For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
James Fehr
I guess this is not an answer but a comment and a question. I like reading the NIV and a few others because it's written more in a form of how we speak in North America. I kinda get tongue twisted when I read the KJV but I believe it's also the true word of God. I find that people that read just the KJV, even when they pray they have thee 's and thou's in their prayers. To me that seems kinda religious and from studying the life of Christ, He only had issues with religious people when He was on the earth. My question is, what do you say to someone that says to you that the NIV is straight from the devil?
James Kraft
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that BELIEVETH on me HATH EVERLASTING LIFE.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
So it is FAITH apart from works. Romans 11:6. Romans 3:26-28. Matthew 7:21-23.
And the GIFT of God is eternal life. Not faith. Acts 16:31.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, everybody, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him, should not perish, but HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
The GIFT of God is eternal life. Paid in full by the giver. A GIFT is paid in full. John 3:18. A reward is something you earn or work for. First Corinthians 3:11-15. Acts 16:31. The second we believe on Jesus for the free gift of eternal life we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13-14. Our guarantee of eternal life because we have believed on Jesus as the only way of salvation apart from any works
Romans 3:26-28. John 6:40. First John 5:13. John 10:28-29. John 6:47. God cannot lie. Whoever believes on Jesus apart from any works is saved. If we could be saved by works, then Jesus died in vain. Galatians 2:21.
First Corinthians 1:18 and First Corinthians 1:21.
John 3:18. Once we believe it we are saved forever. Even if we never believe it again. Second Timothy 2:13.