How Do you Define Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and is it Biblical?

Bible Highlighter · Dec 13, 2018

mark kennedy said:
No Jason you disagree with him, would you give up the quote mining long enough to at least make a statement.if it's possible to fall away from the faith It's impossible to restore you to repentance later, so much for tenporary suspension of salvation pending perfection. If it were possible to be saved by works then Christ died fir nothing, and you know this. Now there is yet another tenant of thegospel you routinely deny, if we say we have no sin, we decieve oursrlves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). That's the writter of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul and John all unanimously disagreeing with you in the strongest possible terms and your response, is utter silence. Nothing about the cross, the Holy Spirit, just works saves us. You know what I finally have seen enough of this, you know it don't you? That's why you do it, there will always be someone to correct you. I've seen this circular logic used dozens of times and it's unsurprising the arguments you can't answer are mounting.

Well, what is helpful in understanding 1 John 1:8 is looking at its immediate context. 1 John 1:10 says if we say we have not sinned. 1 John 1:10 changes the declaration on committing sin in verse 8 (which is present tense) to a declaration on committing sin being a past declaration (with verse 10). Verse 10 is saying there are people who said they have not sinned (past tense). This is clearly a gnostic belief. Most believers today hold to the idea that they have sinned at some point in their life (Regardless of whether they are an OSAS believer or a Conditional Salvationist). 1 John 1:8 is a present declaration of sin. It is saying if we say we have no sin when we do sin (present tense). This has to be the interpretative understanding of this verse because 1 John 2:4 says if we say we know Him and do not keep His commandments we are a liar and the truth is not in us. The OSAS's interpretation on 1 John 1:8 does not work because it conflicts with a normal reading on 1 John 2:3-4. You cannot always be in sin (breaking God's commands) as a part of 1 John 1:8 and yet also fulfill 1 John 2:3 that says we can have an assurance of knowing Him if we keep His commandments. Especially when 1 John 2:4 says we are a liar and the truth is not in us if we break his commandments. In other words, if the OSAS interpretation on 1 John 1:8 was true, then I would be damned if I do by obeying God's commands (1 John 1:8) and yet I would be damned if I don't by not obeying God's commands (1 John 2:4).

In fact, the New English Translation says this for 1 John 1:8,

"If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us."
(1 John 1:8 NET).

In other words, this verse is saying that if a person sins and says they do not bear the guilt of sin (in the sense that they will not have to face any wrath or Judgment from God over their sin) then they would be deceiving themselves and the truth would not be in them. This is exactly what the Eternal Security proposes. They are saying that they do not bear the guilt of any sin (destruction of their soul and body in hell fire) if they do sin because they believe their sins are paid for: Past, present, and future by Jesus. They are saying, they do not bear the guilt or the punishment of sin at the final Judgment because of their belief on Jesus. In short, 1 John 1:8 is a denial of the existence of sin on some level. “If we say we have no sin (in the sense that it does not exist) we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8). Christian Scientists think sin is an illusion and does not exist at all. So this verse would apply to them. Eternal Security Proponents and those who deny that “Sin Can Separate a Believer from God” deny the existence of sin partially. They believe sin exists physically but they do not believe sin exists for them on a spiritual level because Jesus has forgiven them of all their sin by their belief on Jesus. In fact, to see just how silly your argument actually is for 1 John 1:8, you would have to believe that you are sinning right now at this very moment in order for such a verse to be true because 1 John 1:8 is speaking in the present tense.

Side Note:

This was said for other readers who may come across this thread. This was not really said to you. I know you will not be convinced by what I say with Scripture. Believe as you wish. I know God is good, and that His people are good, too.

Bible Highlighter · Dec 13, 2018

redleghunter said:
The Father is Perfect. And the standard to enter the Kingdom is Perfection. Yet there is only One Who was and is Perfect. And that is how and why we have the Gospel of Grace.----Jesus Christ.

Yet, Jesus told us to be perfect in two places. There are also many other verses that say similar things like blameless, etc. So yeah, you really cannot get around that one in the Bible unless you simply ignore it or change what the Word of God says (Because you don't like it).

Bible Highlighter · Dec 13, 2018

redleghunter said:
This once again takes us to the very core of the Bondage of the will. Which earlier I asked you how you came about to choose God.

So what would be the purpose of the judgment if it is God's choice who is saved and who is not saved? Is He just messing with us?

Bible Highlighter · Dec 13, 2018

redleghunter said:
Let's try it again. I said what you wrote was axiomatic.

Yes the saints will persevere to the end. Why they are called the elect and saints.

Who said this was my point. But the counter to that is we are not left as orphans and your theology on sanctification sure does sound a bit deistic in nature.

Again I said Axiomatic.

The word you propose doesn’t resolve the problem of your belief.

I said automatic.
Not you.

I am talking about your belief in how you think a believer will automatically be a certain way. You talk like a true believer will always bear good fruit their whole lives 24/7 as a Christian. But I am not sure you believe that.

Let me ask you: Do you believe King David was saved in his sins of adultery and murder?

redleghunter · Dec 13, 2018

Jason0047 said:
Yet, Jesus told us to be perfect in two places. There are also many other verses that say similar things like blameless, etc. So yeah, you really cannot get around that one in the Bible unless you simply ignore it or change what the Word of God says (Because you don't like it).

Yes perfection is the standard to enter the Kingdom. Only One is worthy do so...The Son of God Who gave His life as a ransom.

redleghunter · Dec 13, 2018

Jason0047 said:
So what would be the purpose of the judgment if it is God's choice who is saved and who is not saved? Is He just messing with us?

I asked the question frankly. How do fallen human beings choose God to save them?

redleghunter · Dec 13, 2018

Jason0047 said:
The word you propose doesn’t resolve the problem of your belief.

In the English language and just about every other language axiomatic fits great. And by using such I agreed with what I quoted from you. Which means the antinomian straw man should not be waved about.

redleghunter · Dec 13, 2018

Jason0047 said:
I am talking about your belief in how you think a believer will automatically be a certain way. You talk like a true believer will always bear good fruit

Jesus says so. We will be known by what we do.

Gr8Grace · Dec 13, 2018

redleghunter said:
Don't understand the "must do" statements you make.

It is very simple. The two false ideas pushed on believers today are:

1. If you don't work, you will lose salvation.

2. If you don't work, you really were not saved.

Two works for salvation programs. They both rely on works for salvation.

redleghunter said:
Of course we are to obey our Master Christ Jesus.

And if we do not know how to be filled with the Spirit and walk by means of the Spirit.....one might THINK they are doing good, but it is dung in the eyes of the Lord.

redleghunter said:
He saved us from sin and death and the yoke of the world's master Satan.

By GRACE from faith alone in Christ alone. BOOM saved. To advance in that secure salvation it takes WORK. And if believers shirk their duties after salvation......they have discipline,loss of rewards, and the chance of being least IN the kingdom. But saved, by Grace through faith.

redleghunter said:
He is called Lord and Savior for a reason.

Which is why it irritates me so that the majority of believers think that their works count towards their salvation. When works is all about inheritance IN the kingdom. We get IN the kingdom by Grace through faith. We get our inheritance in the kingdom by our works.

BBAS 64 · Dec 13, 2018

Just need to share Luther's work as it relates to James and Paul on Justification by Faith alone.

Luther commentary on Romans a work mush later than his NT 1522. Covered some of this tonight as we are working though Galatians and just started chapter 3.

The question is asked, “How can justification take place without the works of the Law, and how by the works of the Law can there be no justification, since James 2:26 clearly states: ‘Faith apart from works is dead’ and ‘a man is justified by works,’ using the example of Abraham and Rahab (James 2:23–25 )?” And Paul himself in Gal. 5:6 speaks of “faith working through love,” and above in chapter 2:13 he says that “the doers of the Law will be justified before God.” The answer to this question is that the apostle is distinguishing between the Law and faith, or between the letter and grace, and thus also between their respective works. The works of the Law are those, he says, which take place outside of faith and grace and are done at the urging of the Law, which either forces obedience through fear or allures us through the promise of temporal blessings. But the works of faith, he says, are those which are done out of the spirit of liberty and solely for the love of God. And the latter cannot be accomplished except by those who have been justified by faith, to which justification the works of the Law add nothing, indeed, they strongly hinder it, since they do not permit a man to see himself as unrighteous and in need of justification.

Here is an example. If a layman should perform all the outward functions of a priest, celebrating Mass, confirming, absolving, administering the sacraments, dedicating altars, churches, vestments, vessels, etc., it is certain that these actions in all respects would be similar to those of a true priest, in fact, they might be performed more reverently and properly than the real ones. But because he has not been consecrated and ordained and sanctified, he performs nothing at all, but is only playing church and deceiving himself and his followers. It is the same way with the righteous, good, and holy works which are performed either without or before justification. For just as this layman does not become a priest by performing all these functions, although it can happen that he could be made a priest without doing them, namely, by ordination, so also the man who is righteous by the Law is actually not made righteous by the works of the Law at all, but without them, by something else, namely, through faith in Christ, by which he is justified and, as it were, ordained, so that he is made righteous for the performance of the works of righteousness, just as this layman is ordained a priest for the performance of the functions of a priest. And it can happen that the man who is righteous by the Law does works which are more according to the letter and more spectacular than the man who is righteous by grace. But yet he is not for this reason righteous but rather may actually be more impeded by these works from coming to righteousness and to the works of grace.

Another example. A monkey can imitate the actions of people, but he is not a man on that account. But if he should become a man, this doubtless would not take place by virtue of these actions, by which he has imitated a man, but by some other power, namely, God’s; but then having become a man, he would truly and rightly perform the actions of a man.

Therefore, when St. James and the apostle say that a man is justified by works, they are contending against the erroneous notion of those who thought that faith suffices without works, although the apostle does not say that faith justifies without its own works (because then there would be no faith, since, according to the philosophers, “action is the evidence that form exists”), but that it justifies without the works of the Law. Therefore justification does not demand the works of the Law but a living faith which produces its own works.

But if faith justifies with its own works, but without the works of the Law, then why are heretics regarded as beyond justification, since they also believe and from this same faith produce great and sometimes even greater works than the other believers? And all the people in the church who are spiritually proud, who have many and great works which also surely proceed from faith, are such people also unrighteous? Does something other than faith in Christ with its good works seem to be required for justification?

James answers the question briefly: “Whosoever … fails in one point has become guilty of all of it” (2:10). For faith is indivisible. Therefore it is either a whole faith and believes all that is to be believed, or it is no faith, if it does not believe one part. The Lord thus compares it to one pearl, to one grain of mustard, etc. Because “Christ is not divided” (cf. 1 Cor. 1:13 ), therefore He is either completely denied in one unit, or else He is completely affirmed. He cannot be at the same time denied in one word and confessed in another. But heretics are always picking out one thing or many from those which are to be believed, against which they set their minds in their arrogance, as if they were wiser than all the rest. And thus they believe nothing which is to be believed and perish without faith, without obedience toward God, while still in their great works, which are so similar to the real ones. They are not different from the Jews, who themselves believe many things which the church also truly believes. But one only does the thought of their own proud heart oppose, namely, Christ, and thus they perish in their unbelief. So also every proud man in his own mind always opposes either the precept or the counsel of him who is correctly guiding him to salvation. Since he does not believe this counsel, he likewise believes nothing, and his entire faith perishes because of the tenacity of one thought. We must always humbly, therefore, give way in our thinking, lest we stumble over this rock of offense,34 that is, the truth which in humility stands against us and opposes our own thinking. For since we are liars, the truth can never come to us except as an apparent adversary to what we are thinking, for we presume that we think the truth, and we wish to hear and see as truth only that which agrees with us and applauds us. But this cannot be.

The works of all of these men, therefore, are the works of the Law, not of faith or of grace, indeed they are opposed to and in conflict with faith. Thus justification not only can but must take place without them, and with the apostle must “be counted as refuse for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:8 ).

source: Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Luther on the Book of James...Revisited

In Him,

Bill

Bible Highlighter · Dec 13, 2018

redleghunter said:
Jesus says so. We will be known by what we do.

But you are saying that a person is a true believer because God made them that way.

God chooses some to be saved and He chooses others not to be saved.

They had no choice in the matter.

But this non- sense because God gives men commandments that they break. They are violating his will. This shows us that God gives us free will choice. If we were all going to automatically be a believer against our own free will, then we would perfectly obey and we would not need commands.

Bible Highlighter · Dec 13, 2018

redleghunter said:
I asked the question frankly. How do fallen human beings choose God to save them?

Verses on Prevenient Grace:

John 1:9 says,
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

John 12:32 says,
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

John 16:8-11 says,
8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

Romans 2:4 says,
“Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

Titus 2:11 says,
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

1 Timothy 2:3-4 says,
3 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

John 3:16 says,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

2 Peter 3:9 which states that God “is not willing that any should perish, but for all to come to repentance.”

1 John 2:2 says,
“[Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (Also see John 1:29 - the Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world).

Acts of the Apostles 16:14 says,
“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” (Note: This was an opening of the heart to listen and it was not a change of heart to be instantly saved and regenerated).

Hebrews 2:9 essentially says,
"Jesus tasted death for everyone."

We have free will choice involving God:

Matthew 13:15 says,
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

Matthew 23:37 (NLT) says,
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me.”

Deuteronomy 30:19 says,
“I call heaven and earth as witness this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live”.

Acts of the Apostles 17:27 says, “he be not far from every one of us”

Bible Highlighter · Dec 13, 2018

redleghunter said:
In the English language and just about every other language axiomatic fits great. And by using such I agreed with what I quoted from you. Which means the antinomian straw man should not be waved about.

I am not making an antinomian straw man argument. The Bible teaches we can overcome grievous sin in this life (See: 1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 13:14, Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:24, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 4:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Philippians 2:15, Romans 6:6-8, Romans 6:16, Hebrews 13:20-21, 1 John 2:5, 1 John 5:19, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:23. For there are false prophets who cannot cease from sin (See: 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:14). In my experience: Calvinists don’t agree with God’s program of overcoming sin like this. However, any belief seeking to attack this truth in Scripture is a belief that is trying to justify sin and is antinomian. The Calvinistic versions of antinomianism cannot be seen in the Bible.

Bible Highlighter · Dec 13, 2018

redleghunter said:
Yes perfection is the standard to enter the Kingdom. Only One is worthy do so...The Son of God Who gave His life as a ransom.

Read 1 John 1:7 and Hebrews 5:9 and Hebrews 12:14.

mark kennedy · Dec 13, 2018

Jason0047 said:
Well, what is helpful in understanding 1 John 1:8 is looking at its immediate context. 1 John 1:10 says if we say we have not sinned. 1 John 1:10 changes the declaration on committing sin in verse 8 (which is present tense) to a declaration on committing sin being a past declaration (with verse 10). Verse 10 is saying there are people who said they have not sinned (past tense). This is clearly a gnostic belief. Most believers today hold to the idea that they have sinned at some point in their life (Regardless of whether they are an OSAS believer or a Conditional Salvationist). 1 John 1:8 is a present declaration of sin. It is saying if we say we have no sin when we do sin (present tense). This has to be the interpretative understanding of this verse because 1 John 2:4 says if we say we know Him and do not keep His commandments we are a liar and the truth is not in us. The OSAS's interpretation on 1 John 1:8 does not work because it conflicts with a normal reading on 1 John 2:3-4. You cannot always be in sin (breaking God's commands) as a part of 1 John 1:8 and yet also fulfill 1 John 2:3 that says we can have an assurance of knowing Him if we keep His commandments. Especially when 1 John 2:4 says we are a liar and the truth is not in us if we break his commandments. In other words, if the OSAS interpretation on 1 John 1:8 was true, then I would be damned if I do by obeying God's commands (1 John 1:8) and yet I would be damned if I don't by not obeying God's commands (1 John 2:4).

In fact, the New English Translation says this for 1 John 1:8,

"If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us."
(1 John 1:8 NET).

In other words, this verse is saying that if a person sins and says they do not bear the guilt of sin (in the sense that they will not have to face any wrath or Judgment from God over their sin) then they would be deceiving themselves and the truth would not be in them. This is exactly what the Eternal Security proposes. They are saying that they do not bear the guilt of any sin (destruction of their soul and body in hell fire) if they do sin because they believe their sins are paid for: Past, present, and future by Jesus. They are saying, they do not bear the guilt or the punishment of sin at the final Judgment because of their belief on Jesus. In short, 1 John 1:8 is a denial of the existence of sin on some level. “If we say we have no sin (in the sense that it does not exist) we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8). Christian Scientists think sin is an illusion and does not exist at all. So this verse would apply to them. Eternal Security Proponents and those who deny that “Sin Can Separate a Believer from God” deny the existence of sin partially. They believe sin exists physically but they do not believe sin exists for them on a spiritual level because Jesus has forgiven them of all their sin by their belief on Jesus. In fact, to see just how silly your argument actually is for 1 John 1:8, you would have to believe that you are sinning right now at this very moment in order for such a verse to be true because 1 John 1:8 is speaking in the present tense.

Side Note:

This was said for other readers who may come across this thread. This was not really said to you. I know you will not be convinced by what I say with Scripture. Believe as you wish. I know God is good, and that His people are good, too.

I know I will not be convinced because it's not saying anything in the past tense. It says if you say you don't bear the guilt of sin, present tense, you decieve yourself and the truth is not in you. That's why you've never answered the question if you are a sinner, present tense, because if you answer honestly you have to contradict John. I don't know who might be watching this in the shadows but if they are buying this their not paying attention to 1 John 1:8.

Bible Highlighter · Dec 13, 2018

mark kennedy said:
I know I will not be convinced because it's not saying anything in the past tense. It says if you say you don't bear the guilt of sin, present tense, you decieve yourself and the truth is not in you. That's why you've never answered the question if you are a sinner, present tense, because if you answer honestly you have to contradict John. I don't know who might be watching this in the shadows but if they are buying this their not paying attention to 1 John 1:8.

1 John 1:10 is speaking in the past tense.
1 John 1:8 is speaking in the present tense.

But it doesn’t matter. You will find a work around the text to fit your belief. So I am not going to continue the discussion because you will not understand it. Scripture has to be understood using basic morality (i.e. understanding with the heart) in order to truly grasp what it is saying. This is where Calvinism fails. For it seeks to paint God in a bad light in several ways.

Ken Rank · Dec 13, 2018

Jason0047 said:
Except, there is no such thing as striving for perfection (without actually being perfect) mentioned in the Bible as you say. Jesus simply says be ye perfect as the Father is perfect. I prefer to believe the words of Jesus and not you.

2 Cor 13:11 And now, my friends, good-bye! Strive for perfection; listen to my appeals; agree with one another; live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (GNB and NIV)

Matt 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

2 Tim 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Striving for perfection or righteousness... a very biblical concept.

Bible Highlighter · Dec 14, 2018

Ken Rank said:
2 Cor 13:11 And now, my friends, good-bye! Strive for perfection; listen to my appeals; agree with one another; live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (GNB and NIV)

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11) (KJV).

You said:
Matt 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Yes, in this life, and not the next. 1 Peter 4:2 says, “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God”

You said:
2 Tim 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

I agree that we have to pursue righteousness, but you do not think you will ever attain it.

You said:
Striving for perfection or righteousness... a very biblical concept.

But your view is that you will never attain it in this life. That is the problem I have with your view.
Striving to live holy has an outcome of living holy.
One can strive to live holy, but if they are not actually reaching their goal, then it is pointless.
A person can strive to stop being an axe murderer, but if they don’t actually stop being an axe murderer it really doesn’t matter. A woman can strive to stop being a prostitute but if she doesn’t actually stop being one she is still living an immoral life. Can a Christian be an axe murderer and or a prostitute as long as they strive to not do these sins and yet it is okay they do them every once in a while because they are weak? Granted, I am not saying forgiveness is not there for a person if they honestly do stumble, but if they do not overcome grievous sin in their life, it means that are living a defeated life to sin and they are not living in victory to the will of God.

mark kennedy · Dec 14, 2018

Jason0047 said:
1 John 1:10 is speaking in the past tense.
1 John 1:8 is speaking in the present tense.

But it doesn’t matter. You will find a work around the text to fit your belief. So I am not going to continue the discussion because you will not understand it. Scripture has to be understood using basic morality (i.e. understanding with the heart) in order to truly grasp what it is saying. This is where Calvinism fails. For it seeks to paint God in a bad light in several ways.

My how well you do not know me, and you really under estimate the simplicity of John's epistle. It's the simplest Koine Greek in the New Testament, the usual starting point for those learning Koine Greek. You think I somehow tied to Calvinism but virtually all my theology comes from the Scriptures, Calvinism just happens to line up with the Scriptures better then the others in my estimation.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

That’s past (1 John 1:10)
Present (1 John 1:8)
And future (1 John 2:1)

The blood of Christ purifies us of sin. That's not unique to Calvinism, that's the gospel. I understand the basic morality just fine, you were and are a sinner and will remain one until the translation of the church at the return of Christ. If you think you have no sin you deceive yourself and the the truth is not in you. I don't question for a second that you must repent, that murderers and those who do not love their brother are children of disobedience. I'm pointing out what should be obvious to anyone who has ever chose to work in doctrine and understand the theology of John here. God's salvation is not predicated on what you do or don't do but on what Christ did once and for all, by shedding his blood on the cross.

Repentance isn't an act of the will, it's the will of man cast into the crucible of God's grace and reformed in the image of Christ. It's not a requirement for salvation, it is salvation and the repentance and good works that glorify God are a miracle of the highest order.

Quit fighting me Jason, I'm not the enemy, I simply want you to sharpen up your expositional skills and encourage you to stop taking verses out of their natural context.

Grace and peace,
Mark

mark kennedy · Dec 14, 2018

Jason0047 said:
Verses on Prevenient Grace:

John 1:9 says,
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

John 12:32 says,
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

John 16:8-11 says,
8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

Romans 2:4 says,
“Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

Titus 2:11 says,
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

1 Timothy 2:3-4 says,
3 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

John 3:16 says,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

2 Peter 3:9 which states that God “is not willing that any should perish, but for all to come to repentance.”

1 John 2:2 says,
“[Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (Also see John 1:29 - the Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world).

Acts of the Apostles 16:14 says,
“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” (Note: This was an opening of the heart to listen and it was not a change of heart to be instantly saved and regenerated).

Hebrews 2:9 essentially says,
"Jesus tasted death for everyone."

We have free will choice involving God:

Matthew 13:15 says,
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

Matthew 23:37 (NLT) says,
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me.”

Deuteronomy 30:19 says,
“I call heaven and earth as witness this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live”.

Acts of the Apostles 17:27 says, “he be not far from every one of us”

@redleghunter was asking you a direct question, he knows the Scriptures, he was asking you. "How do fallen human beings choose God to save them"? God must reveal something other then sin, that's a key part of it, but the righteousness of God in Christ has to be clear to you so you see, perceive and understand you are a sinner before God. You can choose God all day long, what is important is that God chooses you.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13)

Being born again is a work of God right? That's not a trick question, it's the gospel.

How Do you Define Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and is it Biblical?

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Thank You Jesus!

Thank You Jesus!

Thank You Jesus!

Thank You Jesus!

Well-Known Member

Contributor

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Natura non facit saltum

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Well-Known Member

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Natura non facit saltum

Natura non facit saltum

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