in His death, and resurrection on their behalf). For Christians are initially and ultimately saved by Jesus Christ.
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