We can do nothing good OF OUR OWN.
Phil 2:13 : ... for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
God is responsible for both the willing and the acting, so it is not a cooperative effort. I said we have a new ability to "do good" since the above verse does not take effect until we have been given a new heart. This is when works become good in God's eyes. I admit that the way I put it probably seemed to clash with what Harley has been saying recently, but he and I are on the same page.
We still sin, but that doesn't mean I am a "sinner" in biblical terms. A "sinner" is someone whose life is not in keeping with the Commandments. A person walking in faith is not a "sinner", although he may sin. The big difference is that this occasional sin will be repented of. A "sinner" does not repent of sin.
I see what you're saying, but I'm not sure the Bible supports it. For example:
Luke 18:13-14 : 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner .' 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
The tax collector could not have made his plea without already having been regenerated, yet he still calls himself a sinner, and is indeed praised by Jesus for saying so.
FK: "The person goes from a 0% chance of salvation to a 100% chance."
I wouldn't go that far. We cannot measure our "chance" of salvation in that way (I presume you mean "eternal glory"). It is statements like that which seem to differ with what Frumanchu said and you agreed with earlier. They are conflicting comments and are, quite frankly, confusing. What DO you believe?
I think I've seen everything Fru has said on this thread and I can't think of any disagreements I have. My comment above refers to Divine fact, as it applies to a generic person. Jesus either loses SOME of those the Father gives Him, or He loses NONE of them. That's the 100%. Fru and I have both said that we do not claim Divine knowledge as to our own salvations, but that doesn't affect the fact of our salvations one way or the other. Our assurance is what is humanly possible.
So when you say "we" can do good, that means that man can do righteous acts while under the indwelling of the Spirit and they are counted as his acts in Christ?
I was focusing more on the first part of your statement here, which I agree with. I was thinking of the before/after of salvation and when works become good in God's eyes. But as I alluded to earlier, the acts still belong to God since He both willed them and moved us to do them. I'm sorry if I sent you mixed signals on this. :)
FK responded: We can do nothing good OF OUR OWN.
It is replies like this that convince me that you are not listening and continuing conversation is futile. Read it more carefully and stop jumping to conclusions.
Regards
Do you believe prayer is good? If so, than God prays to Himself according to you.