From the traditional Christian perspective no one is righteous, right and acceptable before God, on the basis of their own merits or efforts nor by an law or commandment keeping. As Paul says in Romans 1 "There is no one righteous: not even one one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away....."
And then Paul provides the answer a few verses down: "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."
Paul makes it clear that God considers those who place their trust in his Son as being in right relationship with him. It is not self generated and does not come on account of any personal merit, law keeping, or good works "Not by works, lest any man boast." The traditional Christian position is that commandment keeping, good works etc., are the demonstration of God given righteousness and not the means to earn it.
Albion wrote:From the traditional Christian perspective no one is righteous, right and acceptable before God, on the basis of their own merits or efforts nor by an law or commandment keeping. As Paul says in Romans 1 "There is no one righteous: not even one one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away....."
And then Paul provides the answer a few verses down: "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."
Paul makes it clear that God considers those who place their trust in his Son as being in right relationship with him. It is not self generated and does not come on account of any personal merit, law keeping, or good works "Not by works, lest any man boast." The traditional Christian position is that commandment keeping, good works etc., are the demonstration of God given righteousness and not the means to earn it.
'cept for one more thing. Yielding your heart's trust and confidence to God in Christ Jesus is not sufficient. Not that WE need to do more but Christ and his Father MUST fulfill their promise of the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. This is the earnest of salvation and the unction from on High. This is how the name of Christ is put upon us and we can rejoice that our names are written in heaven.
The fast slip shod salvation of Thank You Jesus, Praise God, now hurry and send in that money blessing is a modern McGospel for the Gentiles and good enough for lazy people who read their Bible with only one eye open but want to think better of themselves. Christ will say he never knew you and command that you depart for working iniquity. The Jew took fifty days to get it right. Not a walk down the aisle with one hand waving free.
What is it about Paul's words that you find confusing? He is stating that righteousness, the state of being right with God, comes from God through the faith of the believer. Either that faith makes the believer righteous as Paul states or it doesn't...or are you suggesting that there are degrees of righteousness. That is a concept not found in Biblical scripture. The baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place the instant faith is declared and it is receipt of the Spirit that does the work of making the repentant sinner who professes faith in God through his Son a new person, reborn, in Christ.
Albion wrote:What is it about Paul's words that you find confusing? He is stating that righteousness, the state of being right with God, comes from God through the faith of the believer. Either that faith makes the believer righteous as Paul states or it doesn't...or are you suggesting that there are degrees of righteousness. That is a concept not found in Biblical scripture. The baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place the instant faith is declared and it is receipt of the Spirit that does the work of making the repentant sinner who professes faith in God through his Son a new person, reborn, in Christ.
Oh, really? So when Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ why didhe still need to be converted and had to continue in fasting and prayer with one accord until Penticost's rushing mighty wind that filled them with the Holy Ghost.
Lazy ptretending Christians comb through the Bible to try and trap God in a box most convenient to justify heir spiritual sloth and greed. Amen
You haven't even addressed the quote from Paul and you want to go on to other things. Why should I answer your sidebar when you haven't even addressed the quote I posted? Until then.....
Albion wrote:You haven't even addressed the quote from Paul and you want to go on to other things. Why should I answer your sidebar when you haven't even addressed the quote I posted? Until then.....
Frozen in the headlights eh? No particular scripture stands alone in defiance of every other word thatprocedes from the word of the Lord.
Albion wrote:You haven't even addressed the quote from Paul and you want to go on to other things. Why should I answer your sidebar when you haven't even addressed the quote I posted? Until then.....
Okay, I will directly address what Paul wrote in chapter 2. What is not realized by Faith Aloners is that faith of beleiving on the name of Jesus is what God always does in response. He sends his grace. Do .not slight what that grace actually is. Since all McGopelites get nothing from God and continuev in sin somehow wrongly supposing that their continual sin no longer count the deceive themselves and all those who folloe this pernicious way.
Broadenyour mind to attempt to comprehend what God bestows vupon those who truly receive his grace. What is it? What has italways been? A new heart from God. This is the event of having God wrought upon us a new creation by the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
When Paul began his letterr to the Romans he declared that he had received grace from God by thepower and spirit of holiness in Christ Jesus. It is a covenant and the is no covenant made until both parties accept each other and echange value for value.