WordSword Posted April 5, 2019 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 10 Topic Count: 167 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 1,160 Content Per Day: 0.24 Reputation: 644 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/07/2010 Status: Offline Share Posted April 5, 2019 As Scripture attests, there’s nothing people can do of themselves to effect salvation and must ask for it from God. This involves asking Him to give you faith in His Son and in all He has done to provide salvation. Before an attempt is made to declare that asking for, receiving and applying faith is a “self-work,” it should be remembered that neither grace, faith nor salvation are of “yourselves” (Eph 2:8), therefore disqualifying all as “works” of man (Eph 2:9)! The only works of godliness are those which exist within “the fruit of the Spirit,” which means works only serve in demonstrating or manifesting, but not producing His fruit. For example, “justify” consists of two definitions: 1) to make one righteous, 2) to show one righteous; and there is an infinite difference between the two. I believe a good example is James 2:24: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified.” Here the sense of “justify” falls into definition 2, for as all know, only the Blood of Christ can “justify” per definition 1 (Rom 5:9). So, works but do not effect righteousness, but manifests it. Anyone can appear to have faith by the outward lifestyle which is conducted (indicative appearance), but only a genuine believer can confirm faith in the Lord Jesus by a permanent perseverance of profession and works. Nobody, esp. one unregenerate can permanently maintain a nominal (in word or name only - Isa 29:13; Mat 15:8; Mar 7:6) position in Christ, for they always abandon their hypocrisy (apostatize – 1Jn 2:19), as it requires Divine support to “be held up: for God is able to make him stand” (Rom 14:4). Only God can know for certain that one is genuinely in Christ. Individuals can know for certain concerning genuine personal salvation by His Spirit (Rom 8:16; 1Jo 4:13), but certainty for us concerning others can only be in the hope of a doubtless acceptance resulting from one’s lifestyle of a continued profession; which is exemplary of the truth that all of “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (non-annullable - Rom 11:29). Hid With Him 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debp Posted May 24, 2019 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 52 Topic Count: 1,021 Topics Per Day: 0.15 Content Count: 12,321 Content Per Day: 1.80 Reputation: 16,370 Days Won: 92 Joined: 07/19/2005 Status: Online Share Posted May 24, 2019 Thanks WordSword, the author covers all points very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firm Foundation Posted May 24, 2019 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 4 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,280 Content Per Day: 1.23 Reputation: 854 Days Won: 2 Joined: 03/31/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted May 24, 2019 Nobody is saved because they chose one day to live a life of service to others. We are saved by faith in Christ, but true faith is manifested in good works and the fruit of the Spirit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WordSword Posted May 24, 2019 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 10 Topic Count: 167 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 1,160 Content Per Day: 0.24 Reputation: 644 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/07/2010 Status: Offline Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 3 hours ago, Debp said: Thanks WordSword, the author covers all points very well. Welcome Sis, and appreciate that you find these growth teachings useful! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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