Forgive me for not entering the discussion you all are having....it looks a little painfull.
I first read the Bible as an atheist,this is now what stands out to me after many years...
Isaiah 46:9-10 "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure"
Isaiah 50:2 "...Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?
Isaiah 46:3-4 "Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."
Isaiah 55:10-11 "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
John 6:28-29 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life"
Acts 20:32 "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified"
Mark 5:36 "Be not afraid, only believe"
Mark 9:24 "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief"
Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee"
1st John 5:18 "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not"
1st John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God"
Romans 8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
1st John 2:12 "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake."
Romans 8:33 "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth."
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Revelation 21:7 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
1st John 5:5 "who is this that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"
1st John 3:1 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God...."
John 3:16 "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.
God bless all and God bless America
ps would love to discuss these verses...especially 1 John 5:13...as I believe it finishes the salvation by grace/works issue.
Who believes in salvation by works?