[Robert Pate]

And all of God's people said...."AMEN."

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it," Colossians 2:15.

This is the Gospel. This is "The power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes," Romans 1:16.

There can be no salvation if sin, death, and the devil have not been destroyed by the work and person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ victoriously sits in heaven at the right hand of God, a place of honor and respect. By His sinless life He has offered to God the Father a life of complete and total obedience to His Holy Law. He did this for us, in our name and on our behalf. He did this for our justification, Romans 3:26, 27, 28.

While Christ was dying on the cross for our sins and the sins of the whole world, God tore the veil that covered the "Holy of Holies" on the temple from the top to the bottom, this signified the end of the law and the Jewish religion. The worship of God is no longer mediated through religion, priest, rituals, objects, sacrafices, laws, etc.

We now have a high priest in heaven that we can go directly to. "For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens," Hebrews 7:25, 26. Sinners cannot interceed for sinners. Only Jesus Christ can interceed for sinners. Therefore call no man Father except your Father that is in heaven.

God in the person of Jesus Christ has reconciled us and the world unto himself, 2 Corinthians 5:18,19. God sees all of humanity and all of the world in his Son Jesus Christ. As far as God is concerned those that have faith in Jesus Christ are perfect and complete "In Christ," Colossians 2:10. To the Colossians that were struggling with heresey, Paul declares to them. "For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God," Colossians 3:3.

If you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God that pretty much settles it. Paul was trying to tell them that there heretical false religion was worthless.

If sin, death and the devil have been overcome and defeated. And if the law has been fulfilled and abolished. And if the sins of the world have been atoned for, what good is religion? Can it be that religion is a denial of the Gospel? Can it be that the reason that salvation is by faith alone is because Jesus Christ has done all that is necessary for the salvation of fallen man and there is nothing left to but to believe it and have faith in it?

[ttruscott]

Of course.

...and to do the wrorks predestined for us to do:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

and to do whatever HE wills:
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Peace, Ted

[Robert Pate]

Originally Posted by ttruscott

Of course.

...and to do the wrorks predestined for us to do:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

and to do whatever HE wills:
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Peace, Ted

Right!

It is the Holy Spirit working in the life of the believer that prompts him to do good works. From start to finish it is all a work of God.

Whatever comes out of the life of the believer it is all for the glory of God. We have nothing to boast about, Ephesians 2:9.