The idea that salvation is free would make it the only thing that is free in our world.

The concept that salvation is easily attained by the most limited introspection, by the simplest of simple, by the laziest, and by dumbest bigots is understandably very, very popular with people who may be so described.

I know! Isn’t it great? That is the Good News of Christianity! And I speak as one of the dumbest of bigots:

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ (Luk 18:13)

That is all the introspection required. Then our great God and Saviour declares such a man justified!:

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luk 18:14)

It is glorious! It is wonderful! It is free! It is the Good News!

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die– but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned– for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 5:1-21)

Simply:

And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
(Rom 4:5)

Does that sound like folly to you, Sandy? Is that a stumbling block to you?

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1Co 1:21-31)

We will never question our fundamental beliefs, because the Word of God teaches is. We are trying to expose the monstrous quantities of nonsense taught by all religions and those who teach that the time has come to question our fundamental beliefs.

The Hebrew based God seems to have been too busy for many thousands of years to care much about the earth.

You are dependent on the “Hebrew based God” for your very next breath. And Jesus Christ said:

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (Joh 5:17)

The future of the earth is sure:

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (2Pe 3:10-14)

Sandy, maybe you should spend some time in Job 40. It starts like this:

And the LORD said to Job: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” (Job 40:1-2)

Good luck with that. And with changing your fundamental beliefs.

Please make sure that in future you refer to Roman Catholicism as Roman Catholicism and NOT Christian. Roman Catholicism are murderers. Genuine Christians are NOT for the Bible says, Thou shalt not kill. Because some lunatic runs around murdering people in the name of God does not make them Christian. Hope that changes your perspective on things.

The Hebrew based God seems to have been too busy for many thousands of years to care much about the earth.

That’s a strange comment. He created the earth. Man has destroyed it. You wanted to be free from God, so He let you have your way. Well done and congratulations are in order to what YOU have done to the earth.

The concept that salvation is easily attained by the most limited introspection, by the simplest of simple, by the laziest, and by dumbest bigots is understandably very, very popular with people who may be so described.

Christianity, and other mainstream religions, have created such monstrous quantities of nonsense, murder and suffering that the time has come to question our fundamental beliefs. The Hebrew based God seems to have been too busy for many thousands of years to care much about the earth.

Maybe I’m wrong about this, but if they don’t hear “Well done…” they also don’t get to hear the rest of that bit that goes “Enter in…”

Just sayin’

;-)

>> Second thing I disagree with you today. Take heart sister – all in good stead….
Sanctification IS a life long process (The Holy Spirit will continue(some translations) the good work (he has begun in you) until that day (when Jesus returns). That’s in the bible

Aye yes, hangs head in shame… Yes it is a life long process until Jesus Christ returns. What I should have said is that (as per New Age belief, emergent ideas) is that their view of the sanctification process involves them being able to achieve godhood on earth.

>> However, a part of that sanctifying work is that we depart from sin and hate it more and more. And more and more…

Yes, when I was saved from my nightmare it took me 3 years of serious conviction by the Holy Spirit, serious chastisement in changing my ways. Because of my serious dedication and love for Jesus I spent most of my time crying my heart out, begging Him to help me as I could not stop certain things on my own. The more I obeyed the Holy Spirit in my life the more He spoke to me and the more He convicted me. Now I spend most of my time crying my heart out in reverence to my Lord Jesus Christ because I realise every day how weak I am and without Him I am nothing.

I also spent most of my time with a sinus headache cos I cry a lot haha ;)

Second thing I disagree with you today. Take heart sister – all in good stead….
Sanctification IS a life long process (The Holy Spirit will continue(some translations) the good work (he has begun in you) until that day (when Jesus returns). That’s in the bible.

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

However, a part of that sanctifying work is that we depart from sin and hate it more and more. And more and more…

To a point we have to tolerate those that have not been properly instructed. I knew a guy that carried on in fornication after being saved for a year or so. Then he was convicted and stopped. But instruction, rebuke and discipline comes from the pulpit as well as our elders. When they decide that homesexuality is OK they are in open rebellion to God’s word.

Sorry I would give a longer answer but I have a headache so this is my short and sweet version:

>> Sanctification is clearly a process. If I die before sanctification is complete, so there was still sin in my life that I was dealing with, or even ignorant of, will I go to hell?

Sanctification is definitely a process, but not a life time process either. Genuine repentance of sin with a genuine heart, a heart that wants to change it’s way at all costs will be delivered instantaneously. Sanctification will also never be complete on this earth – if it were so we could be gods on earth. We will only be made whole when we are with Jesus Christ is the afterlife.

The Bible says that no amount works, no amount of good works can get us further than just believing that Jesus Christ died for our sin and repenting of our sin (evil deeds and thoughts).

The other day I was doing some shopping and a boy with down syndrome sat in his wheelchair behind me in the que at the tills. I looked at him and smiled and he said to me, ‘Jesus loves you and me’. I nearly burst out crying. It was the most heartwarming, genuinely loving message I’d ever heard come from a person. This boy could not walk, could not move for that matter, head titled to the side, but two big twinkling eyes.

>> For instance, say you have lots of money and you live only for yourself – as a miser. Yet you go to church and believe in Jesus, but you just have this one weakness – you don’t like to give. Before your heart on this matter changes, you die as a result of a heart attack (due to you living so unhealthily with all your money).

Can’t answer this question, we will never know if this person really did love Jesus Christ even though they went to church OR was this person was saved. As for this weakness - man will never be perfect on earth. Is this weakness purely stinginess? What’s really doing on in their heart that causes them to hold onto their money? Does this person ask God during their life for forgiveness and slowly but surely over time have been giving ? How did they acquire this money? Hard work or through theft and dodgy dealings? Do they give their money, but because it never looks like it we judge them as ‘not giving’. Is there is point system on giving? Is giving to unsaved people who will never change their ways considered a good thing or bad thing? Are we supposed to give everything we own to prove to Jesus that we are following Him? Or do we give to prove to others that we are following Jesus? Just a few questions. Do we give to people who themselves go to church and sit there with open hands just waiting for your money because they are theives – most of this has got nothing to do with your question, but something to think about.

We sin, we deny Jesus, we feel bitter remorse, we beg for forgiveness, Jesus Forgives us, we will still suffer the consequences of the sin. At the end of the day, only Jesus KNOWS PEOPLE’S HEARTS and if they sin because they want to and love too.

John 21:15-17
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Yes, we know that Peter, though he denied Jesus three times and wept bitterly, received grace when forgiven by Jesus and permitted to fulfil his role as an apostle. If we have been guilty of letting Jesus Christ down, look to Him for the grace to repent and grow, change your ways, learn your lessons and know that you are forgiven because you were really sorry!

1) Do you believe in Pergatory
No.

2… wood, hay, straw; Inferior materials implying shallow activity with no eternal value (these do not refer to activities of evil)

Surely shallow activity with no eternal value are sinful by implication.

For instance, say you have lots of money and you live only for yourself – as a miser. Yet you go to church and believe in Jesus, but you just have this one weakness – you don’t like to give.

Before your heart on this matter changes, you die as a result of a heart attack (due to you living so unhealthily with all your money).

At heart, you still loved money. Loving money is a sin. By implication, your shallow activity in giving was a result of a sinful heart condition which still needed to be sanctified.

Now you stand before the great white throne of judgement and Jesus is going to judge you. Will he judge you for your lack of giving? Certainly so, for your activity was shallow. You built with straw.

Sin is defined as evil deeds, which means that sins are evil works. Our works will be judged on that Day. I don’t see how one would be able to separate works and sin very clearly.

Rev 22:12 “‘I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every person according to what he has done‘ (Rev.22:12).

Reward; This is not judgement for sin, Christ has paid that price, so that no believer will ever be judged for sin. This only to determin eternal reward

We are talking about unrepentant, unconfessed sin here though – not confessed and repentant sin.

Otherwise this wouldn’t make sense in light of our discussion. People living in a homosexual lifestyle will certainly be judged for this sin if they do not repent, right? Or is their sin covered regardless?

No believer will certainly be judged for repentant and confessed sin. But unrepentant sin will certainly effect the very quality of their work, and their work will certainly be judged.

Sanctification is clearly a process. If I die before sanctification is complete, so there was still sin in my life that I was dealing with, or even ignorant of, will I go to hell?

like this verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.