Discuss Ephesians 2 Page 26

Hello Adam, Clearly you misinterpreted what I said.. :) I said, there is a difference between Sin and Crime... The only way one can become a sinner is to be party with God to the Covenant Law that God gave to Moses to give to the Israelites. If one believes that Covenant Law applies to them in any way it means they still need a Savior to be freed from that Covenant Law which is also called the Law of Sin and Death....

Crime has to do with the law of the land in which one lives... If one breaks the law of the land, they become a criminal not a sinner because they would be party to the gov't of that land in which they live.

And no this in no way whatsoever means one can deliberately kill anyone and get away with it... No one will get away with deliberate murder whether they are party with God to the Covenant Law or whether they are party to the gov't's law of the land...

For ex: I was freed from the Covenant Law that I believed applied to me that continually had me believing I was a sinner and that I always must be doing something to please God for everything I thought I had done wrong.

Once freed from the Covenant Law I am still subject to the law of the land in which I live... However, I have no desire whatsoever to break the laws of the land so not worried about becoming a criminal, but IF I ever should break the law of the land I will pay the penalty for whatever I do wrong in the eyes of the law of the land... That still does not make me a sinner because I was freed from being a sinner at the cross... I would simply be a criminal...

When Paul said sin dwelled in him. or something to effect, what Paul was meaning was the "knowledge of sin" dwells within him... It was far more difficult for Paul being as he was an Israelite and had lived under Covenant Law all his life... Lynn :)

Hello Chris, One must have a complete understanding of why ALL crimes are not sin... This is the reason Jesus could not be crucified according to the Covenant Law because he had done nothing worthy of sin so the Jews had him crucified under Roman Law, the law of the land. Paul was an expert in both Covenant Law and Roman Law, two completely different laws... Sin did not apply to Roman Law... Sin applies only to the Covenant Law that God gave to Moses to give to the Israelites... If one believes the Covenant Law that was given to the Israelites that defines sin, applies to them, that means that person has never believed in the finished work of the cross for their self...

In other words, this is the reason one must have a complete understanding of why their was a need for a Savior and why their Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ..

Everyone that has been freed for the Covenant Law, which is the Law of Sin and Death, has been freed via their belief that they were freed at the cross and that "sin" no longer applies to them...

However that does not mean that "crime" does not apply because one is subject to the law of the land in which they live and if they break the law of the land they become a criminal and should pay the penalty that is required by the law of their land for that crime... Lynn :)

All crimes are sin as the Bible determines. However, our governments don't like the word 'Sin' (it would be too religious & has an 'undesirable connotation') so we instead have the word 'crime'. So if someone commits murder, a righteous government would say: "a grievous sin has been committed before God & man" but you'll never hear that said.

Hi Lynn, I've never heard anyone say it's ok to kill people, especially from a Bible-reader, that its not immoral and not a sin, so this is a first. So, if this were true that civil law is the only thing making killing wrong then it would be totally fine to kill outside of a country's borders and laws? So its 100% fine for a Christian to harm others as long as there's no civil law where you are, such as in open waters, or on a remote island, or in space? Even most atheists and satan worshippers believe killing is immoral. The Bible does not support this idea and one would have to ignore a mountain of scripture to cherry pick something and massively distort it to even come remotely close to justifying this, however, I'm open to seeing your supporting scripture for this idea, because Jesus directly said he didn't destroy the law in Matthew 5:17. Paul still wrestled with sin and tried very hard to avoid it and this was after Jesus's resurrection, if there was no such thing as sin then Paul wouldn't have said all that in Romans 7. God bless.

Hello Adam, Jesus said that prior to his death and resurrection.. His death took away the sin of the world.. there are only 2 commandments, Love the Lord Thy God with all Thy Heart and all Thy mind and all Thy soul, and Love one another... On these 2 commandments rest ALL the Law and the Prophets...

If a person kills/murders another deliberately, that is a crime, not a sin... The crime committed is judged according to the Law of the land in which one lives... Lynn

Hello, my opinion is that Jesus did not destroy the law, but fulfilled it, because Jesus literally said that in Matthew 5:17. I also believe the moral law still applies, such as do not kill. If we do, that's a sin. Jesus said go and sin no more. If sin didn't exist or was impossible for us to sin, then he wouldn't have kept warning and talking about the parables over and over to his followers (Christians). God bless.

My comments are on verses 14-16 where the Lord Jesus Christ completely destroys the Old Testament, Christ is our peace who has made both Jew and Gentile one new man as a Christian, he alone has broken down the middle wall being the O/T which separates Jews and Gentiles. Having abolished, meaning to destroy in his flesh that O/T which kept the Jews and Gentiles at war, this is the law of Moses that had commandments contained in ordinances, in order to make in himself from two people a new man being a Christian, reconciling both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross having killed the Old Testament.

FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD AND EVANGELIZATION

The Word of God is God ( John 1:1) and not for any private interpretation ( 2 Peter 1:20). If it records in Rev. 12:9 that this whole world has been deceived, it did not speak of a particular country, group of people, person or religion, it meant the whole world.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God ( James 4:4).

The believers are not of this world. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith ( 1 John 5:4).

Additional readings as confirmation.

John 7:7; 8:23; 15:19; 17:9,14,16; 18:36.

Romans 12:2.

1 Cor. 2:12; 3:19. 2 Cor. 6:17.

Galatians 1:4.

Ephesians 2:2.

1 John 2:15; 4:5; 5:4.

The Word of God is God ( John 1:1) and the scriptural references we use serve as confirmation that it is not us that speak, but the Spirit of our Father that speaketh in us ( 2 Samuel 23:2; Matthew 10:20; Acts 4:8; 6:10).

The believers and followers of the true Christ do not involve themselves in the affairs of this world.

God cannot be received by this present world and so-called world evangelization (global unity) is a deception at the highest level and the workings of the spirit of this world ( John 1:5,10; 8:23; 14:17,22; 15:19,20; 17:9,14,16,25; 18:36; Rom. 8:7; 1Cor. 1:20; 2:4-8, 12-14; 1 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 3:12; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15; 3:1; 5:4,19; 2 John 7).

It should be noted that in over 36 years of service we have never collected/received, solicited or requested donations. The gift of 'Life' was freely given and freely do we give to all those that believe ( 2 Kings 5:16; Matthew 6:26; 10:8).

Seek, and ye shall find ( Matthew 7:7).

In His Service.

Andy & Dianne van den Berg - Nova Scotia, Canada

More scriptures on Repentance and Conversion:

Luke 18:13 ; Matthew 9:13 ; Psalms 51:17 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 ; 1 John 1:19 ; Luke 15:18 ; Matthew 3:5-6 ; Acts 19:17-18 ; Romans 6:2 ; 2 Chronicles 7:14 ; Luke 19:8 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:22 ; 2 Corinthians 7:11 ; Romans 8:13 ; Colossians 3:5 ; John 5:24 ; Ephesians 2:1 ; Romans 8:2 ; John 3:5-8 ; Ephesians 5:26 ; Titus 3:5 ; 2 Corinthians 5:17 ;

Romans 12:2 ; John 1:29 ; John 3:14-15 ; 1 Peter 3:18 ; Romans 5:1-2 ; Romans 8:1 ; Philippians 4:7 ; Romans 8:2 ; Romans 8:11-14 ; 2 Corinthians 5:17 ; 1 John 3:19 ; 1 Peter 1:23 ; Psalms 119:11 ; 1 John 4:7 ; Romans 5:5 ; Matthew 5:44 ; 1 John 5:4 ; John 16:33 ; James 1:27 ; 2 Corinthians 4:10 ; Acts 11:26 ; Romans 8:29 ; Ezekiel 36:26-27 ; Ephesians 2:2-3 ; Ephesians 2 4-6 ; Matthew 18:3 ; Acts 3:19 ; Ephesians 4:22-24 ; Colossians 3:1-14 ; Romans 8:29 ; Romans 8:29 ; Romans 6:1-2 ; Matthew 1:21

Likely there are more that are missed here.

:)

This story provides much edification for the believer today. As others have already pointed out, the maiden of Israel was mightily used by God. Though she was oppressed in a land not her own, she remembered the God of her people. When she saw the ailing of her master, she did not rejoice in his suffering but rather took pity. She shared with her mistress, her earnest desire for Naaman to be healed. She knew that the merciful almighty God of Israel would work through his man to restore Naaman if he were with him in Samaria.

Also, we see the simplicity of salvation pictured in the heathen Naaman and his instructions to be made whole of leprosy. The healing power was not in the waters of Jordan but in the power of almighty God that rewarded Naaman's faithful obedience to wash seven times in Jordan. God's only requirement of man for salvation is obedience to the gospel call. Notice this in Romans 10:9-13. This is also lovingly displayed in the story of the thief on the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces that salvation is by grace through faith. The faith isn't even something we drum up in ourselves but rather is cultivation of the Word of God in our heart by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is of the Lord. Faith is of the Lord. He simply requires that man repent (take sides with God against yourself) and call upon him to be saved.

Notice how the pride and anger of Naaman nearly cost him his healing. Also, he longed for religious showmanship from the prophet. He wanted to see him do a mighty work and tantalize his flesh. This is not unlike the people of our world today that seek religious entertainment instead of sound doctrine and edification from the Lord. Thankfully, Naaman yielded to the humble entreaties of his servants and obeyed the man of God.

I would also draw attention to Gehazi and how he seeks to increase his personal wealth and to afflict Naaman. There are many that walk in Gehazi's spirit in the church world today, preying upon the flock of God.

Any of my brothers or sisters out here 222 Flame of God.

One definition of the word remission is forgiveness, with another being "the cancellation of a debt". So we find the words forgiveness and remission being very related to each other, with that idea that JESUS forgives sin, and brings it into remission, making it as if it never happened.

We are indeed "washed clean" of offenses that we've committed before coming into relationship with the Lord, and of mistakes that we make afterwards when we ask Him to forgive and help us with those troubles.

Example Scripture: "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins"

Matthew 26:28.

what is the difference(s) between forgiveness and remission of sin

On James 4:4.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world id enmity with God.

The believers are not of this world. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith ( 1 John 5:4).

Additional readings as confirmation.

John 7:7; 8:23; 15:19; 17:9,14,16; 18:36.

Romans 12:2.

1 Cor. 2:12; 3:19. 2 Cor. 6:17.

Galatians 1:4.

Ephesians 2:2.

1 John 2:15; 4:5; 5:4.

The believers and followers of the true Christ do not involve themselves in the affairs of this world.

IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD. Just as the potter moulds a clay,i am a handwork in the hands of my father and he has shaped me unto good works. We can look at a thing and say that it is round or curved so also my shape is righteousness. Through the rich mercy of God,i am dead to sin and alive to him. Christ is my nature and as a result of it i no longer strive to be without sin because it do not function in my world. I am the righteousness of God in christ Jesus, pure as snow and no spot can be found in me.

The Man that walked the hill of Calvary and died to pay your sin debt FULL has a message for you.

99.99% truth mixed with .001% lie is not the TRUTH that will MAKE you Free. According to the Hebrew Scriptures not the English Bible. Many are called few are chosen to understand what you are about to read. Here is how subtle and crafty your adversary really is. Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any beast of the field which Father YAHweh had made. And he said to the woman; Has YAHweh indeed said: You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

God is only a misleading TITLE not a name! Proverbs 30:4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound up the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name? And what is the Name of His Son? Tell me, if you know!

"How can we know that Satan is the God of this world ( 2 Corinthians 4:4)?" Answer: The phrase "God of this world" (or "god of this age") indicates that Satan is the major influence on the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes and views of the majority of people. His influence also encompasses the world's philosophies, education, and commerce. The thoughts, ideas, speculations and ALL the religions of the world are under his control and have sprung from his lies and deceptions.

Satan is also called the "prince of the power of the air" in Ephesians 2:2. He is the "ruler of this world" in YAHchanan (John) 12:31. These titles and many more signify Satan's capabilities. To say, for example, that Satan is the "prince of the power of the air" is to signify that in some way he rules over the world and the people in it. This is not to say that he rules the world completely; Father YAHweh is still sovereign. But it does mean that Father YAHweh, in His infinite wisdom, has allowed Satan to operate in this world within the boundaries Father YAHweh has set for him. When the Scriptures says Satan has power over the world, we

Ephesians 2:15-18

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in the ordinances; for to make himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

And that he might reconcile in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

:)

Bendito Palavra

Concerning the Law;

The everlasting Law God established with those that desire to be called His children still stands.

The 10 Commandments still stand.

Any time we sin we are under the Law.

Everyone sins: Everyday!

Blood ordinances were fulfilled by the death of Christ ( Matthew 26:28, Romans 2:29, Colossians 1:14)

Priestly duties connected to the sons of Aaron were fulfilled in Christ. ( Hebrews 8:1)

The Temple was destroyed; as promised: ( Matthew 24:2)

Deuteronomy 29:29

"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children FOR EVER, that we may do all the words of this law."

1 Chronicles 16:17

"And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an EVERLASTING covenant,"

Ephesians 2:15

"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;"

Hebrews 7:12

"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."

Matthew 27:51

"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;"

All has not been fulfilled.

All will not be fulfilled until the return of Christ.

Believe the words of Jesus.

Mathew 5:18

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

Concerning works;

Why would Jesus care to evaluate the WORKS of the churches that are on earth at the end times when He comes back if they don't matter? ( Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19. 3:1, 3:8, 3:15)

Also look at:

James 2:14-26 - "Faith without works is dead"

Revelation 14:13

Revelation 20:12

Eric,

Well-spoken concerning LAW of God NOT being abolished!

Specific ordinances from the Law were fulfilled and no longer needed, not the entire Law (Hebrews ch. 9, Ephesians 2:15, Colossians 2:14).

It was only certain ordinances that were taken out of the way ( 1 Corinthians 11:2).

The Law of BLOOD SACRIFICE (circumcision, Passover lamb, goat of atonement, etc.) has been taken out of the way, and the right to worship in the Temple in Jerusalem has been replaced by we who make up the body of Christ. We are His Temple.

I don't understand how people say that the Law is no longer needed.

We are all under the 10 Commandments.

Everyone that sins needs the Lawthat's everybody, every day.

Acts ch. 15 did simplify the requirements for the Gentiles. BUT, that was for NEW Gentile converts and was the BASICS of what they were to follow. The more they understood, the more they could handle.

Acts 15:19-20 "WE TROUBLE NOT THEM, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood."

The basics, until they come up to speed.

Everybody that uses Colossians 2:16-17 as their belief that the Law is abolished should understand that this also concerned those that were newly converted GENTILES.

That is why Paul says "Let no man therefore judge you"

We are not the judge.

Chris,

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e / f / g) Again, I agree with you that Christ came to fulfill the Law.

However, I believe that the "Law" was the blood (and certain ceremonial) "ordinances" Ephesians 2:15, Colossians 2:20, that His blood on the cross made acceptable "once for all" Hebrews 10:10. As Matthew 5:18 states; "till ALL be fulfilled."

ALL has not been fulfilled yet. The rest of the Law stands.

I try my best to follow the Law. However I look at Romans 3:28 and Romans 7:5-6 in this way:

What sets us apart from the Law is our ability to be forgiven (no longer through blood sacrifice by a priest on an altar) but through Jesus. Forgiveness has to do with sin. I don't need forgiveness if I have not sinned. Sin has to do with BREAKING THE LAW. Forgiveness is what leads to redemption, and EVERYONE needs forgiveness EVERYDAY. When we sin we put ourselves under the Law; I don't see how we can't.

The following of the LAW and the doing of good WORKS will lead us straight into the GRACE of God and His only Begotten.

I will send you the Enoch calendar info. on another page

Page 3.

e. last, but not least, this is probably the greatest hindrance to a Catholic's salvation: are you truly God's child because of what Jesus has done for you, or are you believing that you need to add to it to give you a guarantee?

Christ's salvation is given only by having FAITH in what He did for you on the Cross: faith in His dying for your sins, taking your place; His Resurrection back to life showing that God accepted His Sacrifice; His Ascension back into Heaven & His intercessory work for you right now. That's all you need is faith in Him - nothing else - no added works (however good they might be) to guarantee your salvation. ( Titus 3:5: "Not by WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"). And Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast". If we add anything to faith for our salvation, then it's no longer of faith, but of works - & that is NOT God's salvation ( Romans 11:6).

The ladder in verse 12 is a depiction of Jesus as related to Nathanael by Jesus in John 1:51. He is the one and only mediator between God and man ( 1 Timothy 2:5). We can come boldly to the throne of grace by Jesus Christ ( Hebrews 4:14-16).

In John 3:13 Jesus tells Nicodemus "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."

Romans 10:6-9 states:

"But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Paul told of a certain experience in 2 Corinthians 12 then humbly chose to glory in his infirmities rather than exalt himself, being made strong in weakness.

Ephesians 2:4-7 says:

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

From these I gather that by faith in Jesus Christ we are as good as being seated in heaven in Christ, but as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:6-7, "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)".

Page 3.

That's all you need is faith in Him - nothing else - no added good works to guarantee salvation. ( Titus 3:5: "Not by WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"). And Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast". If we add anything to faith for our salvation, then it's no longer of faith, but of works - & that is not God's salvation ( Romans 11:6).

So, we summarize knowing & receiving Salvation using our A B Cs:

A: Acknowledge. To understand & accept that Jesus is God's Son & that He came to give His Life for you & me on the Cross. This can only be done by Jesus, no one else. I know you will acknowledge this great Truth.

B: Believe. To repent of your sins, your old way of living, your old beliefs that were contrary to what the Bible teaches, & give all of that wrongdoing to Jesus to be put to death with His death. It is to say, "I'm sorry with all my heart Lord Jesus, for all my sin that I have done, so please forgive me & make me a new person & come in & fill me with your Holy Spirit Who makes me a child of God". But you must truly be convicted by the Spirit to cry for forgiveness. Just to say a prayer or repeat some words doesn't do anything - this is because we're talking about God changing your heart & giving His Spirit, not some contract. You may need to spend time talking to God about how you're feeling & start reading the Bible that will draw you to that point of being convicted of sin & able to truly repent from your heart & not your mind.

Comments by alex about jew or gentile according to the promise ephesians 2 v 15 he took of the twain ( jew and gentile ) and made 1 newman which is the h.g. our new innerman.according to the seed of the sower that will initiate a new innerman the child of promise th new birth. my lil children of whom i travail in birth till christ is formed in you.which answers to our new heart and new spirit. god so loved the world meaning everybody, as god is no respector of persons.jacob n esau, he wants to steal our birth right which was a death penalty the soul that sinneth shall surely die and give us a new birth rite ( eternal life ) is our new birth rite thats y he said i come as a thief in the nite.

Kay, if you have trusted Christ as your Savior, then you already have the gift of Salvation ( Ephesians 2: 8 & 9 ). God will welcome you into Heaven. And Satan will do all he can to discourage you, like he has been doing so far. If you have favorite Bible verses, think about them when those times come. Do you need some?

Ephesians 2:8 says it is by grace we are saved through faith. it is not by faith alone, but by the grace of god and faith in his son that we receive the gift of salvation. by grace, we cannot earn grace. grace is given to us by a loving merciful god. it is freely given, we must only have faith in his word and in his son jesus christ. remember it is by grace through faith. not of works lest any man should boast. but he is telling us that if you truly believe you will also have works.

Very true. We must continue along this path of faith with fruits of the spirit until we stand before the judgement seat.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 33:6

"Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth."

Mark 4:39

"Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm."

Luke 1:79

"To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Romans 5:1

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 8:6

"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Romans 14:17

"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Read more about this verse.

Romans 16:20

"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

Read more about this verse.

1 Corinthians 14:33

"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."

Read more about this verse.

2 Corinthians 13:11

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

Read more about this verse.

Galatians 5:22

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness."

Read more about this verse.

Ephesians 2:14

"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation."

Ephesians 4:3, 6:15

"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Say these out loud: eye gate, ear gate, mouth gate. may you be lifted in the spirit of your mind, as you listen.

Adam . . .

Which ONE is IT?

FAITH or WORKS???

It CAN'T BE BOTH!

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH; and that NOT of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

NOT of WORKS, lest any man should boast.

James 2:24

Ye see them how that by WORKS a man is justified, and NOT by FAITH ONLY.

You HAVE A DILEMMA!

ANSWER:

WHO is James written TO?

James 1:1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, TO THE TWELVE TRIBES which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James was writing to ISRAEL!

WHO is Paul writing TO?

Ephesians 3:6

That the GENTILES should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Pretty CLEAR, You Are A GENTILE!

Paul is The Apostle Of The GENTILES!

You had better listen to Paul, Romans to Philemon, to FIND out HOW to be SAVED!

2. The words 'Eternity', and 'forever' is a mistranslation that comes from the word 'aion' which means Age, or age abiding, age lasting, or into the ages, not eternity.

If the word aion was translated to eternity every time its used in scripture, it might sound like it works for some verses, but if you consistantly translate it eternity there are many verses that would make no sense.

Matthew 25:46

And these will go away to eternal (age lasting) punishment, but the righteous to eternal (age lasting) life

1 Corinthians 3:18

If anyone thinks he is wise in this eternity (age), let him become a fool so that he may become wise.

3. We don't have true 'Free will' to choose God

There is the will of the flesh, and the will of Christ

You either walk by the spirit, or you walk by the flesh.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

John 1:12-13

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

So God is the one that allows us to believe in him, we get no credit. We cannot boast that we chose God because we didn't, he chose us. That verse plainly states that.

So how can we say men will be subject to eternal damnation when God didn't allow them to believe in him? God is all loving right? And all powerful, so he has a system in place in which he will purify all men through fire, all will be saved.

God Also hardened Pharaohs heart, which left Pharaoh with no free choice to let the people go. If man had free will; God could not override their will, but he does.

Exodus 4:21

And the Lord said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.