Legalism : How to get out of it.

[Behold]

Reader..

If you are struggling with ........."but isn't works a part of salvation".....>"over there in James, he says"...

So, here is how to get out of Legalism. = (Self saving).
Its very simple.

Just understand one simple fact...

Salvation is what God supplied as Jesus on The Cross..........and our Discipleship is not that...
Our Discipleship is what we do for God, day by day... BECAUSE we have already RECEIVED "The Gift of Salvation" from God that is eternal.
Salvation is Eternal Life and Eternal Life is not temporary and its not based on our behavior.

Generally, a person who is trying to work, or keep commandments, or confess sin, = to try to stay saved, or wants to teach that works and salvation are the same.......this is becausse they have not understood that Salvation is Not their Discipleship.
A.) Salvation is Jesus on Cross.
Can you do that ???????.. .. so then your discipleship is not your Salvation, is it.
Salvation is := God saving you, when you were a sinner through the Blood and Death of Jesus., and now that you have been saved.......now that you have received God's "GIFT of Salvation"....... you now begin your discipleship.........not to try to stay saved, but because you ARE Saved, already.

 

[Debp]

Reader..

If you are struggling with ........."but isn't works a part of salvation".....>"over there in James, he says"...

So, here is how to get out of Legalism. = (Self saving).
Its very simple.

Just understand one simple fact...

Salvation is what God supplied as Jesus on The Cross..........and our Discipleship is not that...
Our Discipleship is what we do for God, day by day... BECAUSE we have already RECEIVED "The Gift of Salvation" from God that is eternal.
Salvation is Eternal Life and Eternal Life is not temporary and its not based on our behavior.

Generally, a person who is trying to work, or keep commandments, or confess sin, = to try to stay saved, or wants to teach that works and salvation are the same.......this is becausse they have not understood that Salvation is Not their Discipleship.
A.) Salvation is Jesus on Cross.
Can you do that ???????.. .. so then your discipleship is not your Salvation, is it.
Salvation is := God saving you, when you were a sinner through the Blood and Death of Jesus., and now that you have been saved.......now that you have received God's "GIFT of Salvation"....... you now begin your discipleship.........not to try to stay saved, but because you ARE Saved, already.

Great post Behold.

@ArkangeMikail The above post explains our salvation and the resulting good works that flow from it.

 

[nedsk]

Reader..

If you are struggling with ........."but isn't works a part of salvation".....>"over there in James, he says"...

So, here is how to get out of Legalism. = (Self saving).
Its very simple.

Just understand one simple fact...

Salvation is what God supplied as Jesus on The Cross..........and our Discipleship is not that...
Our Discipleship is what we do for God, day by day... BECAUSE we have already RECEIVED "The Gift of Salvation" from God that is eternal.
Salvation is Eternal Life and Eternal Life is not temporary and its not based on our behavior.

Generally, a person who is trying to work, or keep commandments, or confess sin, = to try to stay saved, or wants to teach that works and salvation are the same.......this is becausse they have not understood that Salvation is Not their Discipleship.
A.) Salvation is Jesus on Cross.
Can you do that ???????.. .. so then your discipleship is not your Salvation, is it.
Salvation is := God saving you, when you were a sinner through the Blood and Death of Jesus., and now that you have been saved.......now that you have received God's "GIFT of Salvation"....... you now begin your discipleship.........not to try to stay saved, but because you ARE Saved, already.

Salvation is "supplied" by Jesus in the cross but it's "obtained" by faith and works just like James says. Stop peddling your foolishness. You're leading people to hell.

 

[nedsk]

Great post Behold.

@ArkangeMikail The above post explains our salvation and the resulting good works that flow from it.

So works aren't a choice? Faith causes works? Is that your claim?

 

[LoveYeshua]

Reader,

many today are confused about what salvation really means because they try to separate faith and obedience or to put them against each other. But the Lord Jesus never did that. He taught that believing in Him means following Him, not only in words but also in deeds. When He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), He showed that faith and obedience belong together.

Salvation indeed begins with God’s grace. It is a gift that no man can earn. We could never pay the price that Jesus paid on the cross. His blood opened the door of eternal life for us, but He also said that the way to life is narrow and few find it (Matthew 7:14). That narrow way is the life of a true disciple who obeys His word and follows His example.

So, yes, we cannot save ourselves, but neither can we ignore His teachings once we have received His gift. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). He was not speaking about earning salvation, but about living faithfully in the gift we have received, walking in light and not returning to darkness.

To believe in Jesus means to trust Him, obey Him, and remain in Him. He compared this to a branch and a vine: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine” (John 15:4). The branch does not save itself, but if it separates from the vine, it withers.

Therefore, salvation is not something we maintain by fear, but something we nourish by love. True discipleship is not about earning life, but keeping our hearts faithful to the One who gave it. When we do what He taught, to love God, forgive others, show mercy, seek truth, and turn from sin — we prove that His Spirit lives in us.

Salvation is God’s gift through Jesus’ sacrifice. Discipleship is our answer to that gift through obedience and love. They are not the same, but neither can they be divided. As Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). This is not legalism, it is love in action, the living faith that keeps us close to the Savior.

We should all remember here that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17)

 

[nedsk]

Reader,

many today are confused about what salvation really means because they try to separate faith and obedience or to put them against each other. But the Lord Jesus never did that. He taught that believing in Him means following Him, not only in words but also in deeds. When He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), He showed that faith and obedience belong together.

Salvation indeed begins with God’s grace. It is a gift that no man can earn. We could never pay the price that Jesus paid on the cross. His blood opened the door of eternal life for us, but He also said that the way to life is narrow and few find it (Matthew 7:14). That narrow way is the life of a true disciple who obeys His word and follows His example.

So, yes, we cannot save ourselves, but neither can we ignore His teachings once we have received His gift. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). He was not speaking about earning salvation, but about living faithfully in the gift we have received, walking in light and not returning to darkness.

To believe in Jesus means to trust Him, obey Him, and remain in Him. He compared this to a branch and a vine: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine” (John 15:4). The branch does not save itself, but if it separates from the vine, it withers.

Therefore, salvation is not something we maintain by fear, but something we nourish by love. True discipleship is not about earning life, but keeping our hearts faithful to the One who gave it. When we do what He taught, to love God, forgive others, show mercy, seek truth, and turn from sin — we prove that His Spirit lives in us.

Salvation is God’s gift through Jesus’ sacrifice. Discipleship is our answer to that gift through obedience and love. They are not the same, but neither can they be divided. As Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). This is not legalism, it is love in action, the living faith that keeps us close to the Savior.

We should all remember here that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17)

You're the only one who is pitting faith against works.

 

[Behold]

Salvation is "supplied" by Jesus in the cross but it's "obtained" by faith and works j

What work can you do to merit Salvation?
What work can you do to earn Salvation?

= What work can you do that can equal what Jesus has done, as you would have to equal Him before God would accept your works, and you would have to do them, not as a sinner.

So.....Salvation is not something you earn or complete.....its something God gives freely to a Sinner who has trusted in Christ.

The Works we do, are because we have already received Salvation, as its "the GIFT of Salvation".

 

[nedsk]

What work can you do to merit Salvation?
What work can you do to earn Salvation?

= What work can you do that can equal what Jesus has done, as you would have to equal Him before God would accept your works, and you would have to do them, not as a sinner.

So.....Salvation is not something you earn or complete.....its something God gives freely to a Sinner who has trusted in Christ.

The Works we do, are because we have already received Salvation, as its "the GIFT of Salvation".

What Christian doesn't know the answer to that question? You apparently

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my heavenly Father.

See the verb there skippy? Does. You need to stop posting this silliness

 

[Behold]

What Christian doesn't know the answer to that question?

God saves you, or you save you.
If you choose "works", then you have not chosen God's salvation.
If you say....well, i have to do works as my Salvation, then you have no understanding of God's Salvation, no matter how many times you post a sentence with the name "James"......in it.

 

[ArkangeMikail]

Salvation is := God saving you, when you were a sinner through the Blood and Death of Jesus., and now that you have been saved.......now that you have received God's "GIFT of Salvation"....... you now begin your discipleship.........not to try to stay saved, but because you ARE Saved, already.

interesting it is true philosophically

but pragmatically I still think I have to work, think how to do good choices, resist temptation...

 

[Behold]

interesting it is true philosophically

but pragmatically I still think I have to work, think how to do good choices, resist temptation...

No one deserves God's Salvation.

How can a sinner, deserve God's Salvaiton?

But because God loves us so much, He gives us His Salvation as a : "Gift".

"For God so LOVED">.... John 3:16.....that He GAVE...to us...."the Gift of Salvation" who is Jesus dying for our sin.

 

[Debp]

So works aren't a choice? Faith causes works? Is that your claim?

I've seen many testimonies of people whose lives were totally changed by coming to know Jesus Christ. Some of them had overnight transformations when they were born again.

There is initial salvation but also the ongoing process of sanctification. Having received the new spiritual nature when I was born again leads me to live godly in Christ. To me it's a wonderful blessed life to walk in the Spirit. But I don't do it to keep salvation. I am already saved through what Jesus did for me.

 

[Debp]

The Works we do, are because we have already received Salvation

The above is correct.

Salvation means we are justified (just as if we never sinned).
Afterwards there is Sanctification....an ongoing process of becoming like Christ.

 

[Debp]

but pragmatically I still think I have to work, think how to do good choices, resist temptation

But you would not be working to save yourself. You want to walk with Jesus (walk in the Spirit) because as Christians we desire to do that and it pleases God. A godly life is a blessed life to me. A sinful life is unhappy to me.

 

[nedsk]

I've seen many testimonies of people whose lives were totally changed by coming to know Jesus Christ. Some of them had overnight transformations when they were born again.

There is initial salvation but also the ongoing process of sanctification. Having received the new spiritual nature when I was born again leads me to live godly in Christ. To me it's a wonderful blessed life to walk in the Spirit. But I don't do it to keep salvation. I am already saved through what Jesus did for me.

Then how you behave doesn't matter. Faith alone either saves or it doesn't. Make up you mind. Do you understand what the word "sufficient" means?

 

[Debp]

Then how you behave doesn't matter. Faith alone either saves or it doesn't. Make up you mind. Do you understand what the word "sufficient" means?

I don't need to keep justifying myself to you. God knows my heart and what I am trying to say.

 

[nedsk]

I don't need to keep justifying myself to you. God knows my heart and what I am trying to say.

I'm not asking you to justify yourself to me. I want to know why if faith alone, Sola Fide is all that's necessary for salvation then why does my behavior matter? You can't explain what it is you believe and you're getting snippy with me?

 

[Paul Christensen]

Reader,

many today are confused about what salvation really means because they try to separate faith and obedience or to put them against each other. But the Lord Jesus never did that. He taught that believing in Him means following Him, not only in words but also in deeds. When He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), He showed that faith and obedience belong together.

Salvation indeed begins with God’s grace. It is a gift that no man can earn. We could never pay the price that Jesus paid on the cross. His blood opened the door of eternal life for us, but He also said that the way to life is narrow and few find it (Matthew 7:14). That narrow way is the life of a true disciple who obeys His word and follows His example.

So, yes, we cannot save ourselves, but neither can we ignore His teachings once we have received His gift. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). He was not speaking about earning salvation, but about living faithfully in the gift we have received, walking in light and not returning to darkness.

To believe in Jesus means to trust Him, obey Him, and remain in Him. He compared this to a branch and a vine: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine” (John 15:4). The branch does not save itself, but if it separates from the vine, it withers.

Therefore, salvation is not something we maintain by fear, but something we nourish by love. True discipleship is not about earning life, but keeping our hearts faithful to the One who gave it. When we do what He taught, to love God, forgive others, show mercy, seek truth, and turn from sin — we prove that His Spirit lives in us.

Salvation is God’s gift through Jesus’ sacrifice. Discipleship is our answer to that gift through obedience and love. They are not the same, but neither can they be divided. As Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). This is not legalism, it is love in action, the living faith that keeps us close to the Savior.

We should all remember here that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17)

We need to take notice of what Paul says about the Law (The Ten Commandments) in relation to his own experience. He says in Romans that he didn't know he was a sinner until he heard the Law. Then he knew that he was in a hopeless position because he knew that he could not keep the demands of the law. Then he heard the Gospel, and knew that Christ was his only Saviour. He then said that the law is his schoolmaster in order to lead him to Christ. So the purpose of the Law is to show us that we are sinners. Once we receive Christ as Saviour, the Law is fulfilled, and we are saved by grace through faith in Christ.

But we don't continue in sin, as Paul says. We are given a new heart and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, converting us, giving us godly sorrow and hatred for sin. We are always humble because no matter how hard we try, we can never be perfect in ourselves. We need to trust in the perfect righteousness of Christ to be acceptable to God, and to submit to the Holy Spirit so that we continue to be Christ's workmanship to do the good words prescribed for us.

 

[Behold]

Then he heard the Gospel, and knew that Christ was his only Saviour.

Paul initially believed in Jesus based on a mystical and miraculous experiance he had with The Lord.
Later, he went into a sabbatical type of isolation for 3 yrs, and at this time Jesus taught Paul "the Gospel" that is "Paul's Gospel" that didnt exist until it was revealed to Paul, who then revealed it to the world.

Now, this same "righteousness by faith" had been the Salvation of Abraham, but it was not a known gospel at that time.

So, the "imputed righteousness" of God, that became Abraham's rightesousess, is now what we understand as "the Gift of Righteousness", that David spoke about and that Paul teaches as a part of his Salvation Doctrine.

 

[quietthinker]

Legalism : How to get out of it.​

Ahhh, the 'how to' collection! I wonder if there is a manual for 'how to' arrive on this planet? Perhaps even, 'how to' choose your gender? or how to advise those who don't need it or want it?

Yes, adding to the 'how to' collection can only be done by those who think they know 'how to'
Soooo, there's 'how to' get out, 'how to' get in, 'how to' stay in, 'how to' not get kicked out, 'how to' eat rice with tooth picks, 'how to' finish the plate and 'how to' get out of doing the dishes.
Yaayyyy for 'how to'!