What is the difference between Salvation and Eternal Life? How can one have Salvation but not have Eternal Life? Where would that “saved” person go if he did not have Eternal Life? If there is a difference, what are “Saved” from if from from Death unto Life?
Everybody:
Is Salvation(getting to Heaven) a work of God or a work of Man? If it is a work of Man then why did Christ have to die?
’[16]Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. . . [21]I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” – Ga 2:16,21
If it is a work of God then it will last forever.
”I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and god doeth it, that men should fear before him.” – Ecc 3:14
I think that we are thinking too linearly (is that a word?) about God and Salvation.
”That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and god requireth that which is past” – Ecc 3:15
What are some of the attributes of God? For one He is Omnipotent, that is He is all-powerful, there is nothing mightier than He. He is also Omniscient, He is all-knowing, there is nothing that He does not know or that is hid from Him. He is also Omnipresent, He is all-present, there is nowhere you can go on earth or in Heaven where He would not be.
Finally, He is Omnitemporal (new word?) that is He is present at every moment of history past, present, and future. For God everything is a constant IS. He does not have to wait for anything to happen. There is no difference for Him. The moment of Creation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Rapture, the coming Kingdom, all are constant to Him, including the moment of our Salvation.
For us there was a time when we were not Saved and then a time when we were, we noticed a transition. For God there is no distinction, to Him either we are Saved or we are not. To Him there has not been a time when we were not His and then a time when we were His. We have always been His from the Foundation of the World.
If you are Saved and reading this post, did you know that you are in the Bible? Look at Re 19:1,
”And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:” – Re 19:1
Those much people, are us!
Well, those are my thoughts. That is how I understand God and Salvation. Taking God’s Nature into account I don’t know how Salvation(Eternal Life) can be anything other than secure.
-ksen
This should have read "What are we 'Saved' from if not from Death unto Life?"
Sorry for the typos.
-ksen
I just went back over the post to see what you did that set SD off the way you did, and I'm not sure but I think it was one of two things.
Possibly this blasphemous statement.
Reggy to SD...By your standards, has there ever been such a council? Of course, that lets you off the hook concerning infallibility.
Or this one that I hesitate to copy and paste because of it's content, but for the sake of truth I will.
Reggy to SD.....You are in my prayers my son. "Lord help this man remove the hatred from his heart." Help him to read for meaning, help him to learn what " all means.
Needless to say, anyone reading your comments to SD, can plainly understand what ticked him off.
I for one, hope you have learned from your mistake, and will be more careful in the future since SD is a very sensitive person.
Keep in mind though, he was so remorse over the whole thing, he apologized to saradippity and angelo for what you caused him to do.
It reminds me of the time when I had first come on the threads, and I had all the supporters of the pope mad at me over some things I said about pope Pius XII, and SD got so mad at me, he said I was an a$$ hole, and would you believe, he or none of the (pope supporters) apologized to me, but do you know what they did? ....They apologized to him, for me making him so mad that he swore at me.
To top it all off now, he is going to overcome his problem with his mouth controlling his fingers, by now refusing all communications with you so he can maintain his composure.
Doesn’t this remind you of some one who sucker punches you in the face, and then says that rather then taking a chance on hurting his knuckles on your teeth again, he is going to wear gloves and walk on the other side of the street.Lol
To someone who isn't used to hearing these expletives, I have such a graphic mental picture when I do hear them, it is upsetting, but SD, despite the fact he has all the answers for his church, seems to have no control over his mouth, and for one I am getting fed up with it, and my list of his infractions are growing daily.
Soothing Dave, can you imagine the effect this may have on some lurker who doesn’t know your tendencies, who just happens to read your post and thinks, Wow, look what Christianity has come to on the threads, wait until I tell that Christian co-worker who is always trying to get me to go to Church....<\sarcasm> intended.
Yeah, I think you're right on about the nature of God. He knows already who is going to be granted eternal life and who is not. I'm not to clear yet in my mind as to what the difference is, if any, between salvation and eternal life. I tend to think that there one and the same right now because to me being "saved", or getting salvation, means avoiding eternal death by being granted eternal life.