Two minutes wasted reading my blog

Usually when I challenge the false teaching that man must change his life to be saved, I’m accused of being a libertine who advocates living a sinful life.  Often times, I’m accused to supporting the biblical doctrine of salvation by faith alone because I want to pretend to be a Christian while reveling in sin.  Though I would never compare myself to the Apostle Paul, and I certainly don’t think I am being persecuted as he was, it’s interesting knowing that Paul was persecuted by teaching salvation by grace alone.  Gal. 5:11.  People loved their false works salvation then; they love their false works salvation now.

Try as I might, I can’t seem to get some people to understand that I do believe Christians should turn from sin and live holy lives.  The bible has a lot in it about salvation by grace through faith, but it has lots of other things in it, too.  Much of the four gospels are Jesus’ teachings of how we should live our lives.  Paul makes it clear in all of his epistles that believers are to live holy lives and do the good works which God has ordained for us.  One of my favorite passages, Eph. 2:8-9, makes clear that salvation is by faith alone, and not at all by things that we do.  However, verse 10 says we were created for good works:

⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Now, notice that verse 10 doesn’t say we must do these good works to be saved.  It also doesn’t say, we will do these good works if we are truly saved.  It says, we were created for these good works and we should walk in them.  Verse 10 is addressed to believers, who have already obtained eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, and these believers are instructed by Paul as to what they should do.

In the same way, Peter tells us:

¹⁴As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” ¹⁷And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, ¹⁸knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  1 Pet. 1:14-19

Peter is instructing us to live holy lives because we were purchased with the blood of Christ.  But if we had to give up our sin to be get saved, why would Peter need to give this instruction?  And if we automatically stopped sinning or started living holy lives without effort on our part once we were saved, it wouldn’t make any sense either.  It would be like me telling the sun to rise in the morning–futile, because it’s going to happen anyway.

Now, the works salvation crowd claims that if salvation is by faith alone, everyone will just live rampantly sinful lives.  Apparently they believe that the only reason someone might choose to serve God would be to avoid hell.  But the bible doesn’t teach that at all.  Many of the Psalms are about David’s love for God and His ways and his desire to serve Him.  In Psalm 1, he says:

¹Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
²but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

David isn’t obeying the law out of fear of hell.  He’s obeying God because he delights in God’s ways.  But we know that David sinned terribly after he was saved.  He committed adultery with Bathsheeba and murdered her husband, Uriah.  Yet in Psalm 51, he asks the Lord to restore the joy of his salvation.  He was saved before he sinned by his faith, and he was saved when he sinned by his faith, and we was still saved after he sinned by his faith.   Still, when he allowed sin to control his life, he lost the joy of his salvation and went to God, not for salvation, which he still had, but for mercy and restoration.  Vs. 1.  David was truly broken over his sin, as we should be when we as believers stumble.

Why was David asking for mercy?  Because the bible teaches that God will chastise his children.  Heb. 12.  David wrote about this doctrine, as well, in Psalm 89:

¹⁹ Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said:
“I have granted help to one who is mighty;
I have exalted one chosen from the people.
²⁰ I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
²¹so that my hand shall be established with him;
my arm also shall strengthen him.
²²The enemy shall not outwit him;
the wicked shall not humble him.
²³I will crush his foes before him
and strike down those who hate him.
²⁴My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him,
and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
²⁵I will set his hand on the sea
and his right hand on the rivers.
²⁶He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’
²⁷And I will make him the firstborn,
the highest of the kings of the earth.
²⁸My steadfast love I will keep for him forever,
and my covenant will stand firm for him.
²⁹I will establish his offspring forever
and his throne as the days of the heavens.
³⁰ If his children forsake my law
and do not walk according to my rules,
³¹if they violate my statutes
and do not keep my commandments,
³²then I will punish their transgression with the rod
and their iniquity with stripes,
³³but I will not remove from him my steadfast love
or be false to my faithfulness.
³⁴I will not violate my covenant
or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
³⁵Once for all I have sworn by my holiness;
I will not lie to David.
³⁶His offspring shall endure forever,
his throne as long as the sun before me.
³⁷Like the moon it shall be established forever,
a faithful witness in the skies.”

This is a great passage supporting the doctrine of eternal security, of course, but the point I’m making here is that God says he will punish our transgressions with the rod.  God wants us to live holy lives, and He’s willing to chastise us to teach His ways.  This chastising comes from His love for us, but it’s not likely to be pleasant for us.  That’s why the author of Hebrews said that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Heb. 10:31.

So, one reason for believers to obey God is that it’s better than being spanked by God.

But we should also obey God because we love God.    1 John 4:20 says:

²⁰ If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. ²¹And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

If we love God, we will want to obey Him.  It’s important to remember that we are not saved by loving God, but we’re saved because God loves us and made a way for salvation through faith in His Son.  As we come to know God, we will love Him, because we’ll begin to gain a greater understanding of His grace.  But that doesn’t come automatically when we’re saved.  We aren’t required to study the bible, attend church or regularly pray to be born again; we’re required to put our faith in Jesus Christ.  So why would we believe that a believer who doesn’t study God’s word, doesn’t go to a good church, and doesn’t have an active prayer life will have the same love for God (and accopanying love for God’s commandments) as one who does?  James 4:8 says “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”  Who wouldn’t want God to draw near?  But simply wanting to have a close walk with God doesn’t make it happen.  We’re supposed to draw near, and when we do, God will draw near to us.

So, contrary to what false teachers would tell you, the bible doesn’t teach that people who are saved by faith alone should just live as wicked of a life as possible and that sin doesn’t matter.  The issue isn’t whether God has called us to live a holy life; He has.  The issue is whether we’re required to live a holy life to receive the free gift of salvation, or whether we strive to live a holy life because God is molding us and because our love for Him is growing as we draw near to Him and He to us.  If you have believed the gospel and put all your faith and hope in Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins, don’t let false teachers put you on the defensive with their self-righteous claims that they themselves have played a role in their own salvation by their turning from sin.  Give God all the credit.  The only payment for our sin is the blood of Jesus Christ.  Draw near to Him so He can clean up your life as a believer, not as someone who rejects the blood of Christ in favor of his own false, man-made righteousness through “life change.”

Another pretty good debate with someone who believes that faith alone is not enough for salvation.  We carried this discussion on in the comments section on youtube, so there is a lot of shorthand to fit within the space limitations for comments. I put his comments in regular font, and my responses in italics.

It starts here:

The Bible makes it clear that if one does not repent of their sins and believe, they will perish. Look up Luke 13:1-9; Acts 3:19; 2 Peter 3:9;
“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” – Luke 13:3

Luke 13:3: Jesus is not talking about salvation, unless you mean being saved from a tower falling on you or being killed by the government for sedition. His warning to the Jews should have been heeded; the Romans destroyed the temple a generation later and quashed the rebellion.

Acts 3:19: It doesn’t say repent of sins, it says repent. What part of Acts 3 talks about sin, other than the sin of unbelief in Christ?

2 Pet. 3:9 does not say anything about repenting OF SIN.

You wrongly assume that repent means to “turn from sin.” You don’t prove your point..that faith alone is not enough to be saved…by simply citing verses that use the word repent. Find a verse that uses the word repent in the context of salvation that means, in context, to turn from sin. Then you’ll have something.

Good luck!

Well i have listed the three above which you have waived, probably by not even doing a proper case study of the passages. Faith must be in conjunction with a turning away from ones sins (that would be repentance).

Just curious, how do you persume one is saved?

I answered you. You don’t prove your point just by showing the word “repent” in the bible.

How is person saved?

Acts 16:30-31: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Jn 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Jn 5:24 “[W]hoever hears my word and BELIEVES him who sent m e has eternal life.”

Do you believe the bible?

So allow me to better understand your defense. In your understanding, just merely belieivng in Jesus makes you saved right

1 Jn 5:1 Everyone who BELIEVES that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God…

Rom 3:21+ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law …the righteousness of God through FAITH in Jesus Christ for all who BELIEVE. (vs. 26)…so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has FAITH in Jesus.

Rom 4:5 And to the one who does not work but BELIEVES in him who justifies the ungodly, his FAITH is counted as righteousness…

Yes, all it takes is faith in Christ.

Just mere belief in jesus does not save someone. If mere intellecutal belife in Jesus is enough, then Satan would be saved. James wrote, “You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”
Jesus declared from his lips, “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (or the gospel [that being Jesus and his savinf work - death on the cross]in the NASB). (Mrk. 1:15).
Repent and Believe in Jesus, thats how one is saved.

1.  Satan (or any fallen angel) can’t be saved. Heb. 1

2. Believing “God is one” isn’t the same as believing Jesus is the Christ and relying on Him for salvation.

3. Exactly. Except repent doesn’t mean turn from sins. It means to believe on Christ.

Again, just quoting verses that use the word repent doesn’t show that repent means to “turn from sin,” which it doesn’t. Repent means to have a change of mind or turn of belief. The object of that change of mind depends on the context.

1. Yes i know that Satan cannot be saved. My point was mere intellectual belif in God does not save someone.
2. To believe “God is one” is to merely acknowledge his existence. My point is just mere belief in his existence does not save a person. “Grace through faith” (Eph. 2:8) evidenced by repentance (a change of mind, therefore, logiaclly turning from sin) is what saves a sinner, this is when the Lord imputes Righteousness to the sinner therefore redeeming him.

I never said believing “God is one” is saving faith. Saving faith is believing Jesus is the Christ and relying on him for salvation.

I am giving scripture and you’re arguing logic. What verse says man must “turn from sin” in order to be saved? Read Jn 4. Did Jesus tell the Samaritan woman to turn from sin to receive living water? Read Acts 16. Did Paul tell the jailer to turn from sin to be saved? Read Luke 23:42-43. Did Jesus tell the criminal to turn from his sin to be saved?

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

What part of that verse says we have to DO ANYTHING to be saved? When I read it, it says we are saved through FAITH it is not of our own doing. How is “turning from sin” not our own doing? WE give up lust. WE give up drunkenness. WE give up fornication. WE give up covetousness. If WE give up anything,it’s not a gift, it’s a reward.

Believers SHOULD give up these things. But we aren’t required to give up anything for salvation. We’re required to put our faith in Jesus Christ. None of the verses I’ve cited say “most who believe” or “some who believe” or “those who believe & give up sins” will be saved. EVERYONE who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21 NOT, everyone who turns from sin.

I can tell you are earnest. But you’re adding to the gospel on the basis of logic, rather than trusting the bible.

(As of when I posted this, he hasn’t responded, but my last post was just a few minutes ago.  If he has a reply, I’ll put it on here.  I’m pretty sure the next response will be either 1.  Turning from sin isn’t REQUIRED for salvation, BUT if you don’t turn from your sins, you didn’t really believe; 2. I don’t believe in salvation by works, but James said that faith without works is dead so faith alone must not be enough; or, 3. Accusing me of just wanting to keep on sinning.)

My response to a blogger who believes “repenting of sin” is part of the gospel:

The problem with your analysis is that you assume that repent means to “repent of sins.” Since you evidently value a study of the Greek (as I do), surely you know that repent means to turn or have a change of mind. It CAN mean to turn from sin, as in 2 Cor. 12 or Acts 8, but in those two examples, it was BELIEVERS who were told to repent of sin in their lives. In other words, they were not told to repent of their sins to be saved; they were already saved.

When “repentance” is referenced as it relates to salvation, though, it doesn’t mean to “turn from sin.” In Acts 3, the entire preceding sermon was about the Jews’ rejection of Jesus as the Christ, culminating in His crucifixion. NONE of the sermon was about lying, or stealing, or sexual sin, or lust, or covetousness, etc. It was all about how Jesus is the Christ, and they didn’t believe Him, but they need to change what they believe and believe on Him.

Similarly, in Acts 17, Paul is not preaching against “sin” in a general sense; he’s teaching that Jesus is the Son of God and pointing out their ignorance in believing in man-made, false gods. When Paul told them to repent, he was obviously talking about a change of belief…repenting of their ignorance…and turning to the true God for salvation through the blood of Christ.

In Acts 26, the works meet for repentance are those described in Eph. 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” But we aren’t saved by doing such works. We’re saved by faith alone, as the preceding 2 verses clearly state: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Speaking of Paul, you should also consider Acts 19. Paul meets some of John the Baptist’s disciples in Ephesus. They said the only baptism they received was from John. Paul told them: “John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” Paul said that repentance means to believe on Christ Jesus.

In Hebrews 6:1, repentance from “dead works” is referred to as a basic principle of Christ. If you read chapters 4 and 5 (and the rest of Hebrews, for that matter), it is clear that the dead works the author is referring to are the works of the law, which are contrasted with the “rest” of Christ following HIS work on the cross. By the works of the law, no one will be justified. Gal 2:16.

Finally, Jesus never told anyone to turn from his sins to be saved. In John 4, Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Several verses later the woman admits that she has been married five times and was living with a man she wasn’t married to.

Why didn’t Jesus tell her that He would give her living water if she turned from her sins first? He said all she had to do was know who He is and ask. This doesn’t mean that Jesus approved of her sinful life, but He was willing to save her if only she believed on Him and asked.

I could list literally hundreds of verses supporting the biblical doctrine of salvation by faith alone. The book of John, which was the only book in the bible written specifically to convince people to believe so they may be saved (John 20:31) doesn’t use the word “repent” a single time, much less suggest that our own “life change” is a prerequisite for salvation.

If you do an open minded and diligent search of the scriptures you’ll find that the plan of salvation is clear throughout, and is based entirely on the blood of Jesus Christ and not at all on our own good life, good deeds, turning from sin or feeling sorry for our sins. EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

It’s not everyday that I’m called a liar and told “may God have mercy on [my] soul,” so this exchange was kind of interesting.  It was in the comments section on youtube.

Ha________:  So I must conclude that you are telling me that repentance is simply an option that John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles preached. I must conclude that you are saying there will be people in heaven who never repented of their sins (hard to square with 1 Cor. 6:9). That is pure heresy, and I sincerely hope you are playing semantics with me and truly don’t believe that.

Me:  John the Baptist didn’t tell people to turn from their sins. He told them to believe on Jesus Christ. It’s there in Acts 19:4 if you want to let the bible form your theology. The bible says to “repent and believe the gospel,” not to “Repent of your sins and believe the gospel.” As I said before, you can’t simply add the words “of your sins” because those words aren’t there. It’s not a matter of semantics; its a matter of what the plan of salvation is. I say it’s faith alone.

1 Cor 6:9 supports what I’m saying. The ONLY way those people are in heaven is by claiming the righteousness of Christ. I’m not saying that believers shouldn’t strive to live holy lives. I’m saying that salvation is by faith alone and no one who believes on Jesus Christ will be condemned. Jn 3:18. “Whoever hears my word and BELIEVES him who sent me has eternal life.” Jn 5:24

“Whoever believes has eternal life.” Jn 6:47

It’s all about faith in Jesus Christ, not trying to live a good life

Ha________:  You miss the point. Paul says that you WILL work hard (live a holy life) as a Christian, yet it is not REALLY you, but God’s grace (1 Cor. 15:10)! I don’t claim that human effort saves, but the grace of God will enable you to live a holy life. The same grace transforms every Believer.

Me:  Once again, what scripture backs your claim that every believer will live a holy life? If we do so by God’s effort, why do you still sin? Is God unable to keep you from sinning, or unwilling? How “good” does a person have to be to be saved?

We SHOULD walk in good works as believers, according to Paul. Eph 2:10. But we don’t have to. God will chastise His children in this life. Heb. 12:6 God gives us power to resist sin and to serve Him in this life, but He doesn’t make us.

Ha________:  “1 Cor 6:9 supports what I’m saying. The ONLY way those people are in heaven is by claiming the righteousness of Christ.”

The passage says they will not be in heaven.

Me:  Wrong. Vs. 11: And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

These people could not enter the kingdom by their own righteousness no matter how sorry they were or how much they changed their life. Yet by faith in Christ, they were given the righteousness of God. 2 Cor. 5:21. Why did Paul tell them they would be “guiltless in the day of the Lord” if they aren’t in heaven? 1 Cor. 1:8

Ha________:  No, not wrong at all. As you said, the Christians there were no longer walking in those sins. What’s your point?

Me:  I didn’t say that.  I said their sins were no longer accounted to them. Their unrighteousness was exchanged for Christ’s righteousness. Do you believe that if they committed any of those offenses again they lost their salvation?

What is the plan of salvation, according to you?

Ha________:  “Do you believe that if they committed any of those offenses again they lost their salvation?”

No, but if they continue in them unrepentant (as a lifestyle), that proves they were never saved to begin with.

You are a truly exhausting person to talk to. I have given you abundant Scriptures that make it very plain that repentance is a must for a Believer, yet you have chosen to ignore them or explain them away. You are a liar, sir, if you claim that, for example, someone can live an openly licentious lifestyle and be in heaven unrepentant. Any “faith” a person claims is false. GOD WILL NOT LEAVE YOU WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR SINS!!!!!!

Me:  Instead of making assertions, just back up what you’re saying with scripture. What scripture says we must repent OF OUR SINS in addition to believing on Jesus Christ to be saved? On what basis do you contend that “believe” doesn’t mean believe, but instead means to believe and turn from your sins? On what basis do you contend that “repent” means “repent of your sins?” Repent means to have a change of mind. Check the Greek; read the context. Repent means to trust the gospel, not dead works

Me:  I’ve listened to several Anderson sermons and I disagree with a lot of what he says, but I think it’s absolutely right about the false doctrine of “repenting of sins” for salvation. He does teach that we must know that we’re sinners in need of salvation. Why would we need a savior if we weren’t lost? What he does (rightly, imo) teach is that we aren’t required to give up any sin to be saved. Salvation is by faith, only, as it plainly taught throughout the bible.

Ha________:  What you and Anderson don’t seem to understand is the relationship between faith and works. Faith necessarily produces works. One of those works is repentence. Therefore, it is not wrong to assert that a person must repent in order to be saved. The repentence does not do the saving, but the faith granted as a gift of grace through the Holy Spirit will ALWAYS bring about immediate repentence.

Me:  What you don’t understand is that repentance doesn’t mean “turning from your sins,” nor does it mean being really sorry for your sins. Find one verse in the bible that says we must turn from our sins to be saved. What WOTM is preaching is a fake man-centered righteousness by changing our behavior, not the putting on the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith in Him. If “repentance” is the effect of saving faith, why tell people that THEY must repent. It’s works salvation.

Ha________:

Matthew 4:17; 12:4; Mark 1:4,15; 6:12; Luke 5:32; 13:3,5; 15:7,10; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 11:18, etc. etc. etc.

Have fun getting around those.

Me:  I didn’t say the bible use the word repent. I said the bible doesn’t say to “repent of our sins.” The fact that verses use the word repent does not prove that men must turn from their sins to be saved unless it’s clear from context. Which reference, taken in context, supports your claim that believing is not enough, that we must “repent of our sins” to be saved?

I’d be happy to debate or discuss this by message if you’d like. The youtube comments really limit discussion.

Ha________:  Back the truck up! I never said believing wasn’t enough! But what is belief, if not a life-changing transformation by the Holy Spirit. Don’t you believe Jesus when He said to repent? Do you not believe the apostles when they record that the Gentiles were granted repentance that “leads to life”? There’s no real debate to be had, unless it’s a debate whether you will take the Bible as your authority and not the doctrines of man.

Me:  Fine, ignore the question. The issue isn’t whether we’re supposed repent, this issue is whether repent (as it relates to salvation) means to “turn from sins.” Show me that in the bible.

What’s the plan of salvation? I say, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you SHALL be saved. What say you?

I’m happy to discuss it. After all, you responded to my comment. But if you’re going to evade the issue, we won’t get anywhere. Show where repent and believe equals “turn from your sins.”

Ha________:  You’re the one that should be answering questions, seeing as you have no biblical support for your claim that repentance has nothing to do with salvation. But anyhow, I wholeheartedly agree that believing on the Lord Jesus Christ saves you! But what the heck do you think BELIEVING means??? Do you seriously think that as long as you oblige the facts of the Gospel (Jesus’ life, death and resurrection) that you can just ignore Jesus’ teaching and go to heaven? That’s not belief.

Me:  What’s your authority for that? Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. 1 Jn 5:1. Believe means believe. On what basis do you contend that “believe” means “turn from sin”? How did David turn from his sin when he killed Uriah? Had Peter turned from his sin when he denied Christ and snubbed the gentile believers?

Acts 19:4 defines repentance for salvation. Please give a scripture reference that defines repentance for salvation to mean “turn from sin.”

Ha________:  You can’t define a term using the term. But I see you can’t give me an explanation of what it means to believe. Do you not acknowledge that believing Jesus would mean believing Him when He commands people everywhere to repent?

Me:  Repent of what? Read Acts 17 instead of text-proofing it. Paul isn’t talking to the Athenians about their sin. He tells them to repent of their ignorance. He’s telling them to stop believing in false man-made gods and to put their faith in Jesus Christ.

Did Paul use the 10 commandments as a schoolmaster, or try to convince the Athenians that they were wretched? Did he call them out for lying or fornicating or stealing or lusting or coveting or drunkeness? He told them to believe right.

Ha________:  “He’s telling them to stop believing in false man-made gods”

which is a sin

Me:  I don’t disagree with that. They can’t believe that Jesus is the only way to be reconciled with God and also disbelieve at the same time. But that’s not what you’re saying, is it? You’re saying they also have to turn from their other sins. Are you saying that if they believed Paul and put their faith in Christ they’d still be lost if they didn’t give up the “other” sins?

Please, what do you think a person must do to be saved? Your gospel sounds pretty ambiguous.

Ha________:  It’s not my Gospel, but the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and you are a liar and are purposely misinterpreting and misrepresenting what I have said based on the Word of God. May God have mercy on your soul for your unbelief in Christ’s commands. You can do a lot of damage with the false teaching you promote. This is what happens when people turn from Christ and His word to the vain reasoning of man.

Me:  My soul is secure in my faith in Jesus Christ. You should repent of your dead works (Heb 6:1) and place your hope in Jesus Christ alone.

It’s interesting that you have yet, after numerous posts back and forth, done the one thing that I asked: show me ANYWHERE in the bible that says man must “repent OF HIS SINS” to be saved. You have not shown any scripture to support your false teaching that repentance means to turn from sins. You’ll never be able to; its not in the bible. Period.

I can tell you what the gospel is: believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31. It’s clear and if you reject it, you reject the scriptures. You refuse to state your belief as to what the gospel is because you either don’t know yourself or because you know it isn’t backed up by the Word. If I’m wrong, just spell it out. There might be lost people reading this.

Ha________:  “There might be lost people reading this.”
Which is why I am discontinuing this now before you do more damage.

Me:  Gee, I’d think if you had the true gospel you’d be jumping at the chance to clear up any misconceptions I’ve made by quoting scripture. It’s pretty telling that you refuse to state what you believe someone must do to be saved.

Your ad hominim attacks don’t bother me. You’re discontinuing this because your theology isn’t supported by the bible so you’re throwing up your hands.

1.  I know a lot of things I could change to make my practice more profitable/effective.  I’m working on them, but I have a really hard time changing bad habits.  I guess most folks are like that, but it’s still really frustrating.

2.  Really understanding and believing the gospel has revolutionized my thinking about my life, church and the bible.  In the past four or five months, I’ve re-read (or read for the first time) at least half the bible.  It’s amazing seeing how God’s plan of salvation by faith alone is written throughout the entire bible, starting in Genesis and ending in Revelation.

3.  I’m really thinking about starting to do some door to door evangelism.  I’ve always thought that type of thing isn’t really effective, but I’m pretty sure I thought that mostly because I don’t really want to do it.

4.  I’m trying to figure out where I fit in as a volunteer over at Oak Leaf.  I used to be in charge of the ushers, but someone else wanted to head that up so I moved aside.  I’m thinking about taking a more active teaching role when our small group starts meeting again.

5.  I’m excited about the 6 year old World Series tourney that Micah will be playing in in a few weeks.  I had pretty much decided just to let him play on whatever teams drafts him next season instead of coaching myself again.  However, sitting on the sidelines watching him play instead of coaching has pretty much convinced me that I pr0bably should coach next season.  I really like being the one making the decisions.