Quote (DCEVO @ Jun 14 2023 06:41am)
I no longer believe I 100% know the correct interpretation for the bible. I no longer 100% know what is required for salvation because I am being confused by the texts the more I read. I don't know whether faith is required for salvation, or faith and obedience, and if obedience, is that works and is continued repentance followed by obedience a work?
If so, then it is no longer by faith, but of works. If not, then how? Because, if we are being obedient, we are following the law. However if we are justified by keeping the law, the it is no longer of grace, through faith in the redemption of Jesus alone, then it is faith and works since if being justified by the law then faith has been made to no effect.
Do you see my confusion? I hope I was being clear and understandable because I would love to hear answers. This is leading down a road of doubts and insecurity.
The gift of salvation and being saved is indeed a free gift that cannot be earned. This truth is supported by Scripture, as we see that all humans fall short except for Jesus, the Son of God. Many of the Old Testament rules and regulations were given under the old covenant (but the OT and NT are all one and equally important), where the transfer of sin was symbolized through the sacrifice of animals (for all the wages of sin is death so an unblemished clean animal would be required, and we would place our hands on its head to symbolize the transference of sin)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23 AMP
However, everyone fell short under this covenant, illustrating God's perfect and just standard.
But God's love for us was so great that He had already planned to send His Son, Jesus, to die for us and abolish the old covenant. Through the new covenant, we can accept Jesus' perfect life and sacrifice as our substitute. It is through accepting Jesus and believing in Him, asking for the Holy Spirit, that we receive this free gift of salvation.
This is where Christianity stands apart from other religions. In other religions, salvation is often based on works, where individuals must do certain things to earn their salvation. However, in Christianity, we recognize that we cannot save ourselves; only Jesus has accomplished that. Our part is to have faith and accept His substitutionary sacrifice.
Once we become believers and receive the Holy Spirit, our journey doesn't end there. The Holy Spirit begins working within us, helping us to grow, become more like Jesus, and produce fruit in our lives. Your desire to follow Jesus, to stop sinning, and to read the Bible is evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work within you. Be encouraged!
Remember that while faith is all that is required for salvation, a true faith will be accompanied by works. However, it's important to understand that what we view as works may differ from what God views as works. It's not just about grand acts; even small decisions, like refraining from swearing when angry or choosing to be truthful when tempted to lie, can be considered as works in God's eyes.
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"
1 Samuel 16:7
Keep reading the Bible and asking the Holy Spirit to teach you, for it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can truly understand ourselves and understand God's ways.
"For what person knows the thoughts and motives of a man except the man’s spirit within him? So also no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
1 Corinthians 2:11
This post was edited by jicz on Jun 15 2023 07:08pm