Are We Saved Through Our Good Works?

 Can we be saved by our good works? That is impossible, since we would have

to be perfect. The Bible says the opposite.

None of us are good:

As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; (Romans 3:10)

...and there is no way we can be saved by our good works:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8, 9 ESV)

The way to the Father is through Jesus:

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

In Galatians 2:14-21 we read:

When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. (NLT)

How To Repent

1. Realize that if you've ever lied, stolen, dishonored your parents, been angry with someone without a good reason, not put God first, you're a sinner, like me and everyone else. 

2. Turn from sin a RUN the other way - towards God. 

3. Believe that we deserve eternal punishment but Jesus paid our fine in full by dying on the cross. Done. 

4. Put faith in Jesus and follow him. 

5. Read the Bible daily. If you have a hard time, promise yourself you'll read at least a verse each day. Soon, you'll have a hard time putting The Book down!

6. Remember that repentance us a daily thing, since Christians still fall into sin. This is not to be confused with "diving" into sin. 

Food For The Soul

The following is by Tim Conway on 2013-07-05. Well said. 

"It is sloppy Christian life if you are not reading your Bible every single day. This is the food for the soul, this is our life, our health, this is where we see Christ. This is the Word of God! This is where God talks to us and shows us Himself. If you are not reading your Bible everyday, that is sloppy and there is no excuse for it; because if you are not reading your Bible everyday, you are doing other things, things that are not near as important!" – Tim Conway

Are Tongues For Today?

Charismatic or Cessationist. Which one are you?

The word "tongue" or "tongues" used in the Bible is translated from the Greek word "γλῶσσα" (glossa) which can mean the tongue, a language, or a nation. 

Some conservative Christian denominations believe that the speaking in tongues that is mentioned in the Book of Acts was for those people for that time, but is no longer in effect today. They concur, based on biblical text, that these "tongues" were actual human languages that were understood by people (unbelievers) who were listening in. It is an interesting fact that there existed pagan religions in Corinth in those days in which people practiced speaking in "ecstatic" language, or gibberish.

Other more charismatic denominations are adamant that speaking in tongues is a heavenly or angelic language that allows our spirit to communicate with God, and that it still occurs today. They add that praying in tongues can help increase one's faith and his or her growth in sanctification. 

We must admit that this is a "non-essential" issue, meaning that speaking in tongues is not essential for salvation.  We are never commanded to speak in tongues. If this is the case, it appears that we can be indifferent about this issue and not be in any danger as a Christian. There are, however, some Pentecostal denominations that preach that speaking in tongues is essential for salvation. This has divided many believers. 

Below are some verses that mention tongues. Are tongues for today? Are they actual human languages or spiritual utterances only known to God or someone with the gift of interpretation?

You be the judge.

Mark 16:17 (ESV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Acts 2:3 (ESV) And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

Acts 2:4 (ESV) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:11 (ESV) both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians--we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."

Acts 10:46 (ESV) For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,

Acts 19:6 (ESV) And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Romans 3:13 (ESV) "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips."

1 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (ESV) And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:30 (ESV) Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:8 (ESV) Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Corinthians 14:5 (ESV) Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 14:6 (ESV) Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

1 Corinthians 14:18 (ESV) I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

1 Corinthians 14:21 (ESV) In the Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord."

1 Corinthians 14:22 (ESV) Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

1 Corinthians 14:23 (ESV) If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

1 Corinthians 14:39 (ESV) So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Revelation 16:10 (ESV) The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish...

Christ Wants You Either Hot or Cold - Tim Conway

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