Grace (and/or) Belief/Faith (and/or) Works?

[POI]

Seems there exists an unresolved topic amongst Christians... Seems as though the way to salvation is not unified among the many in which I engage. I'd wager they all have a case to support their position(s).?.?

For debate: How does one get to Heaven? What is God's criteria for His selection process? Is it by grace alone, belief/faith alone, works alone; or it is a combination of the three? Or is it maybe other? Please, not only present your case, but please also explain why the other asserted methods are incorrect.

[AquinasForGod]

[POI]

[AquinasForGod]

[Replying to POI in post #322]

And if I were to ask what happens to still-borns, you would probably tell me they go to "purgatory'/other, to catch up on further necessary tasks/requirements?

I suppose you are asking how are still-borns saved, right?

This is my view. They are saved the same way we are. By grace, through faith unto obedience to God. This takes place in purgatory, where they grow and learn and then are given a chance to accept Christ.

[POI]

[Replying to POI in post #322]

And if I were to ask what happens to still-borns, you would probably tell me they go to "purgatory'/other, to catch up on further necessary tasks/requirements?

I suppose you are asking how are still-borns saved, right?

This is my view. They are saved the same way we are. By grace, through faith unto obedience to God. This takes place in purgatory, where they grow and learn and then are given a chance to accept Christ.

Great, I'll soon add your claim to the growing list of differing answers; all from devout believers who all claim they know what Jesus wants and says

[brunumb]

We cannot come to God unless God grants us grace, which we cannot earn. God chooses to grace us.

Another one of those great escape clauses from The Giant Omnibus of Christian Loopholes.

[AquinasForGod]

We cannot come to God unless God grants us grace, which we cannot earn. God chooses to grace us.

Another one of those great escape clauses from The Giant Omnibus of Christian Loopholes.

I don't see how it is a loophole. It is the doctrine from the beginning.

What would it be a loophole for, exactly?

[JoeyKnothead]

However, forgiveness is not useful, if person continues in sin, if person gets new sin, the old forgiveness is not useful.

How does one go about getting new forgiveness?

You gotta present a receipt and warranty for the old'n.

[brunumb]

We cannot come to God unless God grants us grace, which we cannot earn. God chooses to grace us.

Another one of those great escape clauses from The Giant Omnibus of Christian Loopholes.

I don't see how it is a loophole. It is the doctrine from the beginning.

What would it be a loophole for, exactly?

Whenever God doesn't do something, it's never because he's not there, it's because he chooses not to do it. How convenient. A perennial escape clause. Problem is no one can demonstrate that God is choosing to do or not do anything. Get God on the table before you start making claims about his thoughts and attributes.

[POI]

Status update:

A) unconditional grace --> all are saved
B) conditional grace --> by the topic of (faith/belief)
C) conditional grace --> by the topic of (works)
D) B & C
E) No one receives salvation, because no one is worthy

If you opt for an option F), please clarify? And please make sure it would not actually involve the categories/topics of B) and C).

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Post #11 JW states "the Bible translates itself". (My last response) - Great. Then the answer should be direct and simple, provided one is literate. Is the answer A), B), C), D), or E); and why?

Post #27. Eloi states "I have no time to answer all your questions". (My last response) - This is when I merely asked direct follow up questions to his response (i.e.):

1. Is baptism required? (yes or no)
2. By default, at birth or before natural birth, are humans deemed "righteous" or "unrighteous"? (righteous or unrighteous)
3. Must a person be free from all the said above to achieve salvation? (yes or no)

He apparently, all of a sudden, "has no time" to answer 3 (one-word-answer) questions? Which begs the question... But he has time to answer others in this thread there-after?.?.?.?

Post #49. Bjs1 alludes to 'morals' being irrelevant to salvation. My follow up question remains:

If everyone, for which He selects is undeserving of His selection, and the elected are the ones which will accept it, does this mean 'morals' are irrelevant?

Post# 151. Tam claims I'm trying to somehow 'pigeon-hole' His message about salvation, or demonstrate 'contradiction' in His messages about achieving salvation, when there is not really any.... However, through our exchange, I have happily conveyed that God is clear and direct when He wants to be about many topics --- whether it be about His stance on homosexuality, theft, trespassing, murder, men > women, etc etc etc.... If I was to ask any Christian about what His stance/position would be about many topics, the answer would be unified. However, where the Bible and the topic of salvation is concerned, NOT-SO-MUCH?

Post #236. kjw47 is sticking to answer D). He then attempts to rationalize 'Jesus telling people to give up everything'. (S))he then asserts that the ones who do not possess all their facilities, get judged accordingly. And yet, after repeated attempts to explore, is unable to produce where the Bible says so.

Post #239. DJT_47 states it's both B) and C). When asked a basic followup question, about dying before achieving B) and C), what happens to these folks? (S)he never answers.

Post 317. 1213 Still plugging along.... Sometimes he states it's a "free gift", which would suggest answer A). Other times, he states "righteousness", but seems to think a righteous person does not "sin"? The journey may continue....?

Post 322. AFG stated answer D). And if all are not fulfilled, because you died on earth too soon, you still have "Purgatory" to get your ducks in order.

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Starting anew.... Christians, how does one achieve salvation?

[1213]

However, forgiveness is not useful, if person continues in sin, if person gets new sin, the old forgiveness is not useful.

How does one go about getting new forgiveness?

He could ask forgiveness from God and hope God is merciful.