Is the "free gift" of salvation really free? - Honestly?

[St. SteVen]

What if we don't change (or don't change much)?

In the wood, hay and stubble example the one who escaped through the flames with nothing to show was still saved.

1 Corinthians 3:15 NIV
If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—
even though only as one escaping through the flames.

 

[Brakelite]

After receiving the "free gift", do we change ourselves, do we cooperate with the Spirit to change ourselves, or does God change us? Monergism or Synergism?

What if we don't change (or don't change much)?

Does the leopard change his spots? Does that do good which is accustomed to do evil?
We cannot change ourselves. We cannot lower ourselves into the water of baptism any more than Christ could Crucify Himself. Nor can we die to self without Christ. Any changes that are made at all run parallel to the extent that we surrender or submit to the work that God would do in us. Its cooperation.

 

[Brakelite]

In the wood, hay and stubble example the one who escaped through the flames with nothing to show was still saved.

1 Corinthians 3:15 NIV
If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—
even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Yes, but not everyone builds on the right foundation...
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ”
1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV

Unfeigned Bible

Unfeigned Bible

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[St. SteVen]

Yes, but not everyone builds on the right foundation...
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ”
1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV

Unfeigned Bible

Unfeigned Bible

www.unfeignedbible.app

What foundation was built upon by the one who had everything burned up?
Not sure it matters in the end.

 

[Jack]

Is the "free gift" of salvation really free? - Honestly?​

This is the evangelical bait-and-switch.
Where's the ethics in that? Should people be tricked into the kingdom?

Do we lead someone to Christ and then cut them loose? Nope.
They need to be discipled, right?

So we pile on the expectations.
- Daily Bible reading and prayer.
- Regular church attendance and tithing.
- Sharing the Gospel.
- Discipling others.
- Good works.

So much for a free gift.
It's a free gift... it will cost you everything.

To anyone who may be insulted by this post, consider this...
Jesus said to count the cost, to take up the cross daily and follow.

When we lead with the "free gift" of eternal life, are we being completely honest?
"Here's your free gift; goodbye; see you in heaven."

Or if someone isn't interested in our "free gift",
we warn them that eternal hell fire awaits those who refuse the "free gift".

What sort of "free gift" is that? (extortion)

Since you said "no wonder I don't trust the Bible", all you have is your opinions! What are your credentials? NONE maybe?

 

[St. SteVen]

There you are, Jack.
I was wondering what happened to you.
Glad to see you are alive and well.
Have a blessed day.

 

[Brakelite]

What foundation was built upon by the one who had everything burned up?
Not sure it matters in the end.

Mmm. I guess you will be utterly content with nothing to show.

 

[St. SteVen]

Mmm. I guess you will be utterly content with nothing to show.

On the contrary.
I am just stating what the scripture tells us.

 

[Brakelite]

On the contrary.
I am just stating what the scripture tells us.

Fair enough. So what of those who have no foundation? Or a wrong foundation such as Antichrist? With universalism I guess that doesn't matter either?

 

[St. SteVen]

Fair enough. So what of those who have no foundation? Or a wrong foundation such as Antichrist? With universalism I guess that doesn't matter either?

I understand the wood, hay and stubble to be fleshly works that will burn up and garner no reward.
Those with a foundation are better able to produce fruit through Spirit-directed works.
Without a foundation, those are able to produce some fruit by following their God-given conscience.
I envision everyone being judged the same way. Fire to test the works.
Obviously the Elect are a special group. (each in turn)

Nations, leaders (both government and religious), and individuals will be judged one at a time.
The end goal is for the healing of the nations and restoration between all peoples.

 

[Brakelite]

I understand the wood, hay and stubble to be fleshly works that will burn up and garner no reward.
Those with a foundation are better able to produce fruit through Spirit-directed works.
Without a foundation, those are able to produce some fruit by following their God-given conscience.
I envision everyone being judged the same way. Fire to test the works.
Obviously the Elect are a special group. (each in turn)

Nations, leaders (both government and religious), and individuals will be judged one at a time.
The end goal is for the healing of the nations and restoration between all peoples.

For me, the cleansing fire as mentioned by such as the apostle Peter, is not literal fire. I believe a literal fire such as its believed by Catholics regarding purgatory and ultimately hell for the really bad guys, is an extremely poor conception of the character of God, and a poor understanding of scripture.
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: ”
1 Peter 1:7 KJV

Unfeigned Bible

Unfeigned Bible

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Notice that the trial above takes place while the person is living, and prior to the second coming. The fire in this context is metaphor for the trials and tribulations we all meet in every day living as a disciple of Christ, and all are potentially character building depending on our responses.
It is during this life when we must improve character through submission to the Holy Spirit, allowing God's cleansing power to overcome sin..
No-one will improve character or choose to build a better moral foundation as a response to pain. God wants us to choose to love Him. He does not want our fidelity out of fear or pain and suffering.

 

[St. SteVen]

It is during this life when we must improve character through submission to the Holy Spirit, allowing God's cleansing power to overcome sin..

What happens if we fail?
And what about those who have no foundation?

 

[Taken]

Is the "free gift" of salvation really free? - Honestly?

Yes.

Not ONE human individual Laid down his Own Life “TO PAY the COST” of Salvation…

Every single Human, will, shall, must Bodily Die. (That IS Gods Requirement.)
Gen 5:9

Jesus Paid the “Salvation Price”, offering His Body Unto Death For All.
Heb 10:10

Few will Take His Offering.
Many will Not Take His Offering.

God is Just…All get what they want…
* All the Takers shall be Divided / Separated from the Rejectors.
* All the Rejectors shall be Divided / Separated from the Takers.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[St. SteVen]

God is Just…All get what they want…
* All the Takers shall be Divided / Separated from the Rejectors.
* All the Rejectors shall be Divided / Separated from the Takers.

What about those who had no offer to accept or reject?

 

[Taken]

What about those who had no offer to accept or reject?

Christ Jesus “Saves” they who heartfully Confess Belief to Him.

God “Saves” they (unConfessed) whose Heart would have or Heart does Believe.

Gods Word teaches man to Verify All things.
God even He (who Knows All things) Verifies… a man Heartful Beliefs.

Jer. 17:
[10] I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.


Glory to God,
Taken

 

[mailmandan]

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB 1995)

Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God. (AMPC)

 

[St. SteVen]

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB 1995)

Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God. (AMPC)

Thanks for your post.
In this topic I am challenging the way the gospel is presented.
Do you think prospective Christians can get the wrong idea about a life of faith when we present it as a free gift?

 

[Brakelite]

What happens if we fail?
And what about those who have no foundation?

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: ”
Philippians 1:6 KJV

Unfeigned Bible

Unfeigned Bible

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If we are abiding in Christ and trusting Him implicitly, the above promise is ours. We may fail and fall over several times a day, but so long as we get up more times than we fall, that's all that matters. We will find that a we continue to hunger and thirst for righteousness, we will be filled, and God will finish what He has begun.

 

[mailmandan]

Thanks for your post.
In this topic I am challenging the way the gospel is presented.
Do you think prospective Christians can get the wrong idea about a life of faith when we present it as a free gift?

Some folks may get the wrong idea but Peter makes it clear that we must never claim our freedom as God's people as a way of justifying wrong or sinful choices. 1 Peter 2:16 - people, do not use your liberty as a covering for evil, but live as servants of God.

 

[Brakelite]

What about those who had no offer to accept or reject?

There are billions in the world today who have never heard of Jesus, and a population increasing at a rate we will never keep up with... without help from God. Whatever happens, however God chooses to handle things, we can trust Him to do what's fair. No-one will suffer unjustly. They may die without knowing Christ, but because God is love, we can be absolutely certain that during their lifetime God did all He could to introduce Himself to them. Did you know that there are hundreds of Muslims throughout the world receiving dreams about Jesus and secretly reading bibles and turning to Him? God has ways to reach people we cannot.