Surrender to Jesus ? invite Him into you heart ? confess Jesus as Lord ?

[MoreMercy]

I do see where these one line Christian cliches are composed from in scripture but.....
Is it just accepting and confessing that He/Jesus is indeed the promised savior and the only begotten Son of God ?
Doesn't it also involve following Him, learning from Him, transforming our lives into His image by our renewal and shouldn't we be up front about all of this when we present salvation to others as did Christ, He did not hide any of the cost involved.
Is it just inviting Him into our heart ?
Is it just surrendering to Him ?
Or is it all of the above ?

All of the above are indeed parts of the whole path to salvation taught by Christ, but alone each is sorely lacking and brings confusion to lost souls which robs them and eventually murders them.

Although the book of Romans tells us that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved...is that all there is to it ?
Although the book of Revelation tells us that Christ stands at the door and knocks and if we open the door He will enter and sup with us, is that all there is to it ?
Although NT wittings tell us multiple times that we must surrender to His will and forsake our own will, is that all there is to it ?

What is really involved in us having a relationship with Jesus Christ and being given direct access to our Father and eventually receiving eternal restoration of fellowship with our Creator, shouldn't we point to and lift up to others around us Salvations path as Christ presented it ?

Shouldn't we search diligently for the words to represent the entire concept of salvation to the lost ?
Or do some of us think it is sufficient to just hand out these comfortable short little Christian cliches to the lost ?

Sorry folk, I feel strongly about this and wont be content with out sharing these thoughts with others around me.

Jesus was questioned by His brethren the Jews several times while He walked on earth, questioned by them on the topic of what is required for salvation: Master what must we do to be saved ?
Did Jesus answer them with any of these single comfortable one line Christian cliches ?
Well then, how did He answer them, and shouldn't we answer the same way when we want to present the concept of salvation or are questioned about salvations requirements by the lost or unlearned ?

Once Jesus answered like this: Mark 10:17, Matt 19:16 and Luke 18:18
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Another time He answered like this: Luke 10:25
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

And another time He answered like this: Luke 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into
his mother's womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye
receive not our witness.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly
things?
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man
which is in heaven.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
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.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might
be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because
he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than
light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be
reproved.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are
wrought in God.

And yet another time He answered like this: Luke 9:57
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will afollow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And he said unto another, aFollow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will afollow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.



Peter, Paul and John the baptist make it very clear that repentance and submission to baptism is involved in salvation. Jesus made it very clear many times that repentance is required for forgiveness and of course He also taught that forgiveness is a prerequisite for salvation.

Paul elaborates on baptism's part in salvation here: Rom 6:3
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
( baptism: to dip. Immerse, the introduction or placing of a person or thing into a new environment or into union with something else so as to alter its condition or its relationship to its previous environment or condition.)

Peter and the author of the book of Hebrews really hits home the point I want to express by posting this thread:
1 Pet 1:18-19 For asmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Doesn't salvation also involve following Him, learning from Him, transforming our lives into His image by our renewal and shouldn't we be up front about all of this when we present salvation to others as did Christ, He did not hide any of the cost involved.

So I am willing to drop the comfortable habit of using these one line Christian cliches and start testifying what Jesus testified to as to what is required for our salvation.
I am also hoping that my thoughts shared here may inspire provoking thoughts and challenges in some of you too.

Father Bless.

[notuptome]

I do see where these one line Christian cliches are composed from in scripture but.....
Is it just accepting and confessing that He/Jesus is indeed the promised savior and the only begotten Son of God ?
Doesn't it also involve following Him, learning from Him, transforming our lives into His image by our renewal and shouldn't we be up front about all of this when we present salvation to others as did Christ, He did not hide any of the cost involved.
Is it just inviting Him into our heart ?
Is it just surrendering to Him ?
Or is it all of the above ?

All of the above are indeed parts of the whole path to salvation taught by Christ, but alone each is sorely lacking and brings confusion to lost souls which robs them and eventually murders them.

Although the book of Romans tells us that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved...is that all there is to it ?
Although the book of Revelation tells us that Christ stands at the door and knocks and if we open the door He will enter and sup with us, is that all there is to it ?
Although NT wittings tell us multiple times that we must surrender to His will and forsake our own will, is that all there is to it ?

What is really involved in us having a relationship with Jesus Christ and being given direct access to our Father and eventually receiving eternal restoration of fellowship with our Creator, shouldn't we point to and lift up to others around us Salvations path as Christ presented it ?

Shouldn't we search diligently for the words to represent the entire concept of salvation to the lost ?
Or do some of us think it is sufficient to just hand out these comfortable short little Christian cliches to the lost ?

Sorry folk, I feel strongly about this and wont be content with out sharing these thoughts with others around me.

Is grace not sufficient? Grace is the whole concept of salvation. Why do you deem it necessary to bind heavy burdens on those who seek to have the weight of their sin lifted by grace?

Jesus was questioned by His brethren the Jews several times while He walked on earth, questioned by them on the topic of what is required for salvation: Master what must we do to be saved ?
Did Jesus answer them with any of these single comfortable one line Christian cliches ?
Well then, how did He answer them, and shouldn't we answer the same way when we want to present the concept of salvation or are questioned about salvations requirements by the lost or unlearned ?

Once Jesus answered like this: Mark 10:17, Matt 19:16 and Luke 18:18
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Another time He answered like this: Luke 10:25
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

And another time He answered like this: Luke 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into
his mother's womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye
receive not our witness.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly
things?
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man
which is in heaven.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
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.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might
be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because
he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than
light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be
reproved.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are
wrought in God.

And yet another time He answered like this: Luke 9:57
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will afollow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And he said unto another, aFollow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will afollow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Jesus came and taught the Jews that the law of Moses and the observance of same could not produce righteousness. Righteousness comes by faith and not by works.

Peter, Paul and John the baptist make it very clear that repentance and submission to baptism is involved in salvation. Jesus made it very clear many times that repentance is required for forgiveness and of course He also taught that forgiveness is a prerequisite for salvation.

Paul elaborates on baptism's part in salvation here: Rom 6:3
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
( baptism: to dip. Immerse, the introduction or placing of a person or thing into a new environment or into union with something else so as to alter its condition or its relationship to its previous environment or condition.)

There have been many threads on the subject of baptism. None of them have been profitable in demonstrating the necessity of water baptism for salvation. Only the Holy Spirit has the power of God to breathe life into a soul that is dead in tresspass and sin.

Peter and the author of the book of Hebrews really hits home the point I want to express by posting this thread:
1 Pet 1:18-19 For asmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

This would seem to refute the basic premise of you contention. I see nothing here that requires man to do anything. Jesus has obviously done all and only His blood is efficacious in the matter of atonement for sin.

Doesn't salvation also involve following Him, learning from Him, transforming our lives into His image by our renewal and shouldn't we be up front about all of this when we present salvation to others as did Christ, He did not hide any of the cost involved.

No, salvation is not based upon following Jesus or transforming our lives. Salvation is based on grace, salvation is a gift and cannot be earned. You have confused sanctification with salvation. Only those who are saved can progresss to sanctification.

So I am willing to drop the comfortable habit of using these one line Christian cliches and start testifying what Jesus testified to as to what is required for our salvation.
I am also hoping that my thoughts shared here may inspire provoking thoughts and challenges in some of you too.

Father Bless.

What is it about salvation by grace through faith that makes you uncomfortable? Is Jesus unable to do that which He has promised? Do you believe that you can improve or add to that which He declared as finished?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

[Firstfruits]

I hope the following will help.

1 Jn 2:6 He that saith He abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.

1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Pet 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Firstfruits

[Calypsis4]

Roger,

I agree. Salvation by God's grace and nothing more. That salvation produces good works. The good works is the proof that salvation exists in the life of the one who has it. Ephesians 2:8-10. Good works is the product, not the cause of salvation.

Best wishes.

[notuptome]

Roger,

I agree. Salvation by God's grace and nothing more. That salvation produces good works. The good works is the proof that salvation exists in the life of the one who has it. Ephesians 2:8-10. Good works is the product, not the cause of salvation.

Best wishes.

The witness of our spirit with the Holy Spirit is the evidence God provides to every believer that they are partakers with Christ. Rom 8:16 Many today do good works but are not saved. Fruit is an expected evidence in the life of any who profess to know Christ as their personal Saviour. Unsaved people give to the poor and feed the hungry. Mat 7:11

For the cause of Christ
Roger

[MoreMercy]

Well I did not intend for this to aim at graces vs works but I see and accept your points Roger.
I intended only to express my disappointment in the one line cliches used by Christians to describe salvation.

Also, please pardon me Roger but grace alone is a one liner too, even though it is true, it is still a one liner and lacking sorely when compared to Christ description of the requirements of salvation when asked by His brethren.

Thank all you for the comments so far, it is sharpening me.

[ProDeo]

As your chosen nickname indicates: it starts with mercy. And then being born again we need more-mercy every day. As such Rev 3:20 isn't such a bad starting point. But let me give you a better argument against the use of Rev 3:20: it is spoken to Christians, not to unbelievers.

[David Taylor]

I do see where these one line Christian cliches are composed from in scripture but.....
Is it just accepting and confessing that He/Jesus is indeed the promised savior and the only begotten Son of God ?
Doesn't it also involve following Him, learning from Him, transforming our lives into His image by our renewal and shouldn't we be up front about all of this when we present salvation to others as did Christ, He did not hide any of the cost involved.
Is it just inviting Him into our heart ?
Is it just surrendering to Him ?
Or is it all of the above ?

To coin another cliche, it isn't "cheap believism" or wearing a "I'm a christian" label.

It is the stuff of what these verses describe:

II Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Ephesians 4:21 "If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Colossians 3:6 "the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man"

Luke 5:36 "No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved."

[John146]

As your chosen nickname indicates: it starts with mercy. And then being born again we need more-mercy every day. As such Rev 3:20 isn't such a bad starting point. But let me give you a better argument against the use of Rev 3:20: it is spoken to Christians, not to unbelievers.

Don't Christians already have Christ in their heart? Why would He tell Christians to open the door in order for Him to come in when He has already come in?

[notuptome]

Well I did not intend for this to aim at graces vs works but I see and accept your points Roger.
I intended only to express my disappointment in the one line cliches used by Christians to describe salvation.

Also, please pardon me Roger but grace alone is a one liner too, even though it is true, it is still a one liner and lacking sorely when compared to Christ description of the requirements of salvation when asked by His brethren.

Thank all you for the comments so far, it is sharpening me.

It is God Who does all the work in salvation and in witnessing. Only God knows if a single word or phrase will by magnification and amplification of the Holy Spirit produce the needed conviction and illumination in the heart of a lost soul that is ready to receive Christ as Saviour.

If a "one liner" provokes the thought process in the hearer to seek more then I could hardly find fault. I submit for consideration that it is not necessary to demand correct theology in the sinner before he/she becomes saved. It is not necessary to make a doctrinal dissertation to lead a lost sinner to Christ. God is good and it is not Gods will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance in Christ. 2 Pet 3:9

We all have our unique preferences in how we share the gospel. Scripture does warn of sectarianism. An old evangelist said if you encounter a hound dog barking for Jesus you ought to throw him a bone. 1 Cor 3:5-9 Perhaps today I plant and tomorrow I water on the next I may harvest. In all cases I rejoice to speak of Christ. Perhaps a "one liner" is the seed.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

[Slug1]

It is God Who does all the work in salvation and in witnessing. Only God knows if a single word or phrase will by magnification and amplification of the Holy Spirit produce the needed conviction and illumination in the heart of a lost soul that is ready to receive Christ as Saviour.

If a "one liner" provokes the thought process in the hearer to seek more then I could hardly find fault. I submit for consideration that it is not necessary to demand correct theology in the sinner before he/she becomes saved. It is not necessary to make a doctrinal dissertation to lead a lost sinner to Christ. God is good and it is not Gods will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance in Christ. 2 Pet 3:9

We all have our unique preferences in how we share the gospel. Scripture does warn of sectarianism. An old evangelist said if you encounter a hound dog barking for Jesus you ought to throw him a bone. 1 Cor 3:5-9 Perhaps today I plant and tomorrow I water on the next I may harvest. In all cases I rejoice to speak of Christ. Perhaps a "one liner" is the seed.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

One of the greatest one liners and such a great testimony is the line, "If you died today, would you go to heaven?"

Many have been led to salvation with that one line.

[ProDeo]

Don't Christians already have Christ in their heart? Why would He tell Christians to open the door in order for Him to come in when He has already come in?

Good question and yet in context it reads that way.

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

[John146]

Good question and yet in context it reads that way.

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Being part of a church does not automatically mean someone is a Christian. His message in verse 20 is for "any man" who does not have a relationship with Him.

[knox knox]

Is grace not sufficient? Grace is the whole concept of salvation. Why do you deem it necessary to bind heavy burdens on those who seek to have the weight of their sin lifted by grace?

Jesus came and taught the Jews that the law of Moses and the observance of same could not produce righteousness. Righteousness comes by faith and not by works.

There have been many threads on the subject of baptism. None of them have been profitable in demonstrating the necessity of water baptism for salvation. Only the Holy Spirit has the power of God to breathe life into a soul that is dead in tresspass and sin.

This would seem to refute the basic premise of you contention. I see nothing here that requires man to do anything. Jesus has obviously done all and only His blood is efficacious in the matter of atonement for sin.

No, salvation is not based upon following Jesus or transforming our lives. Salvation is based on grace, salvation is a gift and cannot be earned. You have confused sanctification with salvation. Only those who are saved can progresss to sanctification.

What is it about salvation by grace through faith that makes you uncomfortable? Is Jesus unable to do that which He has promised? Do you believe that you can improve or add to that which He declared as finished?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Yes,agree that grace is sufficient and it was the whole concept of salvation, but what is grace? Yes it was a gift from God as a remission to our sin by sanctifying or cleansing our soul which had been corrupted by sin.

When Jesus came here he preaches that he did not come to destroy the law,or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.So,being a master and Lord of all
obey the law and the prophets so, we must also obey the law of God.

It was written that in the new covenant that law shall be written in our hearts and mind.What are the new law that was added or amendment to the old covenant?
Baptism and Last Supper; in baptism you must be born again by water and Spirit to be qualified to enter the kingdom of heaven.This superceded the mosaic law of circumcision. In true or real baptism a believer will receive the gift of Holy Ghost.

Is Last Supper a commandment? Yes, Jesus Christ on the night before he was betrayed introduce a radical translation of the blood of PassOver when he brakes
the bread and said this is my flesh which broken for you and he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, Drink ye all of it. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Jesus knowing
that the scripture; Gal.3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of man ; Though it be a man's covenant, yet it be confirmed, no man disanulleth, or added thereto.

Paul also testifieth on this in 1 Cor.11:23-26 For I have receive to the Lord that which I also delivered unto you, that Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.
v.24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it,and said, Take, eat: this is my body
which is broken for you:THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
v.25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying,This
cup is thenew testament in my blood THIS DO YE, as OFT AS YE DRINK IT, in remembrance of me.
v.26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.

What is the unique purpose of this baptism in Spirit and eating of bread and drinking
on the cup? It is for sanctification, justification and regeneration of our inner man.
1 Cor.6:11 and such are some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
2 Cor.4:16 For which cause we faint not; but thou our outwrd man perished,yet the inwardman is renewed day by day.
Thanks.[QUOTE]

[MoreMercy]

It is God Who does all the work in salvation and in witnessing. Only God knows if a single word or phrase will by magnification and amplification of the Holy Spirit produce the needed conviction and illumination in the heart of a lost soul that is ready to receive Christ as Saviour.

If a "one liner" provokes the thought process in the hearer to seek more then I could hardly find fault. I submit for consideration that it is not necessary to demand correct theology in the sinner before he/she becomes saved. It is not necessary to make a doctrinal dissertation to lead a lost sinner to Christ. God is good and it is not Gods will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance in Christ. 2 Pet 3:9

We all have our unique preferences in how we share the gospel. Scripture does warn of sectarianism. An old evangelist said if you encounter a hound dog barking for Jesus you ought to throw him a bone. 1 Cor 3:5-9 Perhaps today I plant and tomorrow I water on the next I may harvest. In all cases I rejoice to speak of Christ. Perhaps a "one liner" is the seed.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I see what you are saying brother and I have considered that, but from a different aspect:
Recently I have narrowed my study/feeding narrowly and for a period of time exclusively on Christ and the methods, habits and patterns He used to work His Fathers will on earth while He walked here.
And I see Him in those studies using one-liners to draw a question from one who is in need of the answer that question will bring.

Although, I am no match for His/Christ intellect and I cannot possibly know what answer any person may indeed need an answer to before they even ask said question so I can present a one-liner to draw said question from them, where as Christ can, did and still does.
So I felt comfortable/secure/well-grounded personally not using anything other than my Lord or His Fathers words, word for word if not paraphrased but whether paraphrased or not, to bring His truth and light in my environments.

But when you mentioned in your post "the magnification and amplification of the Holy Spirit produces the needed conviction and illumination in the heart of a lost soul" you convinced me, thank you brother !
Oh how I must grieve His Holy Spirit at times.

Father blesses