Saying Christianity isn't a religion is silly

[mailmandan]

You contradict yourself yet again. You said Christianity is not best defined as a religion and yet even the Bible speaks of a pure religion and you even admit to that. If the Bible uses the word religion in a positive way then it is best to not to speak against that word (Seeing it does come from God's Holy Word).

No contradiction here and I said nothing against Christianity being defined as a religion at all, yet was simply highlighting the fact that Christianity is a 'unique' religion in which born again Christians have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Hence, best defined.

Take away the born again experience and a relationship with Jesus Christ and all you have is a "nominal" Christian going through the motions of religion. Hence, religious but not right with God.

John 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (which is an intimate, experiential knowledge, found only in a relationship). The term "know" implies intimate, experiential knowledge, through a relationship with Jesus Christ and not merely theoretical knowledge.

 

[mailmandan]

Amen .

This term is so fashionable I'm surprised it has NOT been tagged by a " House of Versace, or any of the fashion coutures ".

It does not in reality mean to be a follower of Christ anymore but is JUST A RELIGION, same as Islam IMO.

The reason I say this is bc soooooo many ppl claim to be "christian" and DO NOT nor have ever known God in a personal relationship. They live like wicked and unbelieving ppl.

Then you also have folks who claim to be "Christian" yet are deceived by false religions into seeking salvation by works and end up merely going through the motions of religion, but never placing their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and are not born again. Moral self-reformation is not a substitute for regeneration.

 

[L.A.M.B.]

Then you also have folks who claim to be "Christian" yet are deceived by false religions into seeking salvation by works and end up merely going through the motions of religion, but never placing their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Moral self-reformation is not a substitute for regeneration.

I agree. To even think that we are capable of such self regeneration or of good moral standing by our own deeds, thoughts, sayings, traditions or practices is as the FOOL TO SAY THERE IS NO GOD!

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Then you also have folks who claim to be "Christian" yet are deceived by false religions into seeking salvation by works and end up merely going through the motions of religion, but never placing their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and are not born again. Moral self-reformation is not a substitute for regeneration.

But many times those who believe as you do about the regeneration are into promoting secular worldly shows and movies that are sinful. So this merely shows that their belief does not really change them. They are still the old man. We are told to love not the world and neither the things in the world, if any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.

How can these things be?

Well, it’s because they are not obeying the doctrine that will set them free from being a slave to sin so that they can then be a slave to righteousness (See: Romans 6:17-18).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I agree. To even think that we are capable of such self regeneration or of good moral standing by our own deeds, thoughts, sayings, traditions or practices is as the FOOL TO SAY THERE IS NO GOD!

And where is that full saying written in the Bible?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Then you also have folks who claim to be "Christian" yet are deceived by false religions into seeking salvation by works and end up merely going through the motions of religion, but never placing their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and are not born again. Moral self-reformation is not a substitute for regeneration.

It’s not salvation by works ALONE, but after we are saved by God’s grace (without works) in our Initial Salvation, we do have to enter the Sanctification of the Spirit (Which is living a holy life, and doing good works, etcetera) as a part of God’s plan of salvation.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 says God has chosen you to salvation through the Sanctification of the Spirit and a belief of the truth (Which is a call of the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:14).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

No contradiction here and I said nothing against Christianity being defined as a religion at all, yet was simply highlighting the fact that Christianity is a 'unique' religion in which born again Christians have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Hence, best defined.

Take away the born again experience and a relationship with Jesus Christ and all you have is a "nominal" Christian going through the motions of religion. Hence, religious but not right with God.

John 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (which is an intimate, experiential knowledge, found only in a relationship). The term "know" implies intimate, experiential knowledge, through a relationship with Jesus Christ and not merely theoretical knowledge.

No. You contradicted yourself.

You said, I quote:

”Christianity is best defined not as a religion but as a relationship with a Person”

But again, the Bible has no problem in using the word “religion,” even though you used it later favorably in the same post.
Either you are in support of God’s Holy Word using the word “religion” or you are against it.

 

[Gospel Believer]

No. You contradicted yourself.

You said, I quote:

”Christianity is best defined not as a religion but as a relationship with a Person”

But again, the Bible has no problem in using the word “religion,” even though you used it later favorably in the same post.
Either you are in support of God’s Holy Word using the word “religion” or you are against it.

Any man is capable of Change—- Even Hitler could have “ turned over a New Leaf” had he chosen to do so......Yes, people can “ Change” and become more Moral—- But you had better Believe that Hell will be chock- full of Moral people......God is not in the business of Saving people that “ Change” themselves .....It’s God’s desire to “ TRANSFORM” all those that Trust Him and Him Alone to Save them.....and this Transformation is something only HE can do... God does not take “ Good Men” and make them better—- He takes “Dead Men” and makes them Alive.....

All that The Religious , Moral man can do is “ Ape” the Behavior Of the True Christian....He mimics the Behavior But He does not understand the * SOURCE* of that Behavior.....It is God , By means of His Holy Spirit, Transforming a Believer into “ The Image Of His Son”.... it happens naturally to the man who Lives “ From Faith to Faith”...... Not to those that try to live a life of Will- Power based upon Fear....

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Any man is capable of Change—- Even Hitler could have “ turned over a New Leaf” had he chosen to do so......Yes, people can “ Change” and become more Moral—- But you had better Believe that Hell will be chock- full of Moral people......God is not in the business of Saving people that “ Change” themselves .....It’s God’s desire to “ TRANSFORM” all those that Trust Him and Him Alone to Save them.....and this Transformation is something only HE can do... God does not take “ Good Men” and make them better—- He takes “Dead Men” and makes them Alive.....

All that The Religious , Moral man can do is “ Ape” the Behavior Of the True Christian....He mimics the Behavior But He does not understand the * SOURCE* of that Behavior.....It is God , By means of His Holy Spirit, Transforming a Believer into “ The Image Of His Son”.... it happens naturally to the man who Lives “ From Faith to Faith”...... Not to those that try to live a life of Will- Power based upon Fear....

Nowhere am I suggesting that true faithful believers are not changed by God’s regeneration and by the Word of God.
Just obeying the doctrine can set you free from being a slave to sin so as to turn into being a slave to righteousness (See: Romans 6:17-18). From faith to faith is living by faith. It’s believing everything in your New Testament as being a part of the faith. God commands us to do many things even in the New Testament (Which is a part of the faith). For faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Any man is capable of Change—- Even Hitler could have “ turned over a New Leaf” had he chosen to do so......Yes, people can “ Change” and become more Moral—- But you had better Believe that Hell will be chock- full of Moral people......God is not in the business of Saving people that “ Change” themselves .....It’s God’s desire to “ TRANSFORM” all those that Trust Him and Him Alone to Save them.....and this Transformation is something only HE can do... God does not take “ Good Men” and make them better—- He takes “Dead Men” and makes them Alive.....

All that The Religious , Moral man can do is “ Ape” the Behavior Of the True Christian....He mimics the Behavior But He does not understand the * SOURCE* of that Behavior.....It is God , By means of His Holy Spirit, Transforming a Believer into “ The Image Of His Son”.... it happens naturally to the man who Lives “ From Faith to Faith”...... Not to those that try to live a life of Will- Power based upon Fear....

Again, my point is that people in the sin and still be saved camp are not changed because they are not only seeking to justify the idea that they must sin again, but they are also into promoting worldly sinful movies or TV shows, too. One is not changed by a regeneration if they still love to watch sinful things.

 

[L.A.M.B.]

And where is that full saying written in the Bible?

 

[Gospel Believer]

Nowhere am I suggesting that true faithful believers are not changed by God’s regeneration and by the Word of God.
Just obeying the doctrine can set you free from being a slave to sin so as to turn into being a slave to righteousness (See: Romans 6:17-18). From faith to faith is living by faith. It’s believing everything in your New Testament as being a part of the faith. God commands us to do many things even in the New Testament (Which is a part of the faith). For faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

Jesus left us with just Two Commands—— #1 Believe #2 Love

We have only One Law—- The “Law of Christ” —- “ Take on the Burdens Of others”

In Hebrews , God Commands us to Rest in the Gospel , lest He Find you Guilty Of “ Disobedience and UNBELIEF! “ .......Guys like you that insist on ADDING to Pauls Gospel Of Pure Grace ought to REALLY pay attention to that last one.....” Unbelief” is a lot worse than watching a TV show that “ Weak” Believers can’t handle ....

You get your panties in a knot about sex and/ or violence ? When it comes to this kind of stuff, the Bible is not afraid to mention it or confront it.....go no further that Gen19 if you want to see sordidness first- hand ....few movies or TV shows have ever topped it.....

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Jesus left us with just Two Commands—— #1 Believe #2 Love

We have only One Law—- The “Law of Christ” —- “ Take on the Burdens Of others”

In Hebrews , God Commands us to Rest in the Gospel , lest He Find you Guilty Of “ Disobedience and UNBELIEF! “ .......Guys like you that insist on ADDING to Pauls Gospel Of Pure Grace ought to REALLY pay attention to that last one.....” Unbelief” is a lot worse than watching a TV show that “ Weak” Believers can’t handle ....

You get your panties in a knot about sex and/ or violence ? When it comes to this kind of stuff, the Bible is not afraid to mention it or confront it.....go no further that Gen19 if you want to see sordidness first- hand ....few movies or TV shows have ever topped it.....

Again, this is not so according to Scripture.

New Testament Commands That Are Called A Command:

1. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:29-30 gives us the full complete description of the 1st commandment in the Bible).
2. “And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31).
3. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (1 John 3:23).
4. “Repent” (i.e. Seek forgiveness with the Lord Jesus Christ) (Acts of the Apostles 17:30 says, “God… now commands all men everywhere to repent”).
5. A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one to another (John 13:34-35).
6. “Watch” (“For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch you therefore: for you know not when the Master of the house comes,...” - See: Mark 13:33-37).
7. “Honor your father and mother” (God commanded, saying, Honor your father and mother - Matthew 15:4, Matthew 19:19, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20) (Ephesians 6:2-3 says “Honour your father and mother (which is the first commandment attached with a promise).
8. Tell the women to keep silent in the churches. For it is not permitted unto them to speak, but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also says the law; And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for women to speak in the church (1 Corinthians 14:34-35).
9. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks disorderly (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
10. Keep the following commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ: Fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life, whereby you are called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12-14).
11. Keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17) (Note: The young rich ruler asked, which ones (i.e. which commands should he keep); Jesus replied, “Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 19:18-19) (Jesus also said as a part of these commands, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,” - Matthew 19:21).

Side Note:

Paul said, “…the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:37).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

View attachment 27503

First, I was aware of the part of Scripture that says, “The fool hath said in heart there is no God” for a very long time.
That was not what I was referring to. There is nowhere in Scripture it is written the exact words the way you said it.

You said, I quote:

“To even think that we are capable of such self regeneration or of good moral standing by our own deeds, thoughts, sayings, traditions or practices is as the FOOL TO SAY THERE IS NO GOD!” Quote by L3astAm0ngManyB13ss3d.​

The whole of these words above are not to be found in any Bible.

The Bible does not say it like that. Nowhere does the Bible say those exact words.

Secondly, nowhere am I suggesting that there is no regeneration or born again experience of the believer, either. Most Christians believe in being born again by the Spirit and water (John 3:3-8). The Holy Spirit baptizes a new believer into the body of Christ (which includes Christ being the head of the body - 1 Corinthians 12:13). Then Jesus baptizes the new believer into the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). Believers are changed in the new birth when they receive Jesus as their Savior and or seeking forgiveness with Him. They receive a new heart, and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). This is what it means to be born of the Spirit. Christians being born of water means to be awakened to God’s Holy Word (Scripture) (See: Ephesians 5:25-27 -Water of the Word, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 Peter 2:2, Romans 10:17). The Bible becomes the very literal words of God to a new believer (1 Thessalonians 2:13) and they are given an Anointing to Understand It (1 John 2:27). But Paul tells us:

“…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2).​

Paul tells us:

”…let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1).​

Just by obeying the doctrine in obeying righteousness you can be set free from being a slave to sin (See: Romans 6:17-18).
If we continue in His Word, we are His disciples indeed, and we will know the truth and the truth will set us free (See: John 8:31-32).
This means we have to keep putting the Word back in our hearts and minds and not allow the devil to snatch those words out of our hearts because of a lack of understanding those Scripture verses (See: Matthew 13 - Parable of the Sower), or by speaking something that is not in line with the faith or what is written (See: 1 Corinthians 1:10) (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Jesus will also baptize us with fire (This is the trial of our faith by fire) (See again Matthew 3:11, 1 Peter 1:7).
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

Sometimes we may not know we are speaking against the Word.
God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

I hope this helps, and may God bless you.

 

[mailmandan]

It’s not salvation by works ALONE, but after we are saved by God’s grace (without works) in our Initial Salvation, we do have to enter the Sanctification of the Spirit (Which is living a holy life, and doing good works, etcetera) as a part of God’s plan of salvation.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 says God has chosen you to salvation through the Sanctification of the Spirit and a belief of the truth (Which is a call of the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:14).

It's not salvation by works AT ALL. (Romans 3:24-28; 4:5-6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..). Those who have been saved by grace through faith have been sanctified "set apart/made holy" positionally in Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11) and enter the sanctification process in which the reality of that holiness becomes more and more evident in our actions, words, thoughts, attitudes and motives. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 - For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain (present tense) from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.

So becoming washed, sanctified and justified in Christ is a one time event, yet abstaining from sexual immorality and progressive holiness in our actions, words, thoughts, attitudes and motives, is not a one time event. The believer possess a positional, judicial standing of righteousness in Christ and, second, continued growth in practical, progressive holiness in our overall behavior. We will not reach ultimate or final sanctification until we receive our glorified bodies.

Sanctification of the Spirit is God's part and belief of the truth is our part. We are called to this through the gospel and the gospel is not salvation by works at the back door, but is the "good new" of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16) To "believe" the gospel is to trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-SUFFICIENT means of our salvation.

You error through your eisegesis by confusing positional sanctification in Christ (Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 6:11) with progressive sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4) and the end result is "type 2 works salvation" (salvation by works at the back door) and that is a false gospel. (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4) That is YOUR plan of salvation and NOT God's.

 

[mailmandan]

No. You contradicted yourself.

You said, I quote:

”Christianity is best defined not as a religion but as a relationship with a Person”

But again, the Bible has no problem in using the word “religion,” even though you used it later favorably in the same post.
Either you are in support of God’s Holy Word using the word “religion” or you are against it.

No. I did not contradict myself. "Best defined" as a relationship with a Person (Jesus Christ) does not mean that it's not defined as a religion at all. I have no problem using the word "religion" and I cited "pure and undefiled religion" from James 1:27 (in my original post) which is only descriptive of Christianity and is only found in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. So I am not against God's Word using the word "religion." Case closed.

 

[mailmandan]

But many times those who believe as you do about the regeneration are into promoting secular worldly shows and movies that are sinful. So this merely shows that their belief does not really change them. They are still the old man. We are told to love not the world and neither the things in the world, if any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.

How can these things be?

Well, it’s because they are not obeying the doctrine that will set them free from being a slave to sin so that they can then be a slave to righteousness (See: Romans 6:17-18).

Oh how you love to wrongfully judge others to make yourself look better. So did the Pharisees. Your self righteous attitude is reaching the point of nauseam. In regards to Romans 6:17-18, before they obeyed that form of doctrine by choosing to believe the gospel (Romans 1:16), they had been slaves to sin. Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

In 1 Peter 1:22, notice - "Purified your souls in obeying the truth" and notice in Acts 15:9 - "Purified their hearts by faith." "Obeying the gospel" and "obeying that form of doctrine" is a synonym for believing the gospel. Being slaves of sin is put in the past tense. Paul goes on in Romans 6:18 to say - "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."

 

[L.A.M.B.]

First, I was aware of the part of Scripture that says, “The fool hath said in heart there is no God” for a very long time.
That was not what I was referring to. There is nowhere in Scripture it is written the exact words the way you said it.

You said, I quote:

“To even think that we are capable of such self regeneration or of good moral standing by our own deeds, thoughts, sayings, traditions or practices is as the FOOL TO SAY THERE IS NO GOD!” Quote by L3astAm0ngManyB13ss3d.​

The whole of these words above are not to be found in any Bible.

The Bible does not say it like that. Nowhere does the Bible say those exact words.

Secondly, nowhere am I suggesting that there is no regeneration or born again experience of the believer, either. Most Christians believe in being born again by the Spirit and water (John 3:3-8). The Holy Spirit baptizes a new believer into the body of Christ (which includes Christ being the head of the body - 1 Corinthians 12:13). Then Jesus baptizes the new believer into the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). Believers are changed in the new birth when they receive Jesus as their Savior and or seeking forgiveness with Him. They receive a new heart, and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). This is what it means to be born of the Spirit. Christians being born of water means to be awakened to God’s Holy Word (Scripture) (See: Ephesians 5:25-27 -Water of the Word, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 Peter 2:2, Romans 10:17). The Bible becomes the very literal words of God to a new believer (1 Thessalonians 2:13) and they are given an Anointing to Understand It (1 John 2:27). But Paul tells us:

“…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2).​

Paul tells us:

”…let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1).​

Just by obeying the doctrine in obeying righteousness you can be set free from being a slave to sin (See: Romans 6:17-18).
If we continue in His Word, we are His disciples indeed, and we will know the truth and the truth will set us free (See: John 8:31-32).
This means we have to keep putting the Word back in our hearts and minds and not allow the devil to snatch those words out of our hearts because of a lack of understanding those Scripture verses (See: Matthew 13 - Parable of the Sower), or by speaking something that is not in line with the faith or what is written (See: 1 Corinthians 1:10) (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Jesus will also baptize us with fire (This is the trial of our faith by fire) (See again Matthew 3:11, 1 Peter 1:7).
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

Sometimes we may not know we are speaking against the Word.
God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

I hope this helps, and may God bless you.

No this DOES NOT HELP .I don't need YOU to teach me anything BH, I have the Holy Ghost to teach me . Furthermore I also understand scripture in context but if I don't understand I ask God NOT man.

You may be a good guy with great intentions but your approach is not always in love but rather aggressive and condescending. Nobody likes this.

I am a born again believer & followers of my Lord Jesus Christ under the new covenant of love and grace. I have liberty by faith to hear his words which enter my heart and per the Spirit of God I am reminded of them daily.

I try not to engage with you but when you directly ask then......
If you cannot recognize paraphrase then I'm sorry for you.
Plz move on from me you cannot give me anything I can't get DIRECTLY from God.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

No this DOES NOT HELP .I don't need YOU to teach me anything BH, I have the Holy Ghost to teach me . Furthermore I also understand scripture in context but if I don't understand I ask God NOT man.

That’s good that you ask GOD and not man. But that does not mean you are infallible to not understanding God’s Word at times and or you may misinterpret something on occasion. I am even willing to admit that this happens from time to time with me.

You may be a good guy with great intentions but your approach is not always in love but rather aggressive and condescending. Nobody likes this.

Jesus and the apostles were aggressive involving God’s Word. While we should be gentile and kind, and correct in love, even our LORD told things like it was and even interrupted a conversation.

Nicodemus was talking about how Jesus was a teacher from God and Jesus did not play the niceties and cut to the point and told him that you all need to be born again.

As for condescending:

Christians can correct with the Word of God (Scripture) (See: 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Condescending means one believes they are superior to others. Well, I think there is a difference between one thinking they are correct with Scripture other people’s wrong beliefs or behaviors vs. thinking they are superior or better than other people. All believers are nothing in and of themselves. It is only the power of God that they can do this or that. Any or all good (good works) a believer does is by the power of God working in them. Jesus said you can do nothing without me. So I am nothing. Jesus is everything. But if Scripture teaches that we have to obey God to enter the Kingdom (and it does), then that is a truth that I have to accept (Whether I like it or not, or whether anyone else likes it or not). Jesus said STRIVE to enter the straight gate (Luke 13:24). This was said to those who are believers because they called Him, Lord, Lord seeking to enter and they were not able to enter. This means things are not as easy as Christians believe today to enter the Kingdom. Most Christians today I know do not believe Luke 13:24 applies to them. They don’t think they have to STRIVE to enter the straight gate. They don’t even know they have to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12). God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Just ask your average Christian about 1 Timothy 6:12. Chances they either don’t even know about this verse or they will speak against what it plainly says.

I am a born again believer & followers of my Lord Jesus Christ under the new covenant of love and grace. I have liberty by faith to hear his words which enter my heart and per the Spirit of God I am reminded of them daily.

I try not to engage with you but when you directly ask then......
If you cannot recognize paraphrase then I'm sorry for you.
Plz move on from me you cannot give me anything I can't get DIRECTLY from God.

You said something that was not in line with Scripture. From the quote you provided, you need to back up all of those words with Scripture. If not, you are saying something that is not in line with what is written plainly.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Oh how you love to wrongfully judge others to make yourself look better. So did the Pharisees.

Where do you believe I did that? Prove your case.
If not, it is simply another false accusation you have made with me several times before (Like your calling me a narcissist when that clearly is a false accusation to the unbiased reader who actually knows what a narcissist is).

Your self righteous attitude is reaching the point of nauseam. In regards to Romans 6:17-18, before they obeyed that form of doctrine by choosing to believe the gospel (Romans 1:16), they had been slaves to sin. Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

In 1 Peter 1:22, notice - "Purified your souls in obeying the truth" and notice in Acts 15:9 - "Purified their hearts by faith." "Obeying the gospel" and "obeying that form of doctrine" is a synonym for believing the gospel. Being slaves of sin is put in the past tense. Paul goes on in Romans 6:18 to say - "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."

The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:16-17). For God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12). The doctrine that was delivered unto them in Romans 6:17 was becoming a slave to righteousness (verse 18) whereby they would not become a slave to sin. You don’t believe in becoming a slave to righteousness because you believe 1 John 1:8 is an excuse to sin occasionally the rest of your life. Again, anyone can test the fruit of those who believe as you do and they will see that many in the Belief Alone camp are promoting sinful things (like sinful movies, TV shows, etc) (i.e. the fruit of the teaching is bad). What you sow is what you will reap. To sow to the flesh will reap only corruption.