blackbird

Nobody is forcing religion on you. God created the universe and created mankind and gave him the freedom of choice or free will. But we should remember that humans belong to Him; He created them. You make the choice about what to believe, but it boils down to you choosing between heaven or hell for eternity. Everyone is given freedom of choice. God doesn't force people to believe. He gave us his revelation, the King James Bible which tells mankind what the problem is. The problem is everyone is a fallen corrupt sinner and deserves eternal damnation. God offers the lifeline, that is, to believe in Jesus Christ who offered himself on the cross and shed his blood to atone for sinners. However this atonement must be received by faith in Jesus Christ in order for the individual to receive forgiveness for his sin. Nobody is forced to believe any religion. It is a fact that countless believers sacrificed their lives to take the gospel to various countries in the world. Many became martyrs and paid with their lives. So the Bible or the Christian message should never be mocked or scoffed at as "forcing religion on somebody".

Nonsense! "“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” James 4:11 KJV You still haven't explained whether you are a Christian and if so, how you became one.

You prove over and over you don't know much about what is in the Bible. You say not to judge sin and in the same breath falsely judge me. Isn't that hypocrisy? Sure is. Maybe you could explain how you became a Christian. How were you saved?

I don't think you understand what Biblical Christianity is all about. It is not just about going to a church once a week. There is much more to it than that. I assume you don't believe the Bible. That is tragic. Where are you going to spend eternity? Do you understand what the Bible is all about? You need to find out for your own good. There is a struggle going on in the world between good and evil, between God and the Devil. The world is basically an evil place. Being a Christian means living as Christ would have one live. That means everything in life is affected. One's whole mind must be governed by the Lord through his written revelation. You need to learn what being a Christian means. It also means standing up for what is right. We live in a democracy where everyone has the right to speak for or against what is going on with government and society.

You are terribly mixed up. I don't think you have studied the Bible or learned anything much about Christianity. This has nothing to do with making the law of man more important than the law of God. I don't understand your thinking. Properly applying the law of God (the KJV Bible) means you must oppose laws and things against the Bible. I am not saying you have to go out on the street waving signs or demonstrating against things. But it seems reasonable to only vote for the least evil political party. I hope what I am saying doesn't fall on deaf ears. What exactly do you believe about the Bible? No, I haven't made the law of man more important than the law of God. The fact is Christians must stand for God's word which has certain principles on how laws and society should operate. I don't know if you are a Christian or not. You seem quite confused. You need to get your beliefs straightened out. I would recommend serious study of the Bible and major doctrines first. You can't claim to be a Christian and support things in the laws or society that oppose God's written revelation. It just doesn't make sense. There are certain things that are clearly wrong, things like abortion, MAID, soft-on-crime laws and policies, fornication, etc. Attacks against the traditional family structure by government and the education system are wrong.

Any laws that allows something that is against the Bible is obviously anti-Christian. For one thing is falsely portrays Christians as being radicals in society when they are simply supporting a just and righteous society.

That's not what the O.P. is about.

No it does not refer to original sin. Salvation in the Biblical context, has a variety of meanings and uses. One would have to examine the context in which it is used. This webpage has a long article describing the use of the word salvation. Salvation - Biblical Meaning and Definition in Christianity I have used the word to refer to being saved from sin and receiving eternal life. This is a common use of the word among evangelicals. "9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:" 1 Peter 1:9, 10 KJV

If you study the Bible you will find that human life begins at conception and God recognizes the pre-born baby as a human being or person. That means killing a pre-born baby is contrary to what the Bible teaches. It is against the ten commandments which say "thou shalt not kill". Human life is sacred. Assisted suicide is also killing another human being and contrary to that commandment. To claim it is someone else being killed and not you does not make it right.

The Oxford dictionary says salvation - Fact or state of being saved from sin & its consequences. Normal Christian understanding I have heard over decades has always been that salvation mean forgiveness from sin and receiving eternal life at the time one is saved. That is the normal evangelical or Bible-believer belief. I never said the way to get eternal life is just explained by the word salvation alone. The way of salvation is in verses such as John 3:16 and many other verses. It is by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. You are playing word games now. Salvation in the Christian sense, does mean receiving eternal life. Not complicated at all.

Doesn't sound like you read the original post or opinion piece. I was talking about all the anti-Christian policies and laws of the Liberal/NDP government. I never focused on individual persecution of Christians although there is some of that going on and enabled by laws and policies. An example is the Ontario Human Rights Council fining the mayor of Emo, Ontario for not flying the pride flag in his little town. That is definitely persecution. Forcing Sexual orientation and gender identity to be taught in public schools is also a kind of persecution as it imposes an ideology on everyone in the schools in general. Also people who disagree with government ideology on DEI policies might not be hired into the Canadian Armed Forces or government jobs. Jordan Peterson was discriminated against for expressing his opinions on podcasts. Punished by the professional association he belonged to.

No, I think I asked him about salvation. He said he didn't know. Wow! So what is the Bible all about then? A central teaching in the Bible is the way of salvation, that is, how to get to heaven and have eternal life. How can you say a thing like that? Have you read heard the gospel message? Do you not realize what you are saying is totally contrary to the central teaching of Christianity and the Bible? Probably the most well known verse in the Bible is John 3:16 KJV "16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That is a core message of the Bible. It is all about the way of salvation.

I can see you are not paying attention to anything I post. Are you saved? Do you have eternal life now? How do you know?

How would you phrase it? I rejected his claims because he is completely wrong. He claims the way of salvation is works.

You didn't quote what I said about that so I am not sure what you are referring to. It appears you never read what I posted. I guess you just read one or two lines and jump in with a reply. "I. The Covenant of God The direct, unqualified promises of security (John 5:24; 6:37; 10:28) form an unconditional covenant in which God simply declares what He is going to do, which is also an expression of His unchangeable will. In Romans 8:29, 30 this eternal purpose is revealed and its realization is assured through sovereign grace and apart from every human work and merit. II. The Power of God As being absolutely free from every limitation the Scriptures assert that God is able to keep all who are saved through Christ (John 10:29; Romans 4:21; 8:31, 38, 39; 14:4; Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 3:21; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Jude 1:24)." -from Major Bible Themes ch.33 Security of Salvation

Not correct. I am not sure what words you are talking about. I was simply pointing out that salvation is totally separate from works. The historic Protestant belief since the Reformation is that salvation is by faith alone and I explained that in previous posts and explained the verses. When one starts talking about works being a part of it in any way, then it is no longer salvation by faith alone. I never said works were not important. But they are subsequent to one becoming a child of God and have nothing to do with being saved. All that is explained in the book Major Bible Themes I quoted above. I never said becoming a Christian invalidate the need to do works, but the works do not save anyone. Works are important of course, but the works are done because one is a believer or Christian, not for the purpose of becoming one and not for the purpose of earning salvation in any way I never rejected the importance of works, but they have nothing to do with salvation.

That is not correct. What you are saying would destroy a believer's peace. It would put the fear of eternal perdition in any believer. That is not the kind of God believers have and is not what the Bible teaches. I am not sure what you have studied or what you based your claim on. There are a number of good sources of Bible doctrine. It is overly simplistic to just quote one or two verses. There is really a lot to it. This book, Major Bible Themes, was written by Lewis Sperry Chafer, who lived in the early half of the 20th century and was a co-founder of Dallas Theological Seminary. He had eminent qualification as a professor of systematic theology. He presents in his book the dispensational view. Other views such as the Reformed, Presbyterian, or Calvinist theology also support the eternal security of believers. Check out the Westminster Confessions of Faith, larger catechism. The book Major Bible Themes by Lewis Sperry Chafer has a very good chapter on Security. I will quote a part of it but you will have to go to their website to read the rest of the chapter to get a complete picture. "Chapter 33 - Security This Chapter is concerned with the Biblical answer to the question, "Could a person once saved ever be lost again?" Since fear of eternal perdition must destroy the believer's peace, and since to suppose that one once saved might be lost again, of necessity, limits the saving grace of God as it is in Christ, the subject of this Chapter is of utmost importance. The claim that one who is once saved might be lost again is usually based on a form of rationalism which, emphasizing certain passages of Scripture, does not consider sufficiently the testimony of all the Word of God. Concerning this question, church creeds have taken opposing sides; but it will be observed that belief or disbelief in the security of all who are saved is more personal than creedal. While the great body of New Testament Scriptures which bear directly or indirectly on this question declare the believer to be secure, there are upwards of twenty-five passages which have been cited in evidence by those who maintain that the believer is insecure. It is certain that an individual could not be at the same time both secure and insecure. Therefore, of these two bodies of Scripture, one body of Scripture must of necessity conform to the other. From careful study it will be seen that the so-called "insecurity passages" are not such in reality, that they do not oppose the positive doctrine of security, and that they seem to teach insecurity only when they are misunderstood or misapplied. Certain, of these do not apply to the Christian since they belong to another dispensation (Matthew 24:13; Ezekiel 33:7, 8; Matthew 18:23-35; 25:30). Other passages refer only to false and unregenerate teachers of the "last days" (1 Timothy 4:1, 2; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Jude 1:17-19). One passage describes that which is merely a moral reformation (Luke 11:24-26). Several of these Scriptures bear on the important fact that Christian profession is justified by its fruits. Salvation which is of God will, under normal conditions, prove itself to be such by its own fruits (1 John 3:10; John 8:31; 15:6; 2 Peter 1:10; James 2:14-26; 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2; Hebrews 3:6, 14). In addition to this, there are certain passages that contain warnings which, when rightly interpreted, do not imply the insecurity of the believer under grace. Jews are warned that since their sacrifices have ceased they must turn to Christ or be lost (Hebrews 10:26), in like manner, unsaved Jews as well as Gentiles are warned against "falling away" from the illuminating, converting work of the Spirit (Hebrews 6:4-9). So, also, unspiritual Jews are warned that they will not be received into the coming kingdom (Matthew 25:1-13), and Gentiles are given a corporate warning which has no reference to the individual believer (Romans 11:21). Again, the one who is saved and safe may lose his reward (1 Corinthians 3:15; Colossians 1:21-23), and be disapproved concerning his service for Christ (1 Corinthians 9:27). Likewise, he may lose his fellowship because of sin (1 John 1:6), and he may be chastened of God (1 Corinthians 11:29-32; John 15:2; 1 John 5:16). And, finally, it is possible for the believer to "fall from grace" (Galatians 5:1-4), which, however, is never accomplished by sinning; for the Christian falls from grace only when he turns from his true liberty under grace to the bondage of the law. The positive doctrine of security rests upon an extended body of truth in which no less than twelve unchangeable facts of divine grace and its accomplishments are declared; any one of which alone would suffice to form an adequate basis for perfect rest and peace." For the rest of the chapter (33) go to: Themes.pdf

I don't see any evidence of that. Can you produce some reliable evidence? " Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to eliminate another component of the consumer carbon tax, the Clean Fuel Regulations, which still affects provinces that have an independent carbon pricing system, if his party wins the next election. In an interview on Tuesday with CBC Radio-Canada’s Patrice Roy, Poilievre confirmed that his plans extend beyond his long-standing promise to abolish the federal carbon levy for consumers. He also plans to abolish the Clean Fuel Regulations, the second component of the consumer federal carbon tax that applies to all provinces, which Poilievre said will add 17 cents a litre to the cost of fuel by 2030." Poilievre promises to end both parts of the consumer carbon tax if elected | True North The Conservative Party's policy is to reduce taxes on Canadians. They are opposed to carbon taxes of any kind. They want to make life more affordable for all Canadians.

Carbon tax Carney has said he will put carbon taxes on industry rather than directly on the people. That means he would disguise the carbon taxes but they will still be imposed because the price of everything will go up. Everyone will still pay carbon taxes but through the goods and services they receive. He has not promised to build a trans Canada, Energy East pipeline. He is still a Trudeau Liberal. A liberal is a liberal.

Your wording is difficult to understand. If one refuses to do works, that is another matter. It might raise a question as to whether he has been born again. But what the Apostle is talking about in these following verses is not speaking about good works as being a part of salvation. Salvation comes first and good works follow. That is what is clear from what Paul is saying. They are two separate subjects according to what Paul says. I was talking about what the inspired KJV Bible says about salvation. The Bible makes it clear that salvation is entirely by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross. Examine Ephesians ch2 vs 8, 9 KJV "8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2: 8, 9 KJV You see clearly how one is saved. Verse 8 clearly says one is saved by grace through faith. Then verse 9 says not of works, lest any man should boast. So in this verse the Apostle Paul makes it clear salvation is not of works. One must become a child of God or servant of God by receiving the new nature. It says that is a gift of God. Break these two verses down into their component parts to get a clear understanding of what God is saying here. It is vital to understand. A person receives the gift of salvation in a moment of time. The person receives the gift from God. He cannot earn it. Once he receives this gift, he has a new nature. Then as a new creature in Christ, he can do good works for God. That is what these two verses are saying. The Apostle is saying "not of works". In other words, he person cannot earn this gift by doing good works. Now look at another verse in Titus. "5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" Titus 3:5 KJV Again the Apostle Paul makes it clear in the first part of this verse, we are not saved by "works of righteousness". But we are saved "according to his mercy,, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost". The Oxford Pocket Dictionary defines the word grace as meaning a favour or concession not claimable as a right. Nobody can claim to receive salvation by their good works or deeds then. If it were by doing good works, it would not be by God's grace (or favour). This proves salvation is not a lifelong process of doing certain good works. If it were by works, then it could not be by God's grace. Works and grace are not the same thing at all. Salvation happens at a point in time. The Apostle Paul makes it clear also in Romans ch3, 4, and 5. Read chapter 3 in Romans. Verses 9 to 20 speak about the fact "there is none righteous, no, not one". It concludes in verse 20 saying "20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20 KJV Then verses 21 to 31 explain again how one receives the righteousness of God without the deeds of the law (good works). See verse 28. This is talking about how one receives salvation by faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. Chapter 4 gives the example of how Abraham was saved by faith and not by works.

Here's a thought. The continual wars and conflicts in the middle east has a lot to do with Islam and their opposition to those they consider as infidels. Israel/Jews are of course considered as infidels and the fact Israel's capital Jerusalem is also the location of what Muslims consider a major centre of their religion, although Jerusalem as Israel's capital goes back several thousand years. Islam only began in the 7th century A.D. Therefore the militant Islamists like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood and other terrorist groups will always want the destruction of Israel. But they also consider the west, especially the U.S., as infidels and enemies of Islam. The west has been historically Judeo-Christian while the middle east is mainly Islamic. Therefore we should understand that Israel being geographically in the centre of the Muslim world, is a kind of bulwark between Islam and the western nations. As a consequence their attention is focused heavily against Israel. If Israel did not exist, they would turn much more attention to the west. So in that sense Israel is on the frontline defending the west. We should keep that in mind and be more appreciative of their defence of their security and freedom as a democratic country. They are the only democratic country in the middle east and their people live much like westerners. Our security is closely related to what is going on in the middle east.

There is also another related subject and that is the large number of immigrants that have been brought in from the Muslim world. I don't know how many people know this, but this religion of peace has proven to be not so peaceful in much of the world. European countries experience weekly terrorist attacks. The continual wars and conflicts in the middle east has a lot to do with Islam and their opposition to those they consider as infidels. Israel is of course considered as infidels and the fact Israel's capital Jerusalem is also the location of what Muslims consider a major centre of their religion. Therefore the militant Islamists like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood and other terrorist groups will always want the destruction of Israel. But they also consider the west, especially the U.S., as infidels and enemies of Islam. Therefore we should understand that Israel being geographically in the centre of the Muslim world, is a kind of bulwark between Islam and the western nations. As a consequence their attention is focused heavily against Israel. If Israel did not exist, they would turn much more attention to the west. So in that sense Israel is on the frontline defending the west. We should keep that in mind and be more appreciative of their defence of their security and freedom as a democratic country. Our security is closely related to what is going on in the middle east.

Read what I said to Gaiten. Do you read and study the Bible? Do you believe the Bible is God's inspired word? The only pure inspired Bible in English is the King James Version or Authorized Version, not the NKJV which is corrupt. You may be able to find similar wording in verses I quoted in other English versions but I would not recommend them. They are not trustworthy. The Apostle Paul's epistles to the Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians refute what you said. " 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. " Ephesians 2:8, 9 KJV

Nobody can observe his commands perfectly. You are confusing faith with doing good works. I quoted verses to you to show you that we are not justified by works, (Eph. 2:8, 9) but you ignored it. You are ignoring what the Bible says in countless places or misinterpreting it. One must be born again. One becomes a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for his sins. It is obvious you do not understand the gospel or what the Bible teaches about salvation or justification. You are in a very dangerous position. You need to start paying attention to what the Bible says. You are cherry picking one or two verses and claiming that is what salvation means but that contradicts over a hundred other verses. You have to interpret the Bible in the light of what many other verses are saying. They say salvation is by faith. The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans, Ephesians, Galatians that faith and works are two different things. Faith is believing. Works are doing something. Therefore it is wrong to say faith is works. One must become a child of God by the new birth before he can do good works for God. You must become a child of God by being born again. The Apostle Paul says in different places that salvation is not by works. Read chapters 3, 4, and 5 of Romans which the Apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. You also talk as if the only God-inspired part of the Bible is what it records as Jesus' direct words in the gospels. That is your first mistake. Do you understand Jesus is the Son of God? Some Bibles print Jesus' words He spoke while on earth in red. That doesn't mean the rest of the Bible is any less inspired by God. Jesus inspired men to write the whole Bible. The whole Bible is inspired by God. The Bible says in came from God in many places and ways. The Apostle Paul wrote his Epistles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It even says "16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV Are you willing to accept that the Bible is written by men inspired by God?

The fact is Canada, under Liberals/NDP, is a very soft-on-crime country. I am just watching a case on the news. A store owner who is targeted regularly by shop lifters was told by police the crimes in her store are not a priority because the thefts are under $5,000. These kind of stories are on the news practically every day. We can only hope the next government, if it is Conservative, will do something about this. Some business owners are giving up their businesses because it is getting just too expensive and businesses are losing more than they make. The business owner in this business posted some videos taken of the criminals in her store and was told she could be in trouble. Apparently nobody has a right to post pictures or videos of criminals robbing a store in Canada. The store owner is ignoring this and challenging it. Good for her. Criminals have more rights than victims in Canada.