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Author
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Topic: GOD’S PROMISE vs. MAN’S EFFORTS
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Michael Harrison
Advanced Member
Member # 6801
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posted
"Now to him that 'worketh' is the reward not reckoned of grace [having], but of debt [doing]. But to him that worketh not [that is, haveth by grace - that by BELIEVING] but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for [true belief enables the living impartation of] righteousness." (Rom. 4:4,5)
![[Cross]](graemlins/cross.gif) It is completely - of having, by Christ, the power over sin, the power of a resurrected life, and being seated with Him in heavenly places. Your struggle, is not to accept compromise with sin, as in accepting it as a fact that you will not allow to be brought under the cross. Your struggle is 'not to try' to do, what you have by faith.
In the church where i started we used to turn to each other and say, "You are free in Christ." You are! Of course that dosn't mean free to work the will of the flesh. It means that you are free from the will of the flesh; else you could have no fellowship with the creator.
Posts: 3273 | From: Charlotte N.C. | Registered: Sep 2007
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WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
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posted
Thankyou for your well thought out responce that manny will read.
More food for thought.
Pss.116
[15] Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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oneinchrist
Advanced Member
Member # 6532
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posted
Actually, how about if we use the verse "By the grace of God are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God"
and compare it with "He that endures to the end shall be saved." I think it could be more fitting for this topic of Wild B's.
If I may, I would like to begin by stating what I believe Paul is saying and is'nt saying and what I believe Jesus is saying and is'nt saying.
Paul: "By the grace of God are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God..........."
--I believe Paul is saying that by the grace of God are ye saved through Christ... and this being the reason no man should boast in himself.
--I do not believe Paul is saying that everyone is saved. I also do not believe Paul is saying that a man need not repent.
Jesus: "He that endures to the end shall be saved."
--I do believe that Jesus is saying that man needs to continue in the faith despite all adversity.
--I do not believe that Jesus is saying that a man saves himself all by his own efforts.
Conclusion: That both the gift of God (Jesus) and the inward response of man to the gift are essential towards the salvation of man.
My freinds in the Lord, feel free to elaborate, correct, or help me in my search for the truth on this matter. Thank you.
With love in Christ, Daniel
Posts: 1389 | From: Wind Lake, WI | Registered: May 2007
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oneinchrist
Advanced Member
Member # 6532
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posted
How is it that "Nothing shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus" and "He that endures to the end shall be saved" are both true without causing any contradiction with each other? What is Paul saying? What is Paul not saying? and what is Jesus saying? and what is Jesus not saying?
I believe that an earnest search for answers for questions like this could diffuse a lot of the negative debate and dissension in the faith.
A point of interest that I would like to make is the number of times Jesus repeated the same words "He that endures to the end shall be saved" over and over (at least 3 times). It must have an important meaning given the strong emphasis.
with love in Christ, Daniel
Posts: 1389 | From: Wind Lake, WI | Registered: May 2007
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WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
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posted
by Cornelius R. Stam
"For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath..." (Rom. 4:14,15).
This should be self-evident to us all. If blessing is gained by the works of the Law, it is earned. This is why Gal. 3:18 says: "If the inheritance be of the law it is no more of promise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise."
The Apostle Paul, God’s great apostle of grace, declares in Rom. 4:4,5:
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
But let’s go back to that phrase: "the law worketh wrath." Many people somehow do not see this. Even some clergymen tell us that the Law was given to help us to be good. But God Himself says, "the law worketh wrath." Every criminal knows this, and every sinner should know it. God certainly places strong emphasis upon it:
"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3:19), "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God" (Rom. 3:19). "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20).
If we come to God expecting eternal life because of our good works, are we not offering Him our terms, which He can never accept? He will never sell salvation at any price, and certainly not for a few paltry "good" works, when our lives are filled with failure and sin.
Our only hope? God has promised to give eternal life to those who trust in His Son (John 3:35,36; Acts 16:31; etc.).
"The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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