If you are familiar with the story of Saul the first king of the Israelites in the Bible, you'll remember an incident where he failed to strictly adhere to God's instructions resulting in the eventual loss of his kingship. The lesson from that story is "obedience is better than sacrifice".
Well. It applies in this matter as well. The system gives clear signals when to buy and when to sell. I continually listened to when to buy and ignored when to sell thinking I still have time for the values to rebound. Well, things only got worse. As a matter of fact, all positions I have held or am holding end up basically worthless. Unfortunately, I sacrificed ALL of my cash (which is never advised by the way) with the thinking that things will get better when the system clearly told me that it wouldn't.
If you are reading this and have developed some sort of system that you believe will work, stick to it. You will not outsmart it with your emotions. It is when you do something the system has not suggested you should do that you will fail. I was told this when I made my decision to start trading. As is often repeated, "easier said than done".
Well. I'll be taking a long break from trading. I am penniless at present and need to focus on building my real estate business. Once there is income from there, I will come back. But I might secretly attempt to trade again with a little of my tax refund. Actually, I'm quite certain that I will trade. This time, I'll follow the system. But then again, that's what I said last time.
IS BAPTISM JUST AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE? BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteThe prevailing view among faith only advocates is that water baptism is just an "act of obedience" and is not a prerequisite for salvation.
Acts 5:32 We are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.
It is apparent that by obeying God we receive the Holy Spirit. Obedience to God is more than just an unrewarded act.
Hebrews 5:8-9 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.
Jesus is the source of salvation to all who obey Him. What did Jesus say? He said, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved.....(Mark 16:16)
Baptism is not just an act of obedience. It is a prerequisite for salvation.
Believing in Jesus is an act of obedience, but is not just an act of obedience. Believing is essential for salvation. (John 3:16)
Repenting is an act of obedience, but it is not just an act of obedience. Repentance is essential to have your sins forgiven. (Acts 2:38)
Confession is an act of obedience, but it is not just an act of obedience. Confession is essential for salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)
Water baptism is an act of obedience, but it is not just an act of obedience. Baptism is essential to the forgiveness of sins. (1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38, Titus 3:5, John 3:5, Ephesians 5:23-27, Colossians 2:12-13, Romans 6:3-7)
FAITH+OBEDIENCE SAVES.
Hebrews 11:7......became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Noah became an heir of righteousness after he obeyed God. FAITH+OBEDIENCE.
Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
The walls did not fall down by faith only, they fell down after seven days of obedience. FAITH+OBEDIENCE.
The Scriptures do NOT teach that water baptism is just an act of obedience.
THERE IS NO SCRIPTURE THAT STATES MEN ARE SAVE BY "FAITH ALONE."
(All Scriptures from:NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)
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