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Can Obedience To God Earn Salvation?

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Whew. So you're saying the Apostles didn't disciple the next generation? Didn't follow Jesus' commands at Mt 28:18-20?

Hm. How could they be so disobedient and still be Christians in your eyes?
:biglol
I politely suggest that :biglol image is more properly directed at your position.

You are asking the reader to accept an unsubstantiated speculation that Paul told the next generation precisely what he meant when he wrote the term 'works' in Eph 2:9.

How is this a serious position? I am beginning to wonder whether you are not simply enjoying debate for its own sake. This particular argument is so highly speculative - assumes so much with no evidence to support it - that I am not sure what to do with it.

If you have any evidence that the early Fathers had direct knowledge about what the author of Ephesians intended by the term "works" in 2:9, then please present it. And, no, presenting evidence about the Early Fathers believed is, of course, not enough.

I am certain you have no such evidence.
 
This eisegetes "the Law of Moses".
No.

It is true that Eph 2:9 does not say 'works of the Law of Moses'. Neither does it say 'good works'; It simply says 'works'.

It is also true that Eph 2:15 does not say that the "the Law of Moses" was abolished, it simply says that "the law" was abolished.

But, if you are saying that I am engaged in eisegesis in drawing the conclusions I have, that would be an error on your part.

Given the obvious possibility that "works" in verse 9 could denote "works of the Law of Moses", and given the obvious possibility that "Law" in verse 15 could denote the Law of Moses, it is perfectly valid to show, from a careful consideration of context, that these are the intended meanings. That is no more "eisegesis" than it would be to conclude that "George" in the following statement is President George W. Bush:

"George was the 41st president (or whatever number he was) of the United States, was the former owner of the Texas Rangers, and was in office from 2000 to 2008"

Is the last name of "George" given? No. Can we infer that the last name must be "Bush"? Of course.

Again: I suggest that these strategies: (1) denying the mere possibility that 'works' means 'works of the Law of Moses'; (2) Calling valid context-based resolution of ambiguity "eisegesis", are the only options open to you, precisely because, and I know you know this, once context is allowed into the argument, it becomes instantly clear that my take on both verse 9 and verse 15 make great sense of the entire passage.
 
Salvation is not of our works.
Paul said:
God “will repay each person according to what they have done.7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
You have a choice, reader. Believe one, or believe the other.

As I have pointed out many times before, the standard "reformed" view that 'good works' do not 'count' unto final salvation cannot deal with Romans 2:6-7.

One common strategy is to argue from other things that Paul writes that he cannot possibly believe that 'good works' are related to final salvation.

Well, then, whydoes he say that good works do matter, here in 2:6-7?

I have never read a satisfying answer to this question.
 
The factual scriptural dynamic is that there is always potentially 3 parties involved within the heart of every believer and with every choice and move.

God, Satan and the person.

Please show a "named believer" who has God, Satan and himself rattling around in his head. You put this standard on the doctrine of free will, so you must be able to show at least one. Remember, it can't just be taught in Scripture, there has to be a "NAMED believer".

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
You have a choice, reader. Believe one, or believe the other.

As I have pointed out many times before, the standard "reformed" view that 'good works' do not 'count' unto final salvation cannot deal with Romans 2:6-7.

One common strategy is to argue from other things that Paul writes that he cannot possibly believe that 'good works' are related to final salvation.

Well, then, whydoes he say that good works do matter, here in 2:6-7?

I have never read a satisfying answer to this question.

Me either. He says good works matter and "works" don't, so it stands to reason that either Paul contradicts himself or the word "works" means something other than "good deeds". There is no other logical option.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
Please show a "named believer" who has God, Satan and himself rattling around in his head. You put this standard on the doctrine of free will, so you must be able to show at least one. Remember, it can't just be taught in Scripture, there has to be a "NAMED believer".

Take your pick.

Every believer who hears the Word has this happen to them.

Mark 4:15
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

You are certainly welcome to discard the fact that temptations are within and are of the tempter.

s
 
Take your pick.

Every believer who hears the Word has this happen to them.

Mark 4:15
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

You are certainly welcome to discard the fact that temptations are within and are of the tempter.

s

So, the answer is, "there isn't one", correct? Then, according to your own words, the idea that "there is always potentially 3 parties involved within the heart of every believer" is a false, non-Biblical doctrine of man.

The fact is my friend, there is not one single instance in the entire New Testament where any named believer is said to have 'lost' their eternal salvation.

Yet your sect stands on a fact that is not even there or shown. go figure.
I guess, so does yours.

As noted prior there are exactly zero scriptures showing a single believer being eternally lost. Zero.

There are ZERO Scriptures showing a "named believer" with your "3 parties" heresy effecting their lives, so will you still believe it or do you put a different standard on doctrine your sect doesn't teach?

The fact is there is not one single named example of what you present. Not a one showing a believer who falls victim to our mutual adversary to be abandoned by God in Christ.And there are many scriptures showing an exactly opposite position, that God in Christ never ever abandons them.Your belief as stated prior effectively requests others to NOT believe outright statements of scripture. It is in effect a request, even a demand to NOT believe.

Let me see if I have this straight. Unless there is a "named believer" within Scripture as an example of any doctrine, the Church that teaches it "effectively requests others to NOT believe outright statements of scripture. It is in effect a request, even a demand to NOT believe"?

Are you getting these ideas by subjective Bible reading or is there someone teaching you? If the latter, I would find another sect, because, by your own standard, this person is teaching you to "NOT believe outright statements of scripture".

You have a couple of options to retain some credibility.

You can rethink your ridiculous assertion that that for a doctrine to be true, there needs to be a Scriptural example of a "named believer", or.

You can continue to hold this position, but you would have to leave the sect that's teaching "there is always potentially 3 parties involved within the heart of every believer"
.

I don't know you very well, but I'm pretty sure what your response will be. You will ignore all the logic in this post and attack the Catholic Church because, again, it's all you have.


 
So, the answer is, "there isn't one", correct? Then, according to your own words, the idea that "there is always potentially 3 parties involved within the heart of every believer" is a false, non-Biblical doctrine of man.

Ya know dadO, a guy can only do so much hand holding.

Sin is of the devil. Temptation originates within via SIN thoughts which are in fact sin regardless of what your sect teaches on the matters.

And if you need more substantiation that satanic operators are IN MAN, uh, you might want to read of the fact on nearly every page of the N.T. Gospels, you know, in case you missed the thousands of examples. yeah, thousands.

That places that bad operator 'within.' But if you can't see it, I may suggest a closer personal look.

Somebody may be blocking yer internal view.

You are certainly welcome to consider yourself immune from what Jesus said happens in Mark 4:15 and that your sin is NOT of the devil as 1 John 3:8 states.
There are ZERO Scriptures showing a "named believer" with your "3 parties" heresy effecting their lives, so will you still believe it or do you put a different standard on doctrine your sect doesn't teach?
Think again. Paul had a devil and the Spirit of Christ was also with him and in him.

Do the math dad. 1, 2, 3

If you can't count that far take a look at the man of the Gergesenes and see if you can count to 12,000 devils in a single man, speaking and acting 'in him.'

If you can't see the obvious you can't see the obvious.

If you need another bunch of folk, try every unbeliever of Israel upon whom God put a 'spirit of slumber' so they could neither hear nor see. Romans 11:8. Need names? I think the O.T. is probably filled with a lot of names of unbelieving Israelites. And hey, they were ALL Gods children too! Imagine that? How obedient is a blinding spirit of slumber that caused them NOT to see or hear. Hear?

Most believers just don't really want to take a close look at their own sins because that means factoring in the other party into their own head. And the resistance parties really don't care for that LIGHT.

No man can see this unless God Himself allows it. Until then they too have a 'spirit of slumber' over their minds.

enjoy

s
 
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Ya know dadO, a guy can only do so much hand holding.

Sin is of the devil. Temptation originates within via SIN thoughts which are in fact sin regardless of what your sect teaches on the matters.

And if you need more substantiation that satanic operators are IN MAN, uh, you might want to read of the fact on nearly every page of the N.T. Gospels, you know, in case you missed the thousands of examples. yeah, thousands.

That places that bad operator 'within.' But if you can't see it, I may suggest a closer personal look.

Somebody may be blocking yer internal view.

Of course, if someone disagrees with your view, they are being blinded by Satan. :lol

Paul had a devil and the Spirit of Christ was also with him and in him.

Do the math dad. 1, 2, 3

Please show me the verses that teach Paul had a devil "with him and IN him". Please stop the condescending personal attacks and simply post the verse.

If you can't count that far take a look at the man of the Gergesenes and see if you can count to 12,000 devils in a single man, speaking and acting 'in him.'

Does Scripture say this man had the Holy Spirit in him also? Was this man a "believer"?

If you need another bunch of folk, try every unbeliever of Israel upon whom God put a 'spirit of slumber' so they could neither hear nor see. Romans 11:8.

Really? Did the Jewish "unbelievers" have the Spirit within them? How is "every unbeliever of Israel" a "named believer"? This is your standard, not mine. All I have to go on are your words. "There is not one single instance in the entire New Testament where any named believer is said to have 'lost' their eternal salvation.". That there is no example, seems to make the idea that a person can lose his salvation non-biblical to you, even though it's taught in Scripture. The FACT is, there is no "named believer" who has BOTH SATAN AND THE SPIRIT WITHIN HIM. All I'm asking for is consistency.

Need names? I think the O.T. is probably filled with a lot of names of unbelieving Israelites.

Again, that there are unbelievers is not the point. Your claim is this:

"The factual scriptural dynamic is that there is always potentially 3 parties involved within the heart of every believer and with every choice and move.

God, Satan and the person."

Simply post the names and verses of anyone in Scripture who has "3 parties involved within the heart...God, Satan and the person".
 
Ya know dadO, a guy can only do so much hand holding.

Sin is of the devil. Temptation originates within via SIN thoughts which are in fact sin regardless of what your sect teaches on the matters.

And if you need more substantiation that satanic operators are IN MAN, uh, you might want to read of the fact on nearly every page of the N.T. Gospels, you know, in case you missed the thousands of examples. yeah, thousands.

That places that bad operator 'within.' But if you can't see it, I may suggest a closer personal look.

Somebody may be blocking yer internal view.

You are certainly welcome to consider yourself immune from what Jesus said happens in Mark 4:15 and that your sin is NOT of the devil as 1 John 3:8 states.
Think again. Paul had a devil and the Spirit of Christ was also with him and in him.

Do the math dad. 1, 2, 3

If you can't count that far take a look at the man of the Gergesenes and see if you can count to 12,000 devils in a single man, speaking and acting 'in him.'

If you can't see the obvious you can't see the obvious.

If you need another bunch of folk, try every unbeliever of Israel upon whom God put a 'spirit of slumber' so they could neither hear nor see. Romans 11:8. Need names? I think the O.T. is probably filled with a lot of names of unbelieving Israelites. And hey, they were ALL Gods children too! Imagine that? How obedient is a blinding spirit of slumber that caused them NOT to see or hear. Hear?

Most believers just don't really want to take a close look at their own sins because that means factoring in the other party into their own head. And the resistance parties really don't care for that LIGHT.

No man can see this unless God Himself allows it. Until then they too have a 'spirit of slumber' over their minds.

enjoy

s

Just a sincere Question

Are you saying that you believe satan lives in us. Like indwells us like the Holy Spirit?
Or are you saying that he tempts, condemns, accuses us in our minds?

If it's possible please make your answer as straight forward and clear for me. I do not wish to debate anything. Thanks
 
Of course, if someone disagrees with your view, they are being blinded by Satan. :lol

Again, you are welcome to isolate and insulate your sins as not being of the devil.

I don't.

Whether you agree or not is quite irrelevant to the fact of it.


Please show me the verses that teach Paul had a devil "with him and IN him". Please stop the condescending personal attacks and simply post the verse.
Oh, I love this part. Do you think if I put up the scriptures you'd see them?

Romans 7:19
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Romans 7:21
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Romans 7:25
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

2 Corinthians 12:7
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.

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil;

I know that many will read the above and still can't see it though.

Fact is this is what happens to everyone WHO HEARS THE WORD JUST AS JESUS SAID:

Mark 4:15
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mark 7:23
All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Does Scripture say this man had the Holy Spirit in him also? Was this man a "believer"?
Your 'sect' teaches that all people are Gods children.

Really? Did the Jewish "unbelievers" have the Spirit within them?
Adam was Gods son. All of Isreal are Gods children.

Are you going to say that God had no part 'WITHin' HIS CHILDREN?

Even a dadof10 knows he has a PART of himself within his own children doesn't he?

How is "every unbeliever of Israel" a "named believer"?
All unbelievers are blinded by the god of this world prior to belief. Doesn't mean that Israel were not Gods children exactly as scriptures state in multiple places.

Psalm 82:
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

This is your standard, not mine. All I have to go on are your words. "There is not one single instance in the entire New Testament where any named believer is said to have 'lost' their eternal salvation.". That there is no example, seems to make the idea that a person can lose his salvation non-biblical to you,
Any believer can certainly fall back into blindness. Does not mean God in Christ abandoned them, period. That NEVER happens.

LOVE NEVER FAILS.

even though it's taught in Scripture. The FACT is, there is no "named believer" who has BOTH SATAN AND THE SPIRIT WITHIN HIM. All I'm asking for is consistency.
You should probably brush up on the details above.

Every believer is tempted within by THE TEMPTER.

Do the math. Where do you think that places the TEMPTER?

Again, that there are unbelievers is not the point. Your claim is this:

"The factual scriptural dynamic is that there is always potentially 3 parties involved within the heart of every believer and with every choice and move.

God, Satan and the person."

Simply post the names and verses of anyone in Scripture who has "3 parties involved within the heart...God, Satan and the person".
Sin is and remains of the DEVIL and ALL believers SIN.

Satanic impositions are INTERNAL, placing that operator WITHIN.

You are welcome to discount that fact in order to uphold the fantasy of freewill obedience. I might say that YOU could very well be obedient and the tempter within simultaneously NOT.

Paul describes this fact quite well in Romans 9:

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

If any 'believer' does not think they need to DIVIDE from that vessel, Paul again shows otherwise:

2 Tim. 2:
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.


So, yeah. Your temptation IS of the devil and is internal.


We DIVIDE ourselves from that worker and working WITHIN, lest we be ENSNARED and ENSLAVED.



s
 
Just a sincere Question

Are you saying that you believe satan lives in us. Like indwells us like the Holy Spirit?

I believe we are ALL tempted within by THE TEMPTER. So where does that place the tempter?

I believe that this is ALL of our factual present conditions:

1 Cor. 15:
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made -
Or are you saying that he tempts, condemns, accuses us in our minds?

Of course that operator transpires within our minds. This is in fact an internal and unseen FACT. That is also why it is hard to perceive.

Most of us, especially freewillers, think it is only THEM there in their head and heart.

It's NOT.


If it's possible please make your answer as straight forward and clear for me. I do not wish to debate anything. Thanks

There really is nothing to debate. Any believer who is honest KNOWS they are tempted by the tempter within. That places that working WITHIN. There is no debate to be had.

s
 
Let's try to remain focused on the topic of the thread and not direct our comments toward individuals personally.
Remember, we are to not think of ourselves more highly than we ought.
 
This means any argument accusing those who do sin but obey as trying to earning salvation are bad, false arguments for obedient works do not, cannot ever earn salvation.

Why do you confuse things by injecting words like salvation, perfect sinlessness. First of all, a workman is rewarded. The servant who invested wisely was rewarded.

Is Christ really your Master. Servants do their master`s bidding. We go where we are sent. We do what we are sent to do.

If Christ is your master, then why are you asking these questions. This entire forum is puzzling to me
 
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No. He is moving on to another subject.
Well, I was expecting Paul discussing persecution at :17, 18, 23, and then :33-36, they were all addressing persecution. You're saying Paul changes the subject to ...
"What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us?" (v.31)
... the argument against persecution from the argument about persecution?

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (v.35) He even mentions persecution here by name.

Did the Jews hold that persecution = curse? Yes or no. This is what Paul is responding to. Jesus suffered and DIED. These two things were not looked upon as blessings in the OT, but they are now.
curse? Is there allusion to a curse here?

No, Paul is talking about persecution. All through. He's talking at 8:28-39 about our glorification as sons of God as the argument about undergoing persecution. Why? Because this world cannot change our identification and glorification as the sons of God.

So that leads us down to Rom 8:38-39 -- that our lives, which are lives in this world, cannot change our identification and glorification as the sons of God.
Then what does "tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword" have to do with the resurrection? How would these things effect a person's salvation? They don't, but they do effect how a person might view their current circumstances and start to question if God truly loves them, especially since the Jewish mindset was that suffering=curses.
Is salvation just from death? No, it's not. Salvation is from evil.

Or is persecution good?

So this line of thinking, that Paul is somehow getting off the argument about salvation and moving on to an unrelated argument about persecution -- it just doesn't show up. There's no indication of it, and in fact there is clear indication of Paul's bringing our salvation from evil into his clash of Christian with persecution. Our status before God keeps us safe. Our sonship keeps us in Christ no matter what the world brings. And that includes our very lives down here.
 
Again, you are welcome to isolate and insulate your sins as not being of the devil.

I don't.

Whether you agree or not is quite irrelevant to the fact of it.

My sins are not of the devil they, are "of" me. I'm the one who commits them and am responsible for them because I have a free will and can CHOOSE sin. Satan can tempt me to sin, but I can also refuse him and follow Christ.

The reason I brought this up, if you'll remember, is to show that it's not NECESSARY for there to be a "named believer" within Scripture to prove that we can lose our salvation. You made this claim, yet don't hold yourself to the same standard. You can believe that Satan dwells within us without there being a "named believer".

Let's remember your claim, here. You have been saying that the devil, Satan himself, "the Tempter" dwells within the "heart and mind" of all people. Let me debunk this heresy before I move on to dealing with the verses you THINK proves your point of there being a "named believer".

1) "Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve; 4 he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. (Luke 22:3-4)

Whoa...wait a minute...I thought Satan was already "within our hearts and minds"? Obviously there was a time before this when Satan wasn't in Judas, otherwise how could he "enter into" him?

2) Is Satan omnipresent? Does he share this attribute with God? I don't know of any church that teaches that any created beings are omnipresent. Angels, like Satan, can't be everywhere at once, they can't be within you and within your pastor at the same time, can they? So how can Satan?

3) Jesus CAST OUT demons. Think about it...This FACT alone debunks your entire claim. Why would Jesus cast out something that was SUPPOSED TO BE THERE?

Your 'sect' teaches that all people are Gods children.

Adam was Gods son. All of Isreal are Gods children.

Are you going to say that God had no part 'WITHin' HIS CHILDREN?

Even a dadof10 knows he has a PART of himself within his own children doesn't he?

All unbelievers are blinded by the god of this world prior to belief. Doesn't mean that Israel were not Gods children exactly as scriptures state in multiple places.

Psalm 82:
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Any believer can certainly fall back into blindness. Does not mean God in Christ abandoned them, period. That NEVER happens.

LOVE NEVER FAILS.

You should probably brush up on the details above.

Every believer is tempted within by THE TEMPTER.

Do the math. Where do you think that places the TEMPTER?

Sin is and remains of the DEVIL and ALL believers SIN.

Satanic impositions are INTERNAL, placing that operator WITHIN.
This part is concerning your view that all of Israel had Satan within them, and "man of the Gergesenes" had 12,000 devils within him. You didn't paste ONE VERSE that states that SATAN as dwelling within these people, or that the Holy Spirit is within them also. You are just presuming. To make the connection that the Jews are "children" of God, so therefore, have the HS within each and every one of them is laughable. The HS was given to all at PENTECOST, except in rare cases. Besides, even though they sinned doesn't mean the devil is WITHIN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM, which is your claim. You are reaching. Now let's move on to Paul...

First, let me remind you of your point: SATAN, the Holy Spirit and the man, all three, dwell WITHIN the man. You point is NOT that there is demonic possession or that man has a propensity toward sin (concupiscence) or that we have a conscience or that we are tempted by "tempters" or that our fallen human nature tends toward sin. These are the things Paul is talking about, not that SATAN is dwelling within him. HE NEVER SAYS THIS!!!

Let's take Romans first.

Oh, I love this part. Do you think if I put up the scriptures you'd see them?

Romans 7:19
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Romans 7:21
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Romans 7:25
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
First, I wonder why you chose to paste only the verses that "prove" your point and left out others that lend context? Hummm... Here is the context:

"We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good." (Rom. 7:14-16)

Here, Paul is describing his inner conflict. Paul says he does what he "hates", even though he knows what he SHOULD be doing. Why? Because he is "carnal", not because Satan is within him.

17 So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.

First of all, Paul says that SIN dwells within him, not Satan. Secondly, where does the sin dwell??? In his "heart and mind" or in his flesh? And lastly, he says "nothing good dwells within me", so how can the Holy Spirit be in the same place where the "sin" is dwelling? No, this does not even come close.

19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me.

Again, where does the sin dwell? In his FLESH, not in his "heart and mind". He is describing his inclination toward sin because of his fallen human nature, not because there is a foreign agent within, causing his sin.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

Not "within".

22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self,

Here, he mentions his "inmost self", where he delights in the law of God. There is a conflict, then, between his "inmost self" and...

23 but I see
in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members.

Again, in his members, his flesh. This is the conflict he is describing. He has concupiscence, a bend toward sin, due to his human nature, not because Satan is in his "inner self" tempting him from within.

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I of myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

It is blatantly obvious that he is struggling between "the law of God" which is in his "MIND" and the law of sin, which is in his "FLESH". This doesn't even come close to "proving" you point, which is that the devil, Satan himself, "the Tempter" dwells within the "heart and mind" of all people.


2 Corinthians 12:7
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.
Again, that word "flesh". Please explain how this proves the point that Satan is within his "heart and mind". This verse says that a "messenger of Satan" was given to him, it doesn't say that Satan is within him, nor does it say that Satan has always been within him. in fact, it says the opposite.

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
So?

1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil;
Again, context:

He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. 10 By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother. (1Jn. 8-10)

Where does this say that the devil abides within the believer?

The rest of the "proof" you posted is just as specious. The FACT is that Scripture doesn't show a "named believer" who has God, Satan and himself dwelling within him, so either you are holding a non-biblical doctrine or your premise is false. I think both.

Now, I have done an exegesis on the above verses, and I would expect the same consideration when I post a verse. I have posted the following verse a few times only to have it ignored. This PROVES that Paul didn't believe in OSAS and that he didn't consider himself justified. Why? Because (and this will tie it to the OP, WIP :)) salvation is an ongoing process and he still needs to OBEY in order to be saved.

In context, and in the KJV:

1 Corinthians 4

King James Version (KJV)

4 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
(1Cor. 4:1-5)

So, does Paul judge himself? He does not consider himself justified, does he? Are these the words of a man who considers himself bound for heaven, no matter what he does from here on out? Would your pastor say these words about himself?

Please don't ignore these verses in favor of attacks on the Catholic Church again. You have little credibility left.
 
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My sins are not of the devil they, are "of" me. I'm the one who commits them and am responsible for them because I have a free will and can CHOOSE sin. Satan can tempt me to sin, but I can also refuse him and follow Christ.

That's what the devil sure tells believers isn't it?

Sin however is in fact of the devil as John clearly showed us BOTH. Neither of us is going to avoid INTERNAL TEMPTATION of the TEMPTER no matter what our 'choices' are and those temptations are in fact demonic, internal and SIN.

Those choices are not yours to make other than to know for a fact that we are all subjected to such things.

1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

The reason I brought this up, if you'll remember, is to show that it's not NECESSARY for there to be a "named believer" within Scripture to prove that we can lose our salvation. You made this claim, yet don't hold yourself to the same standard. You can believe that Satan dwells within us without there being a "named believer".

The math was simple. Why is there a need to repeat this little 1,2,3 count?

We all have sin, sin is of the devil, temptations are internal and of the tempter.

So, 1, you, 2, the tempter, 3 God in Christ who dwells in you.

I won't belittle your counting abilities any further than this.

I will say that if you can not COUNT you will have FALSE MATH.

Freewillers can not factor the tempter within themselves therefore their math is off count. And they can not because they are BLINDED to this matter by same. But hey, we are all blinded in part aren't we?

Let's remember your claim, here. You have been saying that the devil, Satan himself, "the Tempter" dwells within the "heart and mind" of all people. Let me debunk this heresy before I move on to dealing with the verses you THINK proves your point of there being a "named believer".

We've done the drill on this matter as well.

Paul had evil present with him post salvation. Paul was the chief sinner post salvation. Paul had a devil in his flesh post salvation. And of course the Spirit of God in Christ was also in the heart and mind of Paul.

So there is your count again, very easy to see WITH not only a named believer but with AN APOSTLE.

Now, go to your own sect and find one person in authority that makes the same count for themselves.

The churches are in fact filled with blind people. It's intentional blinding.

If you can pick up the count, then come back and talk to me.

We can only go so far before we can both see that counting is difficult for many.

Here is a count that should really matter to YOU that you should accept and pay attention to as it really is one of the most vital counts for all of us:

2 Corinthians 5:19
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Now, what do YOU do unto believers?

You COUNT believers sins against them and damn them to potential of burning alive forever.

In this matter the wrath of God is in your heart already and your intentions are openly revealed.

I'd say such intentions are demonically inspired if it is unto believers.

s
 
The Obedience of Jesus Christ, it earned heaven for many Rom 5:19

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
 
Well, I was expecting Paul discussing persecution at :17, 18, 23, and then :33-36, they were all addressing persecution. You're saying Paul changes the subject to ...

... the argument against persecution from the argument about persecution?


curse? Is there allusion to a curse here?

No, Paul is talking about persecution. All through. He's talking at 8:28-39 about our glorification as sons of God as the argument about undergoing persecution. Why? Because this world cannot change our identification and glorification as the sons of God.

So that leads us down to Rom 8:38-39 -- that our lives, which are lives in this world, cannot change our identification and glorification as the sons of God.

Is salvation just from death? No, it's not. Salvation is from evil.

Or is persecution good?

So this line of thinking, that Paul is somehow getting off the argument about salvation and moving on to an unrelated argument about persecution -- it just doesn't show up. There's no indication of it, and in fact there is clear indication of Paul's bringing our salvation from evil into his clash of Christian with persecution. Our status before God keeps us safe. Our sonship keeps us in Christ no matter what the world brings. And that includes our very lives down here.

I think the entire thought, from verse 31-39, is not about salvation but about perseverance in the face of persecution. Again, Paul does not write in a vacuum. These people had issues that Paul was addressing.

He starts out "What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us?"

This signals a change of focus. Before this he didn't mention anyone being "against" them. Certainly he mentions "sufferings" earlier, and ties them back in here.

"Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; 34 who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"

He now lists some EARTHLY persecutions:

"Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

If he was talking about salvation, why would he mention things that have nothing to do with it? These things scream physical persecution. "
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or..." Shall physical persecution separate us from the love of Christ? How does persecution affect salvation?

The people Paul was addressing came from a Jewish background where persecution was looked upon as a curse FROM GOD. When the Jews were in the middle of persecution, they would always assume God had abandoned them. This is what Paul is responding to. Even though you are going through tribulation and MAN MADE sufferings, this can not separate you from GOD'S LOVE. This doesn't mean we will always love God or that we will never reject His love, only that He will always love us.

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

My point is that these verses do not prove OSAS. They don't speak to OUR love for God, only HIS love for us. They don't speak to salvation in general, or that we will never REJECT GOD. We can reject God, as taught other places in Scripture, but He will never reject us, even though we may think He does if judged by our present circumstances.


 
That's what the devil sure tells believers isn't it?

Sin however is in fact of the devil as John clearly showed us BOTH. Neither of us is going to avoid INTERNAL TEMPTATION of the TEMPTER no matter what our 'choices' are and those temptations are in fact demonic, internal and SIN.

Those choices are not yours to make other than to know for a fact that we are all subjected to such things.

1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.



The math was simple. Why is there a need to repeat this little 1,2,3 count?

We all have sin, sin is of the devil, temptations are internal and of the tempter.

So, 1, you, 2, the tempter, 3 God in Christ who dwells in you.

I won't belittle your counting abilities any further than this.

I will say that if you can not COUNT you will have FALSE MATH.

Freewillers can not factor the tempter within themselves therefore their math is off count. And they can not because they are BLINDED to this matter by same. But hey, we are all blinded in part aren't we?



We've done the drill on this matter as well.

Paul had evil present with him post salvation. Paul was the chief sinner post salvation. Paul had a devil in his flesh post salvation. And of course the Spirit of God in Christ was also in the heart and mind of Paul.

So there is your count again, very easy to see WITH not only a named believer but with AN APOSTLE.

Now, go to your own sect and find one person in authority that makes the same count for themselves.

The churches are in fact filled with blind people. It's intentional blinding.

If you can pick up the count, then come back and talk to me.

We can only go so far before we can both see that counting is difficult for many.

Here is a count that should really matter to YOU that you should accept and pay attention to as it really is one of the most vital counts for all of us:

2 Corinthians 5:19
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Now, what do YOU do unto believers?

You COUNT believers sins against them and damn them to potential of burning alive forever.

In this matter the wrath of God is in your heart already and your intentions are openly revealed.

I'd say such intentions are demonically inspired if it is unto believers.

s

Again, no substance. Here are my points once again. Can you address them?

1) "Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve; 4 he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. (Luke 22:3-4)

Whoa...wait a minute...I thought Satan was already "within our hearts and minds"? Obviously there was a time before this when Satan wasn't in Judas, otherwise how could he "enter into" him?

2) Is Satan omnipresent? Does he share this attribute with God? I don't know of any church that teaches that any created beings are omnipresent. Angels, like Satan, can't be everywhere at once, they can't be within you and within your pastor at the same time, can they? So how can Satan?

3) Jesus CAST OUT demons. Think about it...This FACT alone debunks your entire claim. Why would Jesus cast out something that was SUPPOSED TO BE THERE?

Now, I have done an exegesis on the above verses, and I would expect the same consideration when I post a verse. I have posted the following verse a few times only to have it ignored. This PROVES that Paul didn't believe in OSAS and that he didn't consider himself justified. Why? Because (and this will tie it to the OP, WIP :)) salvation is an ongoing process and he still needs to OBEY in order to be saved.

In context, and in the KJV:

1 Corinthians 4

King James Version (KJV)

4 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
(1Cor. 4:1-5)

So, does Paul judge himself? He does not consider himself justified, does he? Are these the words of a man who considers himself bound for heaven, no matter what he does from here on out? Would your pastor say these words about himself?

Please don't ignore these verses in favor of attacks on the Catholic Church again. You have little credibility left.

Please stay on topic and stop the distractions.
 

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