Posted on 12/04/2006 7:52:47 PM PST by Pyro7480
What you said...
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." -- Galatians 2:20"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." -- 1 Corinthians 15:10
The problem stems from the RC misunderstanding of justification (acquitted once for all the sins of the elect) and sanctification (the ongoing, predestined work of the Holy Spirit to bring the elect to repentance, obedience and faith.)
After a long walk. So works are not salvific but walks are? OK. It is still hope that does not cross into presumption, and nothing in your quotes indicates otherwise. Here is attitude to avoid:
11 The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. 12 I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O god, be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather that the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.(Luke 18)
Note: on the other hand Jesus died on the cross for Something.. WHAT?..
I don't have a foggiest idea why anyone would believe such nonsense. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God working with you", no?
Yeah I'm guilty.. tradition and dogma chaps my grits some way I guess..
The works we do are evidence that we are saved.
Faith without works is dead (James) - the demons also believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God - and they tremble.
The bottom line, dear annalex, is that Jesus does not say in the Sermon on the Mount to "do" perfect things or to "say" perfect things - but rather, to "be" perfect.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. - I John 1:5-10 (also John 15)
That, my beloved sisters and brothers, is the Spiritual discernment I have received of John 6 - we are to feed on Him, The Living Word of God. That is the meaning of Lord's command, "take, eat, this is my body" and "Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matt 26)
I've seen that happen.. and "they" usually end up in some cult..
Course the cult does not think it is a cult..
A mass mental construct.. but I repeat myself from earlier..
No, and here's your problem. Scripture does not say God is working with us; it says God is working in us. And what He is working in us is "both to will and to do of His good pleasure." The concept of some partial, semi-effectual, prevenient grace denies the meaning of grace itself. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." -- Philippians 2:12-13"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Nowhere does the scripture say that they are only evidence. They often are, but we are extolled to them. Simplify your life and do what the scripture says. Take James 2 and John 6 literally. It is clear that they were not written for any metaphysical or allegorical spin. So don't spin.
The notion that with the belief in the sacrifice of Christ you life gets on an autopilot is counterscriptural. If it were the case, 75% of the Gospel did not need to be written.
AMEN!!!
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." -- Phil. 2:13
The point remains. As you yourself noted, you are called to sainthood. Everyone is. Do something about it.
LoL...
Most of the bible is written in metaphysical and/or allegorical spin.. The only way NOT to spin it is to provide personal opinion or the opinion of others.. Course the inherent spin is God's spin.. re-spinning (by humans) is done also..
How do you get the PURE stuff in the bible?..
Well that takes the Holy Spirit.. You know, THE REASON Jesus left the Holy Spirit to mop up after his ascension.. i.e. comforter/paraclete/Holy Spirit.. Else why was the "baton" passed to the Holy Spirit..
Truly, the fruits of the Spirit are the greatest evidence that we are saved and they are the "doing" of the Spirit Himself: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Gal 5, Matt 7)
All of these fruits are present in our words, demeanor, behavior towards others, etc. but we must not take credit for them.
Maranatha, Jesus!
Precisely.
Justification -- Christ's preordained, one-time sacrifice for the elect to make them acceptable to God by His righteousness alone.
Sanctification -- the indwelling Holy Spirit leading us to obedience, repentance and faith.
To get these confused is to misunderstand salvation entirely. Saved by grace alone through faith alone in the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone.
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