Yes, it's that time of year again. And I get nervous, and scared, and and and....
This year we've added a new category: Remote Runner. If you can't make it to the event, you can sign up, we send you your shirt and bib #, and you can race when and where you'd like. You're with us in spirit :)
And my time is being completely consumed with this event, which is sure to be a great day.
I haven't written here in a long time, and truthfully, I will probably write a ton more on our family blog:
It seems more natural for me to write there, so for any updates, check out our family blog. I'll occasionally write here most likely...I can't totally drop her blog. It doesn't feel right. But for now my attention is set on other areas.
So much to do, so little time, right? Sheesh.
SAVED BY GRACE ALONE AND FAITH ALONE?
ReplyDeleteCalvinists often make the statement we are saved by grace alone and by faith alone. This is in and of its self a conflicting proclamation. You can believe one or the other, but cannot believe both.
Definition of alone: separate, apart, to the exclusion of all else.
It take unbridled self deception to say "I believe I was saved by grace alone and saved by faith alone."
To be save by grace alone means that God does everything for you. Grace alone suggests that men have no free-will. Grace alone means that God forces men to have faith so that they might believe and be saved. Grace alone implies that men repent only because God makes it impossible to resist. Grace alone means that men are baptized against their free-will. Grace alone means that men only confess Jesus as the Son of God because God gives them no other choice.
Faith alone, taken at face value means men are saved by faith alone. If you are saved by faith alone, then you do not need grace. If you are saved by faith alone then you do not need to be baptized in water.
You cannot on one hand say I was saved by grace alone and then say I was saved by faith alone.
There is no verse Scripture that says, "Men are saved by grace alone."
There is no verse on Scripture that says, "Men are saved by faith alone."
The Bible says men are saved by grace. (Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.) It does not say men are saved by grace alone.
Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; (It says men are justified by grace, however, it does not say grace alone.)
Acts 13:38-39 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.(Men receive forgiveness from sin because they believe in Jesus, however, it does not say men receive forgiveness by faith alone.)
Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;(It says men need to repent so their sins may be wiped away, but it does not say repent only.)
Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;(It says if you confess Jesus as Lord you will be saved, however, it does not say confess Jesus only.)
Acts 2:38 Perter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (It says if you are baptized your sins will be forgiven, but it does not say baptism only.)
The Bible teaches we are saved by grace, but not by grace alone.
The Bible teaches we are saved by faith, but not by faith alone.
The Bible teaches that we are saved by confession, but not by confession alone.
The Bible teaches are sin are forgive because we repent, but not by repentance alone.
The Bible teaches that are sins are forgiven because of water baptism, but not by baptism alone.
GRACE: Romans 3:24
FAITH: JOHN 3:16
REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38
CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10
BAPTISM: 1 Peter 3:21
THERE IS NO SAVED BY "ONLY" FOUND IN THE BIBLE, WITH THE EXCEPTION BEING THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY SAVIOR! (Acts 4:10-12)
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