 |
Bible-Discussion.com
Private Bible Studies and Christian Fellowship Available - Ask Nobby
|
|
|
| Author |
Message |
Zathrus
King Kong
Joined: 28 Aug 2002
Posts: 2269
Location: WI USA
|
 Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:30 am Post subject: What must one do to be saved? |
 |
|
In discussions with Witnesses, it has become clear that their teaching of salvation is the same one that has been hanging around Christendom for many generations, polluted with traditions of man and blended with old covenant works righteousness. The Witnesses have their own unique spin on it, but it is essentially the same teaching that the Catholic Church has taught since a few centuries after the time of Christ. It is possible to quote out of context scriptures to try to prove such a view of salvation. Here I offer scriptures on the true nature of our salvation under this new covenant of grace and peace.
John 20:31
| Quote: | | But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. |
We receive eternal life by believing. No mention here of good works saving us.
Acts 16:31
| Quote: | | And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. |
Faith in Christ --->salvation. End of story.
Romans 3:
| Quote: | 19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: |
Volumes could be written on this passage in Romans 3. And they might, here on this board. Man's efforts to do good works will never justify anyone. The only way any of us can ever be justified is by God imputing righteousness to us as a free, undeserved gift. It is absurd then to think that after receiving that free gift, that salvation is still in question, still hangs in the balance, still depends in some way upon our works. Upon our continuing in faith, perhaps. This was written about in the new testament. But if works is taken out of the equation in receiving the gift, it is not somehow placed back in the equation afterward.
Romans 4:
| Quote: | 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. |
Read those two verse carefully. Understand: if one can be unsaved by one's bad works, as some of traditional Christianity teaches, then it follows that one was saved to begin with by good works. If one is saved by good works, then it is not through the cross, not by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
OTOH, if my salvation is by the cross of Christ, and faith in Him, then my works neither saved me, nor can they undo my salvation. My reward is reckoned of grace - it is a gift. It is not a paycheck that I earned.
Continuing in Romans 4:
| Quote: | 6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. |
Understand how powerful a statement this old testament Psalm is. There are those to whom the Lord will not impute sin! Utterly beyond comprehension under the old covenant, and beyond comprehension of many Christians now. In Christ, God imputes righteousness without works.
Galatians 2:16
| Quote: | | Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. |
Galatians 3:22
| Quote: | | But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. |
Our good works, while pleasing to God, do not mean that we are without sin. God permits no sin. Our justification could only be a free gift, which we receive by faith in Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:16
| Quote: | | Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. |
After being saved, how do we continue in the Christian life?
Colossians 2:6
| Quote: | | As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: |
How did we receive Jesus? Did we get our act straightened out first? The fact is, we will never get our act straightened out in this life. So I simply trust in Jesus. He is my righteousness.
This is a start in my list of scriptures showing that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and apart from good works.
_________________
Establishing the law by receiving the righteousness which is by faith, without the deeds of the law!
2 Cor 3 "11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."
Certified Chalcedon Compliant
Officially approved in 451 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
TBax
King of the Jungle
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 1973
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
Zathrus,
| Zathrus wrote: | | polluted with traditions of man and blended with old covenant works righteousness. |
Yes.  If you start off with a false premise you have plenty to write about. 
(James 2:26) Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Works of the law covenent do not make one righteous, as we are imperfect and will break that law. However, if we truly have faith in Jesus our works will prove our faith. People like Zathrus will see those works and believe we are trying to earn salvation through them.
Truly believeing in Jesus means our life is effected by Jesus' teachings, and our works will reflect that. Yet people like Zathrus will deny that and make false claims. 
Belief entails more then simply saying "I believe in Jesus". It means it alters our life!!! 
| Zathrus wrote: | | As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: |
Indeed!!!!! Walk ye in him!!!!
KJV John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Would it be easy to follow in Jesus footsteps???
(Luke 13:24) “Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell YOU, will seek to get in but will not be able,
Although the things asked of us are reasonable, our fight against the flesh and the spirit of this world makes us want to remain in a comfort zone, or to seek improper things. It is a fight. Are you up to it? If we fall, we must get back up. If we stop trying, we are not exerting ourselves, and we are in trouble!
_________________
Agape,
TBax |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wilber
Banned
Joined: 20 Dec 2007
Posts: 581
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
TBax: Hello,
| Quote: | | If you start off with a false premise you have plenty to write about |
Apart from that, is there anything in Zathrus' post that you disagree with?
wilber |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TBax
King of the Jungle
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 1973
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
wilbur,
Hi,
Yes. Zathrus oversimplifies scripture.
| Zathrus wrote: | We receive eternal life by believing. No mention here of good works saving us.
|
Zathrus doesn't look at the Bible as a whole but selects certain passages to over simplify salvation.
Although we are not under the mosiac law, and such works of the law can not in themselves save us, that doesn't mean we are not under law. The law of the Christ!
Rom 3:31 Do we, then, abolish law by means of our faith? Never may that happen! On the contrary, we establish law.
Following this law of the Christ will contain many of the principles of the mosiac law, like you wouldn't commit adultery if you are truly following the law of the Christ. Yet if you do, you can be forgiven if you repent and turn around. If you refuse to repent then:
Heb 10:26 For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left,
| Zathrus wrote: | | Faith in Christ --->salvation. End of story. |
Zathrus would like to think it is as simple as that. As shown, faith without works is dead. And as Jesus showed we do need exert ourselves to keep our faith alive.
Jesus gave his one sacrifice for all time. In order to avail ourselves of that provision, what must we do?
Acts 3:19 “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get YOUR sins blotted out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the person of Jehovah
If you don't repent and turn around such sins are not blotted out!
From previous conversations with Zathrus, his purpose in writting this is because he doesn't believe trying to do what is right is necessary. He believes saying what is right and wrong conduct is "mans laws", when in reality such are revealed from scripture (NT). When he sees works he assumes they are works of the mosiac law and people are trying to earn salvation when the Bible makes it clear that such salvation is a gift. But again, to avail ourselves of that gift effort is required on our part.
Acts 26:20 but both to those in Damascus first and to those in Jerusalem, and over all the country of Ju·de′a, and to the nations I went bringing the message that they should repent and turn to God by doing works that befit repentance.
Matt 3:8 So then produce fruit that befits repentance;
2 Cor 7:11 For, look! this very thing, YOUR being saddened in a godly way, what a great earnestness it produced in YOU, yes, clearing of yourselves, yes, indignation, yes, fear, yes, longing, yes, zeal, yes, righting of the wrong! In every respect YOU demonstrated yourselves to be chaste in this matter.
While Zathrus' basic thought is correct, works of law cannot make us righteous, his oversimplifing it negates important scriptures.
_________________
Agape,
TBax |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
trettep
Lion
Joined: 24 Nov 2005
Posts: 910
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
Zathrus, would you agree that Salvation is to be immortal and receive Eternal life?
If so, then Paul in harmony with James says that Eternal life (Salvation) is rendered ACCORDING to WORKS.
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
That same word "deeds" is elsewhere translated as "works". So can you agree that according to Paul it is by Works that one will receive Salvation?
Paul |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zathrus
King Kong
Joined: 28 Aug 2002
Posts: 2269
Location: WI USA
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| TBax wrote: | | (Luke 13:24) “Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell YOU, will seek to get in but will not be able, |
TBax, I completely agree with this verse. Of course, if I did not, I could not call myself a believer or follower of Christ. But I do agree with it fully.
I asked you before if you even knew what that narrow door was. You reply was rather vague. "The way of life... "or something like that. Of course it's the way of life. Let me tell you more specifically what it is. Jesus' narrow door, or the narrow path that He contrasted to the broad road that many were following, is obtaining righteousness through faith in Him alone. This is the way which few find. In His day, there were many believing their outward adherence to the works of the law made them righteous. And today it is still the tendency of the majority to want to be justified by their outward behavior.
Brother, exert yourself with all your might to get through the narrow door. It is the way to life. The wide road isn't even there anymore. Those who miss the narrow path just waste a lot of effort trying to keep God pleased with them when their faith in Jesus was all He requires, and they talk a lot of religious nonsense and misapplied scripture, instead of really seeing God's fulfilled plan.
_________________
Establishing the law by receiving the righteousness which is by faith, without the deeds of the law!
2 Cor 3 "11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."
Certified Chalcedon Compliant
Officially approved in 451 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zathrus
King Kong
Joined: 28 Aug 2002
Posts: 2269
Location: WI USA
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| trettep wrote: | Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
That same word "deeds" is elsewhere translated as "works". So can you agree that according to Paul it is by Works that one will receive Salvation?
Paul |
Paul? If I didn't know better I'd think it was Mark talking to me. 
You're setting something up here. I'm not stepping in it.
The verses you quote from Romans 2 are also favorites of our Adventist friends, who cleave to them, and hope to use them to negate a multitude of verses which say something else.
You must follow Paul's train of thought through chapters 1 - 3 of Romans. Do not pull a couple of verses out as the Adventists and Witnesses do and build a doctrine with them that denies a lot of other verses, as well as misses the whole point being made in the very passage they are quoted from.
I shall try to keep this as brief as possible:
Romans 2:
| Quote: | 5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11For there is no respect of persons with God. |
The above is absolutely correct. I would point out a few things:
1.) The judgement being written about was the one that was to come at "the end of the age".
2.) The writers of the new testament as well as Jesus lived in the last days of the age of the law.
3.) It is under the law that man is judged according to works.
Romans 2 continues:
| Quote: | 12For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. |
How many have sinned without law?
How many of those under the law (Israel) sinned in the law?
Romans 2 continues:
| Quote: | 14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. |
This again identifies the judgement being spoken of as the eschatological, age-changing judgement which the early church awaited in their generation.
Romans 2:
| Quote: | 17Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? |
It is as I said above. How many under the law kept it?
Tretep, by the reasoning you're presenting by lifting those two verses out of context, we are all damned, especially the Jews in Paul's day because they were under the law. No Jew kept the law. No Gentile without the law was sinless either.
Paul goes on to say in chapter 3:
| Quote: | 9What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
that would be in chapter 2
10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: |
So as I said, we all would be damned.
But Paul concludes in chapter 2:
| Quote: | 28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. |
Therefore anyone who is saved is not saved by their outward adherence to any code of good works, but by a righteousness which is inward. To be spared from the judgement of God which Paul wrote of, it was necessary to taste of the power of the age to come, to become dead to the law and free from it (as he goes on to discuss in chapter 7) and alive in Christ, thus entering into the new covenant in which Christ is our righteousness and His works are found completely acceptible to God.
Tretep, I quoted the passage in Romans 3 where Paul partly wraps up his point in chapters 1 and 2, and concludes that:
| Quote: | 21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: |
It's not doing justice to scripture to take a couple of verse of Romans 2 and try to void Romans 3:21-24 with them. You must follow Paul's train of thought and see that he arrives at a conclusion here in Romans 3. And in fact he continues his discussion on how man is justified before God for a few more chapters, but we do not have room for a full exposition on Romans in this post.
We gain much more from following the train of thought of the writers of scripture. We fall into the trap of fringe apocalyptic groups when we lift snippets of scripture out of context to use as slogans to back up a favorite teaching.
_________________
Establishing the law by receiving the righteousness which is by faith, without the deeds of the law!
2 Cor 3 "11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."
Certified Chalcedon Compliant
Officially approved in 451 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wilber
Banned
Joined: 20 Dec 2007
Posts: 581
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Zathrus. I admire your intellect and your theology.
I would like to ask you a couple of questions if you don't mind.
Can you clarify for me what
"Certified Chalcedon Compliant
Officially approved in 451" means and would you mind telling me if you have hope for the whole of humankind? (No agenda - honest)
wilber |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
trettep
Lion
Joined: 24 Nov 2005
Posts: 910
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
Zathrus, I'm of the belief that the WAY in which Jesus saves us is to destroy sin in our flesh by means of His Spirit which is the Holy Spirit. I have not in any manner tried to deceive you. When Paul speaks of us receiving eternal life according to Deeds it is not OUR deeds that He is speaking and thus not our works. But rather they are the works of the Christ wrought thru us. Those are a REQUIREMENT to be saved. So while it is true that our works save us not - it is untrue to say that works are not required to save us for His Works performed in us to produce fruit is what is required to save us.
Zathrus, if your simply saying to believe is all we have to do then that would only make you a branch in the vine. Any branch that doesn't produce fruit is pruned from the vine.
Paul |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zathrus
King Kong
Joined: 28 Aug 2002
Posts: 2269
Location: WI USA
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
| wilber wrote: | Can you clarify for me what
"Certified Chalcedon Compliant
Officially approved in 451" means... |
That comes from a thread over in the Bible Debate forum probably close to a year ago where theseldomescene posted a link to a Biblical orthodoxy test. I took the test and put my results in my signature to discourage anyone who would accuse me of having teachings that are out in left field.
| wilber wrote: | | and would you mind telling me if you have hope for the whole of humankind? (No agenda - honest) |
Yes, I think it's possible.
_________________
Establishing the law by receiving the righteousness which is by faith, without the deeds of the law!
2 Cor 3 "11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."
Certified Chalcedon Compliant
Officially approved in 451 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zathrus
King Kong
Joined: 28 Aug 2002
Posts: 2269
Location: WI USA
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
| trettep wrote: | | Zathrus, I'm of the belief that the WAY in which Jesus saves us is to destroy sin in our flesh by means of His Spirit which is the Holy Spirit. |
OK. Well, God help us all then.
_________________
Establishing the law by receiving the righteousness which is by faith, without the deeds of the law!
2 Cor 3 "11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."
Certified Chalcedon Compliant
Officially approved in 451 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wilber
Banned
Joined: 20 Dec 2007
Posts: 581
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you Zathrus. I am enjoying the thread
wilber |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
trettep
Lion
Joined: 24 Nov 2005
Posts: 910
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Zathrus wrote: | | trettep wrote: | | Zathrus, I'm of the belief that the WAY in which Jesus saves us is to destroy sin in our flesh by means of His Spirit which is the Holy Spirit. |
OK. Well, God help us all then. |
And that is exactly what God is doing. He is helping us ALL.
Paul |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TBax
King of the Jungle
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 1973
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Zathrus,
You sound like a Universal Salvationist. Is that true? If it is that would explain alot of your beliefs, and why you do not draw distinctions between phrases.
| Zathrus wrote: | | The wide road isn't even there anymore. |
Where do you get that?
Matt 7:13 “Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.
Jesus said "many, I tell YOU, will seek to get in but will not be able,". So where are they if the other road is gone. Scriptures please.
-------------------
(Luke 13:24) “Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell YOU, will seek to get in but will not be able,
| Zathrus wrote: | | TBax, I completely agree with this verse. Of course, if I did not, I could not call myself a believer or follower of Christ. But I do agree with it fully. |
Oh? Do you agree with this one?
KJV John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
_________________
Agape,
TBax |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zathrus
King Kong
Joined: 28 Aug 2002
Posts: 2269
Location: WI USA
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| TBax wrote: | Zathrus,
You sound like a Universal Salvationist. Is that true? |
You became acquainted with where I'm at theologically in my "Got a Visit from My Friendly Local Witnesses!" thread.
| TBax wrote: |
Where do you get that?
Matt 7:13 “Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.
Jesus said "many, I tell YOU, will seek to get in but will not be able,". So where are they if the other road is gone. Scriptures please. |
Sure. More scripture on how a man is justified before God.
From MAtthew 7:
| Quote: | 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
(There's our verse about the narrow gate)
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. |
Let's think about whether this fruit Jesus says to look for is simply outward good works or something else. Can someone teach damnable heresies and still live a moral and upright life? I believe they can and often do. Can someone teach the way of truth and still be caught in a fault? I believe it happens.
Jesus continues in Matt 7:
| Quote: | 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. |
What did these "many" try to fall back on to justify themselves before the Lord? How do they try to convince Him He was mistaken in saying He never knew them?
In verse 22 they list good works which they did, even ones they think they did by God's Spirit.
Why do these people not say "Lord, we believed that you were the Christ, the savior, the Son of God?" They said nothing about that. They are convinced their good works should justify them before the Lord.
The way to life is to be in Christ - to know Him as savior.
Jesus continues:
| Quote: | 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. |
Of the old covenant of the law and the new covenant of grace and peace, which "house" do you think has fallen under the floods and the winds? Which remains standing? Which corresponds to shifting sand -the law or Christ? Which corresponds to the rock?
Jesus says the man who hears these sayings of His and does them is like the one who built his house on the rock. What sayings did Jesus say? Well, in this passage He talked about trusting in one's own outward righteousness being a good way to end up shut out of the kingdom. He talked about a wide road that leads to destruction. Well in light of what He says also in this passage, that must be the road of trusting in one's own righteousness. The narrow road is trusting in Christ for righteousness.
| TBax wrote: | Oh? Do you agree with this one?
KJV John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. |
Yes, I do.
_________________
Establishing the law by receiving the righteousness which is by faith, without the deeds of the law!
2 Cor 3 "11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."
Certified Chalcedon Compliant
Officially approved in 451 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
FAQ 
Search 
Make a Donation 
Usergroups 
Contact
Register
Submit Articles 
Log in to check your private messages 
