'For by grace you have been saved...

[Ambassador4Christ]

Ephesians 2:8-10. 'For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works least anyone should boast'.

Romans.5:8. 'God demonstrated His own love to us in this way, while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
Romans.10:9. That if you will confess with your mouth Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. Salvation is accepting by faith that Jesus Christ died for you-your sin-and took the full penalty and judgement for it, so that through His sacrifice, God can declare you righteous, and make you a child of God and a member of the Body of Christ. This is only the beginning of Gods work.

Romans 8:31&32. 'If God be for us who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things.'

Philippians.2:13. 'For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure.' What a lot of Christians forget is that it is God who saved us. It is God who keeps us and it is God who is working in us to make us more like Christ. We must also distinguish between how God sees us IN CHRIST, perfect and righteous [our standing before God] and our daily walk in all it's failings and shortcomings. [our state before God ] The first is perfect and never fails for it is based on God and His promises. The last rises and falls according to our obedience to His Word and whether we live for Christ and walk in the Spirit.

Salvation from the penalty of sin and life in Christ is a present possession secured for eternity.

[nChrist]

Oklahoma Howdy to Ambassador4Christ,

Amen! Thank you Brother.

[TigerLily]

Isnt it wonderful!!
amen to that A4C
TL

[Ambassador4Christ]

Oklahoma Howdy to Ambassador4Christ,

Amen! Thank you Brother.

And a "BIG" Howdy to you Brother, and thank you Bro

[Ambassador4Christ]

Isnt it wonderful!!
amen to that A4C
TL

Yes it is Sister  

[IrishAngel]

ambassador I was starting to think the only word you knew was DITTO  



seriously...Is this a "once saved always saved thread?"  ...plueeeeese  tell its not....cause then i`ll have to post something you cant say ditto too, n  I really like those ditto`s  lol

 

[asaph]

Hello A4C,
I think what you said is the very heart of Calvinism. Especially this word:
"Salvation from the penalty of sin and life in Christ is a present possession secured for eternity."
I am concerned with this teaching that it has become refined like sugar from cane. Cane is healthy and good and so is molasses, but I am not so sure about sugar.
Salvation from the penalty of sin is true but it is so refined that it has become like sugar (a poison).
It is true that we are free from the penalty of sin, but on what basis?
   "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
I believe that, on the basis of removal of our sins in this life, we are free from the penalty of sin for:
  "the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
   For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
   But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
   For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
   Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
   In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
   Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
   Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
   Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
   By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
   And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
   But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;"  Hebrews 10

Do you see the problem of being saved from the penalty of sin without being saved from the sin itself? That is too refined and is not healthy. For it makes one believe that we still have sin in our lives just like the OT saints. Their sacrifices could never take away sins and they were not made perfect and they were still conscience of their sins. But whom the Son sets free is free indeed. That's why Jesus says, "go your way and sin no more." This is truly good news!
You may ask, have I ever sinned since I became a believer? The answer is yes. But that is the wrong question. The question is do I have any unconfessed and unrepented of sin in my life? The answer is no. I am cleansed from all unrighteousness. This is good news for the ones in bondage who think they have to give in to temptation because they can't help themselves. My friend, you are free to go your way and sin no more!
This is practical relationship with Jesus. This is truth. This is freedom!

asaph

[Ambassador4Christ]

Hebrews 12:2. Says. 'Looking unto Jesus the originator and perfecter of our faith--and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.' Jesus said on the cross . ' It is finished.' John.19:30. When we accept the salvation that God freely offers us, we are accepting a work that God has been completely satisfied with. Gods holy righteous demands have been fully met by Christ's one offering for sin. Hebrews 10:14 says ' For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.
Because of this we will never be condemned for any sin. Romans 8:1-4. Think about it, if we could be accounted for any short coming or failure then Christ's sacrifice is worthless, we were not perfected and God has failed. So why can we be sure of our eternal security. Because God is satisfied, Christ is seated and we are sanctified.

[Ambassador4Christ]

Ephesians 1:13,14. 'Having believed you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we go to be with the Lord.'

SEALING signifies that a transaction is finished . Christ offered once. Hebrews 9:28.

SEALING signifies ownership. In 1 Corinthians.6:20. We read that a believers body is the temple of the Holy Spirit- and you are not your own because you were purchased at such great cost, the blood of Jesus Christ.

SEALING signifies SECURITY. The believer is said to be sealed until the say of Christ's return. Ephesians.4:30.

Think! God has sealed and secured us for the duration of our life on earth. Since God is the only one who can break this seal who are we to doubt our eternal security.

 SAVED--- SEALED--- SECURED .

[Ambassador4Christ]

Colossians.1:13. Says. 'God has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His Son'. This verse shows us that a Christian has not only been delivered from the power of Satan but has changed allegiance from Satan's kingdom to the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ. In this new realm we become slaves of righteousness, where beforehand we were slaves to the sinful nature inherited from Adam. Romans.5:12. Part of all this we become HEIRS of God and joint heirs with Christ . Romans.8:17.

Ephesians1:3. We became heirs through Christ's death and the blessings and promises that we inherit are heavenly and eternal. Even though we are living on earth God sees us as heavenly citizens. Philippians.3:20. Ephesians.2:6. He leaves us here as His AMBASSADORS. 2Corinthians.5:20. An ambassador's allegiance is to his home country, so the Christian is now of a heavenly calling and represents their heavenly Father on this earth as a witness and servant to glorify Christ. As this spiritual translation was of God's doing it is He alone who could reverse our heavenly position. But His Word says 'The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable' Romans 11:29.

[Ambassador4Christ]

Becoming a Christian means you have been spiritually born anew. Eph.2:1.
Beforehand you were spiritually dead to God but now the believer in Christ is----

[a] Born of God. John 3:3. 1John 5:1-5. And becomes a --

Child of God. 1 John.3:2. This is because the believer has become a--

[c] New Creation. 11 Corinthians.5:17. "Therefore if anyone is IN CHRIST he is a new creation, old things have passed away behold all things have become new."

The new life of a Christian is not turning over a new leaf and trying harder but is the new life of Christ by the Holy Spirit within the believers quickened spirit. Eph.2:5.
The divine nature of God becomes one with our spirit.2Peter.1:4.

Read also . Eph.2:4-6. Gal.2:20. John.17:20-21.

Just as a person cannot be unborn physically because they had nothing to do with it, so it is with spiritual birth, for it is all the Lords work.

[Ambassador4Christ]

Four things are unchangable.

GOD HIMSELF. Malachi. 3:6

GOD'S COUNSELS. Hebrews. 6:17,18.

GOD'S WORD Numbers. 23:19.

GOD'S PROMISES Romans.11:29.

It is a simple matter of accepting that God's Word and His promises are true and that God cannot lie or go back on His Word. Numbers.23:19. Says. "God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent, has He said it and shall He not do it, or has He not spoken and shall He not make it good."

When the Lord says in John 3:16. That we should not perish but have everlasting life and in 5:24, that we will never be judged for sin and have passed from death to life, why not believe Him. We read in Romans.8:35-39. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

[Ambassador4Christ]

"For by one Spirit we are united into one body." 1.Corinthians. 12:13.

Not only are we indwelt by the Holy Spirit individually but we are united collectively into one body, the Body of Christ, which is the church of the living God. This church is not divided by walls or creeds but is a living organism consisting of every believer since the Apostle Paul's time. Ephesians.5:30,32. 2:16. 3:6. 1 Timothy 1:15,16.

Christians can take up membership in a local church, but it is only the Holy Spirit that makes believers members of the Body of Christ. They are also seen as members of His household. Eph. 2:19-22.

As each person accepts Christ by faith they are place as a particular part of the body.

1 Corinthians.12:14-27. Ephesians.4:16. This church which was a mystery hidden in God since the foundation of the world, was only revealed from the Lord Jesus in glory to the Apostle Paul.

[Sean]

For one that is truely saved, their sins are covered by Jesus.  But one can claim to be saved and not truely be saved.

Luke 8:
11   "Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
12   "Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.
13   "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
14   "The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
15   "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

It is possible to believe you are saved, but fall away.  True faith will yeild good works:

James 2:
Faith and Works
14   What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
15   If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16   and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
17   Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18   But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
19   You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
20   But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
21   Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22   You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23   and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
24   You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25   In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26   For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

The point is that if you proclaim Jesus as savior and Lord, that he died for your sins, but you do not truely put your faith in him (a faith that produces good works) then you are not saved even though you may claim that you are.  (i.e. having a said faith instead of real faith)

I'm not saying you have to "work" your way to eternal life.  Just that the works you do are not based on your own will, but the will of the Father.  Sin is a part of our nature, and confessing our sins ensures our salvation.

Grace through faith only works if the faith is genuine.  If it is, then by grace alone you will be saved.

[Ambassador4Christ]

For one that is truely saved, their sins are covered by Jesus.  But one can claim to be saved and not truely be saved.

Sean, I agree with your above statement.
=========================================

The point is that if you proclaim Jesus as savior and Lord, that he died for your sins, but you do not truely put your faith in him (a faith that produces good works) then you are not saved even though you may claim that you are.  (i.e. having a said faith instead of real faith)

I'm not saying you have to "work" your way to eternal life.  Just that the works you do are not based on your own will, but the will of the Father.  Sin is a part of our nature, and confessing our sins ensures our salvation.

Grace through faith only works if the faith is genuine.  If it is, then by grace alone you will be saved.

Sean, to many twists and turns Bro. Christ died"FOR"our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). Thats ALL sins, Past, Present and Future. I dont agree with you on some of your points, but thats OK