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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2006 19:06:25 GMT -5
In reading posts and pondering, I wondered how many see salvation as I do: "being born again?" How was I born again? I don't know for sure, for it was a long process for me. However, the time came in my life when I knew for certain who God is, that He made me, and took responsibility for making me subject to vanity (emptiness.) He made me subject to belief, and I eventually knew I was born again.
Now, if I constantly repent the sin which is common to man, confess Yehu'shuah (Savior) with my mouth as my Lord and God and worship Him as such, then I am indeed a possessor of salvation, eternal life by my belief. It is my personal understanding that belief will always be accompanied by certain fruit of that new life born by the Holy Spirit.
Everyone knows what fruit I'm talking about, Yes? "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Now just when will this getting unsaved occur that some people post here fearing? Do we not believe the same regarding our LORD? Sure some will be more successful than another at putting the ungodly lusts and affections of the flesh to death. Is that not the very issue of:I Cor. 3:13-15 [/sup] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.[/blockquote]The works will be tried, some will be as gold silver and precious stones. Some will not and thus each receives their own reward. None need fear someone else might be "getting away with something." Getting "un-born again" seems to me to be much more difficult than I once was led to believe. I wonder why anyone should concern themselves with such a premise? Kind regards, Dennis[/size][/font][/color]
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Post by HUCK on Aug 21, 2006 19:32:19 GMT -5
Dennis,
The evangelical approach to salvation is also the one I promote and believe....i.e. coming to the state of believing. We don't believe before we have heard and therefore it takes something to bring us to the awareness that we are in need of a savior (the process of which results in a born again state).
How can we hear without a preacher? Conscience and reading are also acceptable avenues to bring us to faith. Yes, we DO know we are born again (saved) after the fact but can't always depict the avenue it took.
Keeping that salvation appears to be at risk for some and it appears that they are constantly trying to toe the line, be good enough, follow rules, attend meetings or church etc. to maintain their good standing with God. (Just as if His sacrifice did not suffice).
Don't mean to hijack your thread or change the subject, but wouldn't the opposite of the following verse apply.......such as:
"Whoever does not eat my flesh and drink my blood does NOT have eternal life."
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."
If the reverse was true, then possibly, just possibly that verse has been mistaken as a prerequisite to maintain salvation.
I do not consider myself a practitioner of that command by Jesus. Does this make me a willing lawbreaker? On the other hand, I do feast on his Word and Him as the Way, Truth and Life; I have accepted Him, believe on Him, in Him and fellowship with His Spirit. I do believe He gave his flesh (on the cross) for all mankind .....(unto those who believe). That's what salvation is to me and as long as it took for me to get here, I don't forsee that He intends to withdraw it from me or from anyone else who "believes in the Son". Belief to me doesn't mean practicing certain methods of worship or sacraments; it means I believe He rose from the dead and the promises that go with it.
Am I overlooking something?
Sincerely, Howard
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Post by Simple on Aug 21, 2006 20:18:01 GMT -5
I am glad it was a surrender on my part, and a literal salvation for me. I reached the end of my rope and called out for God, and he fullfilled his promises in me and then some. I received much because I had a huge void to be filled.......Like a dry sponge in the desert finding an oasis. Walking(crawling) in Spirit amazed at what is beyond the tip of the iceberg. So much hidden, that only God can reveal.
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Post by Simple on Aug 21, 2006 21:52:04 GMT -5
In reading posts and pondering, I wondered how many see salvation as I do: "being born again?" How was I born again? I don't know for sure, for it was a long process for me. However, the time came in my life when I knew for certain who God is, that He made me, and took responsibility for making me subject to vanity (emptiness.) He made me subject to belief, and I eventually knew I was born again.
Now, if I constantly repent the sin which is common to man, confess Yehu'shuah (Savior) with my mouth as my Lord and God and worship Him as such, then I am indeed a possessor of salvation, eternal life by my belief. It is my personal understanding that belief will always be accompanied by certain fruit of that new life born by the Holy Spirit.
Everyone knows what fruit I'm talking about, Yes? "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Now just when will this getting unsaved occur that some people post here fearing? Do we not believe the same regarding our LORD? Sure some will be more successful than another at putting the ungodly lusts and affections of the flesh to death. Is that not the very issue of:I Cor. 3:13-15 [/sup] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.[/blockquote]The works will be tried, some will be as gold silver and precious stones. Some will not and thus each receives their own reward. None need fear someone else might be "getting away with something." Getting "un-born again" seems to me to be much more difficult than I once was led to believe. I wonder why anyone should concern themselves with such a premise? Kind regards, Dennis[/size][/font][/color][/quote] Dennis, Do you feel what you feel for God's sake or your own sake? The flesh feels things for the sake of itself, the Spirit for the sake of God................
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Post by Hope For All on Aug 22, 2006 14:55:35 GMT -5
For me -I find it hard to seperate the assurance of salvation from that which will add to my eternal reward- yet there is a difference.
I read the verse you quoted Dennis, again just last week and was reminded of the difference between the two.
I think there will be many surprises in heaven (not to God but to us).
Salvation seems to be as simple as "knowing The LORD" or in other words having a daily relationship with him.
Jesus said, "Depart from me I NEVER knew you", indicating a lack of any intimate relationship with our LORD and our God.
Love, HFA
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Post by studylearning on Aug 22, 2006 17:19:45 GMT -5
DJ Wrote:My experience was also a long process. I would say at a minimum of 40 years. Now what does that mean. I believe and studied scripture. I shared scripture and also fellowship with many. My walk in life was a never ending connection with Gods hand. However, for me it was hard to see until God decided to show me. I had made vows and wept because of failure in them. I wept because I failed in so much. And then when it seemed the storms of life would overwhelm me I found peace. I was broken, tired, ill, and had no will of my own. Then the hand of God reached down and touched me. God reminded me of all the things in my past when HE was there. I was put to shame in that all of my sins up to that time passed before me. And in my heart I knew then and there that the Holy Spirit was with me and forgivness was in hand. And the walk continues to the endGod then led me to increased understanding. I do not know why me. I do not know why then. I do not know the reason. All I know is it happend. I am reminded of this poem. www.barefootsworld.net/footprints.html
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Post by just me on Aug 22, 2006 18:15:28 GMT -5
For me the walk was a long one, I knew about Jesus whole growing up, but in reality, the last 18 inches of my journey ( the distance from the head to the heart ) took in nearly 30 years and a broken marriage.
But I will tell you this, when I finally opened my heart top Jesus it was like a light switch had been thrown.
My pastor had a neat way of explaining " once saved always saved" he said " Upon becoming a believer, you are a part of GOD's family, and we never stop being family, EVEN if we turn away from them"
Pastor also showed me multiple verses which indicate that salvation is forever, but his simple explanation has stuck with me.
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Aug 22, 2006 18:17:49 GMT -5
I wasn't born again when I was baptised. I was born again months after (actually, over a year after). I feel like it took God a year to really scrub me clean. Anyone feel the same?
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Post by HUCK on Aug 22, 2006 18:59:36 GMT -5
I wasn't born again when I was baptised. I was born again months after (actually, over a year after). I feel like it took God a year to really scrub me clean. Anyone feel the same? But isn't baptism supposed to be a jesture of our rebirth (to follow it)? That shows that many people are baptized out of peer pressure without any indication of what it is supposed to mean.
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Aug 22, 2006 19:23:24 GMT -5
Actually, I thought that baptism would help me. I was lost, confused, and thought maybe it was because I needed to be baptised. I thought it would clarify a lot. I thought I needed it.
But, turns out, God had yet to give me the the true revelation that would become the rebirth in my life.
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Post by Sylvestra on Aug 23, 2006 16:05:42 GMT -5
For me -I find it hard to seperate the assurance of salvation from that which will add to my eternal reward- yet there is a difference. I read the verse you quoted Dennis, again just last week and was reminded of the difference between the two. I think there will be many surprises in heaven (not to God but to us). Salvation seems to be as simple as "knowing The LORD" or in other words having a daily relationship with him. Jesus said, "Depart from me I NEVER knew you", indicating a lack of any intimate relationship with our LORD and our God. Love, HFA 1 Cor. 3:10-15 (Includes the verses Dennis quoted) have helped me understand that salvation is the foundation that is Jesus mentioned, and reward is the house built upon the foundation. The foundation will not be judged, but the building will be. If our building is burned in the fire right down to losing it all, we still have the foundation and are saved. Best!! Edy
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