Are we saved by grace, faith, works of faith, repentance, election, or combination of these?

Are we saved by grace, faith, works of faith, repentance, election, or combination of these?

  • I am a Universalist. All will eventually be saved by God's grace.

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Albion

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1 Corinthians 13 is not a case in how it is not talking about salvation, and or how it is separate from the faith. 1 Corinthians 13 is a part of the overall encompassing blanket of faith because faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). .
Don't backtrack on your earlier explanation. Faith is the vehicle for our salvation. Works are not...even though Love, good works, etc. ARE important and will flow from a genuine Faith.
 
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Don't backtrack on your earlier explanation.

I was not backtracking. Everything I said fits in harmony with what the Bible says.

You said:
Faith is the vehicle for our salvation. Works are not...even though Love, good works, etc. ARE important and will flow from a genuine Faith.

Two things you are not grasping in what the Bible says.

#1. Paul says there is this thing called the “work of faith” (1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11). This is the same work that James talks about in James 2:17, and James 2:24. For faith without the “work of faith” is dead because the “work of faith” is a tied to the “faith.” This is why James says that we are justified by works and not by faith alone. When we have a belief or trust in Jesus, we will continue to believe HIS words and obey His words (Which includes the “works of faith” or the works in the Holy Bible). In your view: You want to dissect the “work of faith” out of the “faith.” So in your belief, there should be no verses that refer to the “work of faith” because you view “faith” and “works” as separate entities. Yet, the Bible says, “work of faith” suggesting that “works” is tied to the “faith.”

#2. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (i.e. hearing the Holy Bible) (See: Romans 10:17). For 2 Timothy 3:16-17 refers to how Scripture (the Bible) is profitable for doctrine, and instruction in righteousness. This is all a part of the faith. One cannot say that anything else besides a belief alone in Jesus for salvation is not a part of the faith. The faith is the Bible. Yes, faith starts off in believing in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), seeking forgivenss with Jesus (Romans 10:13), and in receiving Jesus (John 1:12), but that is not where faith ends. Faith continues in many other verses in your Bible. So keep reading. Keep believing other verses in your Bible (which is a part of the faith). Let the wonderful journey of faith continue. Don't let faith stop at the gospel.
 
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Albion

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Two things you are not grasping in what the Bible says.

#1. Paul says there is this thing called the “work of faith” (1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11). This is the same work that James talks about in James 2:17, and James 2:24. For faith without the “work of faith” is dead because the “work of faith” is a tied to the “faith.”

Yes. Everything you are pointing to is what I was also referring to.

It is faith which saves, and the works "tied to" faith are products of saving faith.

You mentioned James, who is well-known for cautioning that faith without works is dead, but that doesn't mean that something else in addition to faith also accounts for our being saved (or not). It's just that a claim of faith is false if the alleged faith does not produce good works.
 
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Yes. Everything you are pointing to is what I was also referring to.

It is faith which saves, and the works "tied to" faith are products of saving faith.

You mentioned James, who is well-known for cautioning that faith without works is dead, but that doesn't mean that something else in addition to faith also accounts for our being saved (or not). It's just that a claim of faith is false if the alleged faith does not produce good works.

Please go back and carefully read what I have said. It does not appear like you have read it or understood what I have stated with God's Word. You appear to be cleaving and repeating what you have always known. Please carefully relook at the points I made with Scripture.
 
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FredVB

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Bible Highlighter said:
We have to accept ALL of what the Bible says and not just those parts that we want to hear.
According to Ephesians 2:8: Are you saved by God's grace through love or by faith? So while love is greater, you cannot even be saved unless you first have faith (i.e. We are saved by God's grace through faith). You are also not explaining how the “work of faith” (in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11) is not a part of the faith. Also, Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The Word of God is the Bible. So everything in your Bible is a part of the faith including the Bible's teaching on love. You are also not explaining Romans 10:17. Is not the Bible where we derive all matters of faith and practice? Is not Scripture profitable for doctrine, and instruction in righteousness? (2 Timothy 3:16). So yeah. I do not see your belief as being consistent with the faith. For you reduce faith as being a belief alone in Jesus and nothing else. Yet, the faith is believing in the entire Bible and not just in the parts we want to hear (that sound good to us).

Of course all the Bible is relevant.

By God's grace through our faith, we are not saved of ourselves. I do not disagree with that. It is not "belief in Jesus and nothing else", that sure is misrepresentation. Salvation through Christ is not absent of love, anymore than it absent of repentance. I say this all the time.

Works of faith are the things from love, that is already there. Being from love which is included with faith is being from faith. Is it perfect? I sure don't say that. It was not perfect in me, and I do not claim it is perfect in me now, but the perfection in it possible is what I am called to, as other believers are. Change is essential, and that I really do see in myself. Fruits of the Spirit which are listed show what such things will be, showing love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Works of faith are things showing these, works of faith are not something else. Works of faith are what will be shown to others. And if it never is, how is there salvation believing "in Jesus and nothing else"?

All the Bible is to be trusted, as it is the word of God for us. But individual believers do not have to have the Bible to be saved, though a Bible is something they should have.

I understand the Bible just fine on the topic of works. Any or all good work a true faithful believer does is the work of God done through the believer.

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13).

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5).​

A believer should not operate operate of their own power alone in doing works. They must abide in the Lord and seek for God to do the good work through them. For the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, etc.

It is true that love is greater than faith, and hope, but again... you cannot be saved without faith.
A person who rejects the faith of the Bible and loves is still going to be condemned by God.
In 1 Corinthians 13: Paul is making a point about how if we do not love in our faith, then it does not profit us anything.
Love (like the first two commandments) is a part of the faith because it is a part of the Bible (God's Holy Word). We have to believe all of the Bible (the faith) and not just what we want that tickles our ears.

You just quoted from 1 Corinthians 13 and you did not understand what the chapter is saying. Paul says if I give all my goods to the poor and give my body to burned (loving actions) and I have not love, it profits me nothing.

For example: I heard recently of a Christian whose parents mistreat them badly and yet these parents give to the poor as a part of being church leaders. Obviously they are not loving truly as a part of giving to the poor because they are not loving their own child. It seems like they are putting on a show or just going through the motions in doing loving actions with no real love in their heart. So no. The false idea that you can love in actions and yet you do not love in your heart is false. You need to also truly emotionally love them. The first greatest commandment is to hear that the Lord our God is one God, and to love God with all your mind, heart, soul, and strength (Mark 12:29-30). So love is not just in actions alone, but we are to love God with all our mind, heart, soul, and strength.

Certainly feelings is a part of love (even in the Bible).

Jesus wept (John 11:35).
“Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!” (John 11:36).

Yes, feelings alone without any loving actions is not biblical love;
Yet, loving actions without any loving feelings is also equally as bad.
For if we have not love and give our bodies to be burned, it profits us nothing.

What are these loving works? We are to preach the gospel, feed the sheep (teach the brethren), help the brethren (if they are in financial need or health), help the poor, and to worship God and adore Him (loving Him with every fiber of our being). We should seek God to work in our lives and not make it about our own work. It is God who works through us to work love. For God is love. For God alone is good. We are nothing in and of ourselves. We are just vessels who shine the light of Christ.

It surely is not of our own power, it is from God with the Spirit of God working in believers. But still, it is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control showing. Growing in that which should happen cannot continue leaving any of it limited. Of course others are helped from that, and it should grow that more of others are helped with not excluding them.
 
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Of course all the Bible is relevant.

By God's grace through our faith, we are not saved of ourselves. I do not disagree with that. It is not "belief in Jesus and nothing else", that sure is misrepresentation. Salvation through Christ is not absent of love, anymore than it absent of repentance. I say this all the time.

Works of faith are the things from love, that is already there. Being from love which is included with faith is being from faith. Is it perfect? I sure don't say that. It was not perfect in me, and I do not claim it is perfect in me now, but the perfection in it possible is what I am called to, as other believers are. Change is essential, and that I really do see in myself. Fruits of the Spirit which are listed show what such things will be, showing love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Works of faith are things showing these, works of faith are not something else. Works of faith are what will be shown to others. And if it never is, how is there salvation believing "in Jesus and nothing else"?

All the Bible is to be trusted, as it is the word of God for us. But individual believers do not have to have the Bible to be saved, though a Bible is something they should have.



It surely is not of our own power, it is from God with the Spirit of God working in believers. But still, it is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control showing. Growing in that which should happen cannot continue leaving any of it limited. Of course others are helped from that, and it should grow that more of others are helped with not excluding them.

You say that individual believers do not have to have the Bible to be saved. This is a serious and huge error. Without the Bible you would not know about salvation in Jesus Christ in John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, John 1:12, Romans 10:13, and Ephesians 2:8-9. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). So you cannot get the faith without the Word of God. Matthew 24:14 and 2 Corinthians 11:4 refer to how there are false Christ's or another Jesus. How would you identify these false Christ's if you did not have the Bible? Can a person worship a false Christ and still be saved?

As for your mention on how Christians need to have love:

Well, I would like to simply cut to the chase here. Do you believe that sin (like hate, unforgiveness, lust, extremely bad language) can cause spiritual death for a believer if they do not confess and forsake such sin? Do you believe Salvation is conditional? Do you have to work out your salvation with fear and trembling as Philippians 2:12 says? Jesus says if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

Also, I don't know what you mean by not loving perfectly. Does that include believing that a Christian will always commit serious sin that the Bible condemns the rest of their life? Will a Christian always lust after women, and or have hateful thoughts, etc.? Are Christians slaves to sin? Shall sin have dominion over them? See Galatians 5:24, and 2 Corinthians 7:1.
 
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Be assured that I did that. Nothing changed.

Now ask God in prayer and ask Him to reveal to you what the “work of faith” means in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11. Ask God if it is tied to James 2:24, and James 2:17. Ask God if this faith is tied to Romans 10:17. For faith comes by hearing the Word of God (i.e. the Bible). All of my Bible is the faith. My Bible is chocked full of instructions like doing good works, and living holy after I am saved by God's grace through faith. These instructions of doing good and living holy are a part of the faith (i.e. the Bible). Ask God in prayer to open your eyes to see these verses (just in case you may be wrong in your own thinking). When I say pray, I mean truly pray with the intent on seeking the truth here and not in what you want to hear.
 
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Soyeong

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Are we saved by grace, faith, works of faith, repentance, election, or combination of these?

(Please vote in the poll).

There is a difference between saying that there is nothing that we need to do in order to earn our salvation and that we do nothing as part of our salvation. In Titus 2:11-14, our salvation is described as being trained by grace to do what is godly, righteous, and, good, and to renounce doing what is ungodly, so what we do is part of the content of God's gift of salvation. Those works are how God is gracious to us, so it is contradictory to speak about being saved by grace through faith while treating those works as being added to that. Likewise, repentance is inherently an act of faith through which we are saved, not something that we add on top of being saved by grace through faith. In Romans 3:28, we are saved by faith apart from works of the law, which is true insofar as there are no works that we can do the earn our salvation, however, our salvation is not apart from choosing to obey God's law through faith because our faith odes not abolish our need to obey it, but rather the same faith by which we are justified is also expressed as obedience to it (Romans 3:31). In John 3:36, believing in Jesus is equated with obeying his commands, so doing what he says is not added on top of believing in him. Sanctification is part of being saved by grace through faith, not added on top of it. Confessing that Jesus is Lord is obediently submitting to him as Lord.
 
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There is a difference between saying that there is nothing that we need to do in order to earn our salvation and that we do nothing as part of our salvation. In Titus 2:11-14, our salvation is described as being trained by grace to do what is godly, righteous, and, good, and to renounce doing what is ungodly, so what we do is part of the content of God's gift of salvation. Those works are how God is gracious to us, so it is contradictory to speak about being saved by grace through faith while treating those works as being added to that. Likewise, repentance is inherently an act of faith through which we are saved, not something that we add on top of being saved by grace through faith. In Romans 3:28, we are saved by faith apart from works of the law, which is true insofar as there are no works that we can do the earn our salvation, however, our salvation is not apart from choosing to obey God's law through faith because our faith odes not abolish our need to obey it, but rather the same faith by which we are justified is also expressed as obedience to it (Romans 3:31). In John 3:36, believing in Jesus is equated with obeying his commands, so doing what he says is not added on top of believing in him. Sanctification is part of being saved by grace through faith, not added on top of it. Confessing that Jesus is Lord is obediently submitting to him as Lord.

When we speak of faith: I don't see at as one dimensional as many Christians see that word today. I see faith like a coin that naturally has two sides to it. On the first side of the coin of faith: Faith begins and lays the foundation with...

(a) A trust or belief in Jesus Christ as one's Savior (being saved by God's grace) (John 3:16).
Incorporated in being saved by God's grace can also include believing the gospel (Which is believing that Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was risen three days later for our salvation) (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It can also include seeking forgiveness of one's sins with the Lord Jesus by way of prayer to Him (Romans 10:13) (Luke 18:9-14). It can also include receiving (inviting) Christ into our life (John 1:12) (Revelation 3:20). I say this because I believe a person can accept the message in believing in Jesus as their Savior in the last moments of their life before they die and be saved (without the other instructions in Scripture in being saved by God's grace). But the believer who lives out their faith, I believe they have a responsibility to accept these other aspects in being saved by God's grace. For to whom much is given, much is required.

Then on the second side of the coin of faith: The journey of faith continues with...

(b) The “work of faith” as mentioned by Paul in
1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (or in being “faithful”).
For the “work of faith” is a part of the “faith.” Just as the “work of the Lord” would be a part of “the Lord.” This is why faith without works is dead (James 2:17). This is why we are justified by works (works of faith) and not by faith alone (a belief alone) (James 2:24). For even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19).
Also, the word “faithful” used in the Bible implies an action. For example: 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” Obviously the Lord does not just have a belief alone on our behalf to help us. The Lord does something when He is faithful towards us. The same is true for us when we use the word “faithful.” Revelation 2:10 says, “...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Obviously this church has to do something as a part of being faithful unto death whereby God will give them the crown of life (eternal life / final salvation). In Hebrews 11, we also see that faith led holy men of God into action or in obedience to God. Furthermore, in shortened words, Romans 10:17 says “faith comes by hearing... the Word of God.” The Word of God is the Holy Bible. So the Bible is the faith. Everything written in our New Testament is of the faith. This would include any biblical righteous instruction (Which is a part of the New Testament faith). Yet, Christians today want to take the word “faith” and make it only about a belief alone in Jesus to be saved and nothing else. This runs contrary to looking at the whole counsel of God's Word on the topic of faith.

Anyways, I hope my reply was helpful.
May you be blessed in the Lord.
 
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FredVB

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Bible Highlighter said:
You say that individual believers do not have to have the Bible to be saved. This is a serious and huge error. Without the Bible you would not know about salvation in Jesus Christ in John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, John 1:12, Romans 10:13, and Ephesians 2:8-9. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). So you cannot get the faith without the Word of God. Matthew 24:14 and 2 Corinthians 11:4 refer to how there are false Christ's or another Jesus. How would you identify these false Christ's if you did not have the Bible? Can a person worship a false Christ and still be saved?

Do you believe that sin (like hate, unforgiveness, lust, extremely bad language) can cause spiritual death for a believer if they do not confess and forsake such sin? Do you believe Salvation is conditional? Do you have to work out your salvation with fear and trembling as Philippians 2:12 says? Jesus says if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

Also, I don't know what you mean by not loving perfectly. Does that include believing that a Christian will always commit serious sin that the Bible condemns the rest of their life? Will a Christian always lust after women, and or have hateful thoughts, etc.? Are Christians slaves to sin? Shall sin have dominion over them? See Galatians 5:24, and 2 Corinthians 7:1.

It is not that there is no need of the Bible, certainly there is, but need for an individual to have a Bible to be saved, no. They need to hear God's grace with their being the plan of redemption. This is the word of God, who is not willing that any would perish, to any for them to be saved. If you say that there is not salvation this way it leaves God condemning billions more people, with no opportunity otherwise for them, including all original Christians who did not have a Bible personally but at best had things of God's word preached that they could hear. Believing one must have the Bible in hand reading it, important as it is, is necessary to salvation is the serious error.

Actual believers who are saved have repented and love God in response to God's grace and love, they do not experience spiritual death. Stumbling in sin must lead to repentance and growing further. Believers do work out their part but that is not God's part that keeps believers secure. Of course commandments are important and we should live rightly according to those.

See the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, to understand loving perfectly, it is not for tolerating sin but being helpful to others, who God certainly loves. Growing in this does not leave one just sinning as much. With growth having God work in us we can really stop doing such sins as those. We would not remain slaves to the sins.
 
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It is not that there is no need of the Bible, certainly there is, but need for an individual to have a Bible to be saved, no. They need to hear God's grace with their being the plan of redemption. This is the word of God, who is not willing that any would perish, to any for them to be saved. If you say that there is not salvation this way it leaves God condemning billions more people, with no opportunity otherwise for them, including all original Christians who did not have a Bible personally but at best had things of God's word preached that they could hear. Believing one must have the Bible in hand reading it, important as it is, is necessary to salvation is the serious error.

Actual believers who are saved have repented and love God in response to God's grace and love, they do not experience spiritual death. Stumbling in sin must lead to repentance and growing further. Believers do work out their part but that is not God's part that keeps believers secure. Of course commandments are important and we should live rightly according to those.

See the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, to understand loving perfectly, it is not for tolerating sin but being helpful to others, who God certainly loves. Growing in this does not leave one just sinning as much. With growth having God work in us we can really stop doing such sins as those. We would not remain slaves to the sins.

It's ironic that you are using the Bible to make the case that we don't need the Bible to get people saved. There is no salvation if there was no Bible or no Bible verses memorized to provide for others. A person cannot be saved without knowing about the proper plan of salvation found in the Holy Bible. Without the Holy Bible, there would be no words of salvation from Jesus and His followers for us to give to others. Even if a Christian did not have a Bible, they can speak forth the words found in the Bible (that they memorized) that can lead a person to salvation.

How do we know of the gospel?

It is found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

How do we know about how God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life?

It is found in John 3:16.

Without the Word of God or the Bible, you got nothing that will save a person.

Remember, there are false Christ's out there. How can you tell the difference between the real Christ and or a false Christ? The Bible tells us how. You just don't get to make that up in your head and or dream about it. You need the Bible.
 
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FredVB

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Bible Highlighter said:
It's ironic that you are using the Bible to make the case that we don't need the Bible to get people saved. There is no salvation if there was no Bible or no Bible verses memorized to provide for others. A person cannot be saved without knowing about the proper plan of salvation found in the Holy Bible. Without the Holy Bible, there would be no words of salvation from Jesus and His followers for us to give to others. Even if a Christian did not have a Bible, they can speak forth the words found in the Bible (that they memorized) that can lead a person to salvation.

How do we know of the gospel?

It is found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

How do we know about how God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life?

It is found in John 3:16.

Without the Word of God or the Bible, you got nothing that will save a person.

Remember, there are false Christ's out there. How can you tell the difference between the real Christ and or a false Christ? The Bible tells us how. You just don't get to make that up in your head and or dream about it. You need the Bible.

How strange it is that you can make a case having me say the Bible is not needed, after I had stated the Bible is needed. But not every individual believer has a Bible or access to one, and that did not cost them their salvation. Do you not know the earliest believers could not have had a Bible themselves? Still the essential messages of the Bible for them in their own lives was provided, God's word can reach all, and God is not willing that any would perish.
 
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How strange it is that you can make a case having me say the Bible is not needed, after I had stated the Bible is needed.

Sorry. You simply gave me the impression in some way in downplaying the Bible.
I never had to debate with anyone who only speaks positively of God’s Word.

You said:
But not every individual believer has a Bible or access to one, and that did not cost them their salvation. Do you not know the earliest believers could not have had a Bible themselves? Still the essential messages of the Bible for them in their own lives was provided, God's word can reach all, and God is not willing that any would perish.

This is what I am talking about. Instead of defending the Bible, you appear to regulate the Bible to being unimportant on some level because not every believer had access to one throughout history.

Noah was given instructions to build an Ark. These instructions were for Noah and not anyone else. Noah warned wicked men that there was a flood coming and the only way of escape was on his Ark. These instructions were for those living at the time of Noah and not anyone else outside of that time. So we also have our own instructions that are unique to our own time that we live in, and that is the Holy Bible (with the New Testament being the primary focus of our instructions).

I mean, I was not born again yesterday. I do realize that not everyone owned a Bible throughout history. After some time had passed after the translation of the King James (1611), your average English speaking person did not have easy access to a Bible for personal reading. The 1600’s was a time of great change whereby the common man could have access to the Bible to read in their own home. America’s first colony was settled in the early 1600’s, and they eventually brought bibles over from England. So our nation is one founded on the Bible with many people having access to it. Granted, Bibles were imported from England until the late 1700’s (Whereby we started to print our own Bibles here in America).

I also believe that babies who are aborted are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I also believe a person on their deathbed can receive Jesus as their Savior in the last seconds of their life, and be in His Kingdom. But Jesus said, to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Meaning, if we are given a Bible to read and we have many years to study and read it, and yet we do not read or study His Word, God is going to hold us accountable for not doing so. Could it be a salvation issue? Well, I think if a believer completely does not read their Bible at all and has no desire to read it has a major spiritual issue going on inside of them to begin with. For faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). If a believer simply relies on being spoon fed every Sunday instead of studying to show themselves approved unto God, I also see this as a spiritual problem, as well. Believers need spiritual food and that is the Bible. Without that feeding daily, we will not be building up our faith. The faith is more than just believing that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He was buried, and He was risen three days later. Yes, truth is important and essential to our faith and salvation, but that is not the end of the faith. We need more of what God has to say to us in order to be in His will and please Him.

“…if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20).
 
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Mercy Shown

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When I read the Scriptures, I see 4 different aspects of salvation described.

#1. Provisional Atonement (not "Limited Atonement").
(A 100% Work of God alone that can only be applied personally to an individual's life via by Justification and Sanctification).
This is Jesus paying the price for the sins of the entire world so as to offer mankind the free gift of salvation (if they so choose to accept it); Note: Christ's resurrection (to give us a new body not tainted by sin one day), and the ascension to the Father (after Christ telling Mary not to touch Him), and his entering the holy temple by his blood (to be our Heavenly High Priest) is also included in the Provisional Atonement, too. (For Provisional Atonement verses, see: John 1:29, 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:6, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Romans 5:6-8.).

#2. Justification (Initial Salvation, and or Foundational Salvation).
(The 1st synergistic work of GOD done in a believer).
Justification is the entrance gate to salvation, and it is the foundation of our salvation (by faith) upon which we stand. Justification is believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and had risen again three days later on your behalf, and accepting Jesus as your Savior, and seeking forgiveness of your sins with Him by way of prayer. This process of salvation is without the deeds of the Law or works because it is based upon God’s mercy and grace. As a result: One is born again spiritually (Note: Born again by the Spirit, and born again by water (i.e. the Scriptures - Romans 10:17, 1 Peter 1:23)). (For Justification verses, see: Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:1-6, Titus 3:4-7, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 5:1-2).

#3. Sanctification (The Next Step or Phase in the Salvation Process).
(The 2nd synergistic work of God done in a believer).
Sanctification is the next step or phase in Salvation for a believer who lives out their faith; This is the work of God moving in a believer's life so as to help them to live holy, and to do good works and to put away the lusts of the flesh. These good works are the works of God done through the believer, and so all boasting or praise is given to the Lord. Therefore, there is no boasting in one's own work (because they are ultimately the works of God done through the believer. (For Sanctification verses, see: James 2:24, James 2:17-18, Titus 1:16, Hebrews 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 8:1 (KJV), 1 Corinthians 16:22, Romans 8:13, etc.).

#4. Glorification (The Future Salvation of the Truly Faithful Believer).
(A 100% Work of God alone that can only be applied personally to an individual's life via by Justification and Sanctification).
Glorification is when God takes the believer home to be with Him in His kingdom and He gives Him a new resurrected body that is not tainted by sin. This process of salvation (in being taken home) is a by product automatically for those believers who properly applied Justification and Sanctification to their lives (For Glorification verses, see: 1 Peter 5:4, 1 Peter 1:4, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Romans 13:11, Philippians 3:20-21, Hebrews 9:28).


Conclusion:

Justification, and then Sanctification is what we as believers need to be focused on. For if we are justified, and sanctified (which is only made possible by the Provisional Atonement), then we will be glorified.
Can focusing on justification and sanctification add to our self-centered worldview. The bible teaches that it is by beholding we become changed. Would it not behoove us to behold Jesus, that is being focused on Christ rather than our justification and sanctification?
 
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Can focusing on justification and sanctification add to our self-centered worldview. The bible teaches that it is by beholding we become changed. Would it not behoove us to behold Jesus, that is being focused on Christ rather than our justification and sanctification?

We are focusing on Christ when we focus on Justification and Sanctification. For in Justification we are saved by His grace and trusting in what He has done for us with the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and in seeking forgiveness of our sins with Jesus. In Sanctification, we are conforming to the image of Jesus and in following Him and not our own sinful ways. We look to follow Jesus’ good ways and not our own bad ways. That is Sanctification. To follow ourselves and sin is not looking to Jesus.

Also, all my points are backed up with Scripture (Which is God’s Holy Word to us).
Are you against God’s Word?
 
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Mercy Shown

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If I am always checking my justification and sanctification when will I have time to focus on others?

Does not the Bible teach that "...But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor 6:11

Now to be sure, our good works should flow from a purified heart, and that is something only God can do. Yes, we cooperate and "hold fast" to our belief and dependence upon Christ. I think Jesus' sacrifice makes us stand before God as if we had never sinned. In my experience, this is what has set me on fire to do his will.

Because He washed me, because He sanctified me, and because he Justified me, I have a burning desire to be with and in Him at all times. The change in my heart has come from what He has done for me and not what I am trying to do for Him.
 
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FredVB

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Bible Highlighter said:
Instead of defending the Bible, you appear to regulate the Bible to being unimportant on some level because not every believer had access to one throughout history.

Why conclude I say the Bible is unimportant? I certainly say it is needed, the Bible is needed in this world and believers were to have the revelation from God. But I did say, and still do, that it will not cost someone not having a Bible or having seen one their salvation. With repenting and coming to Christ for restoration to God they would be saved, God is not willing that any would perish. No passage in the Bible shows that any such would not be saved with not having scriptures they have access to. I can believe anyone anywhere in the world had opportunity for salvation being restored to God. The gospel is still to go out and to be spread, that opportunity for others is increased, and Bibles should be made more available.

Noah was given instructions to build an Ark. These instructions were for Noah and not anyone else. Noah warned wicked men that there was a flood coming and the only way of escape was on his Ark. These instructions were for those living at the time of Noah and not anyone else outside of that time. So we also have our own instructions that are unique to our own time that we live in, and that is the Holy Bible (with the New Testament being the primary focus of our instructions).

Other instructions are not an equivalent to the Bible. But as commandments are in the Bible, they are instructions for us to not keep sinning.

I mean, I was not born again yesterday. I do realize that not everyone owned a Bible throughout history. After some time had passed after the translation of the King James (1611), your average English speaking person did not have easy access to a Bible for personal reading. The 1600’s was a time of great change whereby the common man could have access to the Bible to read in their own home. America’s first colony was settled in the early 1600’s, and they eventually brought bibles over from England. So our nation is one founded on the Bible with many people having access to it. Granted, Bibles were imported from England until the late 1700’s (Whereby we started to print our own Bibles here in America).

So you are speaking of KJV Only?

I also believe that babies who are aborted are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I also believe a person on their deathbed can receive Jesus as their Savior in the last seconds of their life, and be in His Kingdom. But Jesus said, to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Meaning, if we are given a Bible to read and we have many years to study and read it, and yet we do not read or study His Word, God is going to hold us accountable for not doing so. Could it be a salvation issue? Well, I think if a believer completely does not read their Bible at all and has no desire to read it has a major spiritual issue going on inside of them to begin with. For faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). If a believer simply relies on being spoon fed every Sunday instead of studying to show themselves approved unto God, I also see this as a spiritual problem, as well. Believers need spiritual food and that is the Bible. Without that feeding daily, we will not be building up our faith. The faith is more than just believing that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He was buried, and He was risen three days later. Yes, truth is important and essential to our faith and salvation, but that is not the end of the faith. We need more of what God has to say to us in order to be in His will and please Him.

I know others also say babies who are aborted are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I know of such having an abortion say the baby being aborted is saved by Jesus. You see the logic can promote abortions. If they are saved, babies should be aborted that they will all be saved. The Bible is really important. Do you have any passage from it for any such positions? I only know passages showing that salvation is with repentance and faith, there is response to God needed.

“…if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20).

Again, what are you implying with this passage?
 
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prophecy_uk

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"No passage in the Bible shows that any such would not be saved with not having scriptures they have access to"

John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
 
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If I am always checking my justification and sanctification when will I have time to focus on others?

Sanctification is living holy. This includes loving others and not focusing on yourself. It is picking up your cross and denying yourself to follow Jesus (Which is all about the loving of God and others).

You said:
Does not the Bible teach that "...But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor 6:11

The word sanctified means to be cleansed. The Bible has homonyms within it. Words can have multiple meanings and they can be used differently depending on the context. So yes. While we are cleansed in the 1st aspect of salvation in being saved by God’s grace through believing the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and in seeking forgiveness of our sins with Jesus (Romans 10:13) (Luke 18:9-14), we do also have to answer the call of the gospel, too. The call of the gospel is…. God has chosen us to salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and a belief of the truth (See: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). This sanctification is mentioned in Romans 8:13. For if you live after the flesh, you will die, but if you put to death the deeds of the body (sin) by the Spirit, you will live (See: Romans 8:13). 2 Corinthians 7:1 says let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Why in the fear of God do we need to perfect holiness according to 2 Corinthians 7:1? Most today just sweep verses like this under the carpet and run and cling to their Easy Believism gospel.

You said:
Now to be sure, our good works should flow from a purified heart, and that is something only God can do. Yes, we cooperate and "hold fast" to our belief and dependence upon Christ. I think Jesus' sacrifice makes us stand before God as if we had never sinned. In my experience, this is what has set me on fire to do his will.

Yeah, that’s seriously unbiblical. We need to walk in the light as he is in the light and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (See: 1 John 1:7). What is walking in the light mean? It means loving your brother according to the indirect wording found in 1 John 2:9-11. For “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). Is somebody who is not of God saved?

You said:
Because He washed me, because He sanctified me, and because he Justified me, I have a burning desire to be with and in Him at all times. The change in my heart has come from what He has done for me and not what I am trying to do for Him.

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