You're a demon from the pit of hell! This is not at all what it means to abide in Christ. GOD is the active party when it comes to keeping one saved. The Gospel of John NOT ONCE mentions repent or repentance. Guess why? Because it's about BELIEF AND FAITH. Once you're in Christ, it's ETERNAL. when he said "no one can snatch them out of my hands" THE BELIEVER is included in that. You can't jump out or leave either. Disgusting article, you are the worst.
Thanks for reading the blog post, Ron. While I only focused on the first letter of John in this blog post, it is important to consider all of God's Word when having these types of conversations. Jesus clearly says, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”” (Luke 13:5, ESV). When people cry out to Peter at Pentecost, asking what they should do in order to be saved, he responds, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37–38, ESV). Clearly, repentance plays a role in our salvation, whether or not John mentions it in his gospel or not.
I think the Heidelberg Catechism does a great job of helping us to understand how repentance and faith work together. It asks a series of questions, "What is involved
in genuine repentance or conversion? Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the rising-to-life of the new. What is the dying-away of the old self? To be genuinely sorry for sin and more and more to hate and run away from it. What is the rising-to-life of the new self? Wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a love and delight to live according to the will of God by doing every kind of good work." (HC Q&A 88-90). This could easily be described as repentance and faith. Repentance is turning away from sin and faith is embracing Christ. They are not contrary to one another, but two sides of the same coin.
This is why James speaks so strongly when he says, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?...So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:14–18, ESV). True faith, must be followed by true works, otherwise it's not true faith. Again, that's why Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, ESV).
This is a very good article based on the Word and which the H.C. also confirms. This is exactly how we are to respectfully engage 'those who oppose', with gentleness and patience, seeking to speak God's Word, His Word of Truth from the whole counsel of His Word. In fact, I believe God promises that His Spirit 'leads us into all truth', and Jesus prayed that His followers would be 'sanctified' in and through God's Word of Truth in order to grow to be more like Jesus. We however do not control how people will respond and can continue to pray for wisdom in how to 'answer each one', and that God's Spirit will soften hearts and open minds to His Truth which saves our souls and redeems our lives for His glory! Thank you for sharing the article and also this scriptural response to Ron.
You're a demon from the pit of hell! This is not at all what it means to abide in Christ. GOD is the active party when it comes to keeping one saved. The Gospel of John NOT ONCE mentions repent or repentance. Guess why? Because it's about BELIEF AND FAITH. Once you're in Christ, it's ETERNAL. when he said "no one can snatch them out of my hands" THE BELIEVER is included in that. You can't jump out or leave either. Disgusting article, you are the worst.
Thanks for reading the blog post, Ron. While I only focused on the first letter of John in this blog post, it is important to consider all of God's Word when having these types of conversations. Jesus clearly says, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”” (Luke 13:5, ESV). When people cry out to Peter at Pentecost, asking what they should do in order to be saved, he responds, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37–38, ESV). Clearly, repentance plays a role in our salvation, whether or not John mentions it in his gospel or not.
I think the Heidelberg Catechism does a great job of helping us to understand how repentance and faith work together. It asks a series of questions, "What is involved
in genuine repentance or conversion? Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the rising-to-life of the new. What is the dying-away of the old self? To be genuinely sorry for sin and more and more to hate and run away from it. What is the rising-to-life of the new self? Wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a love and delight to live according to the will of God by doing every kind of good work." (HC Q&A 88-90). This could easily be described as repentance and faith. Repentance is turning away from sin and faith is embracing Christ. They are not contrary to one another, but two sides of the same coin.
This is why James speaks so strongly when he says, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?...So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:14–18, ESV). True faith, must be followed by true works, otherwise it's not true faith. Again, that's why Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, ESV).
Hope this helps!
Hi Jason,
This is a very good article based on the Word and which the H.C. also confirms. This is exactly how we are to respectfully engage 'those who oppose', with gentleness and patience, seeking to speak God's Word, His Word of Truth from the whole counsel of His Word. In fact, I believe God promises that His Spirit 'leads us into all truth', and Jesus prayed that His followers would be 'sanctified' in and through God's Word of Truth in order to grow to be more like Jesus. We however do not control how people will respond and can continue to pray for wisdom in how to 'answer each one', and that God's Spirit will soften hearts and open minds to His Truth which saves our souls and redeems our lives for His glory! Thank you for sharing the article and also this scriptural response to Ron.