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To: jo kus
~~"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."~~

So you also think that good works are necessary for salvation, correct? That's what we were created for, correct?

Nothing is "necessary for our salvation" but the grace of God, decreed by Him from before the foundation of the world and dependent on no man nor will other than His own.

Please read the verse carefully again. The Scripture is saying God has ordained every good work we do because God created the elect to be in Christ and Christ in the elect. Thus all our good efforts are by the inward work of the Holy Spirit and are 100% the direct result of our being born again.

Natural man, fallen and dead in sin, cannot do anything God-pleasing. Natural man does what his nature prescribes -- trespass against God.

Only after God rebirths the natural man into a spiritual man by His regeneration and the washing of the Holy Spirit can fallen man act righteously.

"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." -- 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

Rejoice, Jo kus, your good works are the result of God's choosing to save you from before the foundation of the world. Be confident in He who guides you. Read the Bible more and find Him there, speaking directly to your heart.

1,156 posted on 01/12/2006 9:58:27 AM PST by Dr. Eckleburg (an ambassador in bonds)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
Nothing is "necessary for our salvation" but the grace of God, decreed by Him from before the foundation of the world and dependent on no man nor will other than His own.

That is correct, when all is said and done. Our faith, our good deeds of love, our repentence. Catholic doctrine that refutes Pelagius has stated this as so nearly 1500 years ago. And yet, God does not save us without us. There are numerous Scriptures that point to our judgment based on our actions (our response to God - not our own actions. All actions of merit are enabled by God). Thus, God moves us to do His will, but not irresistibly. Proof? Look to the many "saved" people who fall away. Look to the many "saved" people who do NOT love. They are all around us.

Rejoice, Jo kus, your good works are the result of God's choosing to save you from before the foundation of the world. Be confident in He who guides you. Read the Bible more and find Him there, speaking directly to your heart.

I do realize that God is the cause of my good works. But I also realize that I and God are partners. God is my helper. He doesn't move me against my will. I DO sin. The fact that a saved person sins should be proof enough that we still have free will.

Regards

1,193 posted on 01/12/2006 2:53:31 PM PST by jo kus
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