Is the "free gift" of salvation really free? - Honestly?

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St. SteVen

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"The Gift of Salvation"

"The Gift of Righteousness"

"The Gift of Eternal Life".
But are they really free? They cost nothing? All free for the taking?
Nothing required in return? Continue your life and enjoy the FREE benefits?

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Behold

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But are they really free? They cost nothing?

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There is an extreme Cost for the "gift of Salvation".

It Cost God His only begotten Son.
Its Cost God's Son His blood and death... a horrible crucifixion., whereby God's only Begotten had to take upon Himself the sin of us all, and pay for it..

This is the Cross of Christ.

That is an extreme "cost" to save the Lost.

What does it cost a person to receive this "Gift of Salvation"?

"Faith in Christ"... as Your "Faith is counted by God as (Christ's) righteousness"..
 

Ritajanice

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A Born Again has got no other choice than to follow God, they were chosen and predestined to become a child of God.

Therefore where would I go , as I have been Born Of The Spirit , therefore God owns me lock,stock and barrel so to speak.

I’m in the world, I am not of the world....I’m in the Kingdom Of God.

That is my opinion/ testimony and belief.100%...plus it’s not up for discussion....I know 100% in my heart/ spirit that i am Born Again, God is my spiritual Father, Gods Living witness His Holy Spirit helps keep me walking that walk of faith.....mind Blowing!!

Getting close to God is beyond anyone’s wildest dreams....but it is and has been ,far from easy.

Plenty of pain, heartbreak and joy along the way.
 
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Behold

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A Born Again has got no other choice than to follow God, they were chosen and predestined to become a child of God.

Are the "born again" following God when they did something that millions of them "confess as their sin"?

Are the "born again" following God when they are deceived by Calvinism, or "the cult of mary" or by "Mormonism" or by "JW's"?

Are they "following God then"?

That's a no.

Also, noone is "pre-destined" to be born again, and that terminology is "Calvinism" and that is were you learned it.

Just remember..

God makes : CHRISTians

Calvin makes : Calvinists who feel obsessed to tell all, about it, day after day.
 

Ritajanice

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Those who preach that God doesn’t choose and predestined us to become Born Again.= un- truth....predestined is Biblical...those who preach it isn’t, don’t understand what chosen and predestined means...Ive explained the reason why below.

Are still in the natural mindset of understanding, they believe they chose God impossible..God brings us to believe in Jesus he also gifts us Faith to believe in Jesus in our spirit, that is where we are Born Again...we are not Born Again by intellectually understanding scripture in our own strength.

The Spirit brings us to understanding Gods written word...because we have been Born Of The Spirit.

The enemy as we can all see..HATES Gods truth.

You can’t know anything about Jesus in your spirit, not until Gods gifts you that precious gift of Faith , when our spirit becomes Born Again of incorruptible seed.

That is the vital ingredient....Gods Living incorruptible seed.that liveth and endure the forever...where does that seed liveth and endureth forever ....in our spirit/ heart.....our spirit was Born Again of Gods Living seed, via His Living Holy Spirit...100% my belief...never to change.

False teachers can’t stand up against the Living word...try they will though.
 
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St. SteVen

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Therefore where would I go , as I have been Born Of The Spirit , therefore God owns me lock,stock and barrel so to speak.
Not free then? There is cost involved? Owned by God. Bought with a price. Set free, but not for free?

The only thing "free" about salvation is that you can't buy it. IMHO

Luke 14:33 NIV
In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

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Behold

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Those who preach that God doesn’t choose and predestined us to become Born Again.= un- truth...

Paul and John "Preached" that "ALL who will believe" and "Whosoever will believe".. ..

So they are your "un-truth" you are accusing.

The most known Bible verse in the world.... more than likely..... is John 3:16, and Calvin has you denying it, as He hated it.

Also, Jesus said...

"If i be lifted up (on the Cross) I will call (draw) ALL people to me"/.

So, there is the other one you are accusing as "un-truth".

See, that is what Calvinism does to you.
Its a "doctrine of Devils"' and it teaches people how to believe it, and then teach it.
 

Ritajanice

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Not free then? There is cost involved? Owned by God. Bought with a price. Set free, but not for free?

The only thing "free" about salvation is that you can't buy it. IMHO

Luke 14:33 NIV
In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Of course I’m not free.
We were chosen and predestined to become Born Again..unless I’m misunderstanding your post?
 
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Behold

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Luke 14:33 NIV
In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Your verse is talking to Old Testament JEWS, and its talking about how to be a "disciple".

Notice that your verse precedes Jesus dying on the Cross, so, there are no CHRISTIANS in your verse....

Also, a "disciple".... is not the same thing as a Born Again, "Son/Daughter" of God.

A disciple of anyone, is a follower..

For example, a disciple of Calvin, teaches Calvinism, on this forum.

A Disciple of the "cult of Mary" teaches all about Mary and the "Catholic Doctrine".. on this Forum.

Is that a "Disciple of Christ"?

No.. that is a disciple of a Theology....and nothing more or less.

And you can be a disciple of Christ, a follower, and not be a Born Again Christian..
 

Ritajanice

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There are some who are also so sick in their mindset, that if you don’t agree with their own “ interpretation “of being Born Again.

You will get everything thrown at you, including being a Calvinist..never in my life read a Calvin book...I am led and always have been by the Living Holy Spirit.

I Love God and have ceased arguing , especially with fools...who have no understanding of spiritual matters.imo.

I present what I believe to be God’s truth...then move along...I refuse to get ensnared by the enemy like a few are on this board....they insistently argue the toss!!....in their never ending merry go round of arguing......they LOVE arguing....it’s all about self, speaking from my own experience .....imo.
 
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MA2444

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This is the evangelical bait-and-switch.
Where's the ethics in that? Should people be tricked into the kingdom?

Do we lead someone to Christ and then cut them loose? Nope.
They need to be discipled, right?

So we pile on the expectations.
- Daily Bible reading and prayer.
- Regular church attendance and tithing.
- Sharing the Gospel.
- Discipling others.
- Good works.

So much for a free gift.
It's a free gift... it will cost you everything.

To anyone who may be insulted by this post, consider this...
Jesus said to count the cost, to take up the cross daily and follow.

When we lead with the "free gift" of eternal life, are we being completely honest?
"Here's your free gift; goodbye; see you in heaven."

Or if someone isn't interested in our "free gift",
we warn them that eternal hell fire awaits those who refuse the "free gift".

What sort of "free gift" is that? (extortion)

That is crap and youhave a skewed perspective.

Let me ask you something, were you ever in the Service?
Join the Service! Be all you can Be! Free Training! Schooling! Free Equipment! Pay that is unrivaled by Homeless people!

But did you say to them, why do I have to get up out of bed for boot camp?

Did you accuse them of being liars too? Of course not! You're smart enough to realize that signing your name and Joining the Service, will require many things. Depends on where you want to be. Do you want to remain a Buck private and have the lowest job in the service with the least responsibility?

Waitaminute....are you here because you want to serve your Country, or merely for the benefits? Yes sir, you have to get up for training. There is much to learn. There is much to do and it will NOT be Easy!

The Service is pretty forgiving of people who made a mistake and koined but dont really want to be there. They will let you out. How could they depend on you with that attitude? You could wind up costing the lives of your countrymen.

So it sounds like, you dont want to be in the Service of God.

I'm sorry to hear that Brother, but if your attitudes ever change, the Lord will welcome you back into His Service of the Kingdom of God. When you want to be here.

They said it was free but then wanted me to get up to Train Learn & Do! Foul! Foul! Unfair! Extortion!!!
Get real Brother.
 

St. SteVen

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Of course I’m not free.
We were chosen and predestined to become Born Again..unless I’m misunderstanding your post?
Agree.
We were slaves to sin. Now we are slaves to God. Set free from our old life.
The price has been paid. (once for all) And we have our own price to pay. (as we surrender to Him)
"Take up your cross daily..."

/
 
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MA2444

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Your Salvation wasnt Free for Jesus. Think about that.

You were created to worship God and to bring Him glory.

God needed Messengers so He created Angels. That is their purpose. Do they say, Oh since I actually have to do something, it is unfair to create me?

God wanted a Bigger Family for His own to have to be able to come together in worship and admiration to Him, so He created you. But you dont want to worship God, you want to wander off and do what you want to do. That doesnt make sense to do that Brother.
 

MA2444

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It is a free gift, but indeed, it will cost you everything. But He is worth that cost. (surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus)

Spoken like someone in the Special Forces. (Of the Kingdom of God no less!)
 

GTW27

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The Lord's words and promises are The Truth. When will we start believing them.
 
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GTW27

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Spoken like someone in the Special Forces. (Of the Kingdom of God no less!)
Long ago I was standing in line for pizza. In front of me was a soldier dressed in a desert uniform. And The Lord spoke and said, "Two soldiers standing in a line, one soldier unto death and another soldier unto life.
 
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Stumpmaster

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Romans 6 23 The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
That must be from the Tautology Version.

Here's the KJV Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Unless something is free it isn't a gift.
 
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