My point, however, remains. That is - that sanctification is not an important issue in OSAS theology BECAUSE justification is completed and not ongoing. There is no point for perseverance in such a scenario. There is no need to be exhorted towards being virtuous. While such people may become virtuous by Christ's abiding presence, it is a secondary consideration and theologically unimportant to the whole idea of justification and salvation - since it is already done.
Sanctification is all-important to those who have the assurance of their salvation ... because it is where we are. Is is what we have been saved to.
Old things are passed away ... all has become new.
We glory in our new lives ... ever grateful that God has rescued us out of darkness ... into His marvelous light.
We have begun ... our everlasting lives ... as the children of God.1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:So long as I have saving faith, ... my works will reflect that faith.
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Agree. As such, when one's works are "bad" or "sinful", can we presume that that person's faith is failing or faulty? Can [that] faith save him? (James 2:14) And thus, if salvation is already a done deal, how can we read James' rhetorical question? To me, salvation is NOT done in the distant past, but is ongoing. Initial justification is the first step towards the Kingdom, not the end.
There are times when our lights do not shine so brightly as they should ... and I agree that, in such instances, our faith is not so strong as it should be.
Thankfully, God does not demand perfect faith from us, for if He did ... who could stand ?
It is at these times that God may chasten us, as a father chasteneth his sons.Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:God takes our faith, weak or strong, ... and helps it, ... matures it.
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
...
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
When we are weak ... then He is strong.Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
Thankfully, God does not demand perfect faith from us, for if He did ... who could stand ?
Indeed, thankfully we are in a familial covenantal relationship with God. We don't expect perfection from our own earthly children, and neither does God. We are under the Law of Love and Grace.
As you know, I have always enjoyed talking with you. It has been my pleasure to discuss these issues with someone who has such a love of God and Sacred Scriptures. Praise God for men such as yourself.
Take care,
Brother in Christ