I was quoting the Bible (KJV). It says: that Job was a man who "was perfect [blameless] and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil."
Eschewing evil pretty much means being sinless. It's actually not that rare: the term "blameless" is also used for Noah (Gen 6:9), Abraham (Gen 17:1) and in Deut. 18:13 "Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God." So, it seems God expects us to be perfect, blameless and upright, eschewing evil. Contrast that with Luther's pecca fortiter...you get the picture.
Certainly you don't think that we can be alive in Christ if we are not sinless? And we are sinless when, through repentance, we ask for forgiveness of our sins and partake in the Eucharist. The idea is to be all you can be when it comes to sinlessness in the time God granted you. Do you know anyone who is?
I will agree that resting in God's promises is EASIER than having no security and never knowing where you're going to spend eternity
No, Protestantism is easy because it requires nothing of you other than "Lord, Lord..." Once you accept Christ as your Savior, you are "in" [talk about you deciding rather than God!] and from there on nothing you do will get you "out." Luther was clever. He knew that people disliked fasting, or their remorse over ingratitude to God, or the need for self-denial. Covering yourself with Christ is like shoving dirt under the rug. On the surface it looks clean, but underneath...that's another story. But it sure is easier to shove all that under the rug.
It is much more fun to go to Sunday bible reading sessions for a couple of hours, listening to the pastors' lip service about humility, giving to God, repentance, etc. but really having no obligation to follow any of that unless you personally agreed with the pastor, or anyone else for that matter.
And if all else failed, you can always start your own denomination! You don't like your church? Make a new one! To your liking. Thus, you can pick and choose the verses that fit your life style and beliefs, and you can add or abstract a little to make it just right. Not just easy; comfy too.
FK: It doesn't mean that, it just means that "few" will find it because only "few" are elected from before time
It doesn't say that at all. Your interpretation is using Pauline teachings. Christ makes no reference to the "elect," and the Gospels make no reference to +Paul, even though they were written after his Epistles were written.
Infants cannot humble themselves, nor can they be called or stand, at least at the time you would Baptize them. Jesus is talking about childlike faith, which infants cannot possess
You have a strange way of making things "fit" your theories. Christ said first "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
So, FK, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. :) And that goes for all of us.
However, unless we change and become like little children also implies that we can change and become like little children (sinless), blameless, upright, etc. which seems to conflict with your "before all ages" elect theory. If you are destined to go into heaven, why would you have to change? Or how could you?
Well, are you saying that all these people were sinless like you think Mary was sinless? Is there a large group in that sinless category, headed presumably, by Mary? When you go on to say that God expects us to be sinless, that is, or else what?
Certainly you don't think that we can be alive in Christ if we are not sinless?
"Sinlessness" is in the eye of the beholder. I'm not sure I am clear on one thing. Do the Orthodox make the same distinction between venial and mortal sin as the Catholics?
No, Protestantism is easy because it requires nothing of you other than "Lord, Lord..." Once you accept Christ as your Savior, you are "in" [talk about you deciding rather than God!] and from there on nothing you do will get you "out."
No, EVERYONE here says that all the "Lord, Lord..." people are all toast, so it's not that simple. :) Further, no one becomes a member of the elect by saying the sinner's prayer. All of the elect were members from the beginning, the elect just become aware of what they already had at the point of belief. Finally, God's promises do tell the elect that none of them will be lost or snatched out of the hand of God. Just as the elect were moved to become aware of their election, so they will also be moved to persevere, willingly and lovingly.
It doesn't say that at all. Your interpretation is using Pauline teachings. Christ makes no reference to the "elect," and the Gospels make no reference to +Paul, even though they were written after his Epistles were written.
I was trying to think of how to bring passersby up to speed on what we're talking about here. Then I realized it doesn't matter. I think your statement clarifies for everyone what you think of the inerrancy of the scriptures, and to what degree you think they are inspired.
BTW, why would have any of the Gospels mentioned Paul? The Gospels all ended sometime around the death of Christ. Paul wasn't on the scene yet. Shame on Paul. :)
If you are destined to go into heaven, why would you have to change? Or how could you?
Apparently, in all matters concerning life, both physical and spiritual, our God has instilled the element of growth. I can't tell you why He did, but I can tell you that He did. Change is part of growth when it is directed toward Him. God decided that this is to be part of the human experience for His elect. The actual change itself is accomplished by God for the benefit of His elect.