The simplicity of the Gospel

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Addy

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If you only had any idea of how stubborn I am...you wouldn't say that! Lol I don't mean willfully stubborn, but it seems to me that while most are clay, I'm iron. I guess. It's like I'm made out of different material than most. I think. I've always been a square peg in a world full of round holes!
and that is why we are TWINS.... I'm not sure if you have noticed... but I can sometimes have the teeniest of an attitude. (note sarcasm).
 
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ChristisGod

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The simplicity of the Gospel... So simple that a mere child can understand.

In light of all the debates regarding those that believe in the loss of salvation... I have been forced to do some deep pondering...

Sometimes... I want to question God... Is it really true?? Am I really understanding correctly that YOU... my Lord and Saviour....have promised me ETERNAL SECURITY and SALVATION on the basis of my belief in the complete ATONEMENT of CHRIST on the CROSS and His SHED BLOOD??? Is this really the deal???

My heart... and my spirit scream YES... even though my mind and thoughts desire to reject this unbelievable TRUTH. The simplicity of it all... the beauty of it all... the outrageousness of it all.

How is it that I could possibly turn down this invitation... to partake as co-heir with Christ???

How is it that I would even DARE to question and attempt to correct the very work of GOD ALMIGHTY.

Scripture states that NOTHING can separate me from the LOVE of GOD. NOTHING... no man... no power... no principality... HE has me by HIS MIGHTY RIGHT HAND... and HE has promised never to let me go.

Thank you JESUS... for saving a wretch like me. I BELIEVE.
Amen !

Eternal life is what its name suggests an unending or everlasting life. If eternal life could be lost then it is misnamed because it wouldn’t really be eternal and be referred to as temporal or conditional life. All who have eternal life will live forever with Christ in heaven. No one who has come to faith in Christ will ever be cast out and go to the lake of fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels. Once you believe in Christ your eternal destiny in God’s kingdom sealed and is guaranteed.

Eternal life is not just unending life. It is the life we now have in God through Jesus. John refers to Jesus Christ Himself as eternal life. It is life that comes from God. A person who has eternal life has God’s life within him.

It is obvious that eternal life doesn’t begin when we die. Jesus said, He who believes in Me has (present tense) everlasting life. He didn’t say that the one who believes in Him will have (future tense) everlasting life. He said that he has eternal life in the here and now from that very first moment of faith. Eternal life is unending life.

Jesus, Paul and John emphasize that eternal life is a present reality and the present possession of the Christian in the here and now. It will have its ultimate fulfillment in the future but every believer has eternal life at the moment they believe in the Son of God.

Jesus said I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28).That means nothing or no one can remove a believer from Christ.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:30 that believers are sealed for the day of redemption. If believers did not have salvation or eternal life/security then the sealing could not truly be until the day of redemption. Paul in Romans 8:38-39 really drives home the everlasting promise of eternal life/salvation for the believer "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Our eternal security is bought with the blood of Christ, promised to us by the Father Who cannot deny Himself and sealed in the believers heart by the Holy Spirit. What wonderful promises believers have for their eternal security in Christ.


Jesus tells us in John 3:15-16 that whoever believes in Jesus Christ will have eternal life, not might have but actually possesses that everlasting life. If a person is promised eternal life and then to have it taken away then it was never eternal to begin with and it makes Jesus out to be a liar and the promises of God to be false. Below we see more promises the believer can count on for eternal life now and in the future. We can be confident in the promises of God.

John 3:16,18
16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life;

John 5:24
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

John 6:47
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

John 6:54
54 "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

John 10:27-30
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 "I and the Father are one."

Matthew 25:46
"These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed out of death into life,

1 John 5:13
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.


hope this helps,
 
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Addy

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Amen !

Eternal life is what its name suggests an unending or everlasting life. If eternal life could be lost then it is misnamed because it wouldn’t really be eternal and be referred to as temporal or conditional life. All who have eternal life will live forever with Christ in heaven. No one who has come to faith in Christ will ever be cast out and go to the lake of fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels. Once you believe in Christ your eternal destiny in God’s kingdom sealed and is guaranteed.

Eternal life is not just unending life. It is the life we now have in God through Jesus. John refers to Jesus Christ Himself as eternal life. It is life that comes from God. A person who has eternal life has God’s life within him.

It is obvious that eternal life doesn’t begin when we die. Jesus said, He who believes in Me has (present tense) everlasting life. He didn’t say that the one who believes in Him will have (future tense) everlasting life. He said that he has eternal life in the here and now from that very first moment of faith. Eternal life is unending life.

Jesus, Paul and John emphasize that eternal life is a present reality and the present possession of the Christian in the here and now. It will have its ultimate fulfillment in the future but every believer has eternal life at the moment they believe in the Son of God.

Jesus said I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28).That means nothing or no one can remove a believer from Christ.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:30 that believers are sealed for the day of redemption. If believers did not have salvation or eternal life/security then the sealing could not truly be until the day of redemption. Paul in Romans 8:38-39 really drives home the everlasting promise of eternal life/salvation for the believer "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Our eternal security is bought with the blood of Christ, promised to us by the Father Who cannot deny Himself and sealed in the believers heart by the Holy Spirit. What wonderful promises believers have for their eternal security in Christ.


Jesus tells us in John 3:15-16 that whoever believes in Jesus Christ will have eternal life, not might have but actually possesses that everlasting life. If a person is promised eternal life and then to have it taken away then it was never eternal to begin with and it makes Jesus out to be a liar and the promises of God to be false. Below we see more promises the believer can count on for eternal life now and in the future. We can be confident in the promises of God.

John 3:16,18
16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life;

John 5:24
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

John 6:47
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

John 6:54
54 "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

John 10:27-30
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 "I and the Father are one."

Matthew 25:46
"These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed out of death into life,

1 John 5:13
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.


hope this helps,
@Christophany .... This is BEAUTIFUL.... Thank you.
 
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farouk

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In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
@Pearl This is one excellent hymn. I have heard it over and over; and have been in meetings where it is sung, etc.
 
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marks

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Was it you who was enquiring about Admin giving us some new emoji's???
My personal favorite is... well I have two... :rolleyes::D and this one I reserve for @Josho :p
It sounds to me that you have plenty to use!

;)

But no, that must have been someone else.

:cool:

Much love!
 

Azim

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Psalm 91:14-16 (Good News Translation)

14 God says, “I will save those who love me
and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
when they are in trouble, I will be with them.
I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will reward them with long life;
I will save them.”

Thanks for sharing this chapter. I'm not sure if I had read Psalm 91 before, or maybe just God wasn't ready to speak to me through it. But upon reading it last week, the Lord has had much to say. There is a sense of wonder, awe, and peace each time I've reflected upon it. Blessings to you!
 

amadeus

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Was it you who was enquiring about Admin giving us some new emoji's???
My personal favorite is... well I have two... :rolleyes::D and this one I reserve for @Josho :p
You can make copies from elsewhere:
smileys - Bing

OIP.oQg6xjvVH0RHw3F5AQBqDwHaIO
 

Karl Peters

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Sometimes... I want to question God... Is it really true?? Am I really understanding correctly that YOU... my Lord and Saviour....have promised me ETERNAL SECURITY and SALVATION on the basis of my belief in the complete ATONEMENT of CHRIST on the CROSS and His SHED BLOOD??? Is this really the deal???

My heart... and my spirit scream YES... even though my mind and thoughts desire to reject this unbelievable TRUTH. The simplicity of it all... the beauty of it all... the outrageousness of it all.

I am convinced that if this conversation with the Lord (and it is the Lord's Spirit that "scream YES When we question Him about this) does not take place in a person then they don't really know Him!

The thing is that if you get to know Him then you start to become aware of His greatness. When that happens you also start to become aware of your unworthiness at the same time. I like how you might think you are ok but if you look on the perfect all your faults start to appear and how then can you get to heaven. This all happens in your spirit when communicating with the Holy Spirit, and often you will see people suddenly break down in tears as the realization hits them. That is when the Holy Spirit points out what the Lord has done for us - in that He the Perfect took your sins in himself. And this is not a one time revelation. We wind up going back to it, because we see all we do wrong even after He has shown us that He paid the price. So the Holy Spirit answer the question again by "screaming YES" into our spirit. Well ... maybe it is not so much a scream but the HOly Spirit never seems to be slow in answering us on this question and giving us assurance. We need that - or a least I know I do.

So what bothers me is not those like Addy who clearly realize what the Good News is, but those who think that they can not do anything wrong.

It all reminds me of what Paul the Christian who wrote so much of the Bible wrote in Romans.

Rom 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Paul the Christian wrote the above - that Pharisee we think of as Saul did not think that of himself and question how he was a wretched man not worthy of heaven. Yet Paul also got His answer from the Holy Spirit so at to praise the Lord, - "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! "

Nice thread:)
 

Desire Of All Nations

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If a person believes that they cannot lose their salvation, they deny Christ saying a Christian has to remain faithful to the end, they disagree with the other apostles saying a Christian has to remain faithful to the end, and they are arguing that Demas, Diotrephes, and the other Christians who turned against God over the past 2 millennia will be rewarded with eternal life. In other words, they're calling God a liar.

Not only is such a position a total lie, the entire basis of this position amounts to saying "God owes me salvation even i believe in and practice lies". Such an argument is just another false gospel being used in Satan's war against true Christianity. "Eternal security" was a lie when Simon Magus and his disciples told it in the 1st century, and it is still a lie today, no matter how his modern disciples have gotten better at dressing it up. A liar can't change a lie into a truth, no matter how many times they repeat it, dress it up, or argue in support of it.
 

farouk

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If a person believes that they cannot lose their salvation, they deny Christ saying a Christian has to remain faithful to the end, they disagree with the other apostles saying a Christian has to remain faithful to the end, and they are arguing that Demas, Diotrephes, and the other Christians who turned against God over the past 2 millennia will be rewarded with eternal life. In other words, they're calling God a liar.

Not only is such a position a total lie, the entire basis of this position amounts to saying "God owes me salvation even i believe in and practice lies". Such an argument is just another false gospel being used in Satan's war against true Christianity. "Eternal security" was a lie when Simon Magus and his disciples told it in the 1st century, and it is still a lie today, no matter how his modern disciples have gotten better at dressing it up. A liar can't change a lie into a truth, no matter how many times they repeat it, dress it up, or argue in support of it.
Romans 8.38-39 says:

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
 

Iconoclast

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* There IS an "EVERLASTING" Gift of SALVATION "ALREADY PAID FOR"....and "OFFERED to " ALL men".

* There IS a "LOSS" of Salvation.

The "disagreement" IS: Between two schools of thought.
1) * ONE can NOT "LOSE" Salvation, "UNTIL" he has "RECEIVED" Salvation.
2) * ONE CAN "LOSE" Salvation, BY "NOT RECEIVING" "his" (bought, paid for, offered) Salvation.

Scripture TEACHES... Salvation IS ALREADY...
PAID FOR, and FOR every man TO FREELY ACCEPT or FREELY REJECT.

Salvation IS NOT FORCED...on anyone.
Salvation IS a GIFT, that is OFFERED.
All men can Freely Choose, TO RECEIVE the Gift OFFERED THEM...."OR NOT".

A man WHO Freely Chooses to "RECEIVE Gods Gift OFFERED to him" .... THEN, "RECEIVES" the Gift. ONCE and FOREVER.

A man WHO Freely Chooses to "REJECT Gods Gift OFFERED to him".... THEN, "LOSES" Gods Gift of Salvation, (that was bought and paid for Expressly FOR THAT MAN).

It is NOT a matter of a man, RECEIVING the Gift, and then "DECIDING TO GIVE IT BACK".

It IS a matter of a man, Choosing to Receive the Gift....or not. Or NOT...is that mans LOSS.
There is nothing in this post that is biblical.
 

Truman

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I don't know about anybody else, but I can't lose my salvation...I tried and it didn't work. I couldn't stop believing. I had an unusual salvation experience. Someone read John 3:16 to me and I had a vision of a sword piercing my heart and I instantly believed it! It was the first time I'd ever heard the gospel. I've never stopped believing it.