Sunshine and puppies

[mailmandan]

Actually, we just want to keep Ephesians 2:10 AFTER Ephesians 2:8-9 and not allow people to try and convince us that Ephesians 2:10 should come FIRST and only then have we EARNED Ephesians 2:8-9.

We are saved FOR good works and NOT BY good works. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

 

[Lamb]

This idea that Jesus has done it all and there is nothing for us to do is not scriptural.

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."" (1Pet 1:14-16)
Are we still conformed to previous passions?

Are we yet holy as God is holy?

Is there something we can do to become more holy?

”"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.” (2Cor 7:1).
WE can do something to cleanse ourselves and become more holy.

“Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14).
WE have to do some striving for holiness.

It seems Jesus left us something to do.

If there is nothing for us to do why does Paul say:
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (1Cor 11:1)

Why does the writer of Hebrews say:
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.” (Heb 13:7)

Then consider this:
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are equal, and each shall receive his wages according to his labour. For we are God's fellow workers” (1Cor 3:6-9).

Why was any planting or watering needed if Jesus has done it all?

Why would Paul or Apollos get any wages if Jesus has done it all?

Why would God have co-workers if Jesus has done it all?

Let’s approach this from another perspective.
Many Protestants take an either/or view – that either we do it all (therefore salvation by our own works) or that God does it all. We have nothing to offer.

But all through history God has invited people to participate in his work, starting the Adam naming the animals in the Garden of Eden. This is not just our passive acceptance but active participation.

Paul calls himself one of “God’s fellow workers” (1 Cor 3:9)
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (1Cor 3:6-7)

In Acts 18:23 Luke says about Paul “After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.”

Was that Paul strengthening the disciples all his own work?
Was it God’s work alone?
Was not Paul watering and God giving growth?

In Mt 16:18 Jesus says to Peter “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church”.
Who is building the Church? Jesus!

But in 1Cor 14:12 Paul tells the Corinthians to “strive to excel in building up the church”
He says in Eph 4:12 that Jesus gave the disciples various gifts “for building up the body of Christ” (which is the Church).
Is Paul contradicting Jesus who said HE would build his Church?

Of course not! Paul and others are actively participating in the work of Christ.

That does not make their contribution of equal value to Jesus’. Far from it!
It is the same with Christ’s work on us, cleansing and purifying us; making us perfect and holy, fit for heaven. We actively participate in that work, not just passive acceptance, but active participation.

What some people want is easy peasy salvation.. We just sit back like couch potatoes because Jesus has done it all.

But Jesus said:
"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Mt 7:13-14).

What is the hard way that leads to life?
It is the way that Jesus (who is the Way) trod.

It involves:
suffering (Acts 14:22, Rom 8:18)
maintaining faith (Acts 14:22, Heb 10:38, 1Pet1:6-9)
obedience (Mt 7:21, 12:50)
patience and perseverance (Jas 5:7-12,
helping the poor (Jas 2:14-17)
loving even enemies (Lk 6:27)
repenting of sins (Rev 2:5)
self denial (Mt 16:24)
and more

This is the path to holiness. Christ has trodden it before us. We do not tread it alone because Christ is with us. But tread it we must if we wish to enter life.

Galations 3:27 "for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

You can't make yourself holy while living in this sinful body, yet in your baptism you were clothed with Christ. That means God sees you as holy since Christ is holy.

 

[Stephen]

Galations 3:27 "for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

You can't make yourself holy while living in this sinful body, yet in your baptism you were clothed with Christ. That means God sees you as holy since Christ is holy.

God is not a fantasist. He sees what you are.

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."" (1Pet 1:14-16)
Are we still conformed to previous passions?

Are we yet holy as God is holy?

Is there something we can do to become more holy?

”"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.” (2Cor 7:1).
WE can do something to cleanse ourselves and become more holy.

“Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14).
WE have to do some striving for holiness.

 

[Lamb]

God is not a fantasist. He sees what you are.

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."" (1Pet 1:14-16)
Are we still conformed to previous passions?

Are we yet holy as God is holy?

Is there something we can do to become more holy?

”"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.” (2Cor 7:1).
WE can do something to cleanse ourselves and become more holy.

“Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14).
WE have to do some striving for holiness.

God sees both.

The Law says we all fall short, so you can't be holy enough that is required. God requires absolute perfection and that's what holy is. Only HE can fulfill what the Law requires...and He did by coming to the earth in the form of man, living the perfectly obedient life that was required and died on the cross in our place for the forgiveness of sins. He rose again on the third day.

The Gospel says that those who believe in Him will not perish. The Law says otherwise but to gain heaven you believe the Gospel.

You have quoted a lot of law. The Law can't save you and never could. Only the Savior saves. He clothes us in Christ. He brings us to faith. That forgiveness that was won at the cross is yours. You didn't earn it. You weren't even born when it happened.

 

[Stephen]

God sees both.

The Law says we all fall short, so you can't be holy enough that is required. God requires absolute perfection and that's what holy is. Only HE can fulfill what the Law requires...and He did by coming to the earth in the form of man, living the perfectly obedient life that was required and died on the cross in our place for the forgiveness of sins. He rose again on the third day.

The Gospel says that those who believe in Him will not perish. The Law says otherwise but to gain heaven you believe the Gospel.

You have quoted a lot of law. The Law can't save you and never could. Only the Savior saves. He clothes us in Christ. He brings us to faith. That forgiveness that was won at the cross is yours. You didn't earn it. You weren't even born when it happened.

The Law is OT. I haven't quoted OT, only NT.

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."" (1Pet 1:14-16)
Are we still conformed to previous passions?

Are we yet holy as God is holy?

Is there something we can do to become more holy?

”"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.” (2Cor 7:1).
WE can do something to cleanse ourselves and become more holy.

“Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14).
WE have to do some striving for holiness.

God doesn't pretend.
"and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men, as we do to you, so that he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." (1Thess 3:12-13)
God can make us holy, not pretend we are holy.

 

[Lamb]

The Law is OT. I haven't quoted OT, only NT.

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."" (1Pet 1:14-16)
Are we still conformed to previous passions?

Are we yet holy as God is holy?

Is there something we can do to become more holy?

”"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.” (2Cor 7:1).
WE can do something to cleanse ourselves and become more holy.

“Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14).
WE have to do some striving for holiness.

God doesn't pretend.
"and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men, as we do to you, so that he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." (1Thess 3:12-13)
God can make us holy, not pretend we are holy.

God's Law just isn't in the Old Testament. The Law are the things we are to do and not do.

BTW, how are you doing at trying to become perfect?

 

[Stephen]

God's Law just isn't in the Old Testament. The Law are the things we are to do and not do.

You didn't refer to God's Law" but "The Law" and when Paul says "The Law" he is generally referring to the Mosaic Law. In the passage where we "fall short" Paul is clearly referring to the Mosaic Law.

BTW, how are you doing at trying to become perfect?

Getting personal because you can't refute the scripture I give you?

Here is some more for you to ignore.

In Hebrews 11 the writer describes the faith of many of those in the Old Testament, men and women, from Abel onwards. Then in chapter 12 he writes
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb 12:22-23)

These are OT people who have not been baptised, not "put on Christ" but God makes them perfect.

Just before that he writes:
"Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord". (vs 14)
and
"See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God" (vs 15).
How can we fail to obtain if there is nothing we have to do?

 

[Lamb]

You didn't refer to God's Law" but "The Law" and when Paul says "The Law" he is generally referring to the Mosaic Law. In the passage where we "fall short" Paul is clearly referring to the Mosaic Law.



Getting personal because you can't refute the scripture I give you?

Here is some more for you to ignore.

In Hebrews 11 the writer describes the faith of many of those in the Old Testament, men and women, from Abel onwards. Then in chapter 12 he writes
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb 12:22-23)

These are OT people who have not been baptised, not "put on Christ" but God makes them perfect.

Just before that he writes:
"Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord". (vs 14)
and
"See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God" (vs 15).
How can we fail to obtain if there is nothing we have to do?

I "got personal" because it was time to point the law back toward you so that you could see that you're failing. You cannot be perfect. That's what the Law does, it shows you how you cannot live up to God's perfect expectations. If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Which leads us back once again to who will save us? You can't save yourself.

We are ALL saved in the same way, by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9

The people before Jesus' death had salvation the same way we do...in the Savior. They didn't work FOR salvation. They trusted in God to bring them a Savior to redeem them. Thankfully He did.

We lack nothing when we have Jesus.

Now back to that plenitude of Gospel verses I gave you earlier.
Galatians 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Romans 8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

John 3:16, "For God so (unconditionally) love the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but has everlasting life."

Romans 5:8, "God shows His love for us in that while we were enemies of God, Christ died for us."

First John 2:2, "Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins."

Titus 3:5, "God saves us not because of our deeds of righteousness but rather in view of His own mercy."

Romans 6:23, "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing but rather it is the free gift of God."

John 3:36, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life."

 

[Stephen]

I "got personal" because it was time to point the law back toward you so that you could see that you're failing. You cannot be perfect. That's what the Law does, it shows you how you cannot live up to God's perfect expectations. If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Which leads us back once again to who will save us? You can't save yourself.

We are ALL saved in the same way, by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9

The people before Jesus' death had salvation the same way we do...in the Savior. They didn't work FOR salvation. They trusted in God to bring them a Savior to redeem them. Thankfully He did.

We lack nothing when we have Jesus.

Now back to that plenitude of Gospel verses I gave you earlier.
Galatians 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Romans 8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

John 3:16, "For God so (unconditionally) love the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but has everlasting life."

Romans 5:8, "God shows His love for us in that while we were enemies of God, Christ died for us."

First John 2:2, "Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins."

Titus 3:5, "God saves us not because of our deeds of righteousness but rather in view of His own mercy."

Romans 6:23, "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing but rather it is the free gift of God."

John 3:36, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life."

Yes, I agree with all those scriptures. But not with the the conclusions you are trying to draw from them.
As the scriptures I gave you show, we have a part to play in our salvation. If that were not so then either everyone is saved, or God picks some to save and some not to save based on what? Dice? Random Pick?

I agree that we cannot earn our salvation - and I have never said we can. But I have given you plenty of scripture to show you that we have a part to play; some things we must do. You seem unwilling, or unable, to address those - #8, #12,#23, #40, #43, #45, #47.

 

[atpollard]

Not that I personally care (I have no dog in that fight), but Lutherans and Catholics should be careful to define terms since they use the same terms to mean different things and can easily misunderstand each other.
A Lutheran says “salvation” and it typically speaking about “justification”; they would place ongoing good works under ”sanctification” which ends at “glorification”.
I do not believe that a Catholic says “salvation” and means only ”justification” ... but I have long since given up trying to explain what Catholics believe. (They mostly just tell you what they do not believe).

 

[pinacled]

I "got personal" because it was time to point the law back toward you so that you could see that you're failing. You cannot be perfect. That's what the Law does, it shows you how you cannot live up to God's perfect expectations. If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Which leads us back once again to who will save us? You can't save yourself.

We are ALL saved in the same way, by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9

The people before Jesus' death had salvation the same way we do...in the Savior. They didn't work FOR salvation. They trusted in God to bring them a Savior to redeem them. Thankfully He did.

We lack nothing when we have Jesus.

Now back to that plenitude of Gospel verses I gave you earlier.
Galatians 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Romans 8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

John 3:16, "For God so (unconditionally) love the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but has everlasting life."

Romans 5:8, "God shows His love for us in that while we were enemies of God, Christ died for us."

First John 2:2, "Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins."

Titus 3:5, "God saves us not because of our deeds of righteousness but rather in view of His own mercy."

Romans 6:23, "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing but rather it is the free gift of God."

John 3:36, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life."

Have you considered that Stephen is testing works built?

 

[Stephen]

Not that I personally care (I have no dog in that fight), but Lutherans and Catholics should be careful to define terms since they use the same terms to mean different things and can easily misunderstand each other.
A Lutheran says “salvation” and it typically speaking about “justification”; they would place ongoing good works under ”sanctification” which ends at “glorification”.
I do not believe that a Catholic says “salvation” and means only ”justification” ... but I have long since given up trying to explain what Catholics believe. (They mostly just tell you what they do not believe).

It is my experience that Protestants generally(not just Lutherans) sometime s use words differently to Catholics.

As regards salvation and justification. Bother of them have a past, present and future aspect and to some extent refer to the same thing, though looking at it from a different perspective. Salvation looks back to what we are saved from. Justification looks to our relationship with God. They are like two sides of the same coin.

 

[Stephen]

Have you considered that Stephen is testing works built?

What do you mean by that?

 

[Lamb]

Yes, I agree with all those scriptures. But not with the the conclusions you are trying to draw from them.
As the scriptures I gave you show, we have a part to play in our salvation. If that were not so then either everyone is saved, or God picks some to save and some not to save based on what? Dice? Random Pick?

I agree that we cannot earn our salvation - and I have never said we can. But I have given you plenty of scripture to show you that we have a part to play; some things we must do. You seem unwilling, or unable, to address those - #8, #12,#23, #40, #4
3, #45, #47.

If you have a part to play then you are playing part-Savior.

The scriptures I quote you show that God is sufficient in giving us salvation without us.

 

[mailmandan]

If you have a part to play then you are playing part-Savior.

The scriptures I quote you show that God is sufficient in giving us salvation without us.

Christ's finished work of redemption is sufficient and complete to save believers. No supplements needed. (Romans 3:24-28)

 

[Lamb]

Christ's finished work of redemption is sufficient and complete to save believers. No supplements needed. (Romans 3:24-28)

I like the verses you mentioned!

24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

If we insist that we have a part to play in order to have eternal life then Jesus' work on the cross didn't fully forgive us our sins. It didn't fully atone for our sins. It didn't fully redeem us. Yet, the verses I gave and the verses you gave show that God sufficiently has forgiven us, atoned us (which is pretty much the same thing) and redeemed us. By God's grace and mercy, He gives us faith to trust in what happened at the cross.

 

[Stephen]

If you have a part to play then you are playing part-Savior.

The scriptures I quote you show that God is sufficient in giving us salvation without us.

None of those scripture say that we have no part to play in our salvation.

You are still ignoring the scripture I gave you in posts #8, #12,#23, #40, #43, #45, #47.

Consider these (but don't keep ignoring the others):

Peter
"Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. " (Acts 2:37-38)
We need to repent & be baptised, just as Jesus said

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
We need to believe
We need to be baptised.

And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Mt 19:17)
We need to keep the commandments

Paul
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They [Paul & Silas] answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31)
We have to believe in Jesus


Yes, Paul writes: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8)
God's grace is given freely. But we have to access it and use it.
"See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God" (Heb 12:15)

We can obtain the grace of God because we have access to it. As Paul says
"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God." (Rom 5:1-2).

Note also this:
Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. (2Cor 6:1)

 

[Lamb]

None of those scripture say that we have no part to play in our salvation.

You are still ignoring the scripture I gave you in posts #8, #12,#23, #40, #43, #45, #47.

Consider these (but don't keep ignoring the others):

Peter
"Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. " (Acts 2:37-38)
We need to repent & be baptised, just as Jesus said

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
We need to believe
We need to be baptised.

And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Mt 19:17)
We need to keep the commandments

Paul
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They [Paul & Silas] answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31)
We have to believe in Jesus


Yes, Paul writes: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8)
God's grace is given freely. But we have to access it and use it.
"See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God" (Heb 12:15)

We can obtain the grace of God because we have access to it. As Paul says
"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God." (Rom 5:1-2).

Note also this:
Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. (2Cor 6:1)

What part of salvation are you lacking from God? What part of His redemption did He neglect to give to you?

Remember that "by grace" is not something we choose for ourselves but what God has chosen for us.

 

[Lamb]

Not that I personally care (I have no dog in that fight), but Lutherans and Catholics should be careful to define terms since they use the same terms to mean different things and can easily misunderstand each other.
A Lutheran says “salvation” and it typically speaking about “justification”; they would place ongoing good works under ”sanctification” which ends at “glorification”.
I do not believe that a Catholic says “salvation” and means only ”justification” ... but I have long since given up trying to explain what Catholics believe. (They mostly just tell you what they do not believe).

You're correct. I am married to a Catholic so I'm aware of the different terminology definitions

Sorry to hijack your thread!

 

[Stephen]

What part of salvation are you lacking from God? What part of His redemption did He neglect to give to you?

Remember that "by grace" is not something we choose for ourselves but what God has chosen for us.

I was justified initially because I was baptised.
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mk 16:16)
"Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you," (1Pet3:21)

I'm forgiven my sins because I repent and ask forgiveness.#
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1John 1:9)

What part of tht do you not understand?

You are still ignoring the scripture I gave you in posts #8, #12,#23, #40, #43, #45, #47, #57.

And
As the scriptures I gave you show, we have a part to play in our salvation. If that were not so then either everyone is saved, or God picks some to save and some not to save based on what? Dice? Random Pick?

You seem to have no answers.