Theologians have rightly condemned the pagan notion of earning salvation by human works, human effort or keeping the law, especially the Mosiac law. But sadly, in their zeal to avoid even a hint of works salvation or legalism, other theologians have erred by ignoring the balance of biblical doctrine and holy living. Enter now Antinomianism. Here certain "believers" think the doctrine of grace has released them from any moral obligation, hence they become anti-law (antinomians). Jesus could not have refuted antinomianism more clearly: Matthew 7:21-23 (ERV)
21 “Not everyone who calls me Lord will enter God’s kingdom. The only people who will enter are those who do what my Father in heaven wants. 22 On that last Day many will call me Lord. They will say, ‘Lord, Lord, by the power of your name we spoke for God. And by your name we forced out demons and did many miracles.’ 23 Then I will tell those people clearly, ‘Get away from me, you people who do wrong. I never knew you.’
Your piece is saying that Zaccheus made restitution before Christ died and rose again, and that he made restitution after Christ died and rose again. That Christ dying giving us His blood made no differences for us and was not necessary......
"A person who has truly repented of his sin and exercised faith in Christ will give evidence of a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:19–23; James 2:14–26).
To see what repentance looks like in real life, all we need is to do is turn to the story of Zacchaeus. Here was a man who cheated and stole and lived lavishly on his ill-gotten gains—until he met Jesus. At that point he had a radical change of mind: “Look, Lord!” said Zacchaeus. “Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (Luke 19:8). Jesus happily proclaimed that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’s house, and that even the tax collector was now “a son of Abraham” (verse 9)—a reference to Zacchaeus’s faith. The cheat became a philanthropist; the thief made restitution. That’s repentance, coupled with faith in Christ. "
Now look at the conflict to this persons wrong opinion, in the rest of the scripture verses you gave, with some extra verses. Christ died and rose again, e know Him correctly only in that time, after the Spirit, not flesh on earth any more ever again. To be in Christ(after He rose again) then all becomes new. God reconciles us to Himself through Christ, who gave us the ministry of reconciliation(after He died and rose again)..
2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
We walk in the Spirit, WHEN the Spirit is given. We as Zaccheus can not do the things that we would(before Christ died and rose giving us the Holy Spirit in belief of His blood) then when led of the spirit, you stop those works of the flesh, or do not inherit the Spiritual kingdom of God. Then through receiving the Spirit(after Christ rose, no repenting without it) you bear fruits for repentance which are, love peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith(no faith before Christ died and rose again as it is a gift of the Spirit) meekness of Christs Spirit, and temperance, and they who are Christs(sheep) crucify the flesh through His Holy Spirit or we can do and believe in nothing sincerely..
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
No transgressing the law of Christ, if you offend in one point you are guilty of all. judged by the law of liberty, and judgement without mercy to those who showed no mercy, as mercy rejoices over judgement..
James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
So now you understand that a man of God is justified by works,(also he is guilty without that mercy) seen in the examples of the mercy they exampled in faith, and then our body before it receives that risen Spirit of Christ was and is dead, and all faith without that precious blood Spirit is dead also..
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Redeemed to God b y His blood, yes Christ had to die or we cannot repent, or have true faith or have any restitution..
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Circumcised by the Holy Spirit putting off the sins of the flesh, risen with Him through that work of God raising Christ from the dead, quickened through receiving the Holy Spirit forgiven all tresspasses, nailing them to His cross..
Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Baptized of the Holy Spirit unto His death, to now repent to be in the likeness of His resurrection, as Christ was raised from the dead(we were made dead to our sins) our old man is crucified, the sinning body destroyed, and no longer do you serve at all sin. FREED FROM SIN. You repent truly when you BELIEVE truly that you must be dead with Him to sin first, before you shall LIVE with Him, dying unto sin once, THEN LIVING UN To GOD. Reckon the same way, dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord, is repentance only available once Christ did die and needs to be believed wholly to be really repented from forever and LIVING unto RIGHTEOUSNESS..
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
AMEN!! Repentance leading to faith for salvation is the **FREE GIFT OF GOD**!!
Titus 3:3,4: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and **LOVE** of God our Savior appeared , He saved us, **NOT BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUS THINGS WE HAD DONE**, but because of **HIS MERCY**!!
Romans 2:4: Do you show contempt for the riches of **HIS KINDNESS**, forbearing and patience, not realizing that **GOD'S KINDNESS** is intended to lead you to **REPENTANCE?
John 6:37,39,44,65: Jesus says, "**ALL** that the Father gives Me **WILL** come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will **NEVER** drive away... And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall **LOSE NONE** of all that He has given Me, but raise them up at the Last Day.... No one can come to Me **UNLESS** the Father who sent Me **DRAWS HIM**, and I will raise him up at the Last Day!!... No one can come to Me **UNLESS** the Father has **ENABLED THEM**!!"
Ephesians 2:8,9: For it is by **GRACE** you have been saved, through **FAITH**�and this **NOT FROM YOURSELVES**, it is the **GIFT OF GOD**�not by works. So that no one can boast. For we are **GOD'S WORKMANSHIP**, created in Christ Jesus to do **GOOD WORKS**, which God prepared in advance for us to do!
Romans 9:15,16,18: God says, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy...Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden. {But God's saints still preach God's Word to everyone}
Revelation 17:14: They will make war against the **LAMB** but the **LAMB** will overcome them because He is **LORD** of lords and **KING** of kings and with Him will be His **CALLED** **CHOSEN** and **FAITHFUL** followers!! {Riding on white horses right after the Marriage Feast of the **LAMB** as per Revelation 19:7-20!}
**HOWEVER**: **AFTER THEY ARE SAVED BELIEVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO SINCERELY REPENT OF AND ASK FORGIVENESS FOR THEIR SINS** in order to keep in a close relationship with the Lord and to gain Eternal Heavenly **REWARDS** for their faithful and loving service!!
Revelation 3:3;19,20: Jesus says to the church in Sardis, "Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and **REPENT**!"... Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline, so be earnest and **REPENT**. Here I am. I stand at the door and knock!"
John 1:8-10: If we claim to be without sin {Like Joyce Meyer and Adam7777}, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. **IF WE CLAIM WE HAVE NOT SINNED {Like Adam7777} WE MAKE HIM OUT TO BE A LIAR AND HIS WORD IS NOT IN US**!!
Luke 11:1-4: The **DISCIPLES** asked Jesus, "Lord teach as to pray." Jesus replied **TO HIS DISCIPLES**, "When you pray, say: '**FATHER**, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our **DAILY** bread. **FORGIVE US OUR SINS**, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us!'" {Adam7777, Joyce Meyer and Satan refuse to ask forgiveness for their sins!}
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: We make it our goal to please Him... for we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15: His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his **REWARD**. If it is burned up he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
I Corinthians 9:24-27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes in to strict training. They do it to get a **CROWN** that will not last; but we do it to get a **CROWN THAT WILL LAST FOREVER**! Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize!
George, are you suggesting the Greek from from whence the Engish translation derived its meaning has been copied wrongly?
The more Formal English traditions have the been fairly consistent with accurately translating from their Greek sources.
I've read many of your assertions to the contrary but simply asserting something to be is not the same as proving it so. I think you have the burden of proof to prove what you assert.
In another post, I asked you and Montanagrace a version of the following if either of you believed that a "saved" person could continue living in sin as an unbroken habit without repentance or change of life and still be "saved". Neither of you responded directly although Montanagrace offered a response that wasn't exact and wasn't unambiguous. So I wanted to raise the issue again for you to reconsider here.
George, would you show the steps you used to parse the Greek from the Matthew passage I cited. I checked the Greek but there's no support for the conclusions you've drawn.
I'm not aware of the exact context in which Richard is calling you a "follower of Satan" nor can I explain what he meant, you'll need to ask him to explain what he meant.
You asked if Richard has committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit by calling you a "follower of Satan". But blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not defined this way, George. If it were, as you suggest, then you undercut your own assumptions about Richard blaspheming the Holy Spirit when he accused you. But if you insist on this unsound interpretation, then are not you guilty of this charge as well? For example, you have dishonestly accused R.C. Sproul of preaching "works salvation" (a very serious charge btw because accusing a man of preaching works salvation is the same as accusing a man of preaching the doctrines of demons) Since it can easily be show RC does not preach this, have you not committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit by accusing a man of preaching the doctrine of demons when in fact he is teaching truth?
You asked how I was saved. But your question was invalid because of its top loaded by an either/or fallacy. I'll explain if you need
You're confusing the meaning of faith, confession of sin, repentance and trusting the Messiah as if these were isolated concepts or steps taken separately from one another as a pathway to salvation. In so doing, you are inadvertently supporting what you attempt to deny i.e. salvation by works. I've addressed this already in a recent post. Also you can not isolate and then attempt to define words apart from their contextual usage. If you wish to separate concepts and definitions from their contexts then you need biblical support for doing so rather than simply issuing unsupported extra-biblical assertions.
RC doesn't preach salvation by works. But since you claim he teaches salvation by works, then isn't he teaching a doctrine taught by devils? Since you're charging him with this kind of false teaching, wouldn't it be honest of you to provide quotes from him to prove that he indeed teaches salvation by works?
