May I suggest this for securing your eternal life?

[John Zain]

Throughout the entire Scriptures, only the righteous are saved.

The Christian is responsible for maintaining his imputed righteousness!

“... whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (Acts 10:35)

“… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)

“... let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7)

“… so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6:19)

“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey,
you are that one’s slaves whom you obey,
whether (slaves) of sin leading to (eternal) death,
OR (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)

Q: Why don't people see that ... the warnings (which are viewed as negative)
are somewhat hidden along side of the PPs (the positive promises)?

A: Too many people just cannot handle the powerful threats contained in the warnings!

However, Jesus to the rescue, as always ...

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess (repent of) our sins, He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."
(1 John 1:7-10)

Dunno, maybe the most important part of practicing righteousness is
the sincere repentance of sin.

 

[WIP]

Throughout the entire Scriptures, only the righteous are saved.

I'm wondering about your use of the word "only" in this statement. Are there not other examples of how one is saved?

Your thoughts on these versus?
Mark 16:16
John 3:16
John 14:6
Acts 16:31
Romans 5:9 and Romans 5:10
Romans 8:24
Romans 10:9
Romans 10:13
1 Corinthians 15:2
Ephesians 2:8

Maybe I need to get a clearer understanding of the meaning of righteousness?

 

[John Zain]

Throughout the entire Scriptures, only the righteous are saved.

I'm wondering about your use of the word "only" in this statement.
Are there not other examples of how one is saved?
Maybe I need to get a clearer understanding of the meaning of righteousness?

Yes, let's look at these verses ...

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin ... (and the reverse also)

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Rom 2:8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth,
but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath,

Rom 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin,
but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members
as instruments of righteousness to God.

No BAC who is a habitual sinner is righteous, i.e. has eternal life any more.
By habitual I mean continual without sincere repentance resulting in progress.
Such a person is not being led by the Spirit of God in getting rid of the habit.

Re: the OP,
anyone who is practicing righteousness simply means one who is not habitually sinning.
IMHO, the occasional sin (which is sincerely repented of) is not a habitual sin.

 

[reba]

May I suggest this for securing your eternal life?

The Blood of Jesus !

 

[WIP]

Throughout the entire Scriptures, only the righteous are saved.

I'm wondering about your use of the word "only" in this statement.
Are there not other examples of how one is saved?
Maybe I need to get a clearer understanding of the meaning of righteousness?

Yes, let's look at these verses ...

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin ... (and the reverse also)

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Rom 2:8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth,
but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath,

Rom 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin,
but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members
as instruments of righteousness to God.

No BAC who is a habitual sinner is righteous, i.e. has eternal life any more.
By habitual I mean continual without sincere repentance resulting in progress.
Such a person is not being led by the Spirit of God in getting rid of the habit.

Re: the OP,
anyone who is practicing righteousness simply means one who is not habitually sinning.
IMHO, the occasional sin (which is sincerely repented of) is not a habitual sin.

You stated that the only way to salvation is by being righteous. Forgive me but this sounds a lot like I must work for my salvation. Does not God have the option to count me as righteous even though I may not be? Romans 5:18 and Romans 5:19 come to mind.

 

[John Zain]

You stated that the only way to salvation is by being righteous.

I didn't mean it to come across that way.

For one have eternal life @ the end of his life, God must consider him to be righteous!

Everything is about a person being righteous or unrighteous in God's eyes.

IMO, much of the church has taught that a BAC has the imputed righteousness of Christ,
and perhaps this means OSAS.

But, I presented Scriptures that say a BAC must maintain his righteousness,
which means his sins must somehow be continually covered over.

And this ties in with all of the other warnings about "losing" eternal life.

 

[John Zain]

The NT in English is plenty good enough for me with the indispensible help of the Holy Spirit.
God did not arrange for the Scriptures to be penned for people with above-average
intelligence, education, etc. (especially those with knowledge of Greek), that’s for sure!

The English is quite obvious to anyone who has no preconceived biases ...
“... whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (Acts 10:35)
“… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)
“... let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7)
“… so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6:19)
and ...
“(slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)

However, it is nice when the Greek substantiates what I already know,
and what others refuse to accept ...

A male BAC has chosen to bless us with …

The Greek is in the present (continuous action) tense for the participle 'doing'.
So the meaning is that everyone who continues to do righteousness (i.e. righteous actions)
'has been born' (perfect tense).
The perfect tense 'represents a present state resulting from a past action' (John Wenham).

So the meaning of 1 John 2:29 is that Jesus is righteous and those who have been born of God
will continue to do righteousness. Thus, a born again person has the ability - given by God -
to continue to live righteously.

It doesn't matter whether one goes to the Textus Receptus Greek text used for the KJV
or the Nestle-Aland/UBS Greek text for ESV, NIV, NRSV, etc,
the word is identical - poiōn in the Greek of 1 John 2:29.
The transliterated Greek word, poiōn, is a nominative, singular, masculine,
present active participle of poieō.

 

[ezra]

amen

 

[chakham]

Another way to think about the commandments is like this. We have a King who has given us a land to dwell in. With that privilege comes fundamental laws and principles by which this land will be governed i.e. a constitution.

If one disregards the Kings law they will most likely not be permitted to enter into the land. Really, doesn't a King have a reasonable expectation that those who love Him would listen and be obedient to Him?

Blood regardless of where it comes from does no good. Believing so I think leads people to continue in their sinful ways. Something Constantine had in mind when he established his religion.

 

[John Zain]

Lotsa talk lately about the BAC's righteousness, or lack thereof.

“IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.†(1 John 1:9)

Who would like to be the first to call into question old John's sanity?

He is saying a BAC's righteousness is conditional ...
upon whether he actually confesses (repents) of his sins, or not.

Not exactly a free-for-all ... but it’s a free choice for all.

At least God is happy ... it takes the responsibilty off Him.

What do you expect? ... He can't make anyone do anything anyway.
Or, should I say? ... He chooses not to.

Man's free will ... remains King of the hill ... Hey, that rhymes!

 

[John Zain]

May I suggest this for securing your eternal life?

The Blood of Jesus !

Absolutely, but Jesus' blood must be continuously applied to cover continuous sins!
This is what repentance is all about in 1 John 1:7-10.

So, why aren't all of the many dozens of warning passages only about repentance?
I.E. They could have just basically said,
"Okay, you sin, that's obvious ... so just go and sincerely repent of them."
This, being part of the sanctification-unto-holiness process, would gradually eliminate them.

But, NO, the warnings go WAY beyond that and say, "Stop sinning, or die!"
There are several which actually say this ...
and my 2 personal favorites are Romans 6:15-23 and James 1:12-16.

But, perhaps the most powerful of all are Jesus' warnings to the 7 churches (Rev 2-3)
that they MUST BE OVERCOMERS ... like He was an overcomer!

And warning ... This obviously has nothing to do with John's comment in 1 John 5:5,
where he says an overcomer is one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.
Catch my drift?

 

[JLB]

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

 

[turnorburn]

Hi John; I'd like to ask a question, in your opinion how does a person know they are saved?

Thanks..
tob

 

[JLB]

Hi John; I'd like to ask a question, in your opinion how does a person know they are saved?

Thanks..
tob

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:16

He empowers my knower to know.


JLB

 

[turnorburn]

Thanks JLB I'd like to hear what John thinks/says..

tob

*edit: changed wording

 

[Chopper]

Throughout the entire Scriptures, only the righteous are saved.

The Christian is responsible for maintaining his imputed righteousness!

“... whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (Acts 10:35)

“… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)

“... let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7)

“… so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6:19)

“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey,
you are that one’s slaves whom you obey,
whether (slaves) of sin leading to (eternal) death,
OR (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)

Q: Why don't people see that ... the warnings (which are viewed as negative)
are somewhat hidden along side of the PPs (the positive promises)?

A: Too many people just cannot handle the powerful threats contained in the warnings!

However, Jesus to the rescue, as always ...

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess (repent of) our sins, He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."
(1 John 1:7-10)

Dunno, maybe the most important part of practicing righteousness is
the sincere repentance of sin.

I like your Thread very much....Right on Brother, right on!

 

[John Zain]

Hi John; I'd like to ask a question, in your opinion how does a person know they are saved?

Lately, I've heard several saying that salvation is not awarded or lost until the end of whenever.
Scriptures stating that our faith must endure until the end of our lives ...
Mark 13:13 • But he who endures with his faith to the end (of his life) shall be saved eternally
… and also please see Matt 10:22,Matt 24:13,Col 1:22-23,1 Tim 4:16,Heb 10:35-39,Rev 2:10.

Therefore, IMO, it is not really possible to know for certain.
Paul often spoke of the "hope" of salvation, eternal life, etc.

Who knows what might come along, causing one to cast away his/her faith.
I know one guy who insisted that he was Spirit-filled,
who after studying Christian history, became a Muslim!
But, I'm not 100% sure that he was telling the truth.

Eternal life is knowing both Father God and Jesus Christ (John 17:2).
Eternal life is knowing and following the Shepherd like a sheep does (John 10:27).
Eternal life is being led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14).
If one does these things, surely he will be seriously repenting of his sins,
and if this life-style continues until death, he will have assurance along the way.

But, I also see this as an emotional issue ...
-- some feel it is necessary to hang onto the "blessed assurance" verses
-- some actually trust in the dozens of verses that warn of conditionality