He said "faith alone" "grace alone" "Jesus alone " he just added up three things ,so how could they be alone if he added up three that are alone. Makes no sense .talk to these people in love,what does that really mean.To truly love God is to obey his commandments stop sinning then you're an effective vessel fit for the masters use .If you still have secret sin in your life you need to remove the beam out of your own eye before you remove the speck in your brothers eye. People who sin and go to church are disqualified from telling anyone anything about the Lord,they do not know him
After speaking to literally thousands of people one on one, (many claim to be Christians), I have discovered that the biggest problem among Christians is we don't do evangelism at all! Somehow we feel that if we life godly lives that somehow people will get saved because of that testimony. No one gets saved because you feed the homeless or live a moral life. This by the way is a good testimony to the world but salvation comes by "hearing." Somehow the message of Jesus enters the mind by someone sharing the gospel, or even offering a tract where they can hear through reading the gospel. This should be a way of life for all believers and not a rare or if ever event. In my opinion, if we know this is something we should do and don't actually obey, I think it is acceptable to petition our great God and ask for a passion for Him as well as for the lost. Blessings, jerry.
James 2:24 “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, Can one be saved by “faith alone” without obedience?
If works are required to be saved, then salvation is earned by us and it is not by grace alone (cf. Eph 2). James was saying that works are the evidence supporting or refuting a claim, not that they are the basis of salvation. Paul was talking about the final judgment at the Second Coming, and to "obey" the gospel in this context means to put one's faith in Jesus alone; he also wasn't teaching works-based salvation. However, the fact that salvation is an act of grace does not mean we are not responsible for living out that faith by growing our relationship with Jesus (knowing the gospel), serving those around us (showing the gospel), and preaching the good news of salvation through Jesus (sharing the gospel).
@@jrothra I agree that faith is indeed the basis of salvation. We are indeed justified by faith alone initially, apart from any kinds of works, of the Law or otherwise. God's offer to salvation by justificstion is nothing we deserved of ourselves. He offers it out of sheer love and mercy. The grace of justification was merited by Christ, for faith itself is a gift (Eph 2:9), for no one can come to the Son unless Father draws him by the Holy Spirit (Jn 6:44, 1 Cor 12:3). No one can do any sort of good work, to include having faith, without the Spirit. But it is possible for us to deny the gift of faith, for listening to and learning from the Father which leads to faith (Jn 6:45) requires consent of the will, conformity of the intellect, an active "yes." You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Therefore faith itself could be considered a work. Faith grafts us onto the vine, makes us a son, and makes us a servant of Christ. Christ is the sure foundation without whom we can do nothing. But just as it was possible to deny God by not accepting faith, so can we outright deny God in our actions. If we don't live like a Christian and are willfully are disobedient towards love and the Spirit, we become lost sheep, a lost son, an unprofitable servant, a cut off vine. We hold our fruit in sanctification (Rom 6:22), but those that don't bear fruit are cut off (Jn 15:2). And it is possible to be grafted on again (Rom 11:23). We must be struggling against sin and walking according to the Spirit, lest we be cut off. It's not that we must be perfect, but that we must be struggling against sin and seeking after goodness, proceeding in sanctification to remain justified--we must be repentant. It is in this manner that works play into salvation. Sin only causes spiritual death when you knowingly do something serious, and frankly are being dismissive of God's commandments, i.e. disobedience. It is in this manner that we are justified by works. We are justified by faith, but then to continue to remain and grow in justice (justification understood as a verb) we must walk in good works. It is possible to outright deny Christ in our actions, and this is counted as unbelief. Christ shall deny people that deny Him before men (Mt 10:33). Matthew 12:36-37 [36]But I say to you, that for every idle word which men will have spoken, they shall render an account in the day of judgment. [37] *For by your words shall you be justified, and by your words shall you be condemned* ." Faith without works is nothing. The Catholic position is everything I just stated, that in short, the only thing that avails is faith which works through love (Gal 5:6). Faith without love is nothing (1 Cor 13:2). Faith, hope, and love: but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13:13). Romans 6:16 [16]Do you not know to whom you are offering yourselves as servants under obedience? You are the servants of whomever you obey: *whether of sin, unto death, or of obedience, unto justice* . John 3:36 [36]Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. But *whoever disobeys the Son shall not see life* ; instead the wrath of God remains upon him." Romans 8:1,4,6,13 [1]Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, *who are not walking according to the flesh* . [4]so that the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us. For we are not walking according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. [6]For the prudence of the flesh is death. But the prudence of the spirit is life and peace. [13]For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. *But if, by the Spirit, you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live* . Romans 11:22-23 [22]So then, notice the goodness and the severity of God. Certainly, toward those who have fallen, there is severity; but toward you, there is the goodness of God, *if you remain in goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off* . [23]Moreover, *if they do not remain in unbelief, they will be grafted on. For God is able to graft them on again* . Philippians 2:12-13 [12]And so, my most beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but even more so now in my absence: *work out your salvation with fear and trembling* . [13]For it is God who works in you, both so as to choose, and so as to act, in accord with his good will. Romans 2:6-8 [6]For *he will render to each one according to his works* : [7]To those who, in accord with patient good works, seek glory and honor and incorruption, certainly, he will render eternal life. [8]But to those who are contentious and who do not acquiesce to the truth, but instead trust in iniquity, he will render wrath and indignation. 2 Corinthians 5:10 [10]For it is necessary for us to be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive the proper things of the body, *according to his behavior, whether it was good or evil* . 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 [25]And one who competes in a contest abstains from all things. And they do this, of course, so that they may achieve a corruptible crown. But we do this, so that we may achieve what is incorruptible. [26]And *so I run, but not with uncertainty. And so I fight* , but not by flailing in the air. [27]Instead, *I chastise my body, so as to redirect it into servitude. Otherwise, I might preach to others, **_but become myself an outcast_* . 1 Corinthians 10:12 [12]And so, whosoever considers himself to be standing, *let him be careful not to fall* . 1 Corinthians 7:19 [19]Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; there is only the observance of the commandments of God. Galatians 5:6 [6]For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision prevails over anything, but *only faith which works through love* . John 15:2,6,10 [2] *Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he will take away* . And each one that does bear fruit, he will cleanse, so that it may bring forth more fruit. [6]If anyone does not abide in me, he will be cast away, like a branch, and he will wither, and they will gather him and cast him into the fire, and he burns. [10] *If you keep my commands, you shall abide in my love* , just as I also have kept my Father's commands and I abide in his love. Matthew 25:30 [30]And cast that useless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matthew 7:19,21 [19]Every tree which does not produce good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire. [21] *Not all who say to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does the will of my Father* , who is in heaven, the same shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. 1 John 5:16-17 [16]Anyone who realizes that his brother has sinned, with a sin that is not unto death, let him pray, and life shall be given to him who has sinned not unto death. There *is a sin which is unto death* . I am not saying that anyone should ask on behalf of that sin. [17]All that is iniquity is sin. But *there is a sin unto death* .
@@jrothra People who walk according to the works of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom. The Commandments are not heavy (1 Jn 5:3). Galatians 6:7-8 [7] *Do not be deceived. God is not to be ridiculed* . [8] *For whatever a man will have sown, that also shall he reap* . For whoever sows in his flesh, from the flesh he shall also reap corruption. But *whoever sows in the Spirit, from the Spirit he shall reap eternal life* . 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 [9]Do you not know that *the iniquitous will not possess the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived* . For neither fornicators, nor servants of idolatry, nor adulterers, [10]nor the effeminate, nor males who sleep with males, nor thieves, nor the avaricious, nor the inebriated, nor slanderers, nor the rapacious shall possess the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 [19]Now the works of the flesh are manifest; they are: fornication, lust, homosexuality, self-indulgence, [20]the serving of idols, drug use, hostility, contentiousness, jealousy, wrath, quarrels, dissensions, divisions, [21]envy, murder, inebriation, carousing, and similar things. About these things, I continue to preach to you, as I have preached to you: that *those who act in this way shall not obtain the kingdom of God* . Hebrews 10:26-30 [26]For *if we sin willingly, after receiving knowledge of the truth, there is no sacrifice remaining for sins* , [27]but instead, a certain terrible expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire that shall consume its adversaries. [28]If someone dies for acting against the law of Moses, and is shown no compassion because of two or three witnesses, [29]how much more, do you think, someone would deserve worse punishments, *if he has tread upon the Son of God, and has treated the blood of the testament, by which he was sanctified* , as unclean, and *has acted with disgrace toward the Spirit of grace* ? [30]For we know that he has said: "Vengeance is mine, and I will repay," and again, " *The Lord will judge his people* ." Colossians 3:5 [5]Therefore, *mortify your body* , while it is upon the earth. For because of fornication, impurity, lust, evil desires, and avarice, which are a kind of service to idols, 2 Corinthians 4:10 [10]We ever *carry around the mortification of Jesus in our bodies* , so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. Matthew 10:38 [38]And whoever does not *take up his cross* , and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 24:13 [13]But whoever *will have persevered* until the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 16:24-25 [24]Then Jesus said to his disciples: "If anyone is willing to come after me, let him *deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me* . [25]For whoever would save his life, will lose it. But whoever will have lost his life for my sake, shall find it. 1 Timothy 2:15 [15]Yet she will be saved by bearing children, *if she has continued in faith and love, and in sanctification accompanied by self-restraint* . Colossians 1:24 [24]For now I rejoice in my passion on your behalf, and I complete in my flesh the things that are lacking in the Passion of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the Church.
@@jrothra That is why Paul is talking to believers about being reconciled to God in 2 Cor 5. Because we can be grafted on again (Rom 11:23), be a found sheep (Lk 15:4-7), be the returning prodigal son that is revived from death (Lk 15:24-32). 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 [18]But all is of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the *ministry of reconciliation* . [19]For certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging them with their sins. And he has placed in us the Word of reconciliation. [20]Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, so that God is exhorting through us. We beseech you for Christ: *be reconciled to God* . John 20:21-23 [21]Therefore, he said to them again: "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." [22]When he had said this, he breathed on them. And he said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. [23]Those *whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained* ." 2 Corinthians 2:10 [10]But anyone whom you have forgiven of anything, I also forgive. And then, too, anyone I have forgiven, *if I have forgiven anything, it was done in the person of Christ* for your sakes, James 5:14-16 [14]Is anyone ill among you? Let him *bring in the elders[/presbyters/priests] of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord* . [15]And a prayer of faith will save the infirm, and the Lord will alleviate him. And *if he has sins, these will be forgiven him* . [16]Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be saved. For the unremitting prayer of a just person prevails over many things.
@@jrothra And if one looks at history, they would see this was the position of the entirety of Christendom from the beginning until the 1500s with Martin Luther. This truth is held by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox--all the ancient branches of Christianity. As a history bit to show how far-gone Protestantism is. St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans, Ch 8 (110 A.D.), on the Catholic Church. Much more as history continues, but this is the earliest letter where the Church is named as the Catholic Church. "See that you all *follow the bishop* , even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. *Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop* . Let that be deemed a proper *Eucharist, which is [administered]* either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, *wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church* . It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid."
He said "faith alone" "grace alone" "Jesus alone " he just added up three things ,so how could they be alone if he added up three that are alone. Makes no sense .talk to these people in love,what does that really mean.To truly love God is to obey his commandments stop sinning then you're an effective vessel fit for the masters use .If you still have secret sin in your life you need to remove the beam out of your own eye before you remove the speck in your brothers eye. People who sin and go to church are disqualified from telling anyone anything about the Lord,they do not know him
Brather thak you for sharing the words of god Jesus loves all tha peopple
I am very grateful papa. I am Enoch Acquah from Ghana
Hey John it’s Marc Haley from Gab, awesome videos my friend, just subscribed. God Bless 🙏🏻🙌🏻
Hi, Marc! Glad to see you checking out my vids and thank you so much for subscribing! See you on here and Gab!
After speaking to literally thousands of people one on one, (many claim to be Christians), I have discovered that the biggest problem among Christians is we don't do evangelism at all! Somehow we feel that if we life godly lives that somehow people will get saved because of that testimony. No one gets saved because you feed the homeless or live a moral life. This by the way is a good testimony to the world but salvation comes by "hearing." Somehow the message of Jesus enters the mind by someone sharing the gospel, or even offering a tract where they can hear through reading the gospel. This should be a way of life for all believers and not a rare or if ever event. In my opinion, if we know this is something we should do and don't actually obey, I think it is acceptable to petition our great God and ask for a passion for Him as well as for the lost. Blessings, jerry.
Exactly, hence failure 5 and, to a point, 6.
James 2:24 “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
Can one be saved by “faith alone” without obedience?
If works are required to be saved, then salvation is earned by us and it is not by grace alone (cf. Eph 2). James was saying that works are the evidence supporting or refuting a claim, not that they are the basis of salvation. Paul was talking about the final judgment at the Second Coming, and to "obey" the gospel in this context means to put one's faith in Jesus alone; he also wasn't teaching works-based salvation. However, the fact that salvation is an act of grace does not mean we are not responsible for living out that faith by growing our relationship with Jesus (knowing the gospel), serving those around us (showing the gospel), and preaching the good news of salvation through Jesus (sharing the gospel).
@@jrothra I agree that faith is indeed the basis of salvation. We are indeed justified by faith alone initially, apart from any kinds of works, of the Law or otherwise. God's offer to salvation by justificstion is nothing we deserved of ourselves. He offers it out of sheer love and mercy. The grace of justification was merited by Christ, for faith itself is a gift (Eph 2:9), for no one can come to the Son unless Father draws him by the Holy Spirit (Jn 6:44, 1 Cor 12:3). No one can do any sort of good work, to include having faith, without the Spirit. But it is possible for us to deny the gift of faith, for listening to and learning from the Father which leads to faith (Jn 6:45) requires consent of the will, conformity of the intellect, an active "yes." You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Therefore faith itself could be considered a work.
Faith grafts us onto the vine, makes us a son, and makes us a servant of Christ. Christ is the sure foundation without whom we can do nothing. But just as it was possible to deny God by not accepting faith, so can we outright deny God in our actions. If we don't live like a Christian and are willfully are disobedient towards love and the Spirit, we become lost sheep, a lost son, an unprofitable servant, a cut off vine. We hold our fruit in sanctification (Rom 6:22), but those that don't bear fruit are cut off (Jn 15:2). And it is possible to be grafted on again (Rom 11:23).
We must be struggling against sin and walking according to the Spirit, lest we be cut off. It's not that we must be perfect, but that we must be struggling against sin and seeking after goodness, proceeding in sanctification to remain justified--we must be repentant. It is in this manner that works play into salvation. Sin only causes spiritual death when you knowingly do something serious, and frankly are being dismissive of God's commandments, i.e. disobedience. It is in this manner that we are justified by works. We are justified by faith, but then to continue to remain and grow in justice (justification understood as a verb) we must walk in good works. It is possible to outright deny Christ in our actions, and this is counted as unbelief. Christ shall deny people that deny Him before men (Mt 10:33).
Matthew 12:36-37
[36]But I say to you, that for every idle word which men will have spoken, they shall render an account in the day of judgment.
[37] *For by your words shall you be justified, and by your words shall you be condemned* ."
Faith without works is nothing. The Catholic position is everything I just stated, that in short, the only thing that avails is faith which works through love (Gal 5:6). Faith without love is nothing (1 Cor 13:2). Faith, hope, and love: but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13:13).
Romans 6:16
[16]Do you not know to whom you are offering yourselves as servants under obedience? You are the servants of whomever you obey: *whether of sin, unto death, or of obedience, unto justice* .
John 3:36
[36]Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. But *whoever disobeys the Son shall not see life* ; instead the wrath of God remains upon him."
Romans 8:1,4,6,13
[1]Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, *who are not walking according to the flesh* .
[4]so that the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us. For we are not walking according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.
[6]For the prudence of the flesh is death. But the prudence of the spirit is life and peace.
[13]For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. *But if, by the Spirit, you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live* .
Romans 11:22-23
[22]So then, notice the goodness and the severity of God. Certainly, toward those who have fallen, there is severity; but toward you, there is the goodness of God, *if you remain in goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off* .
[23]Moreover, *if they do not remain in unbelief, they will be grafted on. For God is able to graft them on again* .
Philippians 2:12-13
[12]And so, my most beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but even more so now in my absence: *work out your salvation with fear and trembling* .
[13]For it is God who works in you, both so as to choose, and so as to act, in accord with his good will.
Romans 2:6-8
[6]For *he will render to each one according to his works* :
[7]To those who, in accord with patient good works, seek glory and honor and incorruption, certainly, he will render eternal life.
[8]But to those who are contentious and who do not acquiesce to the truth, but instead trust in iniquity, he will render wrath and indignation.
2 Corinthians 5:10
[10]For it is necessary for us to be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive the proper things of the body, *according to his behavior, whether it was good or evil* .
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
[25]And one who competes in a contest abstains from all things. And they do this, of course, so that they may achieve a corruptible crown. But we do this, so that we may achieve what is incorruptible.
[26]And *so I run, but not with uncertainty. And so I fight* , but not by flailing in the air.
[27]Instead, *I chastise my body, so as to redirect it into servitude. Otherwise, I might preach to others, **_but become myself an outcast_* .
1 Corinthians 10:12
[12]And so, whosoever considers himself to be standing, *let him be careful not to fall* .
1 Corinthians 7:19
[19]Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; there is only the observance of the commandments of God.
Galatians 5:6
[6]For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision prevails over anything, but *only faith which works through love* .
John 15:2,6,10
[2] *Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he will take away* . And each one that does bear fruit, he will cleanse, so that it may bring forth more fruit.
[6]If anyone does not abide in me, he will be cast away, like a branch, and he will wither, and they will gather him and cast him into the fire, and he burns.
[10] *If you keep my commands, you shall abide in my love* , just as I also have kept my Father's commands and I abide in his love.
Matthew 25:30
[30]And cast that useless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Matthew 7:19,21
[19]Every tree which does not produce good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire.
[21] *Not all who say to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does the will of my Father* , who is in heaven, the same shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.
1 John 5:16-17
[16]Anyone who realizes that his brother has sinned, with a sin that is not unto death, let him pray, and life shall be given to him who has sinned not unto death. There *is a sin which is unto death* . I am not saying that anyone should ask on behalf of that sin.
[17]All that is iniquity is sin. But *there is a sin unto death* .
@@jrothra
People who walk according to the works of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom. The Commandments are not heavy (1 Jn 5:3).
Galatians 6:7-8
[7] *Do not be deceived. God is not to be ridiculed* .
[8] *For whatever a man will have sown, that also shall he reap* . For whoever sows in his flesh, from the flesh he shall also reap corruption. But *whoever sows in the Spirit, from the Spirit he shall reap eternal life* .
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
[9]Do you not know that *the iniquitous will not possess the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived* . For neither fornicators, nor servants of idolatry, nor adulterers,
[10]nor the effeminate, nor males who sleep with males, nor thieves, nor the avaricious, nor the inebriated, nor slanderers, nor the rapacious shall possess the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
[19]Now the works of the flesh are manifest; they are: fornication, lust, homosexuality, self-indulgence,
[20]the serving of idols, drug use, hostility, contentiousness, jealousy, wrath, quarrels, dissensions, divisions,
[21]envy, murder, inebriation, carousing, and similar things. About these things, I continue to preach to you, as I have preached to you: that *those who act in this way shall not obtain the kingdom of God* .
Hebrews 10:26-30
[26]For *if we sin willingly, after receiving knowledge of the truth, there is no sacrifice remaining for sins* ,
[27]but instead, a certain terrible expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire that shall consume its adversaries.
[28]If someone dies for acting against the law of Moses, and is shown no compassion because of two or three witnesses,
[29]how much more, do you think, someone would deserve worse punishments, *if he has tread upon the Son of God, and has treated the blood of the testament, by which he was sanctified* , as unclean, and *has acted with disgrace toward the Spirit of grace* ?
[30]For we know that he has said: "Vengeance is mine, and I will repay," and again, " *The Lord will judge his people* ."
Colossians 3:5
[5]Therefore, *mortify your body* , while it is upon the earth. For because of fornication, impurity, lust, evil desires, and avarice, which are a kind of service to idols,
2 Corinthians 4:10
[10]We ever *carry around the mortification of Jesus in our bodies* , so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
Matthew 10:38
[38]And whoever does not *take up his cross* , and follow me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 24:13
[13]But whoever *will have persevered* until the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 16:24-25
[24]Then Jesus said to his disciples: "If anyone is willing to come after me, let him *deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me* .
[25]For whoever would save his life, will lose it. But whoever will have lost his life for my sake, shall find it.
1 Timothy 2:15
[15]Yet she will be saved by bearing children, *if she has continued in faith and love, and in sanctification accompanied by self-restraint* .
Colossians 1:24
[24]For now I rejoice in my passion on your behalf, and I complete in my flesh the things that are lacking in the Passion of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the Church.
@@jrothra That is why Paul is talking to believers about being reconciled to God in 2 Cor 5. Because we can be grafted on again (Rom 11:23), be a found sheep (Lk 15:4-7), be the returning prodigal son that is revived from death (Lk 15:24-32).
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
[18]But all is of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the *ministry of reconciliation* .
[19]For certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging them with their sins. And he has placed in us the Word of reconciliation.
[20]Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, so that God is exhorting through us. We beseech you for Christ: *be reconciled to God* .
John 20:21-23
[21]Therefore, he said to them again: "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
[22]When he had said this, he breathed on them. And he said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit.
[23]Those *whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained* ."
2 Corinthians 2:10
[10]But anyone whom you have forgiven of anything, I also forgive. And then, too, anyone I have forgiven, *if I have forgiven anything, it was done in the person of Christ* for your sakes,
James 5:14-16
[14]Is anyone ill among you? Let him *bring in the elders[/presbyters/priests] of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord* .
[15]And a prayer of faith will save the infirm, and the Lord will alleviate him. And *if he has sins, these will be forgiven him* .
[16]Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be saved. For the unremitting prayer of a just person prevails over many things.
@@jrothra And if one looks at history, they would see this was the position of the entirety of Christendom from the beginning until the 1500s with Martin Luther.
This truth is held by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox--all the ancient branches of Christianity.
As a history bit to show how far-gone Protestantism is. St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans, Ch 8 (110 A.D.), on the Catholic Church. Much more as history continues, but this is the earliest letter where the Church is named as the Catholic Church.
"See that you all *follow the bishop* , even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. *Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop* . Let that be deemed a proper *Eucharist, which is [administered]* either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, *wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church* . It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid."
Logical but logic never saved anyone.
True, but doesn't mean we should't try to be effective in our evangelism or avoid logic. :)