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"Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Dewy, nobody, to my knowledge argues with this from +Paul, nor, at least on the Orthodox side, with the proposition that faith without works is dead. Surely you don't ascribe to the notion that theosis is effected by a dead faith?

"John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

No man can pluck those who have attained even a level of theosis from the hands of God. But the Evil One can and any individual man can, by turning away from God, cut himself off from God. Until one has attained complete theosis, until such time as one has died completely to the self and exists only in full union with the uncreated energies of God, the potential for, indeed in virtually all cases, the likelihood of sin persists. This is not inconsistent at all with what +John is saying. The reason +John can say this is because by the Incarnation, mankind has been restored to the potential of fulfilling its created purpose, which potential was destroyed by the Sin of Adam and restored by Christ. The potential, Dewey, our created purpose, was and is to enter into an eternal union with our Triune God. That's what salvation is.

Tell me, Dewy, have you ever met anyone who has died completely to the self, whose entire being is focused solely on God to the exclusion of all else? Do the people who tell you that on such and such a day they were"saved" exist completely in union with God? I don't doubt for a minute that these people believe they are "saved". I'll also suggest that the reason these people believed they are "saved" is because they lack "discernment".

Thanks,

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

It says "For by grace are ye saved". Now the question, who's grace? Gods grace of course. Grace and mercy were extended to man at Calvary.

When Jesus said: It is finished

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

What was He talking about? His death, His time here on earth? No, the fulfillment of the law.

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Christ is the fulfillment of the law. No man has ever, or ever could live a perfect sinless life but Him, Thats why He is Lord and Saviour.

Because of Jesus Christ our Lord we can now during the Church age, or dispensation of Grace come to God through Him.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Now the next phrase in Eph 2:8 is through faith:

The gift of salvation is giving to man only by Gods Grace extended to man look at v8. I believe it says it is the gift of God:

Faith is man simply believing what God says.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

The 11th chapter of Hebrews concerning faith:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Verses in Hebrews 11:

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

This verse teaches us that the OT saint was saved by faith also:

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

32 ¶ And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Chapter 12

1 ¶ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We are saved only grace. I am resting in the finished work of Christ. John 3:16

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.

I believe (Faith) In Him for what? For my salvation.(faith). The promise is-everlasting life (faith).

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 12:44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
2 Corinthians 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

How does Faith come?

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Man is not saved by works. What kind of works?

Goodness, charity, church, money, ordnances, these things are good but cant save.

Titus 3: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life

"No man can pluck those who have attained even a level of theosis from the hands of God. But the Evil One can and any individual man can, by turning away from God, cut himself off from God"

Sorry another point.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Question: Are you a man or woman? God said no man. Do you believe God is greater than you? Sure you do. So no man includes you.

The Bible says also that we are sealed. Who is sealed? the believer. What is that seal?

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The day a person comes to salvation he permanently sealed (eternal life).

How is that obtained? Salvation.

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Salvation is obtained through confessing to God that your a sinner. Asking for forgiveness and by faith asking Christ to come into your life. In to your fife for what purpose? To lead rule and guide through his word (the Bible)

David said in Psalms

Psalms 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

We are told by God to read and study His word.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.