Dear brothers,
Your faith is the most important thing you got.There is no way any of you are going to persuade another to beleive just like you.If you really want to do good..encourage one another.Do or say things that will build their faith.It's the enemy that wars against our faith..The Holy Spirit is in the business of building the body...not dividing the body.My dear brothers God is the author and finisher of our faith. Ephesians says we are saved by grace through faith "And that not of ourselves." We all have a measure...only a small portion of faith..Shoot, if we even had a mustard seed amount we would be moving mountains. So, if we don't even have a mustard seed of faith who are we to say someone else is wrong..
I say continue in God's Word..and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
As far as the title of this thread..[8D]I only wrote that to get your attention..I'm getting to old in Christ to argue such silly things. We all will have to give an answer one day for what we did with our precious gift of faith.That is between you and God.
Chuck, I agree it does no good to argue; however, we are commanded to stand up for the Truth. Maybe those involved will never change their mind, but maybe someone on the sidelines will take the Bible for what it says and base their beliefs on that and nothing else.
Chad
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"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
"Maybe those involved will never change their mind, but maybe someone on the sidelines will take the Bible for what it says and base their beliefs on that and nothing else. "
LBR..Chad
Chuck, I agree it does no good to argue; however, we are commanded to stand up for the Truth. Maybe those involved will never change their mind, but maybe someone on the sidelines will take the Bible for what it says and base their beliefs on that and nothing else.
Chad
..andI hope that it is the whole council and not isolated, out of contextverses that lead one in a direction that Paul felt was important enough to write an entire book exposing its fallacy(Galatians).
I find a healthy debate to be stimulating. I feel it causes me to delve deeper into God's word and test my own faith. I do agree that arguing is pointless, however.
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When it absolutley, positively has to die....30/06
I find a healthy debate to be stimulating. I feel it causes me to delve deeper into God's word and test my own faith. I do agree that arguing is pointless, however.
Arguing in the sense of bickering is pointless and childish.Debating and the type of 'argument', in the sense of how an attorney argues his case before a judge and jury are both, if done respectfully and with a gracious attitude very beneficial. Paul did it constantly inscripture. There were always, and there still are , those who twist words or who are lazy and careless in the way they approach the scriptures. This is exactlywhy iths to be, to borrow another law term, deliberated--meaning ithas to be approached in a very deliberate and detailed m,anner to arrive at the truth. Truth is simple. Our sinful hearts make it complicated,necessitating the untangling of near truths, half truths, and complete falshoods. This untangling can be very complicated, yet very needed.
It does little good to argue, it does even less good to compromise the truth by remaining silent in the face of error and teaching that are not found in the scripture.
I would like to be able to declare that we are saved by Grace alone, but as Chuck has said, the bible added the kicker, "through Faith". Is it Grace alone? Is it by Faith alone? Or does the bible say "by Grace are ye saved, through Faith" combining the two? The Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodly and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world. James said "show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works". If ones life isn't changed so that others may see your good works, has the Grace of God appeared unto him? It is impossible to be saved without Gods Grace. Is it possible to be partaker of Gods Grace and continue to live a sinners lifestyle?? Grace teaches us to deny (grace with faith that follows) ungodly and worldly lusts. To refuse the teachings of Gods Grace is called rebellion. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and carries a death sentence.
Can one be saved by Grace alone?
Can one be saved without works taught by Grace?
Does one have to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God?
Amen Snooky,
Acually yesterday's pop quiz came from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.Right before I had woke up the Lord ask me..Is walking in the spirit work ? Simple answer is yes..resisting temptation is certanly work. Fasting , reading the Word, saying no to lust and temptation. praying ..these all take time ...these all take effort. and that is only scratching the surface.When you minister that certainly takes work..but one thing for sure.."Our LABOUR is not in vain " Paul says.
Each day I evaluate my life to see how it can be better .The first word I got this morning is "Chuck start your day by reading God's Word." and is that work..yep..to read 3 chapters will take about 20 minutes..Jesus told the Jews that followed Him "IF ye continue in my Word then are you my disciples"..
Now ...what if I make excuses and don't pray, or read my word, or look at some porn etv. etc. etc. Am I still saved?..maybe...but after time my conscience will be seared or I could get 7 demons worse than than the 1st...still saved..for me it's a bad gamble..I'd rather make sure of my salvation now and plus enjoy abundant life as well here on planet earth.
WORKS versus GRACE !!!!
Hi Christians,
