Things that accompany Christ !

[Johann]

It is faith which makes man a child of god

The correct answer is that it is grace, not faith, that makes man a child of God.
The key evidence comes from the following passages:

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." This clearly states that it is by God's grace, not by our own faith, that we are saved.

The article from "Gospel in Life" states: "Grace is like the root of our faith and faith is how we receive this grace. But we have to be careful not to think our faith is what saves us–it's actually God's grace that does. Faith is just the way we receive this grace."

The article from "CFaith" also emphasizes that "Grace is a gift from God to us, pure and simple. It is unmerited favor." It is grace, not faith, that is the unmerited gift from God.

The overall teaching from these sources is that it is God's grace, not our own faith, that makes us children of God. Faith is the means by which we receive and respond to God's grace, but grace is the foundational work of God that saves us, not our own faith. The Scriptures and the commentary consistently point to grace, not faith, as the basis for our adoption as God's children.

Men have given many gifts to each other down through the ages, but in James 1:17 we read that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,” and comes to us from God. The greatest of these gifts is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the redemption He has purchased for us. In speaking to the sinner-woman at Sychar’s well, our Lord drew a picture, contrasting the barrenness of her own life with the refreshing joy of salvation, saying:

“If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water… Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst…” (John 4:10-14).

By nature we are all sinners, but by the grace of God we all may be saved.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

“For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8,9).

Thus St. Paul speaks of “the gift of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:7) and constantly emphasizes the fact that salvation is a free gift.

But a gift is not possessed until it is accepted. Thus the Apostle, in Rom. 5:17, refers to those who “receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness.” Those who receive Christ and the salvation He has wrought for them, find it natural to exclaim with Paul-

“THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!” (II Cor. 9:15).

You seem to WANT totally avoid EPHESIANS 8.8-9-but apart from that we seem to be in agreement with the majority of Scriptures-depending on our exegeses and/or eisegesis and your disagreements re the other verses can be easily solved by careful looking up the Grammar and Syntac as it stands written.

 

[TomL]

View attachment 676
View attachment 675
The correct answer is that it is grace, not faith, that makes man a child of God.
The key evidence comes from the following passages:

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." This clearly states that it is by God's grace, not by our own faith, that we are saved.

The article from "Gospel in Life" states: "Grace is like the root of our faith and faith is how we receive this grace. But we have to be careful not to think our faith is what saves us–it's actually God's grace that does. Faith is just the way we receive this grace."

The article from "CFaith" also emphasizes that "Grace is a gift from God to us, pure and simple. It is unmerited favor." It is grace, not faith, that is the unmerited gift from God.

The overall teaching from these sources is that it is God's grace, not our own faith, that makes us children of God. Faith is the means by which we receive and respond to God's grace, but grace is the foundational work of God that saves us, not our own faith. The Scriptures and the commentary consistently point to grace, not faith, as the basis for our adoption as God's children.

Men have given many gifts to each other down through the ages, but in James 1:17 we read that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,” and comes to us from God. The greatest of these gifts is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the redemption He has purchased for us. In speaking to the sinner-woman at Sychar’s well, our Lord drew a picture, contrasting the barrenness of her own life with the refreshing joy of salvation, saying:

“If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water… Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst…” (John 4:10-14).

By nature we are all sinners, but by the grace of God we all may be saved.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

“For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8,9).

Thus St. Paul speaks of “the gift of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:7) and constantly emphasizes the fact that salvation is a free gift.

But a gift is not possessed until it is accepted. Thus the Apostle, in Rom. 5:17, refers to those who “receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness.” Those who receive Christ and the salvation He has wrought for them, find it natural to exclaim with Paul-

“THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!” (II Cor. 9:15).

You seem to WANT totally avoid EPHESIANS 8.8-9-but apart from that we seem to be in agreement with the majority of Scriptures-depending on our exegeses and/or eisegesis and your disagreements re the other verses can be easily solved by careful looking up the Grammar and Syntac as it stands written.

Galatians 3:26 (KJV 1900) — 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Faith is the instrumental cause here

the efficient or primary cause may be God's grace, but faith remains the instrumental cause

BTW Eph 2:8 ends with through faith

There also faith is the instrumental cause of salvation

Faith as an Instrumental cause


John 3:16 (KJV 1900) — 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.



The efficient (primary) cause of our eternal salvation the Scripture uniformly proclaims to be the mercy and free love of the heavenly Father towards us; the material cause to be Christ, with the obedience by which he purchased righteousness for us; and what can the formal or instrumental cause be but faith? John includes the three in one sentence when he says, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).


That is not the word of an Arminian or a provisionist but of


John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 1997).


Similarly The Calvinist Theologian Berkouwer states


3. TO FAITH. Faith is the mediate or instrumental cause of sanctification as well as of justification. It does not merit sanctification any more than it does justification, but it unites us to Christ and keeps us in touch with Him as the Head of the new humanity, who is the source of the new life within us, and also of our progressive sanctification, through the operation of the Holy Spirit



L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans publishing co., 1938), 537.

There is not just a correlation between faith and justification, faith and regeneration , faith and salvation

There is a causal relationship even Calvinist theologians have affirmed

 

[Johann]

Galatians 3:26 (KJV 1900) — 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Faith is the instrumental cause here

the efficient or primary cause may be God's grace, but faith remains the instrumental cause

BTW Eph 2:8 ends with through faith

There also faith is the instrumental cause of salvation

Faith as an Instrumental cause


John 3:16 (KJV 1900) — 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.



The efficient (primary) cause of our eternal salvation the Scripture uniformly proclaims to be the mercy and free love of the heavenly Father towards us; the material cause to be Christ, with the obedience by which he purchased righteousness for us; and what can the formal or instrumental cause be but faith? John includes the three in one sentence when he says, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).


That is not the word of an Arminian or a provisionist but of


John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 1997).


Similarly The Calvinist Theologian Berkouwer states


3. TO FAITH. Faith is the mediate or instrumental cause of sanctification as well as of justification. It does not merit sanctification any more than it does justification, but it unites us to Christ and keeps us in touch with Him as the Head of the new humanity, who is the source of the new life within us, and also of our progressive sanctification, through the operation of the Holy Spirit



L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans publishing co., 1938), 537.

There is not just a correlation between faith and justification, faith and regeneration , faith and salvation

There is a causal relationship even Calvinist theologians have affirmed

Agree-yet faith alone, by itself does NOT save anyone.
The sources provided emphasize that while faith is essential for salvation, it is not faith alone that saves. Salvation is by God's grace through faith, but faith must be accompanied by works. The Bible teaches that genuine faith will produce good works, and it is through a living faith demonstrated by works that a person is justified. Faith without works is considered dead and insufficient for salvation. The consensus from the sources is that faith is necessary, but it must be a faith that is active and produces good works in alignment with God's will.
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:4,5).

As we look back at all the Old Testament types: the physical types, the narratives, the sacrifices, we exclaim: “The cross was not an accident, nor an afterthought on God’s part: He had it in mind all the while.” Surely Paul was right when he said of believers that “[God] hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (II Tim. 1:9).

It is on the basis of the cross, typified all through the Old Testament, that God now saves us by grace through faith alone, and the types show that this was indeed His eternal purpose. Furthermore salvation should be by grace through faith.

As our text, above, declares: if man could earn his salvation it would be the payment of a debt, not the bestowal of a gift — and God will never be indebted to anyone. He will never be in a position where He owes us, sinners, a debt. Nor will He ever allow us to disgrace ourselves and annoy others by our boasting about how we earned eternal life. But He can, on the basis of the penalty paid at Calvary, bestow salvation as a free gift. This is why we read:

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

“It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8,9).

God owed Abraham nothing, but seeing his faith He said, in effect: “This man believes Me; I will count his faith for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). And this He still does for those who trust Him, only He has now revealed the basis for this action: Christ’s payment for sins at Calvary. This is why, in Romans 4:5, He forbids works for salvation and declares that the believer’s faith is “counted for righteousness.”

Great statement is this one made by the Apostle Paul about 58 A.D. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM; AND HIS GRACE WHICH WAS BESTOWED UPON ME WAS NOT IN VAIN; I LABORED MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN THEY ALL: YET NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS IN ME.” I Corinthians 15:10.

Can you say, “I am?” Not one of us can say, “I labored more abundantly than they all.” I am. Are you? I am saved by the grace of God. I didn’t labor abundantly or even for one moment to be saved by grace.

“If by grace then it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace.” Romans 11:6.

Perhaps you desire to “amen” this testimony: “I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I hope to be. But, by the grace of God, I am not what I once was.”

When Christ was here on earth He said to those who would get a place in the kingdom of heaven, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able Luke 13:24. “Agonize” or “labour” to get in. That certainly is not our message for today, It is in direct contrast with Romans 3:24: “Declared righteous without a cause by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” For us the great preacher of Grace had “the dispensation of the grace of God.” This differs from “the dispensation of law” and “the dispensation of the kingdom of heaven.”

Eternal life is the free gift of God. Romans 6:23. It cost God more than can ever be computed or measured or even estimated. God spared not His Own Son. With Him He shall also freely give us all things. Romans 8:34. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” “It is the Gift of God.”

“We are His workmanship created in CHRIST JESUS, unto good works that God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

Rather a unique statement: “Walk in good works.” This is the will of God concerning His children, believers who are in Christ. God demands that we must be IN CHRIST; before we can WALK IN GOOD WORKS.

In Christ we are the righteousness of God, accepted, perfect (in standing), complete and blessed with all spiritual blessings, free from condemnation. II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:6; Hebrews 10:14; Colossians 2:10; Ephesians 1:3; Romans 8:1.

We are a redeemed people zealous of good works, saved to maintain good works, labourers together with God, fishers of men, shining lights, soldiers of Jesus Christ, witnesses, ambassadors, sowers and workmen that needeth not to be ashamed.

“Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58.

Our labour is not in vain, if it is in the Lord. Neither was Paul vain or boastful when he uttered that great truth, “I laboured more abundantly than they all” for there he gave credit to the grace of God. God is “the God of all grace”. I Peter 5:10

Paul needed all the grace of the God of all grace. That all-sufficient grace was available. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” II Corinthians 9:8.

Paul set himself up as a pattern; and while the same illimitable grace of God is available for every member of the Body of Christ, we can never measure up to Paul’s standard. But let us do our very best to abound, by the grace of God, in good works.

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in. the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among ye shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14 and 15.

“Say not ye, There are four months and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” John 4:35 and 36.

“So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.” I Corinthians 9:24 and 28.

By The Grace of God

Great statement is this one made by the Apostle Paul about 58 A.D. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM; AND HIS GRACE WHICH WAS BESTOWED UPON ME WAS NOT IN VAIN; I LABORED MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN THEY ALL: YET NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS IN ME.” I Corinthians 15:10. Can you say, “I am?” Not

bereanbiblesociety.org

 

[Johann]

3. TO FAITH. Faith is the mediate or instrumental cause of sanctification as well as of justification. It does not merit sanctification any more than it does justification, but it unites us to Christ and keeps us in touch with Him as the Head of the new humanity, who is the source of the new life within us, and also of our progressive sanctification, through the operation of the Holy Spirit

3) "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish," (hina pas ho pisteuon eis auton me apoletai) ''In order that everyone trusting in (into) him may not perish; This is a purpose clause, specifically setting forth the intent and purpose for which God gave His only begotten Son, not one out of many. Negatively, it is asserted that it was in order that one might not perish, be damned, be forever lost, separated from God in hell, where the wicked shall be forever cast, Psa_9:17, be they Jews or Gentiles, Kings or paupers, presidents or dictators, or simple unbelievers, Luk_13:3; Joh_8:24; Rev_21:8.

"whoever believes in Him" This is a present active participle, which emphasizes initial and continuing belief. This affirmation is repeated from John 3:15 for emphasis. Thank God for the "whosoever"! This must balance any overemphasis on a special group (racial, intellectual, or theological). It is not that "God's sovereignty" and "human freewill" are mutually exclusive; they are both true! God always initiates the response and sets the agenda (cf. John 6:44,65), but He has structured His relationship with humans by means of covenant. They must respond and continue to respond to His offer and conditions!

"shall not perish" The implication is that some will perish (aorist middle subjunctive). Their perishing (amollumi, aorist middle subjunctive) is directly related to their lack of a faith response to Jesus (cf. John 11:25). God does not cause, direct, or will their unbelief (cf. Ezek. 18:23,32; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).

Many have attempted to take this term literally and thereby suggest an annihilation of the wicked. This would contradict Dan. 12:2 and Matt. 25:46. This is a good example of sincere believers forcing the Eastern highly figurative literature into a Western interpretive format (literal and logical). For a good discussion of this term see Robert B. Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old Testament, pp. 275-277.

Again, note how John thinks and writes in dualistic categories (i.e., perish vs. eternal life). The vocabulary and theological structuring of Jesus' teachings are very different between the Synoptic Gospels and John. One wonders how much freedom (under divine guidance, i.e., inspiration) the Gospel writers had in preparing their evangelistic presentation of Jesus to their selected audiences. See Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth, pp. 127-148.

3:17 "to judge the world" There are several passages in John that assert that Jesus came as Savior, not Judge (cf. John 3:17-21; 8:15; 12:47). However, there are other passages in John that assert that Jesus came to judge, will judge (cf. John 5:22-23,27; 9:39; as well as other parts of the NT, Acts 10:42; 17:31; 2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet. 4:5).
Several theological comments are in order.
1. God gave judgment to Jesus as He did creation and redemption as a sign of honor (cf. John 5:23)
2. Jesus did not come the first time to judge, but to save (cf. John 3:17), but by the fact that people reject Him, they judge themselves
3. Jesus will return as King of Kings and Judge (cf. John 9:39)

3:18 This verse repeats the theme of a free salvation through Christ versus a self inflicted judgment. God does not send people to hell. They send themselves. Belief has continuing results ("believing," present active participle) and so does unbelief ("has been judged," perfect passive indicative and "has not believed," perfect active indicative).

 

[Johann]

Galatians 3:26 (KJV 1900) — 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Faith is the instrumental cause here

the efficient or primary cause may be God's grace, but faith remains the instrumental cause

Look at all the Genitives! Genitive of possession and the Definite Article THE faith-not any kind of faith but the God kind of Faith-rightfully belonging to the Father and given to us.

Question
Is it our faith?
Or the faith eis/en Christ Jesus?
The Dative should give you a clue brother.

 

[Johann]

View attachment 677

Look at all the Genitives! Genitive of possession and the Definite Article THE faith-not any kind of faith but the God kind of Faith-rightfully belonging to the Father and given to us.

Question
Is it our faith?
Or the faith eis/en Christ Jesus?
The Dative should give you a clue brother.

GRACE CAME BY JESUS CHRIST
This reminds us of God’s statement in John 1:17 and Galatians 4:4 and 5, which we quote: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

Yes, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. But He was made under the law. And the sinner who attempts to follow the Lord Jesus under the law will not be under grace; for the law was the ministry of condemnation. The believing sinner, under grace, is in Christ Jesus, free from the condemnation and wrath of the law. He is free also from the law of sin and death, because of the blessed fact stated in Romans 8:2, concerning the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

“But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9.

Surely God is the God of all grace. God’s Word declares that grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21.

But let us always remember that this reigning grace is through the death of Jesus Christ. Even after Christ was crucified the door of grace was not opened unto the Gentiles for more than twelve years. Acts 14:27.

“How God had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” Gentile salvation in the Bible should be studied as to whether the scriptural reference is before or after Acts 14:27 as to time.

PAUL THE GRACE PREACHER
It would not be unscriptural to speak of Paul as the “grace” apostle, for in his epistles he uses the word “grace” ninety-seven times. He declared that Christ gave to him for Gentiles the dispensation of the grace of God. Ephesians 3:2. After Paul had delivered his own soul by faithfully proclaiming to Israel in Asia and Europe God’s message for that Nation, after “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the words of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks”, after Paul was free from the blood of all men, he declared that his Christ-given responsibility was to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 19:10; 20:26; 20:24. Paul declared in thus testifying the grace message, he would finish his course with joy. It was about the same time that he wrote to the Romans: “being declared righteous without a cause by God’s grace.” It was about that time that he wrote to the Corinthians “that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 4:15. He wrote to them of “all grace,” “exceeding grace” and “sufficient grace”. II Corinthians 9:8; II Corinthians 9:14; II Corinthians 12:9.

It is quite as significant that in his grace messages Paul was directed to say nothing that would take the Gentiles back the other side of Calvary, to the earthly ministry of the Son of God for their hope and blessing. Certainly his message was not “back to Jesus”. Their door was opened years after that earthly ministry closed with the Saviour’s death and resurrection. Acts 14:27. Paul, in Galatians 1:6 and 15, declared that he was called by grace to preach the grace of Christ. He declared that the grace of God was not bestowed upon him in vain. I Corinthians 15:10.

The Saviour on the cross was full of grace toward Israel when He cried, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. And surely the Father was exceedingly gracious when He heard that prayer and saved thousands of those who with wicked hands slew His well-beloved Son. Acts 2:38 to 43.

But the Gentiles were God’s enemies, no people, a foolish nation. God had given them up. Their hope could not be race or religion. By both they were in the world having no hope. Their only hope was pure and unadulterated grace. And that grace was all sufficient. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more (over) abound.” Romans 5:20. Because God was rich in mercy and great in love, He saved the then alienated, lifeless, hopeless Gentiles by grace. By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves.” Ephesians 2:8 and 9. Not only was God’s grace sufficient for the complete justification, reconciliation, and new creation of those dead Gentiles, but so great was God’s grace that they were given the highest and most glorious place that God can, did, or ever will, give to any company of redeemed sinners.

When the Lord Jesus was in the land of Israel He called Israel to repentance under their covenants but years later the Lord sent forth the message of Titus: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11.

Grace hath appeared to all men. Any kind of a sinner as to race, place and disgrace. No sinner need hesitate because of any shortage of saving grace. God’s grace is abundant. It is over-abounding.

It is interesting to travel with Paul from his oral ministry in the thirteenth chapter of Acts, about 45 A.D. through his written ministry, beginning with his first epistle on to his last, II Timothy, about 67 A.D., and see how the message of grace is developed, until we find the climax in II Timothy 1:9, which we quote again

“WHO HATH SAVED US, AND CALLED US WITH AN HOLY CALLING, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, WHICH WAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN.”

ABOUNDING GRACE FOR SAINTS
If this infinite inexhaustible grace of God is sufficient for any kind of a sinner, surely it is sufficient for every child of God.

In the Word of God following the statement in Romans 5:20, “where sin abounded grace did much more overabound”, this question is asked: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

“Christ died for all, that they which live: should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again.” II Corinthians 5:15. “For in that Christ died, He died unto sin once; but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.” Romans 6:10.

“Christ died for our sins.”

If Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man then, by that same grace of God every believer is dead unto sin. Very few of God’s people have fully appreciated, or even appropriated, the blessed truth of identification; that is, the glorious fact that the redeemed sinner is identified with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection. He has been baptized into the death of Christ; and by the same Divine baptism he has been raised to walk in newness of life. He is also seated with (Christ where Christ is, far above principality, power, and dominion. Ephesians 1:20 and 2:6.

It is very interesting to study the “much more’s” in the fifth chapter of Romans, and learn that God’s grace is altogether sufficient for every task, every test, every trial, every temptation, every tribulation, and every thorn of every believer. What a wonderful statement we have in II Corinthians 9:8, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”

Surely this super-abounding, inexhaustible grace, this ample provision for all things, leaves all believers without excuse. When the child of God blunders and fails, stumbles and falls, it is not because of any shortage of Divine grace. This marvelous provision for the believer’s spiritual life of victory is definitely stated in Titus 2:11 to 13, which we quote:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

In the next chapter, Titus 3:7, we read these words: “That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

So we see that salvation, whether from the penalty or from the power of sin, is grace from first to last.

The grace of God teaches us what to deny, ungodly and how to live; soberly, righteously, and godly; to look for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. And when that hope is realized, believers shall be saved from the very presence of sin. They shall then appear with Christ in glory and come into a new realization of that eternity of grace expressed in Ephesians 2:7; “in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Surely the Bible tells of an eternity of grace.

Praise our wonderful Savior and great God-Jesus Christ and our Abba-Father-who saved a wretch like me.

An Eternity of Grace

The God of the Bible is the God of all grace. I Peter 5:10. The grace of God is infinite, illimitable and inexhaustible. We find a number of Scriptures for the subject of this message; but first we quote two verses, the one which speaks of God’s grace before the world began, and the other which tell

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[TomL]

View attachment 677

Look at all the Genitives! Genitive of possession and the Definite Article THE faith-not any kind of faith but the God kind of Faith-rightfully belonging to the Father and given to us.

Question
Is it our faith?
Or the faith eis/en Christ Jesus?
The Dative should give you a clue brother.

Um I would say it is an objective genitive

Christ is the object of Faith not the subject

Galatians 3:22–26 (NASB 2020) — 22 But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

as per context

 

[brightfame52]

Another thing that accompany Christ as He died for His Elect and was raised for their justification Rom 4:25, its both repentance and forgiveness of sins Acts 5:31

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

 

[civic]

View attachment 676
View attachment 675
The correct answer is that it is grace, not faith, that makes man a child of God.
The key evidence comes from the following passages:

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." This clearly states that it is by God's grace, not by our own faith, that we are saved.

The article from "Gospel in Life" states: "Grace is like the root of our faith and faith is how we receive this grace. But we have to be careful not to think our faith is what saves us–it's actually God's grace that does. Faith is just the way we receive this grace."

The article from "CFaith" also emphasizes that "Grace is a gift from God to us, pure and simple. It is unmerited favor." It is grace, not faith, that is the unmerited gift from God.

The overall teaching from these sources is that it is God's grace, not our own faith, that makes us children of God. Faith is the means by which we receive and respond to God's grace, but grace is the foundational work of God that saves us, not our own faith. The Scriptures and the commentary consistently point to grace, not faith, as the basis for our adoption as God's children.

Men have given many gifts to each other down through the ages, but in James 1:17 we read that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,” and comes to us from God. The greatest of these gifts is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the redemption He has purchased for us. In speaking to the sinner-woman at Sychar’s well, our Lord drew a picture, contrasting the barrenness of her own life with the refreshing joy of salvation, saying:

“If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water… Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst…” (John 4:10-14).

By nature we are all sinners, but by the grace of God we all may be saved.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

“For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8,9).

Thus St. Paul speaks of “the gift of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:7) and constantly emphasizes the fact that salvation is a free gift.

But a gift is not possessed until it is accepted. Thus the Apostle, in Rom. 5:17, refers to those who “receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness.” Those who receive Christ and the salvation He has wrought for them, find it natural to exclaim with Paul-

“THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!” (II Cor. 9:15).

You seem to WANT totally avoid EPHESIANS 8.8-9-but apart from that we seem to be in agreement with the majority of Scriptures-depending on our exegeses and/or eisegesis and your disagreements re the other verses can be easily solved by careful looking up the Grammar and Syntac as it stands written.

Thanks now use your same argument with PSA- its not found anywhere in the N.T.

Thanks for conceding the argument.

As Vloddie states

its NOWHERE

 

[brightfame52]

Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The hearing of Faith, accompanies the giving of Christ for His Sheep,

Jesus promises that the Sheep He gave His life for Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He promises in Jn 10 16, they shall hear His voice, this is the hearing of Faith Rom 10 17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jesus said also they who are of the Truth hear His voice Jn 18:37

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 

[civic]

Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The hearing of Faith, accompanies the giving of Christ for His Sheep,

Jesus promises that the Sheep He gave His life for Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He promises in Jn 10 16, they shall hear His voice, this is the hearing of Faith Rom 10 17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jesus said also they who are of the Truth hear His voice Jn 18:37

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

judas was a sheep

Jesus even said that Judas was one of His sheep (Matt. 10:1-4, 16), who received His truth (Matt 10:1-4, 8)

And Jesus sent out Judas as one of His sheep in Matthew 10.

Judas the stumbling block for your doctrine of elect, chosen, sheep etc

Matthew 10 he was a sheep among wolves performing miracles just like the rest of the disciples by the POWER of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 10
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

16 “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

next

 

[brightfame52]

judas was a sheep

Jesus even said that Judas was one of His sheep (Matt. 10:1-4, 16), who received His truth (Matt 10:1-4, 8)

And Jesus sent out Judas as one of His sheep in Matthew 10.

Judas the stumbling block for your doctrine of elect, chosen, sheep etc

Matthew 10 he was a sheep among wolves performing miracles just like the rest of the disciples by the POWER of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 10
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

16 “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

next

Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The hearing of Faith, accompanies the giving of Christ for His Sheep,

Jesus promises that the Sheep He gave His life for Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He promises in Jn 10 16, they shall hear His voice, this is the hearing of Faith Rom 10 17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jesus said also they who are of the Truth hear His voice Jn 18:37

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 

[civic]

Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The hearing of Faith, accompanies the giving of Christ for His Sheep,

Jesus promises that the Sheep He gave His life for Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He promises in Jn 10 16, they shall hear His voice, this is the hearing of Faith Rom 10 17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jesus said also they who are of the Truth hear His voice Jn 18:37

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

judas was a sheep

next

 

[brightfame52]

judas was a sheep

next

Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The hearing of Faith, accompanies the giving of Christ for His Sheep,

Jesus promises that the Sheep He gave His life for Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He promises in Jn 10 16, they shall hear His voice, this is the hearing of Faith Rom 10 17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jesus said also they who are of the Truth hear His voice Jn 18:37

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 

[civic]

Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The hearing of Faith, accompanies the giving of Christ for His Sheep,

Jesus promises that the Sheep He gave His life for Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He promises in Jn 10 16, they shall hear His voice, this is the hearing of Faith Rom 10 17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jesus said also they who are of the Truth hear His voice Jn 18:37

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

judas was a sheep

so much for your argument.

next

 

[brightfame52]

judas was a sheep

so much for your argument.

next

Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The hearing of Faith, accompanies the giving of Christ for His Sheep,

Jesus promises that the Sheep He gave His life for Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He promises in Jn 10 16, they shall hear His voice, this is the hearing of Faith Rom 10 17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jesus said also they who are of the Truth hear His voice Jn 18:37

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 

[civic]

Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The hearing of Faith, accompanies the giving of Christ for His Sheep,

Jesus promises that the Sheep He gave His life for Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He promises in Jn 10 16, they shall hear His voice, this is the hearing of Faith Rom 10 17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jesus said also they who are of the Truth hear His voice Jn 18:37

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

judas was a sheep

next

 

[brightfame52]

judas was a sheep

next

Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The hearing of Faith, accompanies the giving of Christ for His Sheep,

Jesus promises that the Sheep He gave His life for Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He promises in Jn 10 16, they shall hear His voice, this is the hearing of Faith Rom 10 17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Jesus said also they who are of the Truth hear His voice Jn 18:37

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 

[brightfame52]

Christs Death brings about obedience, He being the Author of Salvation by His Death Heb 5:9

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Obeying Him is the fruit of His Salvation

 

[brightfame52]

Deliverance from the wrath to come !

Christs Death brings with it for them He died for, deliverance from the wrath to come,

1 Thess 1:10

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thess 5:9-10

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Rom 5:8-9

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.