manuman; I thought we should allow the "baptism" thread to continue while we exchange views and ideas on another thread.
I would like to hear your definition of grace, faith, and what is the role of works inour salvation. Not justworks o fteh law,but 'good' works as well.
I have no great revelation of grace. Simply the unmerited favor of God which came by Jesus Christ.Grace which bringeth salvation appears to all men and teaches us to deny ungodly and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world. We are to grow in grace,II Peter 3:18. One can fail of the grace of God Heb. 12:15, and one can fall from grace Gal 5:4. One can receive the grace of God in vain II Cor 6:1.Grace makes us what we are 1 Cor 15:10. Grace came by Jesus Christ.
One is saved by Grace, but grace cannot be isolated from faith, or from obedient works.
Faith is the belief in, trust in, and reliance in God when refering to an individuals walk with God. The faith refers to the Gospel, or teachings of God, and about God. I am talking about ones faith in God. For by grace are we saved through faith. IMO this means that when the grace of God that bringeth salvation appears to a man, and teaches him, or draws him by the Spirit, and the light of God illuminates a truth, faith must build in the heart. Faith believes what grace has revealed and produces works based upon grace and faith. Hence one is saved by grace, he is alsosaved by faith that is alive and produces works. One is not saved by grace alone, neither by faith alone. One isn't judged by his grace, nor his faith, but by his works which proves his faith is real and alive. Grace and faith are not something that appears for a moment and vanishes away, they remain for the lifetime of the individual. They continue to be active in securing one "unto" the end.
Good works are not to earn salvation, but testify of Gods grace, that God may be glorified when men see your good works. We are his witnesses, created unto good works.
One isn't saved by his good works, but can be lost because there is an absence of good works. When one knows to do good and doeth it not, the absence of good works is sin.
My conviction concerning faith is that it is the ultimate and complete surrender to His authority over our lives.
Grace and faith IMO leads one to repentance. Repentance is where the surrender to his authority occurs. Dying out to sin and self. Repentance, death, must occur before burial or baptism. Death and burial must take place before resurrection to a new life in Christ. One is now "born again", yet he must remain steadfast unto the end. There is no discharge in this warfare.
Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God bythedeath of His Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom now we have received the atonement." This is a simple summary of where I am coming from.
We shall be saved from wrath. I fell I need to point out "shall" as opposed to "has been". These had grace appear, had faith, had been obedient unto this point, had been reconciled unto God, yet "saved from wrath" was spoken of as a future event.
Can we isolate grace from faith and works? Or do they continue to work together to finish a started work in progress?
Sorry Snooky--been too busy lately. Might get time to chime in later--hope to at least.
Chad
__________________
"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
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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
Chuck, since you have me blocked from contacting you privately, you leave me no choice but to do it publicly.
I'll only say this once, to you and everyone else on the forum. The rules have been ignored and stomped on long enough--that's over.If you want toignore the rules(and I thought you were the guy that just hates sarcasm? Your posts tell a different story), you can find another site to post on. 'Nuff said.
As always, I am available via pm or e-mail if anyone has anything they care to ask about, or if you have a problem with me you can contact another moderator or HNI administration.
Grace, faith, and works.
