***Our deeds determine our salvation??? Then what was Christ for? Just a good example? A token? A reminder? A nudge? ***
Our Teacher, Instructor and, finally, Judge.
***”Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” — John 6:65***
And therefore, when you add to this verse: 1 Tim 2:
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1 First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
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for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.
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This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
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who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
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For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human,
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who gave himself as ransom for all.
and 2 Peter 3:
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6 7 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.
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The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
to the Gospel verses such as John 3:
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For God so loved the world that he gave 7 his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
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For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn 8 the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
we understand that God wishes, wants, prefers that the whole world be saved, yet it is clear that not everyone will follow Him.
***We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. And that’s not of our own doing. It’s a gift from God (Eph. 2.)***
God’s grace is freely given to all men; they do all not freely accept Him.
Or else men are stronger and more determined than God Himself. Which apparently your church teaches.