or is it Grace?
2007-09-19 07:01:52 · 14 answers · asked by Perceptive 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe it is God's grace that we are all saved, but to say that you must say the "sinner's prayer" to get saved, isn't it like saying that you must do this task in order to get saved?
2007-09-19 07:04:42 · update #1
BINGO!!!!! You got it!! Thanks be to God!!
It's all grace!!!
2007-09-19 07:08:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Grace is offered freely. The decision whether or not to accept it is yours. However you speak to God is also up to you. The "sinner's prayer" is just that: a prayer offered by a sinner.
Your sinner's prayer will likely be somewhat different from the next person. However you want to phrase the acknowlegement of your sin & the neccesity of Christ's blood covering for it. Just remember the ABC's: Admit, Believe, Confess. That'll cover it.
2007-09-19 14:22:57 · answer #2 · answered by azar_and_bath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being "saved" depends on decisions you make, and Grace is a necessary element of salvation. However, you can't just say, "Well, I think I'll get saved today," say the magic words, and then poof! you're set for eternity. It doesn't work that way. Salvation is a process, just as faith is a process. It starts when you decide that salvation is something you desire, and it lasts until the moment of your death. God will judge all of us according to the faith we have and the lives we lead between those two important moments, and *He* determines our salvation.
So, upon reflection, I guess you *can* say that, ultimately, salvation is a decision. It's God's decision.
2007-09-19 19:23:01 · answer #3 · answered by nardhelain 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God's grace extends to everyone, however we can choose not to accept it by not obeying His commandments.
What is necessary to save man from his sins? It takes God’s part which is grace (Ephesians 2:8), mercy (Titus 3:5), Christ Jesus (Matthew 1:21); His life (Romans 5:10); His blood (Romans 5:9); and the Gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It also takes man’s part which is faith (Romans 5:1); works (James 2:24); calling on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13); hope (Romans 8:24); our effort (Acts 2:40); and being baptized (1 Peter 3:21). The Bible does not teach that man is saved by anything alone! God, through His Word, the Bible, says it takes ALL of these things to save us from our sins. To deny such is to deny the Word of God!
2007-09-19 14:20:08 · answer #4 · answered by TG 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A prayer is just words. Many people say words they do not mean when they enter marriage; till death do us part. Yet they are planning to get divorced if it does not work out.
John 3:16 for God So loved the world, that He gave His only Son that those who believe may receive eternal life.
I buy you a present, but it is not yours until you receive it. God Sent Jesus as a present to the world. Jesus provided salvation as a present to the world. But only those who believe, not just academically, but trust in |His complete work on the cross, are in receipt of the present. The prayer, when sincere is saying yes to the present. It is not the prayer, or the words, but the heart that recognises that they need God; because we cannot do it ourselves.
Dig a well to get water. But only those who drink will relieve their thirst.
2007-09-20 05:33:46 · answer #5 · answered by Stargazer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eph 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 2:9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. (NET)
Ok, so here it is, we are saved by our faith in the the gift that was given to us by the grace of God. Just like any gift, a person has to accept it. Does that help?
The "grace" or unmerited favor was the fact that Jesus paid our debt and was punished for our sins.
The gift is that he offers us that payment and the faith is that we realize that we need that gift and believe that it is sufficient for us and accept it as the gift that it is.
2007-09-19 14:16:13 · answer #6 · answered by δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct. It is faith in Christ according to the gospel people are saved, and not the repetition of some prayer.
Anything people claim you must do in order to be saved that is not preached as the gospel in Scripture is a false gospel.
The "prayer" isn't really a prayer anyway.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
One will express what they believe.
.
2007-09-19 14:11:05 · answer #7 · answered by Hogie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Both ! It's your decision to accept the sacrifice that Jesus died to give EVERYONE. Then you are saved by grace...However you must repent (turn away from sin). Grace doesn't give anyone the license to continue or knowingly commit sin.
2007-09-19 14:11:50 · answer #8 · answered by Isabella 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By grace alone - not by anything you do. See Ephesians 2:8,9; '... for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.'
2007-09-19 14:12:00 · answer #9 · answered by cheir 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Calvinists have an answer for that. They say the people who are saved were always saved and don't really have a choice about it. (And likewise for the, ahem, other people.) Kind of makes getting out of bed rather pointless though.
As for the other Protestants, they know about your clever logic tricks and probably won't play with you.
2007-09-19 14:11:53 · answer #10 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Both! Faith requires action. example, I promise I will give you $1000.00 because I want to have mercy on you, will you come and get it? This is my promise to you. But you say, you refuse, you have rejected salvation.
The plan of salvation to every man is the death of Christ (repentance), burial of Christ (baptism in Jesus name), resurrection of Christ (Receiving the Holy Spirit) Acts 2:38.
You get it or reject.
2007-09-19 14:52:12 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋