Jesus, Who Loves You, Warned Frequently About Hell

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 05-24-17 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[HarleyD]

What sign do you have of acceptance by the Jesus of the Bible?

Only each one of us can answer that question to God. But my salvation does not rest on anything I have done but on the finished work of Christ. All the things I do on this earth is worthless. All the things I do on this earth that brings glory to God is Christ working through me. I can only submit to Him and pray that He will bring about good works through me.

[imardmd1]

Thanks for your testimony, Bro. Always a joy to hear again the Victory in Jesus, ascribing to Him alone the power to overcome sin as a master, one’s own self, the world system, and to come alive in Him for ever.

[af_vet_1981]

Only each one of us can answer that question to God. But my salvation does not rest on anything I have done but on the finished work of Christ. All the things I do on this earth is worthless. All the things I do on this earth that brings glory to God is Christ working through me. I can only submit to Him and pray that He will bring about good works through me.

Each one is a servant.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew, Catholic chapter twenty five, Protestant verses fourteen to thirty,

as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[af_vet_1981]

But nevertheless, does your salvation require works?

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

...

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verses twenty one to twenty seven,

James, Catholic chapter two, Protestant verses fourteen to twenty six,

as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[Elsie]

It seems that you like James.

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fifth chapter 13:16...

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.
If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

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I guess we ALL need a confessional at home; to hear the confessions of each other.

[omegatoo]

So what you are saying is that someone who says and believes they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior may not really be saved?

That there are certain behaviors which when engaged in, even without intending to sin or offend God, according to one’s prayerful interpretation of specific scripture, indicate that they were never saved in the first place?

Love,
O2

*********IT’S TAGLINE SEASON**************

[omegatoo]

The Truth is the Truth,

You appear to believe that what you believe is the Truth. This is a simple question.

According to your beliefs, if I am saved by believing in Jesus Christ as my only Lord and Savior, then later I discover something that makes me doubt that Jesus is my savior or start to worship something else, am I still saved?

Can I lose my salvation if I stop believing in Jesus?

Love,
O2

[omegatoo]

Are you saying that I am NOT saved by accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior?

Love,
O2

[imardmd1]

Are you saying that I am NOT saved by accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior?

I most certainly am saying no such thing. God does the judging, not me, but anyone that has not been saved by faith in the Jesus of the Bible is most surely still under condemnation, no matter how religious.

What I wrote to you just described the circumstances under which God saves, and asked a question.

[omegatoo]

I didn’t know a sign of acceptance was required.

What should I be looking for?

Love,
O2

[Elsie]

According to your beliefs, if I am saved by believing in Jesus Christ as my only Lord and Savior, then later I discover something that makes me doubt that Jesus is my savior or start to worship something else, am I still saved?

It's ok to doubt, as long as it doesn't lead to UNBELIEF.

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However; if you 'start to worship something else' then it would appear that you no longer believe than Jesus is your savior.

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Romans 11:20-21

Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.

[imardmd1]

I didn’t know a sign of acceptance was required.
What should I be looking for?

Bingo! Why do you have to ask?

"And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed,
but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy,
and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,
and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed" (Is. 6:9-19 AV; cf Mt. 13:14-15,
Mk. 4:12, Jn. 12:49, Acts 28:26-27, Is. 29:13, Is. 44:18-19)

"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard?
Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (Rom. 10:16-18 AV).

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4 AV; cf Lk. 4:4, Jn. 6:35).

Sola Scriptura, by the Word of God and the Mouth of God the Savior.

[imardmd1]

However; if you 'start to worship something else' then it would appear that you no longer believe than Jesus is your savior.

Actually, never did, for that kind of "faith" is not persistent committed trust--it is diffidence, not a saving faith as perceived by the omniscient God Who knows the result aforehand.

From Wittman's volume "A Precise Translation," John 3:16:

"For The God so loved¹ the world, so that He gave His Only Begotten Son,
in order that everyone who is persistently committing trust unto Him ²not perish,
but ²continually have eternal absolute life."
-------

Notes:
¹ = sovereignly prefer above self and others
² = subjunctive mode

The verbs above "to commit trust" and "to have" are in the present tense, meaning an uninterrupted continual ongoing action.

[imardmd1]

Regarding these passages from General Epistle of James (click here), written as probably the first of the New Covenant Scriptures (about 37 Anno Domini, before or at the time of the conversion of Cornelius). The purpose of this Epistle is not counsel on how to obtain a personal relationship to/with God; it is a warning letter written for the finishing of the training of Jews who already possessed a relationship with The God, but who had converted or were considering conversion to The Way.

The "religion" mentioned (θρησκεία thrēskeia; religious worship, especially external, that which consists of ceremonies) is the ritualistic observation of ceremonial procedures previously embodied in their pre-Christian Jewish culture, which the New Way of God changed or eliminated those customs.

To wit, James was teaching them how to "work out their salvation" (Php. 2:12-13) that they already possessed.

Therefore we may soundly and doctrinally conclude that not only is "faith" (diffidence) unaccompanied by God-ordered works a dead "faith"; but also works accomplished under a diffident non-saving "faith" are dead works, considered by God as of the value of filthy rags (Is. 64:4-7).

Works apart from saving faith are DEAD WORKS.

"Works" performed by believers in another Jesus of the same kind, but with a spirit and gospel of a different kind that that preaced and inscripturated by Paul are worthless and give one no confidence in the genuineness of the promoter of them.

Your quotations from James are not of service to evangelism, since when misinterpreted, as "strong meat" corrupted by unholy hermeneutics, they can lead weaker, newer converts to error.

[af_vet_1981]

Regarding these passages from General Epistle of James (click here), written as probably the first of the New Covenant Scriptures (about 37 Anno Domini, before or at the time of the conversion of Cornelius).

Appendix 8: CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.

While no arrangement of these books can be made with
absolute confidence, the following dates are sufficiently
reliable to serve the purpose of the Bible student.

James - 50 A.D.
First Thessalonians - 52-53.
Second Thessalonians - 52-53.
Galatians - 55.
First Corinthians - 57.
Second Corinthians - 57.
Romans - 57-58.
Philippians - 62-63.
Colossians - 62-63.
Philemon - 62-63.
Ephesians - 62-63.
Luke - 63.
Acts - 64.
First Timothy - 65.
Titus - 65.
Second Timothy - 66.
Mark - 66.
Matthew - 67.
Hebrews - 67.
First Peter - 67-68.
Second Peter - 68.
Jude - 68.
Apocalypse - 68.
John - c. 85.
Epistles of John - 90-95.

... quotations from James are ... inspired of God, profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Second Timothy, Catholic chapter three, Protestant verses sixteen to seventeen,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[Elsie]

All Scripture... not all Tradition.

[imardmd1]

. . . and is profitable for doctrine . . .

Only if the doctrines proposed meet the rules of interpretation, the hermeneutics of explaining the meaning od the source Scripture, which is why I showed you how wrong your interpretation is.

The table of appearance of the NT books is better than yours, inasmuch as it is carefully researched and matches the supporting Biblical references, which yours does not. Even the day of the Crucifixion in yours would have to be Monday or Tuesday, not Friday.

Your answer is not, to me, worthy of serious consideration. It is only a diversion of the discussion away from the core of the issue, which is the purpose of James' Epistle. You are trying to prove that it demands a works-based salvation. I say it is directed to the Jews ("the twelve tribes") of the early churches as they move away from the customs of their OT culture.

[af_vet_1981]

... the core of the issue, which is the purpose of James' Epistle. ...

One may deceive himself, not do the Word, and even teach others to do likewise.

Fortunately, the one holy catholic apostolic church has the book, believes the book, and no man will take it from us.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verses twelve to twenty seven,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[imardmd1]

You like to wave around the Word of God like a magic wand, not grasping what is in it.

Sigh . . .

Works without salvation by faith alone in Christ alone are dead works, AF.

[omegatoo]

I’m sorry, that answer is confusing.

You asked if I had received a sign that Jesus had accepted me, since you said that was necessary for my salvation and that my faith alone was not sufficient.

Are you saying that hearing and understanding the word of God is the sign?

I already do that.

I would imagine that that is how most people come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Love, O2

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