You Decide, not God

[enoob57]

9 hours ago, Walter Goraj jr said:

Sure it's a contribution.  It's something that you do. It is a work of righteousness ( if there ever was one), and we are not saved by " works of righteousness" ( Titus 3:5).

What you learned came from a modern works oriented congregation.  It's time for true believers to "flee Babylon" (Jer. 51). 

when someone gives you a gift do you reply man I am glad I earned this ?

[Sparks]

1 hour ago, Walter Goraj jr said:

The dictionary is not the ultimate authority,  the Bible is. For example, Webster may give a good definition for the word  faith, but will fall short of explaining whose faith is in view in Ephesians 2:8. 

When you have to try to bend the meaning of words to make your case, you don't really have a case. 

[kwikphilly]

On 1/28/2022 at 1:19 PM, branchesofHim said:

What do you believe? The thoughts you think, the words you speak, the things you do, and everything in your life is a result of what you believe. What you believe determines the choices you make in everything which, in turn, determines everything in your life. It isn't a religious idea. It is a simple principle.

1 Corinthians 1:[18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
[19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
[20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
[21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe

We hear the message of the gospel of Jesus and the supernatural force of faith in God's Word causes us to believe. In response to believing the hope of the gospel, we accept by faith that Jesus gave His life for our sins and was raised from the dead to ascend into Heaven where He represents all who come to God the Father by His blood sacrifice. Have you seen the literal blood of Jesus? Do you have something physical that proves you have been saved? The only thing you have is God's Word on the matter. And you must accept it by faith alone. Everyone can readily agree without doctrinal division in this. It's simple, straightforward, factual, truth. It is principle. There is no person born again by any other means. And it's not something that you can see, it's something you must simply believe.

2 Corinthians 5:[7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Everyone must come to God, the Creator of all things, through Jesus. There is no other way. None.

Acts 4:[10] Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
[11] This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
[12] Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

To receive salvation through Jesus we must take action by our will and choose to accept Him as the sacrifice for our sin. Simple. You will it. In fact, God Almighty, the One who created all things, will NOT violate your will. You can choose to NOT believe His provision and He will honor your choice. You can die in your sin if you want. Your choice. We each have the power over our own choices.

Deuteronomy 30:[14] But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
[15] See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
[19] I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Paul quoted this very scripture to the church at Rome.

Romans 10:[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.

Salvation covers everything in this life spiritually, mentally, and physically. God doesn't partly do anything. He does everything wholly.

σωτηρία sōtēría, so-tay-ree'-ah; feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly, abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally):—deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

What we believe determines what we do and what we receive in this life. Simple. We choose, not God. God gave us the ability to choose what we will. And He will honor whatever we decide about anything. Read anything in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation with this truth in mind. God can reveal Himself, His will, and His heart to you in everything. 
Jesus finished His work in the earth and is now seated at the right hand of God waiting until His enemies are made His footstool. He is waiting on us to bring God's kingdom into this world. We choose it and He does it accordingly. Simple. 

What do you truly believe? That determines it for you. Shalom

2 Corinthians 11:[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Matthew 6:[9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
[10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

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.

Nothing to add Branches but

With love in Christ, Kwik

[Raven]

I make choices and God creates scenarios for me to learn from.

How we perceive life is not necessarily so. In fact, as long as we struggle with the people, places, things, and situations, we are bound to our self-mindset, which is not the greater reality.