The Cross of Christ Alone Can Save

[TheLegalist]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Good grief, are you this long-winded when you preach?? I don't drink coffee, but you're making me want to!

Yes, I believe in repentance but in the true sense of the word, which is "To Turn" which is exactly what someone does when they "believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and that God has raised them from the dead." So of course, I believe in repentance. I don't care for the term "Step", but if you wanna call it that, fine.

I just cannot process your theology that the Holy Spirit is a "gift", yet at the same time, a "requirement". And I also really, really struggle with your theology that one can improve oneself and thereby, receive this "gift." My kids have never "earned" any of their "gifts." To me, that's edging into serious and dangerous heresy. You went to great lengths (almost beyond my attention span) to justify your stance, but at the end of the day, you're believing that you can improve yourself and better position yourself to receive salvation. This is a LOUD violation of "Not of Works" (hey, that'd make a good ID), lest any man should boast." I can't boast in this. I've done NOTHING to better position myself.

And you still haven't explained how some just receive this "gift" (tongues) the first time they walk into a church and some have to work on some things. Doesn't seem fair to me.

Do you have any other explanation for those that "tarry" for months/years for the Holy Spirit than, "They need to get rid of sin in their life"? And if that's the only explanation for the "tarrying", what is your prooftext for that belief? Who in the bible ever "tarried for the Holy Ghost", what is the scriptural principle for someone "tarrying for the Holy Ghost"?

SO you are saying salvation and eternal life have no conditions? They are gifts that are COMPLETELY UNCONDITIONAL and UNMERITED?? The key is to the issue at hand is the proper term is more "offering" than what we consider "gift" God offers salvation freely to those whom take upon his yoke by faith/proper response.

Jesus clearly says that Eternal life is to them that DO his commandment. This was my point earlier concerning is obedience forensic or intrinsic to salvation and eternal life. You clearly see it only a "forensic" when Jesus and others say it is intrinsic which would mean salvation is based upon conditions met by contract.