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If that is the case then why did Paul have to correct the Corinthian Christians for sinning? Didn't they have faith? Why didn't they show it by their works? Why did James accuse the believers of unfaithfulness to God? He affirms they're married to God (they have faith) but says they're unfaithful "adulterers and adulteresses".
Why were they able to cast demons out? The seven sons of Sceva, who weren't believers, weren't. What made these men able to use the Name of Jesus? They were believers.
It's interesting how Osas has to jump in to make sure you don't think Paul is saying that those who stand by faith will not be spared because they fell back into unbelief.....
Yes, I know that was your point. And I agree with that. I was pointing out that you can't automatically assign every argument that says, 'works are the basis for salvation' to the 'self righteous works earn salvation' argument. Because we see in Matthew 25:31-46 that works really are the basis upon which Jesus ushers us into the eternal kingdom or casts us into the eternal fire. And we know he's definitely not making a case for the value of self righteous works. So we have to be careful to examine every 'works are the basis for salvation' argument and see what it's actually saying before we condemn it. For we really are going into the kingdom of God based on our works, just not on the basis of our works earning our entry into the kingdom as payment due for righteous work performed.
The whole subject of God knowing you, and you knowing God is a dicey one. The Galatians did not know God, yet they were saved. Sometimes 'knowing' is in reference to being saved. Sometimes it's in reference to having a mature relationship. And this is why we even have an Osas debate to even contend with. But if everyone would just focus on the Bible's exhortation to keep believing we wouldn't have to deal with the divisive contentions of the Osas debate brought into the church.
Which is funny because then you can't know you are really saved until you see if you keep believing. What's so secure and assuring about that, lol? At least anti-Osas has anyone who believes right now, today, as being genuinely saved today. and they will remain saved as long as they heed the Bible's exhortation to keep believing.
They don't understand the reason why He says "I never knew you" or why John says "they were never of us". Once Saved Always Saved
That would be like saying, we are saved by grace through faith, and by internal works, not external works. It is not what scriptures says.
Yes, he was saved by grace through faith and...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................I don’t know anything to add to that.
Chapter and verse please. All genuine believers are fruitful, yet not all are equally fruitful. (Matthew 13:23) Christians may backslide at times and there are also "nominal" Christians mixed in with genuine Christians throughout various churches and Christian forum sites.
In Matthew 10:1, we see that Jesus gave His 12 disciples power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. This would include Judas Iscariot, yet Jesus referred to Judas Iscariot as an unbelieving, unclean devil who would betray Him. (John 6:71; 13:10-11) Apparently, Judas believed that Jesus' name has the power to cast out demons but did not truly believe in His name (John 1:12) and become a child of God, but instead was the son of perdition. (John 17:12)
Ezekiel 18:29 - But the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? But the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? Ezekiel 33:13 - When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his OWN righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die. Did you read that? "If he trusts in his OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS." This is the heart of the matter here. This is describing a righteousness which is by the law rather than that which is by faith. The New Testament states in Romans 10:3 - "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that BELIEVES.
Paul said to have that 'burden'. But it's not a burden. It's like being 'afraid' of the flame on your gas stove. Is that a burden to you? Does that keep you awake at night in fear? No. But I'm confident that you have a healthy fear of it, nonetheless. That's how it is with Paul's admonition to fear falling away from one's standing in faith.
