I listen to various teachings on YouTube or on Podcasts and of late heard a woman say that salvation is a free gift, that we did not have to do works to keep it. We did not have to do anything to secure our eternal salvation. She said not to add any of our righteous acts to ensure we get in and we could never lose it as it was a gift, regardless of sin structures.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." John 4:10
But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. Romans 5:15
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8" 1.
I agree salvation is a gift, and it is not by works but grace of the gift. But what do you do with the following verses.
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:27
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:17
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the LORD, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. Hebrews 2:1-3
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a person is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them. Ephesians 5:3-7
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
Those are just some verses, if we cannot lose our salvation by not allowing Jesus to work in us and bring our sins to death, then how do we become the overcomer. If we continue with cherishing our sins and not allowing Him to sanctify and demolish strongholds of sin, we will struggle and have no victory.
When I write about being truly born again, I mean that we allow the workings of The Spirit of Christ Jesus to bring us out of the carnal man to crucify its lusts and desires. To heal the old man, then bring us forth to live in the new man. So He can enable us to live by The Spirit who keeps us dead to sin and alive unto Christ where we will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. There will come a day when we refuse to act out sin even if we have not the anointing, as we have been sanctified and renewed by the washing of The Word.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:7-9
Colossians 3:5-6 tells us to mortify our members; he that does the will of God abides forever says 1 John 2:15-17.
There is so many scriptures that imply that we can lose it if we continue to live in rebellion and a willful foot in both camps. The sinners prayer is not fire insurance.
Recall there is the bride and the wedding guests at the banquet. Guests appear saved but just not to be brides, they would be considered least in the Kingdom. The 10 virgins all had oil, but, 5 did not have enough, these would be the guests.
Consider also, there is a person who gets to the banquet and is asked to leave for not being dressed. There is also those who Christ said I never knew you, and they said but we did signs and wonders and cast out devils. Jesus called them workers of iniquity and said depart from me into everlasting darkness!
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.
13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 22:11-13 2.
I think we should know that we know our living and our understanding of scripture avails us eternity.
Be blessed and be a blessing and test and approve all teachings and doctrines.
Chapter 2
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"The following statements are Biblical Truth:
Outside of our relationship to Jesus Christ we were led around by “the prince of the power of the air” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the lust of our flesh (Romans 1:26; 1 John 2:16; Galatians 5:19-21).
Therefore, the “god of this age had blinded our minds” (2 Corinthians 4:4) to continue in our homosexual practices of fornication cross-dressing and sins alike as sin is of the devil (1 John 3:8-9).
The Holy Spirit brought faith into our hearts to believe in Christ and to seek and search out the truth of our attractions; this is what you are doing now by reading this booklet. We know that all truth can be established by using The Word of God, The Bible (Romans 10:17).
When we came to Christ with our same-sex attraction and or our desires to cross-dress and or be the opposite sex, we were technically born again but not fully born again. As we had not entered into the outworking of our salvation, the sanctifying of our body and soul (2 Peter 1:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; John 17:17) that we actually be truly born again to secure our eternal salvation.
Truth is we become “born of The Spirit” but our birth comes by “The Incorruptible Word of God” (1 Peter 1:22-23). We are “saved by The Spirit” but the salvation comes through The Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-2). The Holy Spirit cleanses the heart yet He does this by The Word (John 15:3; John 17:17).
The Spirit of God purifies us, and this is done by “obedience to the truth” (1 Peter 1:21). He also sanctifies us, and sanctification comes by acceptance of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13), The Word of God (John 17:17).
We are led by The Spirit of Christ Jesus, and the leading comes through God’s Word (Psalms 119:105). We walk by The Spirit of Christ Jesus when we obey The Spirits teachings (Philippians 3:16).
It is the truth to say that God does not have a plan of salvation for one person and a different plan for another person. There is not one for homosexuals and one for ex-homosexuals. His method of salvation is for both Greek and Jew, slave or bond (Galatians 3:27-29). All must obey the same plan of salvation as written in The Word as God is no respecter of persons. The Word is The Final Authority.
No one is saved unless he or she hears (Romans 10:14-15) and believes (Hebrews 11:6). Repentance is necessary (Luke 13:13; Acts 2:38) so is confession (Acts 8:37). Truth is, when it comes to conversion we must all believe and be baptized (Mark 16:16) immersed in water (Romans 6:1-5) to wash our sins away (Acts 22:16) to begin the new life in Christ (Romans 6:4).
From the time of Acts 2 all persons who believe and receive Him are to follow His plan of salvation and work out their salvation (Philippians 2:12).
Because we have been rescued from this evil age, and the domain of darkness and sin (Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:13; Romans 6:18) as we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of sin (Ephesians 1:17). We have all partaken of the bread of life (John 6:35) and drink the same everlasting water (John 4:13) being part of the one true vine (John 15:1) and are parts of His body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
He is able to complete in us the work He began (Philippians 1:6) when He set us apart for good works (Ephesians 2:10), for sanctification (John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Peter 1:2-4) and to be made in the image of Jesus Christ His Son (Romans 8:29).
Now having the power within to remain dead to sin but alive unto Christ (Romans 6:10-12) we are able to ask for His Counsel and Ability and Power to bring all residual sin structures and strongholds from our past and present to death (Romans 8:13) as we are alive in Christ (Romans 6:11; Colossians 2:13; Ephesians 2:5).
We are commanded by various laws to become truly born again. Also to be made holy by the washing of the water of The Word that He might present to Himself us, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing that we be holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:26) on the day of our appearing before Him." 3.
1. 'Citing Electronic Resources https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Salvation,-As-A-Gift [Online accessed 26/02/2018]
2. 'Citing Electronic Resources https://www.biblica.com/bible/niv/matthew/22/ [Online accessed 26/02/2018]
3. Malligan, K. is my salvation real I HAVE SAME SEX ATTRACTION? [Triumphant Ministries Toowoomba, Queensland, 4350]