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>>I ~never~ want to live in a religion of works again!<<

After decades of subconsciously trying to do more, be better, work to resist, wrestling with my flesh to be good or good enough, I finally began studying what grace really meant. Why God stepped down out of heaven in the form of a man...the second Adam if you will.

One man brought sin into the world, one man conquered sin in the world. One man separated us from God, the other reconciled us to our Father.

I used to listen to people talk about the peace which passes all understanding. The joy in their hearts. Love for their Father in heaven and His son our Savior.

I thunk to myseff...seff, why is it so easy for Joe over there? Why does Sue seem to have a special gift from God, Bob appears so at peace even when everything is tumultuous around him.

I am not at odds with God and we are not enemies. My Father loves me, created me so unique that there will never ever be another me. He gave me worth and He simply wanted me to know...I AM not mad at you. Come to me and lets get to know one another. If you fall, I will not be angry with you. Don't run away, come to me and we will work it out...together. I AM not an angry ogar waiting to poof you into a pillar of smoke for being imperfect. I AM perfect and will embrace you, sanctify you and bring you as close to what I want you to be until the day I bring you home...to me.

I looked at my Father all wrong for years. Struggled in my soul. Toiled every day cause I just couldn't measure up. No more!

I now know what, I have been set free really means. The shackles of sin have dropped off and the dungeon door has been unlocked for eternity. I can live life and live it more abundantly.

Praise to the Lamb of God. The atoning blood of Jesus, poured out on the earth for God's creation. WOW! There is NO remission of sin without the shedding of blood....Jesus surrendered His and took the whole wrath, fury and separation from our Father to give us FREEDOM! satan has no power over me. Never again will scratch deceive me into thinking that my God is a far off, mean, cosmic kill joy looking down on His pawns with disgust and disdain.

Jesus, my humble King, my heart is eternally grateful.

“...never want to live in a Religion of works again...”

Once saved always saved. Presumptuous and unbiblical premise.

We are redeemed by Christ through baptism:

Mark 16:16 - (Acts 10:47-48 for infants and children not old enough to believe yet; see also Acts 16:15,30 -33 and Luke 18:16; also Mark 9:22-25 where the father saves his child’s soul through his, the father’s, faith). Also baptism is the new circumcision, which the Jews practiced on their infant sons at 8 days old

Peter 3:21

Acts 2:38

Acts 22:16

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The sanctifying grace that is received in baptism can be lost. There is no assurance salvation; there is HOPE of salvation, but not assurance; sanctifying grace can be lost:

There is much scripture that shows this:

Matthew 12:32 The sin of blasphemy against the Holy spirit is not forgiven in this age or the age to come (also is proof of purgatory)

Matthew 13:20:21

I Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul himself is aware that he could lose his salvation

Also - one MUST have faith to be saved (Catholic doctrine includes the the so called “sola fida” proof texts), but faith alone without the follow through of the proper works of grace (commandments, beatitudes, etc.) is not enough. This does not mean that works alone are sufficient either; IT IS BOTH