Spiritual Extortion - The threat of consequence for refusing the "Free Gift" of salvation

[St. SteVen]

The consequences. ???
- If you refuse the "Free Gift" of salvation
- If you walk away from the church
- If you question the church
- If you are not "faithful" until the end (whatever that means)

--- PARODY ---

Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Indeed.

]

 

[Ronald Nolette]

The consequences. ???
- If you refuse the "Free Gift" of salvation
- If you walk away from the church
- If you question the church
- If you are not "faithful" until the end (whatever that means)

--- PARODY ---

Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Indeed.

]

Well you are talking about a perversion of salvation here and not real salvation.

Salvation is free and freely given.

However if you want to enjoy the glorious joyous life that God desires us to know that accompanies salvation, that is very conditional and requires yo uto walk in obedience.

 

[PS95]

You seem confused SteVen. If you have received God's grace- you should love HIm because he first loved us, you should desire to please Him. If not, something is wrong.

 

[St. SteVen]

You seem confused SteVen. If you have received God's grace- you should love HIm because he first loved us, you should desire to please Him. If not, something is wrong.

Was it something I said? - LOL
Why would you think I don't love God, or don't desire to please him?
Is it because I dare to ask hard questions? Or that I criticize Institutional Christianity?

]

 

[PS95]

Was it something I said? - LOL
Why would you think I don't love God, or don't desire to please him?
Is it because I dare to ask hard questions? Or that I criticize Institutional Christianity?

]

none of the above. I dont know you. the questions arent respectful ( whatever that means)

 

[St. SteVen]

I dont know you.

That's easy to fix.

the questions arent respectful

To whom or what? Would it be better not to question anything? Should a forum not be a place to discuss difficult issues? Do you prefer an echo chamber of agreement? I'm not pushing my views on anyone. I'm looking for honest discussion from the diverse views represented on this forum.

Doctrinolatry - tribalism and division in the Body of Christ​

A follow-up to my Bibliolatry topic. Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ. Since doctrinal unity is impossible, allowing others to hold their own doctrinal opinions may be the only way to prevent division. ]

The Unity and Division threads - Unified to one topic - Divided by links​

Doctrinolatry - tribalism and division in the Body of Christ A follow-up to my Bibliolatry topic. Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ. Since doctrinal unity is impossible, allowing others to hold their own doctrinal opinions may...

]

 

[St. SteVen]

From the OP.

The consequences. ???
- If you refuse the "Free Gift" of salvation
- If you walk away from the church
- If you question the church
- If you are not "faithful" until the end (whatever that means)

--- PARODY ---
Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Indeed.

[

 

[MA2444]

Was it something I said? - LOL
Why would you think I don't love God, or don't desire to please him?
Is it because I dare to ask hard questions? Or that I criticize Institutional Christianity?

]

Yes sir it was something you said. And it was also things that you didnt say...ever! (to my recollection.

Question: Have you ever said anything about our Lord which was presented in a positive light?

Can I ask you to say anything nice or positive about the Lord?

 

[St. SteVen]

Question: Have you ever said anything about our Lord which was presented in a positive light?

I have been a seemingly tireless defender of God's good character.
Unfortunately, that requires calling out those who are assassinating God's good character.
Then a fine reader, like yourself, thinks it is I who is demeaning God. Not so.

God's character informs the purpose of his justice​

AND your definition of God's purpose in justice defines the character you are assigning to Him. We can say that God is both loving and just without demeaning His good character. His justice CANNOT negate His love. - And his love CANNOT negate His justice. Therefore, the purpose of God's...

The Character of God - Reader Poll​

Please vote and comment. Thanks

Open Discussion of UR Chapter Three - God's character​

Probably one of the most important aspects of Ultimate Redemption (UR) is God's character. cc: @GRACE ambassador --- but, all are invited to join the discussion. Ultimate Redemption focuses on the mercy of God in judgement. God's ultimate ministry of reconciliation. The restoration of all...


[

 

[MA2444]

I have been a seemingly tireless defender of God's good character.
Unfortunately, that requires calling out those who are assassinating God's good character.
Then a fine reader, like yourself, thinks it is I who is demeaning God. Not so.

Well it's certainly not from your threads and the questions you ask! The way you word your questions in these threads most certainly casts a shadow upon the Lord and inspires doubt to those stupid enough to take you seriously.

I noticed that you didnt actually answer me and say something (In This Thread) that is good about God! WIll you or not?

God is love and He is also righteous. And being righteous God, He has to bring judgment upon the unrighteous.

 

[St. SteVen]

Well it's certainly not from your threads and the questions you ask! The way you word your questions in these threads most certainly casts a shadow upon the Lord and inspires doubt to those stupid enough to take you seriously.

I noticed that you didnt actually answer me and say something (In This Thread) that is good about God! WIll you or not?

God is love and He is also righteous. And being righteous God, He has to bring judgment upon the unrighteous.

What do you think would happen if someone took me seriously?

Here are some good things about God.

Acts 3:21 NIV
Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

1 John 2:2 NIV
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Romans 11:32, 36
32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Titus 2:11 ESV
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

John 1:29 NIV
... The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Timothy 4:10 NIV
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,
who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

1 John 4:14 NIV
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

[

 

[MA2444]

What do you think would happen if someone took me seriously?

Here are some good things about God.

Acts 3:21 NIV
Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

1 John 2:2 NIV
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Romans 11:32, 36
32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Titus 2:11 ESV
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

John 1:29 NIV
... The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Timothy 4:10 NIV
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,
who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

1 John 4:14 NIV
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

[

But Brother....I did not ask for scriptures. I asked St Steven! I want to hear it from your mouth. And you're making me uncomfortable with what seems to be you avoiding an answer to me.

SO I ask you a different question (But the first one still stands!)

Did Jesus come in the flesh and was He crucified and did He raise from the fead on the third day?

Sorry, Brother. I'm not trying to be confromtational but you have made me remember the scripture about...Test the spirits to see if they be of God. Not my fault, I was warned and you raised my Spiritual spidey sense!!

Just answer me and make some personal statements and declarations about your Lord and so forth. You like to write, that's evident! SO give me a paragraph Brother.

 

[Cyd]

The consequences. ???
- If you refuse the "Free Gift" of salvation
- If you walk away from the church
- If you question the church
- If you are not "faithful" until the end (whatever that means)

--- PARODY ---

Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Indeed.

]

It was not a free gift it required belief.
Mark 16:16 (KJV) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

also there are many verses I could quote it even required that of Abraham. Revelations said where the unbelieving go also:

Revelation 21:8 (KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

So to say it is free to me is not a truth at all.

 

[MA2444]

It was not a free gift it required belief.
Mark 16:16 (KJV) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

also there are many verses I could quote it even required that of Abraham. Revelations said where the unbelieving go also:

Revelation 21:8 (KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

So to say it is free to me is not a truth at all.

The way I understand it, the word Belief in it's original language carried a connotation of action, walking in it.

So it seems to me that it is akin to joining the Military. We have joined the Kingdom of God.

Military: Ok you are in the Military now. You can sit over there on that chair for the duration of your enlistment...

Does that even sound right? Or why did you join the military at all. Of course you have to get up and go to work learning how to be a soldier. Do you mean to say that you havent even showed up for boot camp yet? (Lol)

The first thing Jesus did when He officially joined the military (sic!) on earth, he went without food for 40 days and then led into to the desert to fight the enemy. So yes, it is a tough military and requires your diligence and your effort and your will to live.

It is written: I have set before you life and death. Therefore choose life.

Unless you dont want to choose life.

 

[St. SteVen]

So to say it is free to me is not a truth at all.

Thanks. That was my point.

[

 

[GRACE ambassador]

Probably one of the most important aspects of Ultimate Redemption (UR) is God's character. cc: @GRACE ambassador

Thanks. Your 'cc' has been noted.

 

[St. SteVen]

Thanks. Your 'cc' has been noted.

Hopefully you aren't "taking names and kicking butts". - LOL

That would definitely be out of character for you.

[

 

[Jack]

Well you are talking about a perversion of salvation here and not real salvation.

Salvation is free and freely given.

However if you want to enjoy the glorious joyous life that God desires us to know that accompanies salvation, that is very conditional and requires yo uto walk in obedience.

Amen!

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

The consequences. ???
- If you refuse the "Free Gift" of salvation
- If you walk away from the church
- If you question the church
- If you are not "faithful" until the end (whatever that means)

--- PARODY ---

Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Indeed.

]

I would never come even close to making such observations with unbelievers. I would develop friendships with people and witness to them about what God has done in my life. Then, I would continue to pray for them and let God use my unconditional love to work in their lives. If they have questions about God, I would answer them as well as I can from my knowledge of the Bible. However, it would all be their agenda, not primarily mine.

 

[MA2444]

The consequences. ???
- If you refuse the "Free Gift" of salvation
- If you walk away from the church
- If you question the church
- If you are not "faithful" until the end (whatever that means)

--- PARODY ---

Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Indeed.

]

Parody of a parody?

#1 Be all that you can be! Travel to Exotic Distant Lands! Meet Exciting Unusal People and Kill them!
#2 You give me a Rifle even?
#1Yes you get fully equipped.
#2 Can I sleep thru Boot Camp?
#1 No, you have to show up for Training...
#2 Unfair Unfair! I want my money back.
#1 That dont work here pal, the enemy is getiing ready to attack us any time and we need help to stop them...
#2 But it's still not travel to exotic lands! Wah!