Papyrus_dust
Member
God chose those who would come to his son before he created the world. He knew their names, put them in the Lambs book of life. The book of the saved that his only begotten son's blood would ink with the names of that grace filled shepherds sheep for eternity. We do not work to earn salvation. That is why his son had to die in order to fulfill the promise. The eternal covenant , the new covenant, that did away with the old law that spoke of working to cover sins. And with the blood of bullocks, sheep, doves, and other living things. Every sin, one more animal sacrifice.
Until the new testament was to be written. Because it was time. Because God's grace said it was time. And his gift of eternal life, which is eternal salvation in him, was given to the world. That last sacrifice on the altar. And all someone had to do, to "work" out in themselves in order to receive that FREE gift? Believe.
It doesn't get any simpler than that. And once we're reborn in Christ as a new creation, when the old dead in sin self has passed away, we're led by that indwelling holy spirit as we live our life guided by the spirits wisdom. It is a relationship you see. Built on trust, letting go, and listening. The more we listen to God's leading in all truth and holiness, the more we learn to walk in the light. Because the former darkness where we lived is dead to us.
When personal knowledge of the Salvation message fails , reach for independent sources. Not to pose to the repeat questioners because they are not involved in the discussion. But for the sake of those who may find this thread and hope to have an answer as to what eternal salvation means. And no dear reader, if you are there, you do not work to keep what God's own begotten son died to give you. Jesus , God's son, did all the work on the cross. All you have to do is believe, repent of your sins, accept Jesus as your savior from sin, be baptized so that you die to your old self and arise, as Jesus did from the tomb after his crucifixion, renewed. Reborn, regenerated and alive then in Jesus. Who is the head of your new church. Which church? Everybody who holds faith in the Jesus Christ as Lord.
Question: "What does it mean for salvation to be a gift from God?"
Answer: The word gift is an important one in the Bible, and it is good that we understand its definition and implications.
In the New Testament, there are several Greek words translated “gift.” Some of these words are used in contexts other than God’s gift of salvation, such as the reciprocal gift-giving of celebrants (Revelation 11:10), the things received from fathers (Matthew 7:11), offerings to a ministry (Philippians 4:17), and the gifts of the magi (Matthew 2:11).
However, when it comes to the matter of our salvation, the New Testament writers use different Greek words—words that emphasize the gracious and absolutely free quality of the gift. Here are the two words most commonly used for the gift of salvation:
1) Dorea, meaning “a free gift.” This word lays particular stress on the gratuitous nature of the gift—it is something given above and beyond what is expected or deserved. Every New Testament occurrence of this word is related to a spiritual gift from God. It is what Jesus offers to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:10). It is called the “free gift” in Romans 5:15. It is the “unspeakable [or indescribable] gift” in 2 Corinthians 9:15. This gracious gift is identified as the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38; 8:30; and 11:17.
The adverb form of this word is dorean, translated “freely” in Matthew 10:8; 2 Corinthians 11:7; Revelation 21:6; 22:17. In Romans 3:24, immediately following God’s pronouncement of our guilt, we have this use of dorean: “Being justified FREELY by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” The gift of salvation is free, and the motive for the gift is nothing more than the grace of the Giver.
2) Charisma, meaning “a gift of grace.” This word is used to define salvation in Romans 5:15-16. Also, in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT [charisma] of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This same word is used in conjunction with the gifts of the Spirit received after salvation (Romans 12:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10).
Obviously, if something is a “gift of grace,” it cannot be earned. To work for something is to deserve it, and that would produce an obligation—a gift of debt, as it were. That is why works destroy grace (Romans 4:1-5; 11:5-6).
When presenting salvation, the New Testament writers carefully chose words that emphasize grace and freedom. As a result, the Bible could not be more clear—salvation is absolutely free, the true gift of God in Christ, and our only responsibility is to receive the gift by faith (John 1:12; 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Recommended Resource: Faith Alone, The Doctrine of Justification: What the Reformers Taught...and Why It Still Matters by Thomas Schreiner
yes i do know that is why i said our definition .. some think woman wearing dresses 24/7 men long sleeve shirts begging God to make us worthy . the cross took care of that Grace God Riches at Christ expense
You did it for me. Here's what you said and why you fulfilled your own request. Highlighting to make the point. "JESUS never spoke about being saved except MAYBE 4 times or so." The "or so" makes it those five verses or so that you asked me to find. Further? Stating something was NEVER done, and then revoking that proclamation with, except, invalidates "Never".