Thread: Work out you salvation?

I would say that an ACTION VERB does not necessarily imply WORKS. Jesus said "only believe" and our response is to set our minds accordingly, "tuning in" to God as it were.

Jesus also said "Receive ye the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22)
And we yield and accept the HS that is coming to us. He gives gifts to men, receiving is not earning.

Originally Posted by Smitty

No, I am not a Calvinist. When a person is given an opportunity to either accept or reject a gospel invitation, it always requires a decision of their will. A rejection will result in eternal consequences, as shown John 3:18, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the Son of God." On the flip side of that though, if the person responds to the Masters knock upon his heart (Rev 3:20) the Lord said the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out (John 6:37).

It's a fact that millions of people daily are in the "valley of decision" (Joel 3:14). That is why the apostle Paul worked so hard at preaching the gospel, even if it meant enduring great suffering.

But lets not forget John's vision in Revelation in regards to individual salvation. This passage spoken of refers to those whose name are not written in the book of life, was determined "from the foundation of the world" (Rev 17:8). From an eternal perspective---in the mind of God, He knows, and He alone, who will be saved and enter into the New Jerusalem.

God ordained from the foundation of the world that all who respond to Jesus, the WAY, TRUTH and LIFE, will be written in the book....not the individuals by name....I believe God knows who will and who will not but this does not change His passionate calling of all...then when all stand before Him facing eternity all know without a doubt the choice was theirs....not His..

Faith is an action verb but so is Obedience. Anything you do is works. Obedience is something YOU do. You can't slice it up to prove your point. Salvation is without works yet how can you be saved without obedience which is works.

It's not really complicated....Jesus finished the provision of salvation....so no further works are needed...

For us some call receiving or accepting that gift is a work therefore is not necessary....

While others understand the completed salvation itself requires acceptance...

Just as I can't force anyone to accept and utilize a gift I give them, God does not force anyone to accept and utilize HIS....

Theologians do have a way of complicated the simplicity of that...

Originally Posted by Nikos

Faith is an action verb but so is Obedience. Anything you do is works. Obedience is something YOU do. You can't slice it up to prove your point. Salvation is without works yet how can you be saved without obedience which is works.

So are you stating the Nikos Enigma of Works? :) Sure, at the level of human functioning, everything is a "work". Breathing and thinking is a "work". We need to discuss more at the theological level to "work" this out more fully (couldnt resist :) ...and I now have to get back to "work."

Originally Posted by Ezekiel 33

Well, it's kinda like this.

Imagine you are drowning in flood waters. I come along with my boat and say "Hey, I will save you from drowning!". You can believe me (have faith) all day long that I came to save you, but unless you climb into the boat your faith did you no good at all.

Someone once told me when I used that analogy, some in the water drowning don't know they are...they are the non-elect....I, on the other hand, believe everyone at some point does KNOW through the work of the Holy Spirit...but choose to reject HIS truth for a lie and return to drowning only now more confident than ever they are not...hardening of the heart...
stiff necked always resisting the Holy Spirit...

Originally Posted by Jonathan david

So are you stating the Nikos Enigma of Works? :) Sure, at the level of human functioning, everything is a "work". Breathing and thinking is a "work". We need to discuss more at the theological level to "work" this out more fully (couldnt resist :) ...and I now have to get back to "work."

Fundamentally a Biblical work is performing what is required according to the law given by Moses.

Luke 6:46 - "But why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" Your master is the one you obey (cf. Rom. 6:16; Matt. 6:24).

What right do you have to claim Jesus is your Lord, if you don't obey Him?

None!

If you don't obey, you have not accepted Him as your master.