THE GOSPEL

[Hiddenthings]

By confronting them or coming along side of them to repent. They are instrumental in the sinner's confession and forgiveness. We are not to judge the world, but we ARE to judge those in the church to repent.

James speaks of this in terms of helping those to hide or cover their sins.

Psalm 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

James teaches that believers can assist one another in this way. When a brother is seen to wander from the path of righteousness, it becomes the responsibility of his fellow believers to seek to reclaim him. In contrast, Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” yet in truth, he was. Therefore, we must not remain indifferent to the actions of others.

Those who help their brethren as James describes assist in covering the sins of those who stray. They view the failings of others with charity and seek to help as best they can (1 Pet 4:8). In doing so, they act toward their brethren as Christ has acted toward them.

As this is James’ concluding thought in the epistle, he ends on the note of the Royal Law (James 2:8): consideration for others, and recognition of everyone’s need. He exhorts believers to acknowledge that all fall short of the glory of God, emphasizing the importance of confessing this to one another. On this basis, he urges all to strive together, helping one another on the path to the Kingdom.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

The Bible speaks in several places about some books that record all the sins of humanity (verses below), which are used when God judges mankind. If this is literal, that is WHERE the sins are removed from. The record of our wrongdoing is BLOTTED OUT, or WASHED AWAY.

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

No, I'm not talking about the records of God, but what inside of us must be born again of the Spirit. What inside of us produces our desires to sin or to be righteous? I'll give you a hint. Paul calls it "the old man." What is that?

 

[Wick Stick]

Where is the source of our sin?

The first cause? Our bodies have needs - e.g. hunger. The needs aren't sinful themselves, but when we act improperly to satisfy those needs, sin arises.

There are more causes. Concupiscence. Iniquity passed down generationally. Failure to deal with root problems. But, according to Paul, the first occasion for sin is the needs and wants of the body.

What needs to be born again? I'm not talking about outside records, but us.

"Born again" is talking about adoption. What needs changed is our heredity. That happens through repentance, which is to say a changing of the mind.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

The first cause? Our bodies have needs - e.g. hunger. The needs aren't sinful themselves, but when we act improperly to satisfy those needs, sin arises.

There are more causes. Concupiscence. Iniquity passed down generationally. Failure to deal with root problems. But, according to Paul, the first occasion for sin is the needs and wants of the body.

"Born again" is talking about adoption. What needs changed is our heredity. That happens through repentance, which is to say a changing of the mind.

If our body was what is born again now, it would never die. So, no, our body is not what is literally being born again while we are living. The born again cannot commit a sin of lawlessness. Why? What got born again now that prevents us from committing those types of sins unto death?

 

[bdavidc]

Believing is being persuaded that something is true.

Most of what you wrote is biblical. Christ did die for our sins, was buried, and rose again ~1 Corinthians 15:3–4. Salvation is of grace and not of works ~Ephesians 2:8–9. Christ is our substitute and our justification is because of His resurrection ~Romans 4:25. On those points, Scripture is abundantly clear.

The problem comes when you define saving faith.

Saving faith, according to you, is merely “being persuaded that something is true.” Scripture never defines saving faith that way. Persuasion is not salvation. James says demons believe and tremble ~James 2:19. They are persuaded. They are not saved.

Saving faith is never defined in the Bible as mere agreement with facts. Faith that saves is repentant trust in the crucified, buried, and risen Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” ~Mark 1:15. Paul proclaimed “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” ~Acts 20:21. Scripture speaks of repentance and faith together. They are inseparable.

Salvation by faith alone does not mean trusting in nothing but the facts of the gospel. It means receiving Christ ~John 1:12. Trusting in Christ means submitting to Christ. It does not mean simply agreeing with what He did on the cross.

When you say, “the moment you believe you have eternal life” that is only true if you define believe how Scripture does. If you define believe as mere mental assent, you have made the gospel nothing more than some good ideas. Jesus said many would call Him “Lord, Lord” and be cast away ~Matthew 7:21–23. Paul called people who thought they knew God while their deeds proved otherwise “haters of goodness” ~Titus 1:16.

The gospel doesn’t just call people to believe certain facts. The gospel calls sinners to repent of their sin and trust Christ alone for salvation. Saving faith is evidenced by regeneration and sanctification. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” ~2 Corinthians 5:17. If someone believes the gospel as you define it, and it does not change their life, it is not saving faith.

Salvation is by grace alone. Through faith alone. In Christ alone.

The faith that saves is a repentant, Christ-trusting faith.

Anything less is not the gospel the apostles preached.

And that is not ‘adding works’ to salvation. That is simply defining ‘faith’ how the Bible does.

 

[Doug]

Saving faith, according to you, is merely “being persuaded that something is true.” Scripture never defines saving faith that way. Persuasion is not salvation. James says demons believe and tremble ~James 2:19. They are persuaded. They are not saved.

[Acts 18:4 KJV] "And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks."

[Romans 4:20 KJV] "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"
[Romans 4:21 KJV] "And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
[Romans 4:22 KJV] "And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."

It is scriptual