Monday, April 14, 2008
RIGHTS OR WRONG…..
WELL…..FRIENDS….. FIRST, got coffee or maybe a pastry? Secondly I Want to say that I love and enjoy each and every one of my readers and who ever else decides to enjoy this bogs writings. At first I started this blog to assist others in their travels to find a deeper and more fulfilling life…..not only spiritually but also in there everyday traversing of ways with others. I have really enjoyed the comments and discussions that have transpired in the short history of my writings and definitely hope they continue on into the future topics. We as Americans live in a land of the free and for this I am very thankful. Now you know as well as I do you are the only one that can tell your own personal story as to how living in this great country has benefited you and those that you have come in contact with in your life. Now, when you stop and think about all those wonderful benefits and splendid blessings that we partake of on a daily basis, you will start to realize how many we tend to take them for granted and that we don’t really think about who or what has given us this freedom. I am sure you know that this country and its freedoms have come at great cost to many extraordinary people. Many have gone so far as giving up their families and children to die for our freedom. This country has been founded on the basis that all have the liberty of religion. This is stated in the bill of rights as the first amendment. We have no more earned this right or privilege than any other person living in any other country on the face of this earth. The ones that have are the ones who died for us to have and be able to utilize it to its fullest extent. Yet by the simple fact that we were born into this country we take that right as rightfully ours, whether we are thankful for it or really and truly appreciate it, we have and use it. How can it be taken from us? At the time a person decides to relinquish it upon the commitment of some heinous crime against another’s life, therefore putting said human in prison or to death. Our country did not owe us this right …..But the founders of this great country fought and gave their sweat, blood and tears for it. You were given access to this right at your birth…..Just by the simple and plain fact that you were born in this country. Now were you able to take advantage of this from that point in your existence? Due to your incapacity at birth of understanding and using it the answer is no. Could you had you been able to? Yes. This my friends is what I am trying to say….God promised that every humane being that ever came to be or existed has the right to salvation through his son Jesus Christs’ blood, was that not his promise? Was that not his gift? Does he specify color, race, gender or anything else? No friends he said that allll mankind has the right to this opportunity. We all agree on the fact that there are steps to be taken to enable us to take advantage of this great and tremendous gift. If we look at it any other way it is my opinion that we are doing a great injustice to others who we tend to write off thinking that they don’t or won’t take advantage of this opportunity due to our view of their past dealings in life. But the truth of the matter is that they have just as much right to hear and partake of this opportunity as you and I have. The reason I used birth right and Esau is because of the form that it was able to relate to us as Christians in the ever so true form that we tend to sell ourselves to the world and our physical desires of greed, lust, anger and many other unfavorable things instead of maintaining form and continuing on in Christianity. Jesus in the parable of the prodigal son uses the same illustration. This son was not the first born but took his inheritance early, went his way and seeing his error decided to return to his fathers’ house no matter the cost. Now did the father reject him, knowing the many sins that he had committed and the unfavorable expenditure of the grand inheritance that had been bestowed to him? Well, we all know the answer to that. Every right that we exercise on a daily basis has, is and always will be the greatest gifts of God and humankind that we can enjoy and equally appreciate daily. They really should be called privileges that we should hold with the highest respect and honor, but we call them rights and unfortunately many people abuse these awesome gifts, within which they unknowingly or knowingly affect all mankind. Birthright, rights, inheritance, blessings, privilege, promises or how ever you wish to say or play the words, they are all forms of the same thing……an incredibly awesome GIFT FROM ONE TO ANOTHER. None are owed nor do you have to accept them, but you through being born in human physical form with the beautiful gift of the right to your own thought, which was also given unto us by God from birth, you have the right to accept them or not, by fulfilling the due requirements to obtain or maintain them. It is my hope that this explains the thought process behind what has been published in my previous posts and clarifies the terminology used therein. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOME ALL BLESSINGS FLOW. Love and abundance to all from my heart to yours
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16 comments:
Well contagious1 this was a somewhat better attempt to explain your position. Your illustrations have some merit however I still cannot swallow salvation being a birthright or a right. I had hoped that through my comments you would be encouraged to study the concept of "birthright" as it is used in the scriptures. It seems, and I may be wrong, that you have not taken the time to do so. You see birthright is used only a few times in the Old Testament and only 1 time in the new. It was a custom of the time and offered only to the firstborn male with extremely few exceptions. The birthright entitled this person to a double portion not the entire inheritance of the father. It is only used in connection with Jacob, Esau, and Reuben. All of the instances occurred before the giving of the Law of Moses. Under the law of Moses there was a command concerning the "right of the firstborn" which was very specific (Dt.21:17).
The analogy of the American born child breaks down in this point. A child born in this country has rights available to him, he needs those rights. The right of protection, for example. However when we apply this principle to the child having the right of salvation there is no comparison. As we have discussed already the child has no sin and therefore needs no salvation, they are safe. Salvation holds no benefit for them at that time. Yet when they do sin and are accountable for it they stand in need of a Saviour and salvation. At that point they are separated from God (Isa. 59:1-2). They cannot walk up to God, so to speak, and demand entrance into the kingdom. As we have already discussed they must meet the requirements and entrance will be gained by being born again. When one is outside of Christ they are without hope! (Eph. 2:12). I am confident that you understand the principle.
Perhaps you have read or seen stories of the "Civil Rights Movement" back in the 60's where people would march up to people in government and demand their rights. They were well within their rights to do so. This is the image that comes to mind when I hear that salvation is a right, birthright or otherwise.
Salvation is indeed a blessing and can be said to be a privilege. But the last time I checked right and privilege are not the same thing. If you question that, consider telling that to the officer as he takes away your driving privilege!
If you were to say that every human being has the opportunity to be saved I would say a hearty "AMEN". It has to be so otherwise God could not be just in judging those who "obey not the gospel" (II Thess. 1:7-9)
It may seem that we are disputing over mere words. But remember that words have meaning, it is the way we communicate and therefore it is important to use the "right" ones. I subscribe to the philosophy to "call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways". In doing such we cannot go wrong.
Show me in the scriptures where salvation is called a right or a birthright and I will gladly concede.
Dear Sir,
After reading your post, and the subsequent comment by Josiah, I must echo Josiah's argument. I have noticed, sir, that you have failed, upon every request to do so, to provide a Scriptural foundation for your argument. I live, breathe, and will die and be judged by the Word of Christ, therefore I demand proof from the Scriptures that we have a right to salvation whether from our birth or from the moment we are saved before we can call it a right. As Paul said in Philippians 3:8-14 and specifically verses 12-14:(12) Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.(13) Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, (14) I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
If Paul, himself, an apostle of Jesus Christ did not count(conclude) that he had attained the resurrection from the dead, how can we say it is a right?
We must provide Scriptural references if we are to present something as Scriptural doctrine. Remember, as a bucket with holes holds no water, so is an argument with no proof.
Christian
Hi! I think it is a shame that you are using the bible to argue the wording. The important thing is the message he is trying to get out. To me it is not that important whether it is a birth right or not, but the fact that we all should be treated with the same respect in knowing that every one can be saved. You should be embarrassed of yourselves because to me it looks like you are reading the bible for 3 hrs to see what you can find to fight, and I don’t think you are not saved just because you said it is not your right or blessing or whatever you want to call it. God is looking for your heart not for your mouth and God doesn’t care if you know the whole bible backwards or forward he only cares if you love him for real matt 15:8 and we are saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Just so you do not confuse what I am trying to say, I am not saying that you don’t have to read the bible and do his will, because if you love him you will. But, what I am trying to say is instead of loosing you time trying to see how you can prove the other person wrong prove yourselves to God. Go pray that is going to edify you more. Just answer me this one question because I don’t know if you are serving the same God that I am serving, because my God would not send me to hell just because I did not use the perfect words. If he knows I love him and I serve him with all my heart and try to do the best I can to serve him; is calling it a birth right or a blessing going to make that much difference to God? I personally don’t know any body that is perfect, for we all are sinners. The only one who walked with perfection and never sinned was Jesus. The bible said to follow Jesus steps but I am sure even if we try super hard we can never be like him until Jesus comes to claim his church
So I’m asking you for Gods’ sake try not to confuse the people who read this blog and are just starting out their path towards Christianity, like myself. Probably for you it is fun to litigate the issues but for some of us this is causing confusion. Also have you stopped to think how many people that are just starting to know Jesus and that you are confusing them and showing what they fear most? This is that the bible and its meanings are too difficult to understand and follow. Rom 14:13 Mark 9:42 says something to this affect. When I read what the author has to say it means that God wants us to all know that we can receive salvation and obviously through the proper steps. To me it doesn’t matter how he had worded it the meaning would still be that I can go to heaven through salvation, and that I have the right or blessing or what ever you want to call it, to know about it. God bless
p.s. I did like your post about talking to our selves. it was comical yet so true. it has taken me a while since I found your blog to go back and read the posts and comments but have really enjoyed each and every post. They are thought provoking and have helped me in my day to day activities thank you and keep up the good work:)
pss sorry if I seemed a little harsh above but it is frusterating to see some one get torn up over a word, and the others miss the whole thread of thought.Thank you again, and your comments really make my day. Your friend and sister in Christ, Ludidka
Ludidka, welcome to the fray! Well perhaps discussion would be a better word. I appreciate your comments and want to commend you for offering scripture to support your thoughts.
My approach in all of my comments has not been to put a stumbling block in anyone's way but rather to try to shine the light of God's word on the pathway of those who read that they not stumble. From my perspective all of the comments have been offered in a spirit of love and respect. This is how I view all of the comments by all contributors including you. You have the freedom, even the right to disagree with me and I also to disagree with you. If our hearts are right we can do so with respect and honest consideration. I will do my best.
I think it safe to say that all who have commented would agree whole heartedly on the following points.
1.Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8)
2. God wants all to be saved (II Peter 3:9)
3. God intends that everyone has the opportunity to receive salvation (Mark 16:15-16)
4. Only those who obey the gospel will be saved (II Thessalonians 1:7-9)
That said I will add that if we agree to call salvation a blessing, opportunity, or privilge I would gladly move on.
By your own statement you are a new Christian. As such may I instruct you in a few things? First, a word can make a tremendous difference. Notice carefully Genesis 2:16 and 3:1-4. One word made the difference. Secondly it is important for all who wear the name of Christ to search the scriptures to see if what we are being taught is correct (Acts 17:11). Then there is the teaching about teachers that we need to remember, it is found in James 3:1. With this in mind, Conagious1, myself and all the rest of us must be sure of what we are teaching and not just say whatever comes to mind that sounds good and may be right. (See also Matt. 15:8-9) This is why I keep pressing for scriptural support of what is being said.
You asked for us to answer one question for you. I am not exactly sure which one you were talking about so will answer in this way. I serve the one God who created all things, who sent His son to die for me and make salvation possible and available to all mankind. We do not have to use perfect words but we do have to endeavor to use the right words. I read recently in my daily Bible reading of the "man of God from Judah" who spoke the right words to king Jereboam and then on the way home believed one who lied to him and lost his life because of it. You can read it in I Kings 13.
We are in full agreement that none are perfect and that all sin, Romans 3:23, and that Christ himself was the only man to live a sinles life.
I had not considered that I was confusing those just starting on the Christian way. I guess I assumed to much in thinking that those who were really interested would read carefully and investigate the teaching for themselves that they might gain the proper understanding. May I with all sincerety ask you a question? If the preacher on Sunday morning says something that you find confusing should he quit preaching? Should you quit listening and trying to learn?
I want to say again that I have enjoyed the discussion and have benefited greatly from it. May God bless us all as we study and learn.
Dear Ludidka,
Welcome to the discussion. I look forward to reading your comments.
Having read your post, I would like to say that I am sorry to have confused you.
The reason I write and in fact argue the point about calling salvation a right, is not for confusion nor indeed to simply dispute for the sake of arguing, rather it is for two reasons. 1.) I stand upon the Bible and its teachings, therefore, if someone puts for a belief and says/implies that it is Scriptural, I must obey the Scriptures and prove this doctrine whether it be from God or from man(I John 4:1). If indeed it be from God, that I may embrace it and follow it (I Thessalonians 5:14-23), but if it come from man that I may reject it and try to teach the one offering this doctrine that it is error.
And 2.) I'm sure you will agree that words have meanings. for example: if I said the word Christmas, you would know it means a time of year wherein Christian nations celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior (though I celebrate it every day). It would be the same with any other word such as broom, or drive, etc.
The word "right" when used as contagious1, Fred, and breezn have done, means something owed. They have stated that it is an inherent right of all mankind from the moment they are born. Yet the only Scriptural reference they have given is an example by the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 12:16 that deals with a man who was profane because he sold his birthright (something that was a tradition of man and was precious) for a morsel of food (something of much lesser value). You will notice that Josiah and I have both pointed out that this Scripture is not even referring to salvation and is therefore an invalid point. You will also note, I am sure that we both have offered clear Scripture reference to the contrary.
Another point about a "right" to salvation, is the one about what did God do or borrow from us that put Him in the position of owing us salvation? Did He cause us to sin? Where does the blame for our sin lie, On God's shoulders or on our own? Did we earn salvation? If we say, then, that God owes us salvation, we say that a.) it is God's fault that we sinned; b.) therefore God is fallible (which makes Him not God); and c.) if we acknowledge that we are responsible for our actions and therefore God is infallible, then we can earn our way into Heaven (which the Scriptures plainly teach that we can not (Titus 3:1-7)). I am in no way saying that works of righteousness are unnecessary for we are commended to do them (Romans 12; Ephesians 5:1-9; James 2), rather I do say because the Scriptures teach us that we can not enter into heaven upon our own merit Therefore we must have the grace (Romans 5:17) and mercy of God (Romans 9 specifically verse 15).
Finally, I think that you are a lot like me in this one regard. We both wish to follow God in the way that God has commanded. To do so, we both must spend as much time as possible in studying the Word (I Timothy 3:15-16) so that we can be ready to give an answer (I Peter 3:15) and ready to try the spirits (I John 4:1) so that we will not be driven by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). Make no mistake about it, we as Christians are soldiers (II Timothy 2:3-4) in a spiritual war (II Corinthians 10:1-6; Ephesians 6:10-18)
I hope that this clears up some of the confusion that you and other dear readers have. We mean no disrespect to any poster here, only love. As you pointed out, no one is perfect. But we will be if we continue in the Word and will of God (I Corinthians 15:50-58).
Again, welcome to the discussions.
Christian
HELLO ALL AND TO ALL MY SINCEREST APOLOGIES FOR ALL THIS DISCUSSION AND CARRYING ON. I WANT TO SAY THAT MY FRUSTERATION WAS RUNNING A MIGHT HIGH BUT IN KNOWING THIS I KEPT THE FOCUS ON GOD AND WANTING TO DO RIGHT. I KEPT ON READING AND REREADING THE POSTS WHERE ALL THIS STARTED AND I COULD NOT SEE REALLY WHERE THE MISS UNDERSTANDING WAS.I REALLY WANTED TO KNOW BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE AGREED ON MOST EVERYTHING ELSE AND THIS WAS A STIKER FOR ME. THEN IT POPPED ITS LARGE HEAD OUT AT ME AS I REREAD IT TODAY.AS I LOOKED AT IT I NOTICED THAT I HAD BEEN READING IT LIKE I HAD MEANT TO TYPE IT (REMEMBER THE WHAT ARE YOU DISMISSING POST)AND THERE HERE IS WHAT I SAID "YOU ALSO HAVE TO AGREE THAT WE BY RIGHT OF BIRTH BIRTH ARE GIVEN THE HEIRDOM OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD"AND THIS IS WHAT I HAD BEEN READING INTO IT "YOU ALSO HAVE TO AGREE THAT WE BY RIGHT OF BIRTH ARE GIVEN THE OPTION TO AQUIRE THE HEIRDOM OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD". I HOPE THAT ALL CAN ACCEPT MY APOLOGY AND THAT WE CAN NOW ALL AGREE :)LOVE AND ABUNDANCE TO ALL
Hope springs eternal. Keep your chin up--it's easier to smack that-a-way. Have a nice day.
Looking forward to your next post.
josiah,and christian, by your own words you are contradicting yourselves,the word oppotunity is used five times in the Bible and never in reference to salvation, if you want to get real particular,the phrase "laid hold" is not found anywhere (in the kjv) in Php, where does it stop? :)
Yes I have searched and cannot find any reference in the New Testament,where it say salvation is a right.However if you stop and studdy it, you will see that we have a covenant with God.If we follow that covenant then we are entitled to his blessings, gifts. Before you ask, I will tell you, the word entitled is not in the Bible that i could find, but if you look at the word "entitled" it means to furnish with proper grouns for seeking or claming something. In other words God says He will provide,Matt.6:25-33. By His own words,He is entitling us, as it is impossible for God to lie Heb.6:18. hope this is understandable
Dear Fred,
Thank you for correcting me. You are absolutely right in the fact that "opportunity", being translated as such is never used in conjunction with salvation. It is commanded that all hear (Romans 10:14), believe (John 14:1), repent (Acts 2:38; 17:30), confess (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9) be baptized (Mark 16:15-16; Romans 6:3-10), and remain steadfast to the end (I Corinthians 15:58). Of course, it all begins when the hearer has an physical opportunity to hear the word from those who are sent (Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 16:15-16).
I am by no means a "KJV only" person. I use the ASV, KJV, McCords, GNT & HOT with English translation, the LITV, and on occasion, the NIV. My preferences are the first 3 listed. Now, in reference to the "laid hold" phrase, yes it is not in the KJV I used the ASV. However, its synonym "attain" is used in the KJV.
The reason that I am set against describing salvation as a right is as I have in several post explained but I do so here again for your benefit.
1.) Salvation is not a right of man nor is he entitled to it, because it is a gift from God not something earned. (Romans 5; Ephesians 2:8))
2.) Salvation is not a right because it is conditional. (John 14:15; I Corinthians 15:50-58; Hebrews 2:1-4; Hebrews 3:12-15; Hebrews 5:7-9; I Peter 1:3-9)
3.) Salvation is not a right because it can be lost. (I Corinthians 10:11-13; I Timothy 3:6-7; Hebrews 4:1-11; Hebrews 6:1-6; II Peter 1:5-11; II Peter 3:14-18). Salvation can be taken away if you fail to meet the terms. Worldly note: Governments can deny you your rights but can never take away your inalienable right to life, liberty, and persuit of happiness. It is yours because your Creator endowed those rights in man from Creation (Declaration of Independence). There are no terms to be met for these rights.
4.) To view salvation as a right is to have the wrong attitude towards salvation. It says "God, you owe me salvation." I would like to remind you of some things that the Scriptures point out in regards to man and his salvation. (a) All men sin, Romans 3:23. (b) One sin makes a person guilty of the entire law and subject to its punishments, James 2:8-13. (c) God loves us, John 3:16; Romans 5:8. (d) God redeemed us from sin, Titus 2:11-15; I Peter 1:17-19. (e) Therefore, we are debtors to God not the other way around, Roman 8. (f) Our attitude should, therefore, be one of "I am unprofitable" - Luke 17:5-10; thankfulness - Colossians 3:1-17; hope - Romans 8:24-25; I Peter 3:13-16; having the fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23; and thinking Philippians 4:8.
Two more things I wish to put forward for your thinking.
1. As we are men in the broadest and inclusive sense, and all men sin as Romans 3:23 says, what are we entitled to: salvation or damnation?
2. Since God saves us by His grace, (defined: 8. Theology. a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
d. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect. dictionary.com) (Romans 3:24; Galatians 2:4-5) how can it be said we are entitled to salvation seeing that we have not merited it?
Christian
Dear Sir,
Missing your posts, hope to see more soon. Thank you for the great, thought-provoking and Bible studying topics.
Christian
Christian, what is your explanation of 2Timothy 4:7-8?
ps I wanted to make this longer but I use two computers,and unfortunatly this one doesn't have Esword on it:).
christian, josiah, will use an exaple in the use of the word "right". you have a child and you leave something on the counter, food or a toy or whatever, you leave the room, when you come back and find whatever you left there is missing.You call you child and you ask him why he took it. (my childern normaly just shrug thier shoulders) normaly they don't know why they took it, so how do you explain why they shouln't have taken it? Do you say they didn't have the right to take it because they didn't have your permission? (I have used that numerouse times with my childern) Does this example make sense? Another thing about rights is that they can be taken away, if you go to prison for a hiddeous crime then you loose alot of your rights.
Also I looked and couldn't find "inalienable rights" anywhere in the bible. I would ask you to follow the same standards that you ask me to follow.
You used the example of paul in Philippians 3:8-14 saying that he hadn't attained the resurrection from the dead, but in 2Timothy 4:7-8 he says that he has a crown of righteousness. Was paul saying that he would not recive resurrection if he died right then?
people if you have a covanant with a God and he tells you I will give you something if you do what I tell you to do, you are not entitled to anything if you don't fulfill you end of the covanant, but if you do what he askes to the best of your ability then by his word, not your own words, by his words you are entitled to it. Did you earn it? No,it is still a gift.:)
Dear Fred,
I think that you missed a few words in my last post about salvation and rights. They were "Worldly note:" and "Declaration of Independance". They mean that 1.) I never claimed that such words were in the Bible; 2.) I cited where I took them from; and 3.)that I was using something to which we could relate today (like you children analogy) as an example of my point.
I hold myself to the same standards as I hold you. To wit, that we call Biblical principles and things by Biblical terms and that we make sure that what we put forth as scriptural doctrines is indeed Scriptural doctrine and not the Gospel according to Christian.
I think, sir, that you also missed my point from number 4 and I encourage you to go back and read it again.
Finally, isn't it a wonderful country we live in when our language is so boiled down that one word has so many different meanings? When you tell your children that they "...didn't have the right to take it because they didn't have your permission? (I have used that numerouse times with my childern" you are actually telling them that they had no authority to take it, not that they weren't owed it. But I quibble and that isn't right.
Now as it is my bedtime, I must sign off without finishing my apology. I shall continue and answer your previous (and short) post tomorrow. Thank you again for the wonderful debate we are having. I pray it isn't foolish or vain and that we might come to the truth of the matter.
Christian
christian, my point of view is that salvation is a gift,as the bible say it is,but that we are entitled to it if we follow God's laws, not because we earn it but because God says that is what He will give us. As I said before intitled is not in the bible that I recall, but if you look at the definition you will see that it does not mean something earned. This is my standpoint. When you used the "enalienable right" from the "declaration of enependance" would you say that it is un biblical? Another thing I want to point out again, rights can be lost.As I said before, when you go to prison you give up your enalienable rights. you no longer have freedom, you no longer persue happyness and in some cases you loose your life.
something to think about:)
Dear Fred,
I take up now where I left off last night but with a more clear head due to the sleep (Praise God).
In regards to II timothy 4:7-8, you should back up one verse. Paul stated in verse 6 that he knew his time to depart this world was come. He could therefore say that he had fought a good fight (notice he does not say he won the fight but that he had fought it), he had finished his course (he could do no more), he had kept the faith (he had guarded the faith). Because of this he was confident that there was a crown of righteousness laid up (set aside) for him by the Lord, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, to give him and them that love His (the Lord's) appearing (return). I want to point out here that our Judge will judge us according to how we kept His word, (John 12:44-50; Acts 10:38-43; Acts 17:22-31; II Timothy 4:1) and that we will only receive that crown if we have been judged faithful (Matthew 7:16-27; Romans 8:23-34; James 1:11-12; Revelation 2:8-11). Let me also say that when our course is done, we have been promised, assured, and even given the seal or guarentee that if we have been steadfast to the end we will receive that crown. I, Christian, run like Paul having every confidence that I am going to receive that crown. Am I going to heaven? Yes I am! Yet I also fear and watch lest I let God's word slip (Hebrews 2:1-4).
Finally, I have stated my belief and based it upon Scritpural support. I will live with the purpose of pleasing God in thought (Philippians 4:8), in deed (Colossians 3:17), and in attitude (Matthew 5:1-12; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 2:5-8). And I shall move on from this discussion, unless clear evidence from the Scriptures is given that I can go before that Great Judge and tell him that He owes me, the created one, salvation. I am only an unprofitable servant serving in the Kingdom by His grace, mercy, and kindness not by my own merit.
See you on a different post
Christian
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