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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 19, 2009 11:20:42 GMT -5
My favorite translation renders it this way:
For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life
Whether you dig that version or not, what do you think it means to "exercise" faith? Is it simply a matter of believing? Is some sort of action required?
Speak on it, please.
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Post by nsync on Oct 19, 2009 11:24:59 GMT -5
I think action is required.
And my favorite scripture (was as of recently) Roman 10:9,10 now up for further interpretation.
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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 19, 2009 11:29:45 GMT -5
What kind of action?
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Post by nsync on Oct 19, 2009 11:33:29 GMT -5
Living the lifestyle that Jesus preached in his ministry.
I do not believe in enternal security as of today. LOL I have to say that because I am on a path of discovery.
So as of now I do not think you can just believe in Jesus and make it to heaven.
Man who opened this can of worms really? LOL I just can't make a statement like I did above without getting into detail about whether folks need to believe in Jesus as in believe He is God or believe in His teaching.
Anyhow, yeah I believe you have to actively strive for a certain lifestyle.
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Post by Highly Favored on Oct 19, 2009 13:45:47 GMT -5
I do believe action is required to demonstrate our faith. (James 2:14-26)
I think the action, in a nutshell, is obedience. (Luke 6:46-49)
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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 19, 2009 13:57:36 GMT -5
So Outtie and HiFave, if you are not obedient/actively striving for a certain lifestyle...do you still deserve to have everlasting life?
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Post by Highly Favored on Oct 19, 2009 14:08:34 GMT -5
So Outtie and HiFave, if you are not obedient/actively striving for a certain lifestyle...do you still deserve to have everlasting life? Deserve is such a strong word. Truthfully, none of us DESERVE everlasting life. It is because of Jesus' shed blood that we even have a chance at everlasting life. Our own righteouness means nothing to God. I guess I look at it this way. If you truly love someone, you will go out of your way to please that person. Similarly, if you truly love God, you will seek to please Him. He's outlined for us in His Word what pleases Him. |
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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 19, 2009 14:44:48 GMT -5
I can dig it. So what if you DON'T go out of your way to please God? What if you kinda just go with the flow, living life as you see fit (despite your general awareness that God requires more)? Does that not satisfactorily show love to God? If not, can such a person rightly consider himself "saved?"
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Post by Highly Favored on Oct 20, 2009 10:43:38 GMT -5
I can dig it. So what if you DON'T go out of your way to please God? What if you kinda just go with the flow, living life as you see fit (despite your general awareness that God requires more)? Does that not satisfactorily show love to God? If not, can such a person rightly consider himself "saved?" "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin. " (James 4:7) If one practices sin, he/she is a sinner. If one is a sinner, what is he/she saved from? |
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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 20, 2009 14:53:46 GMT -5
Actually, I am not sure. I hear many people who attend various churches refer to themselves as "saved." I am under the impression that this means they will attain everlasting life after death (in heaven or someplace). The same people generally tend to state that being saved requires "believing on Jesus and accepting him as [my] personal savior." I'm not certain what that means, but I'm just asking whether the qualification for obtaining everlasting life is simply "belief" in Jesus or whether some further work is required. I also want to know whether people who consider themselves "saved" believe that they retain this status regardless of whether they go out of their way to please God.
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Post by Highly Favored on Oct 21, 2009 15:33:53 GMT -5
Actually, I am not sure. I hear many people who attend various churches refer to themselves as "saved." I am under the impression that this means they will attain everlasting life after death (in heaven or someplace). The same people generally tend to state that being saved requires "believing on Jesus and accepting him as [my] personal savior." I'm not certain what that means, but I'm just asking whether the qualification for obtaining everlasting life is simply "belief" in Jesus or whether some further work is required. I also want to know whether people who consider themselves "saved" believe that they retain this status regardless of whether they go out of their way to please God. The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth and believe with your heart, you will be saved. However, I think that true confession and belief motivates one to do something. I think when something really becomes a part of you, you really don't have to "go out of your way" to please God. When you are filled with God's spirit, you are empowered to let God live through you and that makes Him happy. A lot of people say that they are saved, but not all of them really know what they are saying. They think because they went to somebody's altar and recited some words, that was it. But, IMO, you should walk away from that experience a different person. I'm not saying perfect or never sinning again. We all need God's mercy from time to time, even after we are saved. But we should be more aware of God's presence in our lives and seek not to offend him by our actions. So, to make a long story short, I do believe that action is required when we say we are saved. I'm not talking about salvation by works, but rather demonstrating our faith. |
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Post by LejaOMG on Oct 21, 2009 15:36:12 GMT -5
Thank you so much! Exalt!
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Post by Highly Favored on Oct 21, 2009 15:44:57 GMT -5
Thank you so much! Exalt! Awww.... Thanks! ;D |
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Post by Dasani on Oct 21, 2009 20:20:13 GMT -5
Actually, I am not sure. I hear many people who attend various churches refer to themselves as "saved." I am under the impression that this means they will attain everlasting life after death (in heaven or someplace). The same people generally tend to state that being saved requires "believing on Jesus and accepting him as [my] personal savior." I'm not certain what that means, but I'm just asking whether the qualification for obtaining everlasting life is simply "belief" in Jesus or whether some further work is required. I also want to know whether people who consider themselves "saved" believe that they retain this status regardless of whether they go out of their way to please God. The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth and believe with your heart, you will be saved. However, I think that true confession and belief motivates one to do something. I think when something really becomes a part of you, you really don't have to "go out of your way" to please God. When you are filled with God's spirit, you are empowered to let God live through you and that makes Him happy. A lot of people say that they are saved, but not all of them really know what they are saying. They think because they went to somebody's altar and recited some words, that was it. But, IMO, you should walk away from that experience a different person. I'm not saying perfect or never sinning again. We all need God's mercy from time to time, even after we are saved. But we should be more aware of God's presence in our lives and seek not to offend him by our actions. So, to make a long story short, I do believe that action is required when we say we are saved. I'm not talking about salvation by works, but rather demonstrating our faith. Excellent explanation.... |
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Post by Highly Favored on Nov 2, 2009 15:34:16 GMT -5
I read something in my Sunday School book over the weekend that made me think of this thread.
It stated:
"The Scriptures refer to Jesus as Lord far more than they refer to Him as Savior. In other words, we receive Him as Savior through obedience to the plan of salvation, but we must also live daily lives that demonstrate He is our Lord."
I thought that was well stated.
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