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Brakelite

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We can be assured of our salvation. The apostle John tells us this...
“18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. ”1John 3:18,19".

We can also know that we will keep our salvation until the end, if we meet the conditions. And God has taken it upon Himself, the responsibility to ensure we receive whatever help we need to overcome. It is easier to be saved than lost. God draws us constantly to Him, and we need to actively resist that drawing on order to be lost. Sadly, so few in the world realise how very good the good news actually is.
 

BlessedPeace

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Actually not so simple.
Only humans make it difficult.

God's salvation is hidden in Christ. Very few will find the way into Christ and walk as He walked. If the gospel was that simple there would not be ten thousand denominations. All the ways to NOT understand the mystery of the gospel.
In the beginning it was known as, The Way.

The first Bible changed all of that. Because people,our nature, is one of possession and control.

Thinking to control the many through the authority of the few who insist, it isn't their rule. God said.....
Evangelicalism tries to undermine the mystery by making the gospel about naming and claiming...both of which are condemned in the bible. It just so happens that when one group champions a verse without understanding it, then other people see the error and stay away...and form another church based on a different error.
Apologetics and other study disciplines help manifest both conflicts and clarity.

Nothing becomes truth until or unless Holy Spirit is within us.
But the gospel is about spiritual life...an eternal KIND of life. Not for the crowds.
It's a relationship.
It's funny that the word for church congregation in the bible is now the word for crowd in Hebrew. (Kehal). We've become a crowd, a mob even...based on membership to a theory.
I'll have to check on that.
Amen. But saved to what? No one ever asks the more pertinent questions.
Can you answer it?
But what do we do with that gift? Bury it? Misuse it to hurt others.....to judge others?
We are to exercise righteous judgement. Nothing wrong with this.
This is not a humble stance. It is based on a religious certainty that will see MANY disappointed on judgment day. There will be weeping and anger.
God warned of this.
The modern church culture is against both humility and the fear of the Lord.
I can't speak for millions.
How do you call people into repentance who believe they have need of nothing? Check out the Laodicean church record for clarification.
Which is why John said those who think they're not in need of repentance are wrong.
And we need to be faithful till the end to be part of His people...Called, chosen AND faithful.


These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Rev. 17:14
A message not to lose hope. We don't have to labor to keep it or get it right.
The kingdom of God is something to enter into to walk as Jesus walked. People will argue from their flesh against that level of walk. And they will create myriads of denominations to justify themselves OUTSIDE of that intimate spiritual walk. We call that religion.

This forum doesn't take sides...it is NOT a denomination or church...but investigates the different possibilities that can be apprehended if we are open minded and hearted.

Do people stick to the subject at hand? A lot of people troll and seek to disparage a person for holding a different view. Everybody sees themselves as being right.
God knew this too.
Humans believing they know exclusively the mind of God.

When it isn't actually a novel that need be investigated to find Christ's message.
In my view the proof is in the honesty and reading skills of the poster. As in... What does the bible say apart from what we are saying....
Agreed.
 

St. SteVen

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I see those who nurture carnal religious assurances as children who suck their thumbs and hold onto security blankets as if they were some kind of real protection. :rolleyes:
"... carnal religious assurances..." !!! ???
Like believing that God is able to save us as he promised?

As if to say...
"It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith, BUT... don't think that means you have been saved by grace through faith. That's not what it means at all. If you don't measure up in the end, it will be revoked. Did you fools believe for a minute that salvation was a free gift? - LOL"
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Episkopos

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"... carnal religious assurances..." !!! ???
Like believing that God is able to save us as he promised?

God can save as He wishes. The danger is to assume we will be exonerated for what we permit. If we are looking for guarantees on judgment day then we are barking up the wrong tree. The bible teaches us to fear the Lord.
As if to say...
"It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith, BUT... don't think that means you have been saved by grace through faith.

The experience of salvation by grace through faith is the victory over sin and the joy and peace of the Spirit.
That's not what it means at all. If you don't measure up in the end, it will be revoked. Did you fools believe for a minute that salvation was a free gift? - LOL"
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Judgment is not a free gift. We will all be judged by what we did with what we have been given. To whom much is given more is required.
 

St. SteVen

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God can save as He wishes. ... We need to fear the Lord to keep to the right path. Otherwise we will slack.
This is the view of God as a tyrant. As if to say, we can only expect wrath from him because we are worthless in his sight. Since he owes us nothing, if we make one wrong step and he will squash us like a bug. This is light-years away from a healthy parent child relationship.

Matthew 11:30 NIV
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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BlessedPeace

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What a sickening and misguided thought.
Not at all. When you know the Canonical history.
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

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Context and tense.
You misappropriated all of that. Therefore,you did not make any other point but that one.
 

Episkopos

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This is the view of God as a tyrant.

God is holy and righteous. He is very patient and understanding. He bears the burdens of the righteous. The wicked come to a bad end.
As if to say, we can only expect wrath from him because we are worthless in his sight. Since he owes us nothing, if we make one wrong step and he will squash us like a bug. This is light-years away from a healthy parent child relationship.

Matthew 11:30 NIV
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

[
God is love. But He is also holy. If we refuse to act from love, we have no place in a kingdom that is based on love.
 

St. SteVen

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St. SteVen said:
What a sickening and misguided thought.
Not at all. When you know the Canonical history.
Canonical history? What does that have to do with what you wrote below?
How do you define the term "Canonical history"? I know it should be obvious, but seem rather obtuse as a reply here.

Here's what you wrote:
There are evil people in this world. Ask yourself,if we are to be more merciful to them than God who will judge them to enter Hell for all time for being evil?
Canonical history?
What is it about "Canonical history" that indicates that we should be not be merciful?

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St. SteVen

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God is holy and righteous. He is very patient and understanding. He bears the burdens of the righteous. The wicked come to a bad end.

God is love. But He is also holy. If we refuse to act from love, we have no place in a kingdom that is based on love.
Before I read your reply I was thinking that it is interesting that a topic that points at contentions between Christians has somehow provoked you and I to butt heads. You and I don't always agree, but we usually get along just fine.

I'm laying my weapons down and offering you a BIG hug. Blessed are the peacemakers.

Or if you prefer, I'll give you the last word.

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St. SteVen

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St. SteVen said:

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Context and tense.
You misappropriated all of that. Therefore,you did not make any other point but that one.
Seriously?
So, are you claiming that we need not be merciful, forgiving and non-judgmental? That I have somehow "misappropriated" (stolen) these qualities? From whom did I steal them? - LOL

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BlessedPeace

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St. SteVen said:

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Seriously?
So, are you claiming that we need not be merciful, forgiving and non-judgmental? That I have somehow "misappropriated" (stolen) these qualities? From whom did I steal them? - LOL

[
You LOL too much.
You're not to be taken seriously.
 
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JBO

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Judgment is not a free gift. We will all be judged by what we did with what we have been given. To whom much is given more is required.
That judgment (at the judgment seat of Chris) will be after Jesus returns. By that time the final destination of each and every person has been established. The judgment concerning what was done with what had been given must be only for the relative rewards given.
 

Episkopos

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That judgment (at the judgment seat of Chris) will be after Jesus returns. By that time the final destination of each and every person has been established. The judgment concerning what was done with what had been given must be only for the relative rewards given.
Not so.There are rewards, yes, also and things are taken away. Read the parable of the talents. The one who buried his talent didn't just get a lesser reward. No, his talent was taken away and he was thrown into outer darkness. His talent went to someone else.

Saved as by fire mean to be naked and shamed. Such have no eternal clothing and are sent away to wander in the wilderness forever.
 
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JBO

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Not so.There are rewards, yes, also and things are taken away. Read the parable of the talents. The one who buried his talent didn't just get a lesser reward. No, his talent was taken away and he was thrown into outer darkness. His talent went to someone else.

Saved as by fire mean to be naked and shamed. Such have no eternal clothing and are sent away to wander in the wilderness forever.
Whether one is saved or condemned is established in this life. Once the end comes, either by death or the end of the age, and Jesus has returned, it is too late and that can't be changed at the Judgment seat of Christ.