Beyond being saved, what must christians really do?

[Downunder]

What does the Bible expect a Christian to do as proof they are saved? Is there anything that if I did not do, beyond believing in Jesus, I would not go to heaven?

1John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1:6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

[Downunder]

What does the Bible expect a Christian to do as proof they are saved? Is there anything that if I did not do, beyond believing in Jesus, I would not go to heaven?

1John 2:8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
2:9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
2:10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
2:11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

 

[Downunder]

What does the Bible expect a Christian to do as proof they are saved? Is there anything that if I did not do, beyond believing in Jesus, I would not go to heaven?

1John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

John is writing to Spirit-filled Pentecostal Christians to instruct and warn them. Teaching them on how to stay saved.

 

[Admon Mikha'el]

What does the Bible expect a Christian to do as proof they are saved? Is there anything that if I did not do, beyond believing in Jesus, I would not go to heaven?

Thats a simple question....Let's keep the answer simple...You were saved for a purpose....Get to know the One who saved you...and knowing Him, you will glorify Him...Just get to know Him.

 

[PloughBoy]

Is it, being saved, hope to be saved, and being saved from what, and proving to who? that they are saved. so this must be the different types of classifications that christians falls in, that confusing to the masses. Now why do i say that?

Because, one day a person is saying that they are saved, but then another person says that person can become unsaved tomorrow, and saved from what, today, then the next day, they are unsaved form what. then saved again and unsaved unless they repent, then next year they become unsaved for something they do.

But maybe before they die. They might fall in place like the Little kids play "the Musical chairs", at " birthday parties" when the music stops.

So is it "being saved" "Hope to be saved", and "saved", and being saved from what? and proving to who, that they are saved? and why do they have to prove that they are saved to the who? "The Classifications of Christians". can be kinda confusing to the "faint of heart" i would say.

 

[Born Again 2004]

Sorry you are so confused!

 

[Downunder]

Christianity 101 is so simple and straightforward ... challenging yes and tribulations yes ... but doctrine is really uncomplicated

Psalm 37:27 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.
Job 28:28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’

Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Grow and become mature in Christ Jesus by his Spirit and learn to discern and overcome temptations and evils.

Galatians 5:14 For the entire Law has been obeyed when you have kept the single precept, which says, "YOU ARE TO LOVE YOUR FELLOW MAN EQUALLY WITH YOURSELF." (Weymouth)

 

[Born Again 2004]

Sound words and advice!

 

[Sue D.]

@PloughBoy -- it's justification, sanctification and glorification.

 

[PloughBoy]

@PloughBoy -- it's justification, sanctification and glorification.

And who are those words directed too, and by who? and what does they mean?

 

[Born Again 2004]

@PloughBoy -- it's justification, sanctification and glorification.

In that order !

 

[Sue D.]

Is it, being saved, hope to be saved, and being saved from what, and proving to who? that they are saved. so this must be the different types of classifications that christians falls in, that confusing to the masses. Now why do i say that?

Because, one day a person is saying that they are saved, but then another person says that person can become unsaved tomorrow, and saved from what, today, then the next day, they are unsaved form what. then saved again and unsaved unless they repent, then next year they become unsaved for something they do.

But maybe before they die. They might fall in place like the Little kids play "the Musical chairs", at " birthday parties" when the music stops.

So is it "being saved" "Hope to be saved", and "saved", and being saved from what? and proving to who, that they are saved? and why do they have to prove that they are saved to the who? "The Classifications of Christians". can be kinda confusing to the "faint of heart" i would say.

@PloughBoy -- Re: justification, sanctification, and glorification. -- your first sentence. Take a moment to look those terms up.

Eternal security -- Ephesians 1:13 - 14 -- the sealing action of the Holy Spirit immediately upon a person's accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

 

[Downunder]

Yeah but we all still need to walk in the Spirit and bear fruit of the Spirit in our lives and overcome self will.
Oh and we must endure until the end.
Anything else?

 

[Sue D.]

@Downunder -- When a person has the Holy Spirit indwelling them -- they will have the desire To walk in the Spirit and their lives Will show at least some of the fruit Of.

There will Always be some amount of self-will in our lives. We are still human.

Just like a baby needs to be eating nourishing food daily to grow -- so a born again believer needs to be in God's Word regularly / daily as possible to be able to grow spiritually / growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
With these things -- there Will be endurance -- we need regular interaction with other believers.

"Anything else?" -- that pretty well sums it up

 

[B-A-C]

Eternal security -- Ephesians 1:13 - 14 -- the sealing action of the Holy Spirit immediately upon a person's accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

"sealed" doesn't mean eternal security in this verse. It means stamped or marked.

Ephesians 1:13
(AMPC) In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit.
(ASV) in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,--in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
(BBE) In whom you, having been given the true word, the good news of your salvation, and through your faith in him, were given the sign of the Holy Spirit of hope,
(CEV) Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show that you belong to God.
(CSB) In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.
(GNB) And you also became God's people when you heard the true message, the Good News that brought you salvation. You believed in Christ, and God put his stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit he had promised.
(Greek NT TR+) ενG1722 PREP ωG3739 R-DSM καιG2532 CONJ υμειςG4771 P-2NP ακουσαντεςG191 V-AAP-NPM τονG3588 T-ASM λογονG3056 N-ASM τηςG3588 T-GSF αληθειαςG225 N-GSF τοG3588 T-ASN ευαγγελιονG2098 N-ASN τηςG3588 T-GSF σωτηριαςG4991 N-GSF υμωνG4771 P-2GP ενG1722 PREP ωG3739 R-DSM καιG2532 CONJ πιστευσαντεςG4100 V-AAP-NPM εσφραγισθητεG4972 V-API-2P τωG3588 T-DSN πνευματιG4151 N-DSN τηςG3588 T-GSF επαγγελιαςG1860 N-GSF τωG3588 T-DSN αγιωG40 A-DSN
(KJVA) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(MKJV) in whom also you, hearing the Word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in whom also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
(NAS77) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
(NASB) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
(NIrV) You also became believers in Christ. That happened when you heard the message of truth. It was the good news about how you could be saved. When you believed, he marked you with a seal. The seal is the Holy Spirit that he promised.
(NIV) And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
(NKJV) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
(NLT) And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
(RV) in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,--in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
(TPT) And because of him, when you who are not Jews heard the revelation of truth, you believed in the wonderful news of salvation. Now we have been stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit.


@Downunder -- When a person has the Holy Spirit indwelling them -- they will have the desire To walk in the Spirit and their lives Will show at least some of the fruit Of.

There will Always be some amount of self-will in our lives. We are still human.

What you do with this "self-will" determines where you will spend eternity.

There is no such thing as "some of the fruit", you either have it, or you don't. Immature fruit that refuses to grow is not accepted.

Luke 8:9; His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.
Luke 8:10; And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.
Luke 8:11; "Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
Luke 8:12; "Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.
Luke 8:13; "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 8:14; "The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
Luke 8:15; "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

Of these 4 kinds of soil, only 1 is really saved, only 1 is really never saved. 2 of them are saved "for a while".

 

[PloughBoy]

@PloughBoy -- Re: justification, sanctification, and glorification. -- your first sentence. Take a moment to look those terms up.

Eternal security -- Ephesians 1:13 - 14 -- the sealing action of the Holy Spirit immediately upon a person's accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

Are you talking about Justification, sanctification and glorification? if so , in 40 plus years i have at least way over 100,000 study hours on each one of those words alone. It could be triple that . a good chance. regular work hours are 40 plus hours a week. I work harder in biblical studies, it was my top employment hours, that was a way of life. Easy 80 plus hours a week in Biblical studies.

I am willing to acknowledge I have over 400,000 hours of Biblical studies. No church classes nor local church teachers. Hard core personal Bible studies and Biblical personal readings. I would find errors in "Biblical dictionaries" and "Biblical Encyclopedias" and Bible translations.

Really I don't have to look nothing up in the Bible or definition of Biblical words. Like I have said often: i have study every word in some Bible translations. Even what the "Biblical word "I" in the "Biblical text of Holy Scripture". My wife would tell people over 30 years ago , she did not need to look in a "concordance" she had me! She didn't need a "Biblical Encyclopedia" concerning "biblical words" she had me. And she knew, that i knew whether that "text" of "scripture" was in the "Original Copied Text". And what words are in the BIBLE and are not in the Original text and why they was put in there and who created some of the words that are in the Translated text. That God never said.

I thought all True Christians knew the whole bible and read the whole bible all the time. After 5 years I was very dis appointed to find out. most of all the Pastors i knew hardly, none of them have every read the whole Bible as a whole. And by that time I had read the Whole Bible as a Whole more than 20 times. and the NT by it self each book alone maybe over 100 times and the OT books separately as many as the same. That is how I found out about the "Contemporaries" of the OT "Prophets". And the Laws of GOD. and how they fitted together ushering in the "New Covenant" laws.

When you keep reading the books over and over and over and over and over and over. It might get Bored to some people, to me it got clearer and clearer and clearer. That is how I found out we do not have to pay tithes, and who was obligated to pay tithes of the Jewish people. I was not looking for such a thing the light came on in fullness. I didn't look this stuff up, it is in the story. Plain as day! Through out the BIBLE it was made plain. And nobody in the leadership staff would listen. Or even debate according to the bible. Then i really got busy, what else they been lying about!. I got my "microscope" out. I became "Sherlock Holmes" of "The Holy Scriptures" I studied every dot and iota. If it was a Dot I looked that Dot up in English, Hebrew and Greek. I had to learn The Hebrew and Greek alphabets to complete that task. After i got the real english meaning of that word I had to learn to spell it in Hebrew or Greek then Look it up in a Lexicon. Then Look that precise sentence up in that language and then take those words and write them down with the "Punctuation marks" in on each letter of that language. And translate it myself! I got busy for years and years and years. I remember of that type of study when I finish it. And close the Book, then i Remembered saying: "now i see". I see the Picture. The Roman Empire, The Persian Empire, The Greek Empire, The Egyptians, Germans, Scots, Popes, King Henry vii, Edward, George V, Isabella of Spain. The wives of King Henry 8. Tyndale,Hus , Calvin, Eliszabeth, MAry of Scots.
The Holy Sprirt fitted everything right in it's proper place. And I have still not even scratch the surface of this "Battlefield". concerning this "Manifestation" of GOD. [ We need a new body to take in the rest that He has in store for us"]


Many might say it didn't take all of that! If you knew what i knew, about some of these "pastors" ministers, teachers of the word of GOD" The instructions that is coming out of their mouths. You would have learn Greek too! When they talk and play that "sweet by and by" music and those low mellow tones on that organ, and those fancy mellow tone microphones. Before it is over, she have all your rent money, light bill, car note, kids school supply's in her pocket! And it is not even Monday morning and you broke! And You don't even have your hair done, nor your finger nails did!

Not all but some. [For the road is hard and narrow and few on it. but there are many on the broad and wide path and many are traveling on it]

 

[Born Again 2004]

PHEW!

 

[Born Again 2004]

Are you talking about Justification, sanctification and glorification? if so , in 40 plus years i have at least way over 100,000 study hours on each one of those words alone. It could be triple that . a good chance. regular work hours are 40 plus hours a week. I work harder in biblical studies, it was my top employment hours, that was a way of life. Easy 80 plus hours a week in Biblical studies.

I am willing to acknowledge I have over 400,000 hours of Biblical studies. No church classes nor local church teachers. Hard core personal Bible studies and Biblical personal readings. I would find errors in "Biblical dictionaries" and "Biblical Encyclopedias" and Bible translations.

Really I don't have to look nothing up in the Bible or definition of Biblical words. Like I have said often: i have study every word in some Bible translations. Even what the "Biblical word "I" in the "Biblical text of Holy Scripture". My wife would tell people over 30 years ago , she did not need to look in a "concordance" she had me! She didn't need a "Biblical Encyclopedia" concerning "biblical words" she had me. And she knew, that i knew whether that "text" of "scripture" was in the "Original Copied Text". And what words are in the BIBLE and are not in the Original text and why they was put in there and who created some of the words that are in the Translated text. That God never said.

I thought all True Christians knew the whole bible and read the whole bible all the time. After 5 years I was very dis appointed to find out. most of all the Pastors i knew hardly, none of them have every read the whole Bible as a whole. And by that time I had read the Whole Bible as a Whole more than 20 times. and the NT by it self each book alone maybe over 100 times and the OT books separately as many as the same. That is how I found out about the "Contemporaries" of the OT "Prophets". And the Laws of GOD. and how they fitted together ushering in the "New Covenant" laws.

When you keep reading the books over and over and over and over and over and over. It might get Bored to some people, to me it got clearer and clearer and clearer. That is how I found out we do not have to pay tithes, and who was obligated to pay tithes of the Jewish people. I was not looking for such a thing the light came on in fullness. I didn't look this stuff up, it is in the story. Plain as day! Through out the BIBLE it was made plain. And nobody in the leadership staff would listen. Or even debate according to the bible. Then i really got busy, what else they been lying about!. I got my "microscope" out. I became "Sherlock Holmes" of "The Holy Scriptures" I studied every dot and iota. If it was a Dot I looked that Dot up in English, Hebrew and Greek. I had to learn The Hebrew and Greek alphabets to complete that task. After i got the real english meaning of that word I had to learn to spell it in Hebrew or Greek then Look it up in a Lexicon. Then Look that precise sentence up in that language and then take those words and write them down with the "Punctuation marks" in on each letter of that language. And translate it myself! I got busy for years and years and years. I remember of that type of study when I finish it. And close the Book, then i Remembered saying: "now i see". I see the Picture. The Roman Empire, The Persian Empire, The Greek Empire, The Egyptians, Germans, Scots, Popes, King Henry vii, Edward, George V, Isabella of Spain. The wives of King Henry 8. Tyndale,Hus , Calvin, Eliszabeth, MAry of Scots.
The Holy Sprirt fitted everything right in it's proper place. And I have still not even scratch the surface of this "Battlefield". concerning this "Manifestation" of GOD. [ We need a new body to take in the rest that He has in store for us"]


Many might say it didn't take all of that! If you knew what i knew, about some of these "pastors" ministers, teachers of the word of GOD" The instructions that is coming out of their mouths. You would have learn Greek too! When they talk and play that "sweet by and by" music and those low mellow tones on that organ, and those fancy mellow tone microphones. Before it is over, she have all your rent money, light bill, car note, kids school supply's in her pocket! And it is not even Monday morning and you broke! And You don't even have your hair done, nor your finger nails did!

Not all but some. [For the road is hard and narrow and few on it. but there are many on the broad and wide path and many are traveling on it]

PHEW! YOUR GOOD!

 

[Downunder]

James 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
1:24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
1:25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

 

[B-A-C]

When I see the title of this thread, I can't help but think of Acts 16:30; and Luke 10:25;
According to the title of this thread... This isn't what must I do to be saved, but rather what do I need to do now that I am saved.
Luke 10:25; addresses this a little bit, but the whole "works" doctrine thread addresses this also.

But is a question in the sense that it makes a distinction between the "before" and "after".
There is nothing I can do to "get" saved except confess, repent and believe. I don't "get" saved by works (I still have to do at least those other 3 things)
But "after: I get saved, now what do I have to do. The answer changes dramatically. The very question flies against the notion of OSAS.
The very idea that we ourselves 'have" to do something, and part of maintaining our own salvation offends some people.

But the Bible full of dozens of examples, the bottom line is... you "have" to do these things or else.

There is this whole twisted antimonian concept, of Jesus died so I keep on sinning.
The Bible doesn't teach that at all. In fact it teaches just the opposite, He died so will no longer live in sin.
1 Pet 2:24; Rom 6:2; 2Cor 5:15; 1Pet 4:2;

It isn't a slam dunk that everyone will be saved. In fact the Bible says "it is with difficulty that the righteous are saved". ( 1Pet 4:18; )

There are those who say if you have the Holy Spirit in you, you just naturally won't want to sin.
But then they turn around and say "I can't stop sinning, I sin everyday". "In fact, I'll probably always sin".

The problem with this entire mindset, is that people believe God is OK with sin, some even say it's plan for us to keep on sinning
so we will know how much we need Him? What kind of twisted theology is that? Why does sinning make me Jesus more?

Sin is what separates us from God. ( Isa 59:2; ) It doesn't somehow make us closer to Him because we sin.
It's exactly the opposite.