This is my understanding to why grace cannot be earned. I have given an illustration to explain my thoughts..

[DeighAnn]

33 minutes ago, BlindEyes said:

Amen.

 

What is your understanding? How does one become born again?

 

 

Before you heard the words of God, you were spiritually dead.  When you heard them, they somehow started 'calling you' and you found yourself unable to quit thinking on them and curiosity found you reading them again and one day without even thinking on them,  they started making changes in you, (you told that lie that, in times past, wouldn't have bothered you, but now you started thinking about WHAT GOD would be thinking or something to that effect) Then, as you kept finding answers to your questions, somehow you found yourself believing Jesus really was born on this earth, and GOD really was His Father, after all who else EVER CHANGED TIME?, and how could that be? and one day you found yourself in deep discussions on the words of God in a Christian forum.  THAT is what comes of the Spirit and that is what is being 'born from above'.  That 'birth' is the 'born-again' birth.   Now, as for 'baptism' that is the statement to this world that you are 'dying' to being led by the flesh and blood body and it's desires and will be 'rising up' and being led by the Spirit, passing from death to life.  THAT is how one becomes 'born again'.  When we love God back and are so thankful for EVERYTHING, we can't hardly stand anything else.  IF you try to wait until you are yourself 'worthy', they just live and be judged under the law.  If you would like some of the Lords Grace, then BELIEVE that the 'willing' sacrifice of 'the Lamb of God' s blood can not only 'cleanse' you of the sins you repent of, but that GRACE can cover a couple you might NOT have repented of, and  under GRACE still 'never die' , rather than have 'a couple' sins make you go pay the penalty of sin, death.  

or

you heard the words of God and being 'spiritually dead' it didn't really occur to you that those words would change you.  You might have tried to read them, but couldn't muster up any 'real effort' or feeling and you just walked away not really knowing or understanding anyway.   Since it didn't 'feel real' and you really liked the way your life already was, like your money, job and doing whatever you wanted to do with no guilt towards God anyhow...you weren't really 'called', were you?  You told that lie, and nothing felt different.  


Of course, there are the nefarious ones who get a bunch of knowledge so they can make money or try to deceive those who are searching, but that's another discussion.  


Have you read the OT?

The Soul who Sins will Die

 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

21But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

24But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. 25Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 26When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 29Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?

30Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

 

[BornAgain490]

1 hour ago, BlindEyes said:

I have a question. To stop sins like idolatry, do I try to stop just to stop or is the purpose to have faith that God would work on me the necessary things in order to stop? I'm leaning towards faith but I may misunderstand some things concerning faith.

If you're saved, you already have faith.  Now pray.  If you don't already pray, you need to start. When you are in Christ, God will give you strength to resist temptation to sin. Pray to Him and trust Him 

[Your closest friendnt]

14 minutes ago, DeighAnn said:

Before you heard the words of God, you were spiritually dead.  When you heard them, they somehow started 'calling you' and you found yourself unable to quit thinking on them and curiosity found you reading them again and one day without even thinking on them,  they started making changes in you, (you told that lie that, in times past, wouldn't have bothered you, but now you started thinking about WHAT GOD would be thinking or something to that effect) Then, as you kept finding answers to your questions, somehow you found yourself believing Jesus really was born on this earth, and GOD really was His Father, after all who else EVER CHANGED TIME?, and how could that be? and one day you found yourself in deep discussions on the words of God in a Christian forum.  THAT is what comes of the Spirit and that is what is being 'born from above'.  That 'birth' is the 'born-again' birth.   Now, as for 'baptism' that is the statement to this world that you are 'dying' to being led by the flesh and blood body and it's desires and will be 'rising up' and being led by the Spirit, passing from death to life.  THAT is how one becomes 'born again'.  When we love God back and are so thankful for EVERYTHING, we can't hardly stand anything else.  IF you try to wait until you are yourself 'worthy', they just live and be judged under the law.  If you would like some of the Lords Grace, then BELIEVE that the 'willing' sacrifice of 'the Lamb of God' s blood can not only 'cleanse' you of the sins you repent of, but that GRACE can cover a couple you might NOT have repented of, and  under GRACE still 'never die' , rather than have 'a couple' sins make you go pay the penalty of sin, death.  

or

you heard the words of God and being 'spiritually dead' it didn't really occur to you that those words would change you.  You might have tried to read them, but couldn't muster up any 'real effort' or feeling and you just walked away not really knowing or understanding anyway.   Since it didn't 'feel real' and you really liked the way your life already was, like your money, job and doing whatever you wanted to do with no guilt towards God anyhow...you weren't really 'called', were you?  You told that lie, and nothing felt different.  


Of course, there are the nefarious ones who get a bunch of knowledge so they can make money or try to deceive those who are searching, but that's another discussion.  


Have you read the OT?

The Soul who Sins will Die

 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

21But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

24But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. 25Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 26When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 29Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?

30Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

 

I loved the way you have described everything. It is very deep and very graphic and the way you put it together is a great gift you have. 

I loved your post very much. 

[BlindEyes]

 

Ezekiel 36:26-27

New International Version

 

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

[BlindEyes]

35 minutes ago, BornAgain490 said:

If you're saved, you already have faith.  Now pray.  If you don't already pray, you need to start. When you are in Christ, God will give you strength to resist temptation to sin. Pray to Him and trust Him 

I don't know if I'm saved..

[Your closest friendnt]

1 hour ago, BlindEyes said:

I don't know if I'm saved..

If you believe and say that you don't know if I am saved it means that you are saved and stopped worrying about that. Say to yourself that I believe that equals of being SAVED. 

Edited January 14 by Your closest friendnt

[Michael37]

3 hours ago, BlindEyes said:

I don't know if I'm saved..

Interesting. So who is Jesus Christ to you?

[Fran C]

14 hours ago, BlindEyes said:

To even peak my interest a church would have to be followed by signs, wonders and miracles for me to even give them a chance at teaching me the truth of the gospel. Not just one true believer who leads things. Scripture promises all true believers are followed by signs, wonders and miracles. If a believer doesn't have the power given by God how can I trust they are not a heretic?

 

I may not be able to be like Christ in the sense that I have already sinned and fallen short but I believe I can be like Christ in the sense of overcoming and winning the victory. There are some things I just don't know for I haven't experienced them yet but if scripture says something, for now, I desire to believe that truth is possible. The devil is a liar and scripture warns deception will come. For many will come saying He is the Christ and shall deceive many. Many today don't even look for the sign of a believer nowadays which is the presence of the power of God.

What is the presence of of the power of God?

It's the transformation that takes place in a believer's life.  When a person follows Jesus, he is transformed from the inside out.  His heart changes and become pliable to what God wants from him.

And what does God want from him?  That he obeys God.

If you're waiting for signs and wonders...I remind you of what Jesus said:

John 4:48

 48So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” 

 

It should not be necessary to see signs and wonders in order to believe.

 

John 20:27-29

 27Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 

28Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 

29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

It's not necessary to see in order to believe.

Jesus did signs and wonders because He's God.  None of us are God.

 

and

I also remind you that Jesus sent forth the Apostles to teach all nations and to baptize.  Those that know scripture better than you will be able to teach you a lot.

[Fran C]

14 hours ago, BlindEyes said:

I believe that some people may be greater than others but there is a difference between those who stumble into sin, making a mistake, a moment of weakness, compared to those who sin wilfully and habitually while abusing the grace of God. 

 

The below is what I believe to be possible.

 

Job 42:7
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
And after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My anger blazes against you and your two friends! You have not spoken rightly concerning me, as has my servant Job.

Job 23:10
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Yet he knows my way; if he tested me, I should come forth like gold.

Job 10:6-8
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
That you seek for guilt in me and search after my sins, Even though you know that I am not wicked, and that none can deliver me out of your hand? Your hands have formed me and fashioned me; will you then turn and destroy me?

Job 27:1-6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Job took up his theme again and said: As God lives, who takes away my right, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter, So long as I still have life breath in me, the breath of God in my nostrils, My lips shall not speak falsehood, nor my tongue utter deceit! Far be it from me to account you right; till I die I will not renounce my innocence. My justice I maintain and I will not relinquish it; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days.

Job 32:1
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Then the three men ceased to answer Job, because in his own eyes he was in the right.

Job 34:5-6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
For Job has said, “I am innocent, but God has taken away what is my right. I declare the judgment on me to be a lie; my arrow-wound is incurable, sinless though I am.”


Job 9:19-21
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
If it be a question of strength, he is mighty; or of judgment, who will call him to account? Though I were right, my own mouth might condemn me; were I innocent, it might put me in the wrong. I am innocent, but I cannot know it; I despise my life.

Job 2:3
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
The Lord said to the satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil. He still holds fast to his innocence although you incited me against him to ruin him for nothing.”

Job 7:20-21
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
If I sin, what do I do to you, O watcher of mortals? Why have you made me your target? Why should I be a burden for you? Why do you not pardon my offense, or take away my guilt? For soon I shall lie down in the dust; and should you seek me I shall be gone.

Job 33:8-9
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
But you have said in my hearing, as I listened to the sound of your words: I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, there is no guilt in me.

Job 1:22
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with wrong.

Job 11:4
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Shall you say: “My teaching is pure, and I am clean in your sight”?

Job 6:29-30
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Think it over; let there be no injustice. Think it over; I still am right. Is there insincerity on my tongue, or cannot my taste discern falsehood?

Job 9:13-15
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
He is God and he does not relent; the helpers of Rahab bow beneath him. How then could I give him any answer, or choose out arguments against him! Even though I were right, I could not answer, but should rather beg for what was due me.

Job 29:14
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
I wore my righteousness like a garment; justice was my robe and my turban.

Job 16:16-17
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
My face is inflamed with weeping, darkness covers my eyes, Although my hands are free from violence, and my prayer sincere.

I'd suggest sticking to the New Testament until you're a mature believer.

This is all I'll have to say on this matter of yours.

Do as you think best.

[Neighbor]

1 minute ago, Fran C said:

I'd suggest sticking to the New Testament until you're a mature believer.

 

Ah may I counter that with the testimony that God used the book of Job to bring me to Jesus.

Personally, I cannot imagine the New Covenant making any sort of sense without the Torah Wisdoms and Prophets writings as a firm  anchor from which to base the incarnation of God the Son as man.