Do you understand what the word IF means?
Do some Christians wipe this word out of their vocabulary?
Let's try again with an IF verse.
Here's the entire text:
1 Colossians 1:21-23
21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—
23if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
Questions:
1. Is the above speaking about a saved person? Verse 22
2. What is the outcome of being reconciled? Verse 22
3. What must happen in order for this outcome to happen? Verse 23
I understand that trust/belief in the Gospel is THE ONLY
(and suspect ONGOING) condition to be & remain sealed.
Do you believe that Col 1:21-23 teaches a works/performance condition to remain Eph 1:13, 4:30 sealed ?
If so, why does Paul write these :-
Titus 3:
5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Gal 2:
16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Rom 3:
28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Eph 2:
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Rom 4:
5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 5:
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
