Are we saved by faith alone?

[steve morrow]

FAITH  ACCORDING  TO  GOD

 

2 TIMOTHY 1:13  hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of  ME  in faith and love which is in  CHRIST  JESUS 

1 TIMOTHY 4:6  if thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things thou shalt be a good minister of  JESUS  CHRIST  nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine whereunto thou hast attained 

2 PETER 1:2  grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of  GOD  and of  JESUS  OUR   LORD 

--1:5--  and beside this giving all diligence add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge 

2 PETER 3:18  but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our  LORD  and  SAVIOUR  JESUS  CHRIST  to  HIM  be glory both now and forever   AMEN

 

TITUS 2:11  for the grace of  GOD  that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men 

--2:12--  teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world 

 

1 CORINTHIANS 4:2  moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful 

PSALM 119:138  thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful

PSALM 119:86  all thy commandments are faithful they persecute me wrongfully help thou me 

 

2 THESSALONIANS 1:11  wherefore also we pray always for you that our  GOD  would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of  HIS  goodness and the work of faith with power 

 

 

LOVING  THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST

[Sower]

4 hours ago, other one said:

i just hope people understand that the first half of that is not enough.

That is why I have never pushed for a decision when sharing the gospel.
I tell them to go home and read the bible and talk to and listen to God.
Ask seek and knock.

Thanks OO...

 

 

[enoob57]

Proof is in the pudding- separation from flesh and this world will increase as the light that has become you has no fellowship with darkness...

[Thomas2]

If we ask about faith, it is good to answer in faith.

 

Are we saved by faith, what kind of faith is the faith that saves us ?

 

No matter how strongly we believe in our own opinion, that wont save us, as what saves us is the scriptures. ( John 5:39. James 1:18-21.)

 

As it is WRITTEN, ( testimony given and to believe in.) God made Abraham the FATHER, of many nations, and Abraham believed God who quickens the dead, and calls those things that be not, as though they were.

 

Abraham was old, all he saw was that others had children, but he had no child with Sarah. Gods word tells Abraham this shall not be his heir, but he shall have an heir from his own body. God then takes Abraham to consider heavens stars, and how God will do the same with Abraham as He did with the stars of heaven. ( to be beyond number.) 

Abraham is shown the testimony of God, of what God has done, and what God is doing, Abraham believes what he has been shown. ( of heavens stars that could be seen, and seeing the same way, in faith what God will do now.) Abraham believed in the Lord.

Apostle Paul tells of the testimony, how Abraham believed in hope, against hope, against hope as his body was NOW DEAD. ( relating belief in Jesus Christ who was DEAD for our sins, and belief in God who QUICKENS THE DEAD/our Lord Jesus Christ, receiving Isaac as a figure. In Isaac the seed is called, not to many seeds but one, and to your seed which is Christ. Hebrews 11:19. Galatians 3:16.)

Abraham could have been, but was not, weak in faith, ( Abraham to be the FATHER of many nations was STRONG in faith) and turned from considering his own then DEAD body, neither the DEADNESS, of Sarah's womb, to not stagger/ stumble at any stumbling stone, ( the stumbling stone is Jesus Christ rising from the DEAD. ) at the promise of God, ( eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ rising from the dead.) through UNBELIEF, but to be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Abraham was FULLY PERSUADED, of what God had promised, that He was ABLE ALSO TO PERFORM. Therefore it was imputed as righteousness. ( strong faith/righteousness is imputed to us if we believe on Him that rose up Jesus Christ our Lord from the DEAD, who was delivered for our offences/risen again for our justification.)

( Luke 1:31-37. 1:45 is the word to Mary of her conceiving in her womb without a man, of the Holy Ghost, and of Elizabeth also in her OLD AGE, conceiving a son when she was called BARREN, how with God NOTHING. is IMPOSSIBLE. How Mary is blessed for BELIEVING, for there would be a PERFORMANCE of the things told to her.

 

 

Genesis 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

 

Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

 

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

[Thomas2]

Belief that Jesus Christ died, is accompanied with belief that He rose again from the dead.

Belief that Christ is risen again, is justification, as belief in Him being delivered for our offences, is Him being DEAD, where we need to be RISEN ( quickened together. 1 Corinthians 15:26. Ephesians 2:1-5. Colossians 2:13. 1 Peter 3:18.) with Him...

 

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

 

Abraham did not remain DEAD, in death, as Isaac was given to him, and Abraham believes in life.

God requires Abraham ( the FATHER of many nations) to offer Isaac his only son on the altar. Abraham works with faith to make faith perfect. ( trusting in God who is able to raise from the dead HIs only BEGOTTEN SON/our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.)..

 

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

 

 

Apostle Paul teaches in harmony with apostle James, of BOTH, the receiving of Isaac as a promise of life, and also of ACCOUNTING that God is ABLE to RAISE HIM UP, EVEN FROM THE DEAD. ( as we received a child Jesus Christ, and are to ALSO believe God raised Him up from the dead.)

Faith cannot be perfect without all of the works of Gods faith, it would be incomplete, and save no one.

The scripture is fulfilled when Christ had fulfilled ALL THINGS.

Abraham would hardly show himself just by not having faith in God to do as God asked, as it also is the faith and works of God for us all to believe in, from the father of manty nations, who received Isaac as that figure.

Faith is living with the Spirit, which is in obedience to God, showing the Lord Jesus Christ risen, not dead in our sins ( disbelief/disobedience) any longer. Abraham it is testified, obeyed Gods calling, and went into the unknown, looking only for the city and foundations of God, continuing in Gods land of PROMISE, with Isaac and Jacob of the same promise..

 

Hebrews 11:8 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:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

James 1:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

 

[JohnD]

I may have already answered this. Forgive me if I am repeating myself.

We are saved by Christ alone (John 3:16-18). Our faith is what activates

this prepaid salvation for every human being (1 Timothy 4:10 / 1 John 2:2).

And that being faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-10) for the work of salvation is

Christ's alone.

[Thomas2]

The testimony of God is better than the testimony of man. 

The witness of God of His Son is eternal life is in HIs Son, to have the Son is to have life, to believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

That is knowing that whosoever is born of God ( no longer in all unrighteousness) keeps themselves and sins not, as they know they are of God and that the whole world lies in wickedness.

Knowing God has come giving us an understanding that we are in Him, and keeping ourselves from IDOLS.

( this is His commandment, believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as Christ gave us commandment, keeping His commandment to dwell in Him and He in us, knowing He abides in us by the Sprit which He has given to us.)

 

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

 

1 John 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
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.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

 

[Mr. M]

On 9/2/2024 at 1:36 PM, Cyoder said:

This is something I have trouble understanding.  I see so many say all we need is Faith in Jesus to be saved.  Reading the sermon on the mount, Jesus does not say this at all.  It seems like his sermon would have been thirty seconds.  Have faith I am the Christ and you shall be saved.  The end.  I understand works will not get you to heaven but like a qoute I read, even satan believes in Jesus and I know he won't be in heaven. 

Jesus laid out a specific path for all of us to follow to the best of our ability with the help of God if I understand it correctly.  I know it's impossible to follow perfectly and that's where Jesus comes in and from what I would think repentance?  If all we need is faith, does it matter?  Can we just live in sin, without repent, have faith and be good to go?  This doesn't sound right to me at all.  But then the thief of the cross next to Jesus was saved.  He just believed and I'm guessing repented.  Say he was let down and lived five more years.  If he went back to stealing without any regrets, would he still be saved?

I am just kind of writing what I'm thinking so you understand where I'm coming from. I've seen both sides of this argument and I don't exactly know what to think.  I'm still working my way through the Bible for the first time.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

2 Corinthians 10:15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand,

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Salvation is a gift, yes, but it is also a mutual trust. Many say "just keep trusting in Jesus". But He has entrusted us with a stewardship. Grace and Faith must be living and growing and bearing fruit. This is the message over and over, in parables, and in sound doctrine. 

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

In true line by line, precept by precept, here a little there a little theology, salvation is separated from all these other qualities of the divine nature and becomes a monolith to a clear doctrine of man. 

Only those who have been faithful can truly convince themselves of eternal security. Those who have been 'stillborn' into Christ and have not occupied themselves with godly concerns should consider, what will eternal life be like for those who covered their candle and stuck it under a bed. Will they be partakers of Christ's glory, or bear an anguished existence in "outer darkness". 

Mark 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

[Neighbor]

20 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

Only those who have been faithful can truly convince themselves of eternal security.

Hi, Good presentation ( IMO), but I do think that bit of it above is an overreach; for those turned over to their own strong delusion by God are likely to be fully convinced of themselves in whatever conclusions they hold to as gospel at any given moment of time.

[Sower]

How can we know?

                   

                 1 John 5:5-13

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

For there are three that testify:
the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.

(For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one)
 

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.

Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
 

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.