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if born again christians believe god will save them by grace then why keep any commandments? seems like an oxymoron to me. wouldn't accepting Jesus as your lord and savior be enough to guarantee a persons salvation? most other religions believe some sort of effort must be made on the part of an individual in order to obtain glory. i agree with that. born again christians seem to stand alone if i understand things correctly.

will somebody enlighten me if this is not correct?

I am no theologian whatsoever! but I am a long time Christian and maybe I can shed a little light. You might get slightly different answers from valid Christian denoms. But I'll try to tell you what we all agree on. The orthodox veiw as best I can explain.

(Romans 8:30)From the moment of conversation (Believing in the name of Christ alone through faith alone to save you from sin and judgment) you are justified before God and all eternity. Like a court hearing where you stand before the judge, he condemns you to death because you were not PERFECT as God is perfect and did not obey the law at every point (Galatians 3:10-13). Christ steps in with his atoning sacrifice at the cross and says, lay all his sins on me. I have paid the perfect price. You are then "just" before God. You no longer have fear of any condemnation. You are then given the holly spirit. (Philippians 2:13) The spirit works in you both to WILL and DO of his good pleasure.

Sanctification is a process of being made holy. We christians know that all of our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:4-9). (this refers to a woman's minstrel rag. which in those days was about as unclean as it gets). There is nothing we can do to add to our salvation. There is no Jesus + law, or Jesus + Joseph Smith. Jesus is all and all. Through the work of his spirit, our eyes are open to our sinfulness. And as I said, the spirit works in us HIS righteousness. As we grow in Christ, we began to take on a family resemblance to him. Meaning our will and God's will began to align. And we are pleased to show gratitude to god, by obeying him. Not because it will save us. But out of love for him that he ALREADY has saved us and that he is sanctifying us through the power of his spirit daily and ultimately will glorify us (make us like Christ).

Galatians 3:10-13 -- For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

I don't know if yall are like the Jehovah witness, where your forbidden to read anything the church doesn't approve. if that's not the case, I would suggest reading spurgeon "all of grace" http://amzn.com/0883688573 for any follower of Jesus, it's a very wonderful book.

thanks.

Put simply - accepting Christ and being blessed with the Holy Spirit leads to righteous actions. One who is truly converted is not motivated towards sin. Given that we are imperfect, repentance operates to invite the spirit back into our lives - back on track towards more good works. You can tell the truly converted person by his/her works/fruits - because Christ is acting through him/her, not because s/he is trying to buy his/her salvation.

Baker wrote:Put simply - accepting Christ and being blessed with the Holy Spirit leads to righteous actions. One who is truly converted is not motivated towards sin. Given that we are imperfect, repentance operates to invite the spirit back into our lives - back on track towards more good works. You can tell the truly converted person by his/her works/fruits - because Christ is acting through him/her, not because s/he is trying to buy his/her salvation.

that i understand.

so if a person becomes selfish they need to accept Jesus again?

You might get slightly different answers from valid Christian denoms.

Oh no! You are from the validation team.

that i understand.

so if a person becomes selfish they need to accept Jesus again?

I know from your statement that you think you are more perfected than a Christian. A Christian has free grace so why should he act in gods favor. But what you miss is you sir are a terrible sinner. You may condem a drunk that asks for forgiveness but keeps drinking. But I know that you ask for forgiveness and keep sinning. But your Mormon book has no allowance for your sin. Your dtunkeness of the spirit. There is no forgiveness in mormonisim for the man that continues to sin. You say, oh but I try my best. Your best is not good enough according to the Bible and the Mormon scripture. You my friend will die in your sins unless you cling to Christ. Because the LDS may be forgiving with a hevan for the sinners. The god of the Bible has no such place. You will go to hell unless you thrust yourself upon Christ alone. If you say you keep the law you will be judged by the law and the law has no mercy. Thrust yourself upon Christ admit you are a lost sinner and always will be so. Then you will be saved. To think you have one small particle in your salvation is a slap in Christ face. You sir are a miserable sinner. Your sin is before you evry day. Do you think you truly have the power to escape it? I think not. You will truly die in your sins and be in a place much worse than the outer darkness unless you cast it all upon a true god, Christ. Which your own Bible says is the only god.

Latter Day Saints believe is faith, grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. They understand that all men and women are sinners and must have the blood of Christ and his atonement to justify them. They believe in justification and sanctification. Still there are differences. Latter Day Saints do not believe in eternal security and they believe that certain ordinances such as baptism is essential. They also believe that LDS temple ordinances are required for the highest rewards in heaven but I believe I can argue through LDS canon that temple ordinances are not required to enter the celestial kingdom.

I think the major difference is Mormons will not say that they can know for sure they are saved until they are at the judgement bar. You will hear Mormons repeat that they must "endure to the end." They believe that through sin a person can fall from grace even after they are justified.

I think this verse from the LDS Doctrine & Covenants summarizes some of this well:

D&C 20:17-34

17By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them;

18And that he created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness, created he them;

19And gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship.

20But by the transgression of these holy laws man became sensual and devilish, and became fallen man.

21Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him.

22He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.

23He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day;

24And ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father;

25That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved—

26Not only those who believed after he came in the meridian of time, in the flesh, but all those from the beginning, even as many as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, who truly testified of him in all things, should have eternal life,

27As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son;

28Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.

29And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.

30And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true;

31And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.

32But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God;

33Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation;

34Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.

dogmatic wrote:

that i understand.

so if a person becomes selfish they need to accept Jesus again?

I know from your statement that you think you are more perfected than a Christian. A Christian has free grace so why should he act in gods favor. But what you miss is you sir are a terrible sinner. You may condem a drunk that asks for forgiveness but keeps drinking. But I know that you ask for forgiveness and keep sinning. But your Mormon book has no allowance for your sin. Your dtunkeness of the spirit. There is no forgiveness in mormonisim for the man that continues to sin. You say, oh but I try my best. Your best is not good enough according to the Bible and the Mormon scripture. You my friend will die in your sins unless you cling to Christ. Because the LDS may be forgiving with a hevan for the sinners. The god of the Bible has no such place. You will go to hell unless you thrust yourself upon Christ alone. If you say you keep the law you will be judged by the law and the law has no mercy. Thrust yourself upon Christ admit you are a lost sinner and always will be so. Then you will be saved. To think you have one small particle in your salvation is a slap in Christ face. You sir are a miserable sinner. Your sin is before you evry day. Do you think you truly have the power to escape it? I think not. You will truly die in your sins and be in a place much worse than the outer darkness unless you cast it all upon a true god, Christ. Which your own Bible says is the only god.

i'm not Mormon.

"endure to the end."

You seem like a smart man, that knows his religion. Why then would you try to deceive me into thinking that the terms you use, saved, faith, grace, forgiveness, heaven... etc are the same as my use of the same terms. A honest answer would be, yes we believe these things, but our meanings of the terms are drastically different. That said. The difference is this:

Mormon:
It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23).

37And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.

32Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;

Christian:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8