Real faith produces action (works)
I truly dont understand how anyone who considers themselves a bible scholar can adhere to by faith alone, and once saved always saved doctrines.
Where in my post did you get the idea that I believe a man gets saved and then sits there like a bump on a log? Where did you get the idea that people who believe they are eternally secure believe that all they had to do was get saved and then live like the world?
I believe:
1 Tim 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Titus 2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
According to the above verses and many more a man who is truely redeemed will have good works but......not to justify himself before God but to please God because he is saved!
According to:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
It is grace that teaches a man to live - when a man realzies what Christ did for him at Calvary out of pure grace then the saved man will want to serve out of love and debt for what God has done for him.
Regarding your statement:
"I truly dont understand how anyone who considers themselves a bible scholar can adhere to by faith alone"
The greatest Christian writers who effected the Christian world for good, missions, and a holy zeal for God were men who believed in grace and the eternal security of the believer - these men primarily came out of Scotland and England in the 1600's.
If you want a list then I will be glad to provide you one. You are more than welcome to provide me your lsit of men who believe in works salvation and what they contributed.
The majority of the missionary movement that did anything for God were men who believed in grace alone.
Now, I believe you stand to be wrong. Yes, there have been abusers of grace - they are wrong. But when God does a work in a man he is a changed man:
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Finally:
"Those who are so busy wasting time trying to convince others of these doctrines, would be better off trying to make up for lost time, and convince lost souls of Christ."
I believe those who believe in grace alone are the most zealous for souls and have confidence in their message because it is scriptural. I can tell a man that Christ died for his sins and because of that he is saved - a comforting message that produces joy and confidence in the man because the message is centered on Christ. This message produces results in the sinner.
Works message - "Believe on Christ but you have to do your part and then hope you don't blow it!" No comfort of joy from that - bondage and legalism with little power.
The missionaries throughout history that had the greatest success for God preached a message of grace because that is where the power is - in Christ.
I don't run around trying to convice people of eternal security out in the fields but his is a forum. Out inthe fields I preach Christ crucified only - no debates or arguemnts over doctrine. If God draws them and they truly get regenerated then they won't have any trouble with eternal security or works.
That is why I make a big deal out of etenral se3curity for the real issue is justification. When I deal with the issue of etenral security I am realy dealing with justification before God while using OSAS as the tool to bring the man to a fuller understanding of the great doctrine of justification.
May God bless.
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