Today,
reply is on the dependence of salvation on the sacred element of
grace, rather than on eternal condemnation, obedience, and other
features associated with sacred law. Sinners are not justified by
their own works, rather by the works of GOD. Many Christians speak
of grace as unmerited favor, a special show of kindness, and of
pardon for offenses. However, there is no “cause” or
justification for displays of grace except that they are authentic
expressions of the otherwise invisible and unseen personhood within
divinity. In addition to gratitude and humility, the correct
response to the grace of GOD that developing believers will provide
include consistency, faithfulness, obedience, respect, righteousness,
and trust. It is written: John 1: 15-17, King James Version (KJV):
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom
I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was
before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for
grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth
came by Jesus Christ. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers”
Religion and Spirituality public forum who uses the ID “Forrest
Toney” (Level 7 with 80,871 points, a member since February 12,
2011) posted the following:
How
many Christians believe that they will escape Hell even though they
don't obey all of Jesus' sayings?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees
which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and
to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles
and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when
there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men
and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made
choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word
of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare
them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto
us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their
hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon
the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able
to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15: 5-11, King James
Version, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: We Must Acknowledge Christ (08/08/2019); Salvation
Through Jesus Christ (03/25/2019); The Platform of Spirit
(03/21/2019); Displaying Faith Through Works (03/04/2019); The Gift
Of GOD (10/15/2018); The Gift(s) From GOD (04/08/2018); Jesus Paid It
All (04/04/2018); Yes, Jesus Did Die (04/01/2018); How Are We
Justified? (03/05/2018)
“Forrest
Toney”, in the same way Jesus Christ appears through the accord of
divinity and not of himself, sinners are saved by grace (divine
accord) rather than human devices. Among mature Christian believers,
the operations and purposes of the law are directed to the
functioning of Creation and the further putting forth of divine
order, rather than to salvation and the recovery of mankind from sin.
While sacred law defines, exposes, identifies sin, and makes a
peculiar expression of divine love, the law itself does not declare
forbearance, forgiveness, mercy, reconciliation, or redemption.
Where believers focus on the judicial and legal concepts important to
having benefits through the law, many continue in error failing to
apprehend also that the invisible, unseen character, personhood,
process, and substance of divinity are being openly displayed and
revealed.
Sinners
are saved by grace, an aspect of the full makeup of GOD. Without a
saving relationship to divinity, whether they are conscious of it or
not, ones condition by godly standards must be that of condemnation,
guiltiness, misery, shame, and wretchedness. By the actions of
grace, GOD dismisses both the darkness and negativity of their inner
person, and their outward lifestyle, so to speak. Choosing to come
to Christ, sinners are encouraged through changes, discoveries, new
opportunities, and new possibilities.
Because
of GOD’s grace embodied as Jesus
Christ, inseparable aspects of the makeup of GOD are imparted to
indwell those welcoming Christ through their own repentance.
Included are faith, holiness, joy, respect, righteousness, wisdom,
and wrath against sin. Every element and feature required for
salvation is supplied, so that GOD’s
grace is said to be “all sufficient.” Thus, more than simply
that GOD has divine prerogative and the authority to do as he
pleases, grace describes the flowing together of many different
sacred elements and operations. Included are benevolence,
generosity, eternal purpose, impartiality (no bias, bigotry,
prejudice), and sovereign will. The elements of desire,
determination, preference, and self-will (willpower) within the
sinner have no effect or power to cause or determine a person’s
salvation from the divine judgment against sin. Consider again the
following that uses language from the Bible:
1.
2nd Corinthians 12: 6-10, King James Version (KJV): 6
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will
say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think
of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he
heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through
the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in
the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be
exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,
that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses for Christ’s sake:
for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2.
Ephesians 2: 4-7, KJV: 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his
great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins,
hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the
ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
3.
Ephesians 2: 8-10, KJV: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of
works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended. (For example, 4. John 1: 10-13, KJV: 10 He
was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew
him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were
born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of
man, but of God.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be
it unto you according to your faith.
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THE
BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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