Important Question: How many of you OSNASers been accused of Works?

[joevberry3]

Question for ONLY OSNASers! How many of you have been accused of works because you believe salvation can be lost or you believe in being obedient to the word of God and to the one that gave his life for you?

Thanks and God Bless,
Joe

 

[joevberry3]

By the way, the POLL is public so no OSAS people can provide false answers and make it seem in their favor.

God Bless

 

[Mercy Me]

Joe..

I am a once saved not always saved person. I have been accused a multitude of times of being into "works"...

I read my word and it is very very clear.... God says: IF you do this, THEN I will do that..

His love for all humankind is there, but His covenant blessings are CONDITIONAL upon obedience. Obedience means: IF you do this, I will do that.

His word says we will be known by the commandments we keep. How do you keep commandments without being obedient and following law?

Sometimes I wish I wasn't of this belief... I know many who say: "I'm saved by grace, it doesn't matter what I do." GREASY GRACE is what we call that! There have been times in my Christian walk that I chose to do things unbecoming of a Christian... at these times, as much as it pains me, I would say I was not saved. Thank God, I was able to repent and get back in His good grace.

This opens the discussion of "what sin crosses the line?"... and if sin is sin is sin in the eyes of the Lord, I don't know.

All I know is that knowing I need to be obedient to the Lord keeps me in peace and security that I am OK.

My ex is a greasy grace person... no matter how he cheats, steals, adulterates, kills (he killed my precious dog in a fit of rage by breaking its neck)...he says because he was once saved he is always saved. I am sorry, but someone who snubs his nose at God and treats people (his own family) like crud, has a long way to go in the eyes of the Lord. He was commiting adultery, and going to court for trying to kill me, brought his latest lover with him to court, while wearing his WWJD bracelet, saying "I am OK. I am saved by grace"...

for his sake....it would be WONDERFUL to say Once saved always saved... but I believe God is more discerning than that.

 

[schwartmrs]

I was raised Once Saved Always Saved, but I just couldn't buy that. It has created some rifts in my family.

I don't know how far grace stretches...only God can decide that...but I don't think we can just assume that we prayed a prayer once, so we're okay. What if? What if the person who taught you that was wrong? What if that verse was mistranslated? I don't want to bet my salvation on my limited human understanding...or anyone elses.

I don't want to be saved "by the skin of my teeth." I don't want to be the last person to leave the ground during the rapture...I don't want to have to squeeze through the pearly gates just as they are closing...I want to be FIRST in line...I want to LEAD the pack!!!

Aside from the issue of salvation, itself, there is the issue of obedience...and that, really, is my main concern. Jesus didn't give "just enough"...He gave everything...can I do any less? He could have stopped at salvation...He didn't have to give us joy and peace and blessings and gifts....but He did...He gave us everything...and we owe Him everything...not because we are afraid of hell, but out of overwhelming gratitude.

I would also like to say that I became messianic for the same reason...gratitude, and a hunger to understand Him more...and I got virtually the same response...

"but you don't HAVE to do all that...we're saved by grace"

"you don't understand...it's not that I HAVE to, it's that I WANT to"

We are the only Messianics in our church, and the pastors have had to step in several times to mediate charges of "legalism"....

I don't understand why obedience = legalism to some people....God blesses obedience...the more obedient I am, the closer I feel to Him...once I started down the path of obedience, and experienced the blessing for myself, there was no turning back...there is no argument that would convince me to give up the joy and peace I have now...I am HAPPY...why is that a problem?

 

[speakingthetruth777]

i have been accused also of trying to work my way into heaven because i believe in obeying the commands of Jesus and the Bible.
Thanks

 

[Andrew]

I read my word and it is very very clear.... God says: IF you do this, THEN I will do that..

That is old covenant -- unless you fulfill every law (600+ laws) all the time, you cannot be blessed. On the contrary, curses will fall on you.

thank God will are no longer under that system.

 

[Andrew]

I don't know how far grace stretches...only God can decide that...but I don't think we can just assume that we prayed a prayer once, so we're okay.

The grace of God is limitless. You might as well say "I dont know how far God's love stretches" and put a limit on his love.

Why make salvation so difficult. Paul has already told us: The word is near you and in your mouth, that if you confess... and believe in your heart.....you WILL BE saved! God's truth are always simple. Theology and man's thinking and pride complicate it.

Jesus didn't give "just enough"...He gave everything...can I do any less? He could have stopped at salvation...He didn't have to give us joy and peace and blessings and gifts....but He did...He gave us everything...and we owe Him everything...not because we are afraid of hell, but out of overwhelming gratitude.

That's what we mean when we say "Its not that I have to, but I just want to, out of gratitude". It's easier to have this attitude when you know that Christ has completely saved you and will never let anything or anyone pluck you out of your hands.

I don't understand why obedience = legalism to some people....God blesses obedience...the more obedient I am, the closer I feel to Him...once I started down the path of obedience, and experienced the blessing for myself, there was no turning back...there is no argument that would convince me to give up the joy and peace I have now...I am HAPPY...why is that a problem?

God is close to us whether we feel anything or not, whether we've been good the past week or failed miserably the past week. His love towards us is not based on our performance or how obedient we have been.

The problem is really us. We 'feel' closer to God when we think we've been doing well; and we feel further from him when we've messed up. That's based on our feelings, not faith or God's Word. God is not like that. He loved us even while we were still lost sinners. So do you think it really makes a diff now, whether we've done well the past week or failed miserably?

 

[speakingthetruth777]

Actually this thread is for OSNAS people. Thanks

 

[Andrew]

Actually this thread is for OSNAS people. Thanks

I take it the truth has convicted you.

 

[joevberry3]

No, i was convicted long ago when i was Baptist that i couldnt live any kind of way and be a Christian at the same time. Sorry, but i dont wanna hear a Preacher tell me i can live any kind of way and still be saved.
By the way, im using my husbands screen name to answer you. My name is speakingthetruth777.

 

[joevberry3]

Hey Andrew--if the truth is I can live like hell, not have to obey any Jesus's commands, not pray, not fast, not seek his will, not love others--well dont want a part of it. My God is a God of Love--I will love others and preach to others about sin instead of preaching to them what they wanna hear--and thats ahhh dont worry about that adultery--your still saved sister....
God bless ya,
Joe

 

[joevberry3]

Any how, the question is to OSNASers--and the question is Are you accused of trying to work for your salvation?
Yes, as you can see by the poll results so far, 83% agree that OSAS people judge us and accuse us of trying to work for salvation simply because we dont believe we can live like Hell....
Amen
Joe