Is belief enough to be saved?

[Montalban]

IN a polytheitic world, pharoahs, lords of the household, and the forces of nature were not worshipped out of a sense of love, but out of a respect for power, and what power might be able to do for you. There was no moral sense of duty, for love was not a factor, unless a Creator God created us out of love.
But in a moral universe under the law of love, what, other than sin, separates us from God?

Why are people saying that the Incarnation is pointless?

 

[Lindas Place]

But in a moral universe under the law of love, what, other than sin, separates us from God?

Nothing... can separate us.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16


NO CHARGES AGAINTS YOU

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:31-33

YOU ARE NOT CONDEMNED

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

JESUS DOES NOT CONDEMN YOU

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:34-35

YOU CANNOT BE SEPARATED

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39"

YOU ARE SEALED UNTIL REDEMPTION

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory Ephesians 1:13-14

YOU ARE PERFECT FOREVER

because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

YOU WILL NEVER PERISH

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:28-30

 

[Nanopants]

Dear God....No!
Just no!

Lol. That reminds me of the first time I heard it. But, it's true. We're not called to try to be God through pride or our own efforts, but to live through Him, being transformed into His image through faith.

And if we live through Him we also died through Him: His death covers us, and we will be resurrected with Him (Col 2:12).

 

[Fireinfolding]

Lol. That reminds me of the first time I heard it. But, it's true. We're not called to try to be God through pride or our own efforts, but to live through Him, being transformed into His image through faith.

And if we live through Him we also died through Him, and His death covers us.

Your too funny, you said what I said, its not an "I am God" (as in a pride deal) but more after as Jesus speaks of it. Because if we are AS He (God) IS in this world, wouldnt that be as being ye merciful AS He (God) IS merciful? As it says, His seed is ever merciful. It depends on who is saying it and how they mean it though, some do mean it in that "I am God" way. To be perfected is to be perfect in one, (that is God) and to be perfected in love (as we are). And bear the fruits of Jesus Christ by abiding in Him, all by the Spirit through whom we have our fruits.

Which wouldnt be of pride (the devils condemnation) but of humility (which is of Christ).

God bless you

 

[Nanopants]

Your too funny, you said what I said, its not an "I am God" (as in a pride deal) but more after as Jesus speaks of it. Because if we are AS He (God) IS in this world, wouldnt that be as being ye merciful AS He (God) IS merciful? As it says, His seed is ever merciful. It depends on who is saying it and how they mean it though, some do mean it in that "I am God" way. To be perfected is to be perfect in one, (that is God) and to be perfected in love (as we are). And bear the fruits of Jesus Christ by abiding in Him, all by the Spirit through whom we have our fruits.

Which wouldnt be of pride (the devils condemnation) but of humility (which is of Christ).

God bless you

Amen!

Same to you ;]

 

[daydreamergurl15]

Lol. That reminds me of the first time I heard it. But, it's true. We're not called to try to be God through pride or our own efforts, but to live through Him, being transformed into His image through faith.

And if we live through Him we also died through Him: His death covers us, and we will be resurrected with Him (Col 2:12).

We are not called to be God, we are called to be holy.
God is Holy and He is God. Being God have tributes that far outweigh the fact that we have to be holy in our conducts.

I agree, we are only holy/righteous because of Jesus Christ. But God called us to be holy not to be God.

 

[Nanopants]

We are not called to be God, we are called to be holy.
God is Holy and He is God. Being God have tributes that far outweigh the fact that we have to be holy in our conducts.

I agree, we are only holy/righteous because of Jesus Christ. But God called us to be holy not to be God.

How do you suppose that being holy is even possible?

Another important distinction to make here I think: there's a difference in wanting to possess the power and authority of God, and wanting His nature. There's no sin in desiring to be as God is in character.

 

[Lion King]

How do you suppose that being holy is even possible?

Another important distinction to make here I think: there's a difference in wanting to possess the power and authority of God, and wanting His nature. There's no sin in desiring to be as God is in character.

Is there any difference between these two statements?

A. we are called to be God.
B. we are called to be as God.

 

[Keachian]

Is there any difference between these two statements?

A. we are called to be God.
B. we are called to be as God.

There is a huge difference.

Saying the first is saying that one can become God, saying the second is saying that one can become like God, the first is a mormon heresy, the second is theosis, what we as Christians are carved by God into through his Grace and love.

 

[Montalban]

There is a huge difference.

Saying the first is saying that one can become God, saying the second is saying that one can become like God, the first is a mormon heresy, the second is theosis, what we as Christians are carved by God into through his Grace and love.

I don't agree. We Orthodox have always said the first to mean the second.

 

[iLogos]

No, they don't. They teach us that FAITH saves. The fourth of your verses ("You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." -James 2:19) teaches that mere belief in God or in Jesus as a good man and teacher, etc. will not.



You're welcome.

Agreed. next to Jesus Christ, the devil knows the Bible better then any one else! He can recite it backwards. And of course he believes too. It takes more then just belief, it takes a change of person, willing to do God's Will over our own.

So by faith we really mean faith in God's Will!

 

[Shades of Gray]

Nothing... can separate us.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16


NO CHARGES AGAINTS YOU

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:31-33

YOU ARE NOT CONDEMNED

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

JESUS DOES NOT CONDEMN YOU

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:34-35

YOU CANNOT BE SEPARATED

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39"

YOU ARE SEALED UNTIL REDEMPTION

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory Ephesians 1:13-14

YOU ARE PERFECT FOREVER

because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

YOU WILL NEVER PERISH

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:28-30

Amen Linda! Great post!

 

[squint]

Agreed. next to Jesus Christ, the devil knows the Bible better then any one else! He can recite it backwards. And of course he believes too.

Now you have to ask yourself this question. If the 'devil' who is a liar with 'no truth' in him (John 8:44) believes, is he TELLING THE TRUTH?

That would be, ah, no.

If any 'believer' thought about the math on this and connects their 'own sin' to the devil and then looks around at all the 'issues' can we then see what the problem is?

That would be, ah, YES.

s

 

[Nanopants]

Is there any difference between these two statements?

A. we are called to be God.
B. we are called to be as God.

Yes.

A is the gift of God.
B is impossible without the gift of God.

...Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.-Gen 15:1

 

[Shades of Gray]

Yes.

A is the gift of God.
B is impossible without the gift of God.

...Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.-Gen 15:1

 

[Lion King]

Yes.

A is the gift of God.
B is impossible without the gift of God.

...Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.-Gen 15:1

Do these two words have the same meaning to you?

A. God.
B. god.

 

[Nanopants]

Do these two words have the same meaning to you?

A. God.
B. god.

Fair enough.

 

[Lindas Place]

Agreed. next to Jesus Christ, the devil knows the Bible better then any one else! He can recite it backwards. And of course he believes too. It takes more then just belief, it takes a change of person, willing to do God's Will over our own.

So by faith we really mean faith in God's Will!

Faith in Jesus... is what we really mean... something demons don't have...


Does scripture say that Jesus should throw Himself off a mountain to prove that He is the Son of God…. ? Or turn stones into bread or worship satan?

If they knew Jesus, there would be no “IF” … they do not know the Word… though they do twist scripture… let's see how well they know scripture...


Matthew 4
3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

 

[Montalban]

Faith in Jesus... is what we really mean... something demons don't have...

They believe in Jesus, according to James.

 

[Lindas Place]

They believe in Jesus, according to James.

They know about him... but clearly they don''t know him as Savior.

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God