Does Ephesians clarify things any?

[evangelist-7]

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul makes it clear exactly who he is writing to …

Ephesians 1:1
“Paul … to the saints who are in Ephesus, and (who are) faithful in Christ Jesus …”

We can consider “saints” to be born-again Christians.
But, are all born-again Christians “faithful”, i.e. trying their best not to sin,
repenting of their sins, co-operating with God in being sanctified, etc.?
I say “No!”
IMO, those who are actually “faithful in Christ Jesus” are in a special category!

Paul is ONLY addressing the saints who are faithful, saying they have been:
chosen before the foundation of the world (1:4), predestined to adoption as sons (1:5),
redeemed through Jesus’ blood (1:7), forgiven their sins (1:7), given an inheritance (1:11),
predestined according to the purpose of God (1:11), etc.

In chapter 4, Paul instructs the faithful saints to put off their old man of sin,
and put on their new man of righteousness with all that entails.

Paul gives examples of sins which will shut the faithful saints out of the kingdom of God:
Ephesians 5:
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you,
as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting,
but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man,
who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you
with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

And this just happens to agree with other such warnings to the churches:

Galatians 5:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you
in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 6:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit
will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
1 Corinthians 6:
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Revelation 2—3
Jesus warns all 7 churches that they must be overcomers.
Revelation 21:
7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters,
and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 22:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city.
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters,
and whoever loves and practices a lie.

So, we see that even the “faithful” saints need to co-operate with the Holy Spirit in being
sanctified unto holiness in order for them to actually inherit the promises and be saved.
.

 

[billwald]

So as a semi-Pelagian, you are partly responsible for your salvation and thus get part of the credit/ have earned your salvation?

 

[savedbymercy]

We can consider “saints” to be born-again Christians.
But, are all born-again Christians “faithful”,

Yes ! All born again believers have been Created in Christ Jesus unto good works that God hath before ordained that they should walk therein Eph 2:10

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

So they obey always as Paul stated to those in phillipi as well Phil 2:12-13

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

They obey always and are faithful because of God's Sovereignly Working IN them both to WILL and to DO of His Good Pleasure, and when they do that, they are faithful !

 

[evangelist-7]

All born again believers have been Created in Christ Jesus unto good works that God hath before ordained that they should walk therein Eph 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

So they obey always as Paul stated to those in phillipi as well Phil 2:12-13
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
They obey always and are faithful because of God's Sovereignly Working IN them both to WILL and to DO of His Good Pleasure, and when they do that, they are faithful !

Sorry, I cannot agree ...
I see it as all wishful thinking, encouraging, edifying, etc., and Paul did a whole lot of that. Jesus did not.

Just because Jerry was created for good works ... does not mean he will do much.

Just because Jerry was ordained to walk uprightly ... does not mean he will walk very far.

Just because God is working in Jerry ... does not mean he will co-operate very much with being sanctified unto holiness.

Jerry had better work out his own salvation with fear and trembling, 'cause it ain't guaranteed that he will be saved.

Paul was very concerned for himself and others that he might not finish the race and be disqualified.
Now, if you choose to believe he was talkin' 'bout rewards, I will understand.

Have you forgotten about da church in Laodocia?
Jesus said they were sorely deceived about their spiritual condition ... they were lost and going to thou knows where.

Yeah, spiritual revelation is required to understand spiritual truth. Where have I heard that before?

Yeah, all of the MANY NT WARNINGS are only for the unsaved in the pews and walkin' the streets. Yeah right.
.

 

[savedbymercy]

evan

Sorry, I cannot agree ...

I cannot help that, but you were showed the Truth !

 

[savedbymercy]

evan

Just because Jerry was created for good works ... does not mean he will do much.

I do not know nothing about jerry, but I know what the word of God says about the one who is a New Creation. That one will walk in good Works that God ordained for them to walk unto.

The New Creation is a New Man Created as stated Eph 4:24

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

This Newly Created man is the Man that is Faithful to God and walks in the good works prepared for him.

God causes this man to keep His Statutes and do them Ezk 36:26-27

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Sounds like to me you believe and serve in a different god than I do !

 

[billwald]

e-7 you are responsible for your salvation?

'fess up! Tell us in plain English. Yes or no - are you at least partly responsible for your salvation?

 

[evangelist-7]

'fess up! Tell us in plain English. Yes or no - are you at least partly responsible for your salvation?

Absolutely, the Christian must co-operate with the sanctification process.
I don't consider this works salvation ... is a sheep working when he is following his shepherd?

I don't believe God can force a believer to become pure and holy, which Jesus insists on.
He gave man free will to choose what he's a-gonna do.

Fess up ... what're all the hundreds of NT warnings to da churches all about?
Oh yes ... Be thou good little boys and girls, but don't worry, y'all goin' to Heaven!
Chill out, man ... enjoy yer easy feel-good gospel.
Those ain't da warnings I'm reading.
.

 

[savedbymercy]

evan

Absolutely, the Christian must co-operate with the sanctification process.

In True Religion, the believer is passive in his entire sanctification, God does it all 1 Thess 5:22-24

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.