How does a Catholic increase the chance of getting into Heaven?

[brb2]

On what basis then are you now “being saved,” and on what basis “will you be saved?” Have you not said many times elsewhere that you believe your salvation rests on proving your worth (merit) as a disciple?

Md …

If you had your way … your Bible would have only the 3-4 memorized verses taken ‘out of context’ from Paul’s letters. So much for all the other God-BREATHED verses that you claim to value. These others are the ones that show initial justification (by faith) … is only the past tense, HAVE BEEN part of Eph. 2:8. For by grace you HAVE BEEN saved by faith,;and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - not of works, lest any man boast.

Paul is speaking to the Ephesians of their PAST rebirths/baptisms into Christ. Their salvation here is PAST TENSE !! Salvation by faith … is STAGE 1 Justification. No pre-salvation works allowed. Only later, will gracious works be of value to the elect.

You must move on to STAGE 2 spiritual growth [everything in life after your rebirth ‘bac experience’] … or risk falling back into Apostasy.

Look at Luke 9:23 [Elvis pointed out to you]. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY AND FOLLOW ME.” And the next verse --------- “For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, ‘he’ will save it .”

Is the HE in this sentence referring to you, or to God ?

If he be you … then Christ is saying your ‘free will’ choices are crucial to FINAL salvation. Abide in Him [Stage 2 of Christian discipleship] … or be at risk to becoming a Prodigal Son/Daughter Apostate.

Regardless of whether ‘he’ is you or God … we can agree that God always does the Saving. Man cannot earn salvation, apart from the precedent Grace of God to us.

The operative word is DAILY -------- denying pride & personal, errant ideas on OSAS, losing Protesting affiliations, and becoming a Catholic ‘Church disciple’ for Christ.

You are not being asked to forego your Faith. You don’t need to check your Brain at the door to become Catholic. Enter thru the front door, have respect for Apostolic authority, and begin Stage 2 [the Church part of discipleship/abiding ‘in Christ’ ].

Stage 1 is all about US … being graced thru contrite repentance & faith in Christ, and being Baptized in water & spirit.

Stage 2 is all about discipleship in Christ. Taking up your cross, learning to live the Beatitudes, learning to suffer for your faith & Church.

It takes ‘favor’ of God to enable our Justifications. God has endless R E S P E C T and devotion for converts. Christ will pursue those graced to the gates of Hell, to pull them back from grave, mortal error.

Its the defiant, unjust that refuse the mercy & love of God … that will die, rejecting God’s respectful love for them

/// John 3:16 /// whosoever believes … right ?

 

[maryj]

You’re back. But I asked you to come back with some real theological substance this time. But alas, nothing’s changed. Just the same old flinging out of the insults and hypocritically stating that faith in Christ alone has no slavific value but we all need to be more like you. :frighten:

What is your deffinition of faith? This is crucial since “faith” is much more than belief. Simply “believing in God” never saved anyone. If all one had to do was believe in God’s exsistence or in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, then satan would be saved. James 2:19
Faith is MUCH more. The kind of faith that saves a person is more like “trusting obedience”, Faith is a decision not a feeling.

I’m outta here now, this thread looks way to vicious for me.

 

[guanophore]

Jesus cannot fail to save all those that the Father has given to Him. The regeneration of the spirit causes the elect to come to Jesus willingly.

It is not He who fails, but us. When we choose to turn our backs on Him, he allows us.

Your understanding of salvation has been contaminated by the heresies of the Reformation. People are not “born again” before coming to Christ.

 

[guanophore]

Actually, it does not. It presents it as God’s GIFT; in the Greek it says: “theou to dôron,” using the word “dorean,” which means “without a cause.” That is, without cause in us. Which is certainly congruent with divine “grace” (unmerited, unrecompensed, undeserved favor) through “faith” (in the One who did the work of redemption on our behalf), and therefore “not as a result of works” on our part, but GIFTED, without cause in us, but wholly “by (His) grace through faith” in Jesus Christ alone.

Both things are true, Moon. The same grace that saves us is the grace that produces meritable discipleship in us. The Apostles did not separate justification from sanctification.

When it comes to salvation Scripture is VERY clear that it’s a complete package.

I agree. The parts are not separated out into non-integrated elements.

So, again, define “saved” from a strictly Catholic perspective.

The scriptures are written by Catholics, and represent Catholic beliefs. There is nothing in the NT that is not Catholic.

You seem to wish to distingish the “catholic” view from the “biblical” view, but there is no distinction.

 

[guanophore]

On what basis then are you now “being saved,” and on what basis “will you be saved?” Have you not said many times elsewhere that you believe your salvation rests on proving your worth (merit) as a disciple?

Grace is always and everywhere the basis of our salvation. The ability to prove our worthiness is also facilitated by that same grace.

 

[guanophore]

In Catholicism sin is always the front issue, from its sacraments to its purgatory. But for the true believer who knows he has “died to sin” with Christ, sin is not the prevailing issue, but walking by faith in his Lord is.

You are suffering from a gross misunderstanding of the Catholic faith. I can see why you object so much, though, given that this is your understanding (or lack of it).

In Catholicism striving to die in a "*state of grace*" is the hope for being accepted by God and entering heaven.

I think there are a number of Catholics who do not understand grace, and do act this way. However, this is not what the Catholic Church teaches.

We are to strive to stay in a state of grace, but it is striving to cooperate with the grace that God has poured out for our salvation. We are accepted by God because of Jesus’ shed blood on the cross.

But for the Biblical believer…

Actually, there is no such thing. What this concept represents is whatever theology the person reading scripture happens to espouse.

I am glad to hear you say, though, that you believe that we are actually made holy, rather than declared holy when it is not true.

In historic, Apostolic Christianity sin is not the issue. The sin issue was dealt with, once for all, by the Lamb of God.

I have never understood this phrase “sin issue”. I agree, however, in Apostolic Christianity (Catholicism) grace is the “issue” or the basis by which we are saved from sin. The nature of sin has not changed, though. Sin still separates us from God. Not everyone particpates in the sacrifice of the Lamb.

To answer the OP’s question: Heaven is not left to chance. Hence, “chance” cannot be increased. God Himself has provided the way through a Man.

Amen!

 

[Mick_Taylor]

And just what is your definition of “good works?”

Good works come in several varieties. Obeying the commandments, going to church, feeding the hungry, spreading the gospel, studying the bible, praying for the sick, the unemployed, and so on. We ought to be doing all of these and many more, but even if we do these things in faith, our good deeds have nothing at all to do with making us saved. Good fruit does make the tree it comes from good, instead, trees that are good produce good fruit. Only God can turn a bad tree into one that is good, so that its fruit will also be good.

So you are saying we shouldn’t even TRY to do what faith demands us?

It isn’t a matter of faith placing demands on us. Faith changes our will. God loves a cheerful giver, lover, worker, etc. Why? Because when we do good deeds out of faith, we do it cheerfully and with gratitude toward God and not just because we think it is demanded of us.

Remember that you never did challenge what I said that according to the second chapter of James that faith without obedience, without works, is a false faith. And that is contradictory to what Jesus said in Matthew 25, where it was said that the just were saved BECAUSE of their good works.

I agree with you that the parable of the sheep and the goats is essentially the same lesson taught by the apostle James in chapter two regarding faith and works, but I disagree that in Matthew 25, Jesus is teaching that the just were saved BECAUSE of their good works. See Titus 3:5 for a clear refutation of your error.

 

[Mick_Taylor]

Even Judas Iscariot?

What makes you think that Judas was ever given the grace of regeneration?

 

[Mick_Taylor]

Hi guanophore,

Since Jesus gave (presented) Himself ONCE as a sacrifice for the sins of His elect, these two quotes of yours seem to be in conflict with each other:

We have followed the Apostolic command to hold on to the faith that was handed down to us from the Apostles.

And this is exactly what we celebrate daily in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, or Divine Liturgy. This is our most perfect worship.

 

[CentralFLJames]

Hi guanophore,

guanophore:

*Quote:
Originally Posted by guanophore
We have followed the Apostolic command to hold on to the faith that was handed down to us from the Apostles.

Quote:
And this is exactly what we celebrate daily in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, or Divine Liturgy. This is our most perfect worship. *

Since Jesus gave (presented) Himself ONCE as a sacrifice for the sins of His elect, these two quotes of yours seem to be in conflict with each other:

Mick, guanophore seems to be delayed at the moment. If you don’t mind may I jump in and make a statement till he comes back?

Can you elaborate on where you imagine the conflict is?

The apostles taught us to follow the teachings and the traditions handed down – teachings which are in accord with the very words of our Lord. And the Catholic Church has been doing this continuously for 2,000 years just as the Early Church has done.
Luke 22:19 (see also 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; **do this **in remembrance of Me.”

Note on Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24-25
The translation of Jesus’ words of consecration is “touto poieite tan eman anamnasin.” Jesus literally said “offer this as my memorial sacrifice.” The word “poiein” (do) refers to offering a sacrifice (see, e.g., Exodus 29:38-39, where God uses the same word – poieseis – regarding the sacrifice of the lambs on the altar). The word “anamnesis” (remembrance) also refers to a sacrifice which is really or actually made present in time by the power of God, as it reminds God of the actual event (see, e.g., Heb. 10:3; Num. 10:10). It is not just a memorial of a past event, but a past event made present in time.

In other words, the “sacrifice” is the “memorial” or “reminder.” If the Eucharist weren’t a sacrifice, Luke would have used the word “mnemosunon” (which is the word used to describe a nonsacrificial memorial. See, for example, Matt. 26:13; Mark 14:9; and especially Acts 10:4). So there are two memorials, one sacrificial (which Jesus instituted), and one non-sacrificial.

2 Thes 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

1 Cor 11:2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

Note on 1 Cor 11:2 – Paul is essential speaking in Persona Christi here - “in the person of Christ” and is exemplifying the memorial aspects of The Lord’s commandments to follow in His teachings through the apostolic traditions.

Matt. 26:29; Mark 14:25 - Jesus is celebrating the Passover seder meal with the apostles which requires them to drink four cups of wine. But Jesus only presents the first three cups. He stops at the Third Cup (called “Cup of Blessing” - that is why Paul in 1 Cor. 10:16 uses the phrase “Cup of Blessing” to refer to the Eucharist – he ties the seder meal to the Eucharistic sacrifice). But Jesus conspicuously tells his apostles that He is omitting the Fourth Cup called the “Cup of Consummation.” The Gospel writers point this critical omission of the seder meal out to us to demonstrate that the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacrifice on the cross are one and the same sacrifice, and the sacrifice would not be completed until Jesus drank the Fourth Cup on the cross.

“They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, raised up again.” Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to Smyrnaeans, 7,1 (c. A.D. 110).

“For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.” Justin Martyr, First Apology, 66 (c. A.D. 110-165).

“[T]he bread over which thanks have been given is the body of their Lord, and the cup His blood…” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV:18,4 (c. A.D. 200).

“He acknowledged the cup (which is a part of the creation) as his own blood, from which he bedews our blood; and the bread (also a part of creation) he affirmed to be his own body, from which he gives increase to our bodies.” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, V:2,2 (c. A.D. 200).

“But what consistency is there in those who hold that the bread over which thanks have been given is the Body of their Lord, and the cup His Blood, if they do not acknowledge that He is the Son of the Creator of the world…” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV:18, 2 (c. A.D. 200).

More Here: The Eucharist Makes Present Jesus’ One & the Same Eternal Sacrifice
*

So, you do understand that when Catholics offer the Eucharist in mass it is the SAME ONE sacrifice that the Apostles partook of at the Last Supper and that which was offered on the cross to God don’t you? Since God is eternal the One Sacrifice is timeless and is just as present today as it was 2,000 years ago and as it will be for all Eternity. We call to mind with God the same One Sacrifice we do not re-crucify the Lord.

James

 

[brb2]

More Here: The Eucharist Makes Present Jesus’ One & the Same Eternal Sacrifice

In this link … Cyprian wrote in 253 AD, about the need to add water to the wine.

Was he the first to explain the ancient practice from days of Apostles. If not, do you know an earlier written source on the Tradition of adding water to the wine ?

The first Lord’s supper was wine w/o water … so scriptures say. Why add water … when the wine / blood of our Lord … is being added to us ? I can think of one reason, but not sure if it applys. The water could symbolize the ‘collective’ Church body … united to Christ. But, just my imagination … and may not be the rationale of the ECF’s.

 

[maryj]

Good works come in several varieties. Obeying the commandments, going to church, feeding the hungry, spreading the gospel, studying the bible, praying for the sick, the unemployed, and so on. We ought to be doing all of these and many more, but even if we do these things in faith, our good deeds have nothing at all to do with making us saved. Good fruit does make the tree it comes from good, instead, trees that are good produce good fruit. Only God can turn a bad tree into one that is good, so that its fruit will also be good.

It isn’t a matter of faith placing demands on us. Faith changes our will. God loves a cheerful giver, lover, worker, etc. Why? Because when we do good deeds out of faith, we do it cheerfully and with gratitude toward God and not just because we think it is demanded of us.

I agree with you that the parable of the sheep and the goats is essentially the same lesson taught by the apostle James in chapter two regarding faith and works, but I disagree that in Matthew 25, Jesus is teaching that the just were saved BECAUSE of their good works. See Titus 3:5 for a clear refutation of your error.

Our will changes so we can have faith. Mathew 13 ,Faith is a gift, and God gives it to everyone. This is the point that Jesus made in the parable of the sower. God gives the gift of faith (the seed) everywhere. But it is the recipients response that was crucial in bearing fruit or losing the gift.

 

[holy_moly]

Thank you very much for your kind response. However, I realize that I maybe should’ve posted a Part 2 message to explain where I’m coming from. I have a friend that I work with who is Roman Catholic. I come from a fundamental Bible Church background and have never really interacted with any Catholics. The only things I know about Catholicism is what I’ve been told by others. You might imagine that, in my theological circles, others are not so kind about Catholicism. So I have been talking to my friend about the Church.

It’s been very interesting because I have gained perspective on why you believe and teach certain things. As I previously posted, I can understand your position on Mary, the Saints, and Eucharist–things most Protestants go ballistic over. And though I disagree with your views on those items, I personally don’t view them as essential doctrines of the Faith. So I can be cool with them.

On the other hand, I have posted elsewhere that I would lay down my life for the belief that God declares the believing sinner righteous through faith alone in Christ. Please forgive me in advance if I come across as too harsh in these forums, but I 1,000% believe in this doctrine. With that said, you may understand why I could never become a Catholic. “Here I stand. I can do no other. So help me God.”

So how do you reconcile that the only time ‘faith alone’ appears is is James, where it says works & Not faith alone? Just curious:shrug:

 

[nuntym]

What makes you think that Judas was ever given the grace of regeneration?

I asked about Judas Iscariot because you said

Jesus cannot fail to save all those that the Father has given to Him. The regeneration of the spirit causes the elect to come to Jesus willingly.

And yet when Jesus prayed:

[12] While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.
John 17:12 (RSV)

Judas Iscariot was also given to Jesus by the Father. Remember that all the apostles were invited by Jesus to follow Him. That is the key word: INVITED. As an apostle, Judas was OFFERED the grace of redemption. God wants to save ALL men:

[1] First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men,
[2] for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.
[3] This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
[4] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (RSV)

And yet Judas Iscariot was NOT saved: he is the Son of Perdition, and as you say, he did not receive the grace of regeneration because he refused it. Many are invited, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14) because they **refuse **the grace of God (the wedding garment in Jesus’ parable in Matthew 22, which is given to all guests as was the custom of kings of those times).

If faith is irresistible, if faith has no component of the will of the saved, then God is a cruel and irrational liar.

Cruel, because if that was so, then God made some people for the specific purpose of going to heaven, and others he made so that hell could be peopled.

Irrational, because what right would Jesus and His apostles have to rebuke the people who have little faith, when it is not the latter’s fault that they have little faith, but God’s?

[19] And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”
Mark 9:19 (RSV)

And Galatians 3:1-14, which you posted earlier

Liar, because of what God said through St. Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

---

I answered that post of yours first before I answer the other post, because I felt it was important to emphasize that free will is integral to faith, which I see you give little importance.

Good works come in several varieties. Obeying the commandments, going to church, feeding the hungry, spreading the gospel, studying the bible, praying for the sick, the unemployed, and so on. We ought to be doing all of these and many more, but even if we do these things in faith, our good deeds have nothing at all to do with making us saved. Good fruit does make the tree it comes from good, instead, trees that are good produce good fruit. Only God can turn a bad tree into one that is good, so that its fruit will also be good.

Again I point you to Matthew 25:

[34] Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
[35] for **I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
[36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ **

It isn’t a matter of faith placing demands on us. Faith changes our will. God loves a cheerful giver, lover, worker, etc. Why? Because when we do good deeds out of faith, we do it cheerfully and with gratitude toward God and not just because we think it is demanded of us.

On this I agree and disagree with you. Yes, faith changes our will, but so that we can obey the Lord’s commandments **through **the grace that God gives us through our faith.

[1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God
[2] which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures,
[3] the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
[4] and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
[5] through whom we have **received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
[6] including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-6 (RSV)

[10] But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me.
1 Corinthians 15:10 (RSV)

It is a demand of faith, because all the graces that God has given us MUST be used for good or we are in danger of being thrown “into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth,” as the parable of the talents says to us (Matthew 25:14-30).

And oh yes, being cheerful and grateful IS a good work.

Continued…

 

[nuntym]

continued…

I agree with you that the parable of the sheep and the goats is essentially the same lesson taught by the apostle James in chapter two regarding faith and works, but I disagree that in Matthew 25, Jesus is teaching that the just were saved BECAUSE of their good works. See Titus 3:5 for a clear refutation of your error.

Read above for my take on your view on Matthew 25.

Now, Titus 3. Actually when I read Titus 3 it even supported my position:

[1] Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work,
[2] to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.
[3] For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another;
[4] but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
[5] he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,
[6] which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
[7] so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
[8] The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men.
Titus 3:1-8 (RSV)

At first reading what leaps to the eyes are “he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy,” and well it seems that my position would come in doubt.

But the question is, from what were St. Paul, St. Titus, and the other leaders of the Church saved from? READ the whole letter of Titus here.

St. Paul wrote to St.Titus, a bishop which St. Paul himself ordained according to tradition, to explain why St. Titus was in Crete: evil people were sowing doubt, trouble, and confusion among the Cretan Christians, and thus St. Titus had to silence them by teaching them sound doctrine.

And what is this sound doctrine?

[11]For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men,
[12] training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world,
[13] awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
[14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and* to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.*
Titus 2:11-14 (RSV)

And therefore Titus 3:5 becomes clear. St. Paul and the other leaders of the Church were saved from being unfaithful, being unrighteous, by their previous evil deeds, from their iniquity.

[15] To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted.
[16] They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds; they are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good deed.
Titus 1:15-16 (RSV)

[3] For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another;
Titus 3:3 (RSV)

And how were they saved from being unrighteous? Not by good deeds alone, but by the grace of God, through faith, which is THEIR response to the grace, an act of the will animated by the said grace (see why it is important to answer about Judas first?), and must be renewed by continual responses to the grace of God of faith through love.

[6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love.
Galatians 5:6 (RSV)

And what is love?

[6] And this is love, that we follow his [Jesus’] commandments; this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you follow love.
2 John 1:6 (RSV)

 

[guanophore]

Hi guanophore,

Since Jesus gave (presented) Himself ONCE as a sacrifice for the sins of His elect, these two quotes of yours seem to be in conflict with each other:

guanophore:

We have followed the Apostolic command to hold on to the faith that was handed down to us from the Apostles.

You will have to help me out here. I am not understanding what is conflictual. One of the elements of the faith to which the Apostles instructed us to hold fast is that Jesus sacrificed Himself once for the sins of the world (not the elect only). The only conflict I see here is your perceptions and the Apostle’s teaching.

guanophore:

And this is exactly what we celebrate daily in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, or Divine Liturgy. This is our most perfect worship.

Mick, there is no more perfect sacrifice than Jesus’ blood. This is the sacrifice that allows us to worship in Spirit and in Truth.

 

[nuntym]

The question is, would he/she be a true believer? Wouldn’t such perpetual behavior reveal his/her true status?

The Scriptures reveal that the true believer has died TO sin, once for all, with Christ. Paul is addressing the true believer when he asks the following two questions:Rom 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

What you describe is a religious unbeliever who has a mere “said” faith. James addresses this kind of man in his second chapter (vv., 2,14).

In Catholicism sin is always the front issue, from its sacraments to its purgatory. But for the true believer who knows he has “died to sin” with Christ, sin is not the prevailing issue, but walking by faith in his Lord is. In Catholicism striving to die in a “state of grace” is the hope for being accepted by God and entering heaven. But for the Biblical believer, born again by the Spirit, his salvation according to divine grace is an ever present reality, having been saved from his sins, once for all, through the selfless one time, historical, sacrificial act of God’s Sin-bearer who took away his sins by the sacrifice of Himself. Writing to believers John says:1 John 3:5 "You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin."The true believer knows he’s now “in Him,” in Christ Jesus, made righteous (Rom. 5:19).

In historic, Apostolic Christianity sin is not the issue. The sin issue was dealt with, once for all, by the Lamb of God. To recognize this is true faith in what God has revealed concerning His Son. This is what it means to believe in Christ. What He has DONE, once for all, on our behalf. This is the faith by which God Himself saves those who believe, “by grace.” Jesus Himself said:John 3:14-18 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up (the cross on which He bore our sins as a substitutionary sacrifice); so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."And again:John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."The true believer believes Him who sent Christ and knows he HAS eternal life.

To answer the OP’s question: Heaven is not left to chance. Hence, “chance” cannot be increased. God Himself has provided the way through a Man.

So that means if I truly believe in God, I cannot sin anymore? Since by truly believing in God, I am dead to sin?

 

[guanophore]

Mick, guanophore seems to be delayed at the moment. If you don’t mind may I jump in and make a statement till he comes back?

Excellent post James.

Thanks much.

 

[guanophore]

So that means if I truly believe in God, I cannot sin anymore? Since by truly believing in God, I am dead to sin?

No, he means that you won’t WANT to sin. After you become a Christian, if you sin it is against your will, because you have been rejenerated, and you love God with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength. A person that loves God that much would never sin on purpose.

 

[nuntym]

No, he means that you won’t WANT to sin. After you become a Christian, if you sin it is against your will, because you have been rejenerated, and you love God with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength. A person that loves God that much would never sin on purpose.

Well guanophore, I hope moondweller has a much better answer than that, because that is one lousy answer