If you say it this way,..
"It is BY GRACE we are saved in Christ, it is NOT OF WORKS" (Eph 2:8-9)
Almost everyone will give a nodding in agreement with your statement as biblical.
But if you say the same thing this way
"your working or not working after your salvation cannot UNSAVE you"
I bet you'll get hard knocks, serious criticism and even have to face a panel (sahendrin council) in disapproval. Read what I wrote again:
"your working or not working after your salvation cannot UNSAVE you"
Please what's the difference? We are saved by grace alone and not of works. "not of works" already mean, "not by works". That is, whatever your works mean (whether good or bad), yes, will surely affect some other important things (such as people's opinion of you, your opinion of yourself, your shining as light, your relationship with fellow men, your freedom to win your neighbours to Christ, your conscience condemning or approving you, personal trust etc) but NOT SALVATION since salvation is NOT OF WORKS: otherwise it is of works: and a thing cannot be of works and also be of grace at the same time says the scripture.
[Rom 11:6]And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
[Tit 3:5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us...
My hope is built on nothing else
but Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
but only lean on Jesus name
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE REPENT? BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteIs repentance a necessary act that is required by men for salvation or are men saved by "faith only?"
Acts 17:30-31 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.
People should repent because God commanded it and because all men will stand before Jesus on Judgment Day.
Luke 24:47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
People should repent for the forgiveness of their sins. On the Day of Pentecost, in Jerusalem, men were required to repent in order to have their sins forgiven. They needed to make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God. Yes, they needed to repent in order to be saved. (Acts 2:38)
Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Men need to repent in order to not experience the wrath of God. A stubborn and unrepentant heart can make men reluctant to believe what Jesus said "and has been baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16) Shall be saved; follows water baptism and belief.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
People should repent because it leads to salvation.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
All people should repent in order not to perish. Contrary to Calvinist teaching God wants all men to repent.
Luke 13:2-3 And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will likewise perish.
People should repent because Jesus said "repent or perish."
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
All men should repent so that they can have their sins forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It men believe (John 3:16), confess (Romans 10:9-10), repent (Acts 3:19) and are baptized in water (Acts 2:38) then they are saved. It can take 2 hrs more or less.
Repentance does not stop at water baptism. You also need to repent after you become a Christian.
THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS TALKING TO CHRISTIANS IN GALATIANS CHAPTER 5.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
REPENTANCE IS A COMMITMENT TO TURN FROM SIN AND TURN TOWARD GOD. REPENTANCE IS A LIFESTYLE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com
repentance simply means a change of mind concerning a thing.
DeleteIt could be (1) change of mind over a sin;
or (2) change of mind or persuasion on a matter (not necessarily sin)
Repentance do not necessarily have to do with sin, since bible says "God repent" too. Did God sinned? no. He changed His mind over a decision. That's all.
Now, the repentance that produces salvation is A CHANGE OF PERSUASION from self towards Christ Jesus. If the individual has not be turned to Christ, but keep dropping one sin and another, keeps vowing not to lie anymore, not to steal anymore, it's not salvation but a waste of time.
Salvation is to repent concerning one's rejection of Jesus Christ and BELIEVE in Him. It's FAITH ALONE even though other sins are often forsaken in the process. Faith is what produces the salvation, not the forsaking of sins