I asked you specifically and others in general: if you are 100% secure in your salvation (and therefore faith) why would you benefit by being tested like Job was (and he was ‘blameless’)?
Faith is more than the faith that is the gift for regeneration, it is for all of salvation; regeneration, sanctification and glorification.
The trials we are speaking of are the trials of sanctification, having nothing to do whether one is born again, that state was satisfied when one trusted Christ for salvation.
John states, (1 John 3:1-3), “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
That is the believer’s condition now.
The Psalmist says, (Psa 139:23-24), “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” ( Psa 26:2) “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.”
Other writes explain the purifying trials this way.
Jhn 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Hebr 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
There are trials that mature one’s faith.
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Phl 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
There are trials that strengthen one’s faith.
Phl 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Question arises from the comments posted here, Just what do you belive is God’s place now in His creation?
Does He lead His people?
Does He correct His people?
Does He punish His people?
Does He protect His people now?
Does He teach His people?
If so, how does He do these things?
Great post, b-d.
Great points, you two.
Thx.
Is there a possibility for anyone to be saved and not to be purified? Is it possible that anything impure will enter heaven? When does this purification occur? During our lifetime? Do you seriously believe there are "pure" souls on earth?
Purification begins with repentance. It's what we do in the name of God, our of love for God, how we change our life and our outlook, and spend the rest of the life learning how to imitate Jesus. If we die before we learn to do a good imitation (chuckle), that's okay. The important thing is to honestly try even if you honestly fail. The intent is what counts.
Does He lead His people?
Does He correct His people?
Does He punish His people?
Does He protect His people now?
Does He teach His people?