What a hodge podge! An Anglican that believes in Trans -substantiation, a Wesley Free-Willer who believes in Salvation by Water Baptism, and a newly reformed Baptist who has taken Romans chapter 8 to heart and believes in Salvation by Grace, God's Grace, which He foreknew those personally that would be redeemed and elected them unto Himself.
I think this is where we take a look at the Book.
1)Salvation is by Grace,through Faith. "And be found in Him,not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith in Christ,the righteousness which is of God by faith." Phillipians 3:9
"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.:Romans 10:3
Any work, or effort, or act that is done to merit salvation is "GOING ABOUT TO ESTABLISH YOUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS."
2)Salvation is a gift. A FREE gift. It was given before the foundation of the world.
VERSES AVAILABLE LATER...
Julian of York
This my friend this is one of the reasons I left Reformed theology. It is nothing more than a proof texting exhibition. It "DOES NOT" take context into account, it simple has some preconceived ideas and pulls passage of Scripture out of "CONTEXT" in an attempt to support them. It is nothing more than the "Doctrine of Men".
Now, let's look at the passages that you quoted "IN CONTEXT".
Philippians 3:9 ( KJV )
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
If you look at history you will find that a major problem Paul had during his ministry was dealing with the Judaizers. This was a group of Jews, probably believers, who believed that is was still necessary to keep the law of Moses. They traveled around behind Paul going to his new Gentile converts and telling them that in addition to believing in Christ it was also necessary for them to keep the Mosaic Law. That is the reason for the Jerusalem council.
Acts 15:1 ( KJV )
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Galatians 3:1-3 ( KJV )
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
This only would I learn of you,
Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
So, works (of the Law) and faith are a major portion of Paul's writings. What most Christians miss is that these works he speaks of are works of the Mosaic Law "NOT" good works that are commanded. When you read Paul's letters take notice that when you see the word works, most of the time you will find a reference to the Mosaic Law close by. That is what we have here in Philippians 3 .
You see you've quoted this passage out of context. You said any work one does is seeking their own righteousness, but that is "NOT" what Paul said. He said he wasn't seeking his own righteousness which is through the Law. He is speaking of the Mosaic Law. He "DID NOT" say anything he did was seeking his own righteousness.
You see your interpretation of that passage actually contradicts Paul's words to the Romans.
Romans 2:5-10 ( KJV )
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Paul says that those who continue in well doing are seeking eternal life. Now, if doing anything was seeking our own righteousness, then all of the well doing in the world would not be seeking eternal life, it would be seeking our own righteousness, yet it's not. Paul says that those who continue in well doing are seeking eternal life, "NOT" their own righteousness. So, you interpretation of Philippians 3 contradicts Paul's words in Romans.
2)Salvation is a gift. A FREE gift. It was given before the foundation of the world.
No one was saved before the foundation of the world, you simply cannot support that with Scripture.
So, you see, context is extremely important, this proof texting method of approaching the Scriptures which so many Christians are taught does nothing but lead them to a misunderstanding of the Scriptures
