Homosexuality Or Legalism--Which Is Worse?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Truly Blessed

Any teaching that makes man's performance the basis for his salvation is legalism. Paul makes it very clear that salvation is by grace through faith, and even our faith is not of ourselves, so that no one can boast that their own works have saved them. Some folks have a hard time accepting that a person cannot save themselves. Man's effort to save himself always ends up as legalism.

So are you saying a individual doesn't have to repent?

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

And it is far more then trying to earn salvation. The thing about legalism that made Jesus toss His tables was the pride and control inherent in those engaged in it. Maybe this is something reserved for the leaders of those engaged in legalism versus those who practice it as church members, but the fact remains that a legalist will pray "Thank you for not making me like <the guy who doesn't follow the fill-in-the-blank rule>." The legalist will also have the undermining motive of using legalism as a means of control. How better to keep a flock under control then to have a series of specific issues to preach against? And THEN to preach fear into their hearts that if they disobey the leader, the unspeakable will happen.

I spent months leading a congregation who had been controlled and manipulated by legalism for years out of a Toxic Faith environment into a Healthy Faith environment. After going through this process and coming to an understanding of what it means to be saved by grace through faith, folks would say to me, "I can't believe that I allowed someone to have so much control over my life as that. What was wrong with me?"

In all fairness, I have to say that I am just as concerned for those people who come out of legalism, only to end up casting off the restraints of the Holy Spirit's guidance. To do so is just as much a bondage as legalism.

I have always said, to be a legalist one doesn't need the Holy Ghost, one simply needs to know what the rules are and have the will to observe them. On the other hand, one doesn't need the Holy Ghost if they are simply going to do what they want to do. They need only follow the desires of their flesh. However, to live a life that reflects the very nature of God Himself, which we have become partaker of, one needs to walk in the Spirit and yield to the guidance the Spirit provides a born again believer. This produces a truly fruitful spiritual life that honors God and bears testimony to Jesus Christ, where He is glorified not man.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

So are you saying a individual doesn't have to repent?

He also failed to say, "Look both ways before crossing the street;" but I think it's pretty plain what he means.

Are you saying that you buy salvation?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

Turn this inside out and see if you're still willing to wear this shirt:

A person can ........ themself.

You do agree with this, don't you?

A person CAN neglect their salvation, make it of none effect, reject truth, and blaspheme the Holy Ghost, and by these works condemn themselves to hell. A person can do works that he knows by scripture or spirit that he shouldn't do, or not do works that he knows by scripture that he should do, and condemn themself to hell.

What a person does after they finish speaking in tonques for the very first time won't make them any more saved than if they died immediately afterwards.

But what they do afterwards can push away what they've just received.

There is a studied, measured and structured response to this last revelatory line. It's called: CONSERVATISM

Now that is something to ponder.

Nothing anyone can do to be saved BUT there are things one can do to be lost? This is why the Baptist and the other Calvinists proclaim the once saved always saved teaching. We who are free will teachers should always consider the thoughts that are bolded above. Brother Carl good points.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by pelathais

He also failed to say, "Look both ways before crossing the street;" but I think it's pretty plain what he means.

Are you saying that you buy salvation?

I'm asking does a person need to repent? It was only one line I typed..correct?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by pelathais

The things a "legalist" will do to earn or deserve salvation.

What does the scripture mean when it states that they will be judged by their works?

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

What does the scripture mean when it states that they will be judged by their works?

Okay, what works have you done that made you good enough to deserve salvation? What did you do to convince God that you were good enough to be saved?

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

So are you saying a individual doesn't have to repent?

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

Of course one has to repent, but not in the sense that repentance becomes a work that we do. Repentance is a "change of mind" concerning self and sin, and is the direct result of the work of the Spirit. The very fact that Paul says salvation is "not as a result of works" but a gift in Ephesians 2:8[ESV] eliminates any perception that repentance or baptism is considered a "work" of the flesh. Rather it is a "response" of the flesh to the Spirit's work in the life of a believer.

The difference between your mindset and mine, is that you believe I have to repent, have to be baptized, have to get the gift of the Holy Ghost and have to be holy. I believe I get to repent, get to be baptized, and get to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and get to be holy, all because of God's amazing grace! And it all began when I believed the Gospel.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Okay, what works have you done that made you good enough to deserve salvation? What did you do to convince God that you were good enough to be saved?

Is that what I asked you? Didn't I just ask you one question? Allow me to ask you again.

Rev 20:12

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were JUDGED out of those things which were written in the books, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS."


Rev 20:13

"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were JUDGED EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS."

If the final outcome will be according to not only a "work" singular, but works plural. Would you so kindly show us what those works may be?


In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

What does the scripture mean when it states that they will be judged by their works?

Judging of works has to do with rewards, not with salvation as it relates to the Christian.