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To: DaveMSmith
I would suggest that you are simply misreading Paul's statements. Paul's salvation experience was NOT built on the fact that he lived a good life following the commandments. That simply ignores Paul's teachings. Paul lived by the commandments. He was a "Jew among Jews". Yet when confronted on the Damascus Road by Christ, he cried out, "Who are you, Lord?" (Acts 9)

Our salvation rests not on "living a good life" nor having God pleased with us. Our salvation rests with God the Father opening our eyes and ears to the truth of the gospel. Just as He did with Paul. Following God's commandments is what a Christian wants to do.

And, as a side note, living by the commandments is NOT for God's benefit. The commandments are given to us by the Father so that we may have a good and wholesome life. Sure, they reflect God's nature but that is what a good and wholesome life should be about. Sure, if we followed all the laws we would be like Christ-but we deliberate don't want to. We do not keep the commandments because having a good and wholesome life is totally against our nature. We are rebellious-not only to God and those around us but to ourselves. We would self destruct if it was not for God's substaning grace.

It's only because of Christ coming to us, opening up our eyes and ears, asking us why we are persecuting Him that we truly respond, "Who are you Lord?" It was when Paul was blinded that he truly saw the truth.
5 posted on 12/22/2012 7:19:00 AM PST by HarleyD
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To: HarleyD
Our salvation rests with God the Father opening our eyes and ears to the truth of the gospel.

I would just submit that unless you have cleaned house internally by repentance - looking at love of self and love of the world - using the Ten Commandments as a guide, which is the only part of the Word written by His finger, you WILL fall into falsifications of the Gospel. I know this from long experience confirmed by the Doctrines of my Church.

6 posted on 12/22/2012 7:30:31 AM PST by DaveMSmith (Evil Comes from Falsity, So Share the Truth)
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