Page 101 … perpetual Grace
“It must be noted that it is not biblical for a person to sin habitually and continually as a lifestyle and still be a believer … Grace is a gift from God.”
First off, it is particularly odd for you to be making such a statement, for the simple reason that the verse to which you are alluding here (Ephesians 2:8 — which states in full, “ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”) is one that does not at all support your argument that habitual sinners are not true believers (and therefore not saved) … Indeed, it is actually a verse that says exactly the opposite! In point of fact, this verse could not be more clear: Grace is a gift from God, yes, and yet not just any God, but – at least according to Jesus Christ – a God whose Love is perfect, and therefore unconditional (Matthew 5:48), a God whose Forgiveness is limitless, and therefore always given to everyone (Matthew 18:22), and a God whose Mercy is divine, and therefore flows without end (Luke 6:36-37) …
As such, even though it is impossible to enter Jesus’ Kingdom of Heaven while we are selfishly sinning (see John 13:15-17 + John 13:34-35), the door to that particular Kingdom remains ever open to all who choose to cease criticizing others (Matthew 7:1-5), turn from their arrogantly self-centered ways (Matthew 18:3-4), and then repent by actively Caring for others (Matthew 7:21-23 + John 5:29 + Acts 10:34-35 + 1 John 2:6 + 1 John 3:18 et al) … Heck even Paul himself inadvertently supports this contention (and remember, the author of Ephesians copied large portions of Paul’s letter to the Colossians when writing his work) when he stated that, “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; for the only thing that counts is faith made effective through Love.” ~ Paul (Galatians 5:6)
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