I ask these questions for a number of reasons. The Gospel has been perverted by many “religious” organizations from the simplicity that is in Christ. I was “born” into one in particular and give all the glory to God that he led me out from under its oppression. I sought the truth from God not knowing where it would lead and he showed me the truth of the Gospel right from Holy Scripture. I knew I could never go back to the false religion. I actually SAW and understood that there was a huge difference between what I had been taught and what God actually said. The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the truth and I just KNEW.
My way of life also changed, though not all at once, of course. I began to appreciate the grace of God and the assurance I had of his love and that he was always drawing me back to him. He always forgave me when I fell and I never felt he abandoned me, I also never abandoned him. As I sit here in my semi-senior years (ha ha) I look back on his hand guiding my life and there is not one thing that I can think of that he did not use to mold me into who I am today. Not one tear was wasted.
So, my heart tells me that others must also go through the same kind of emotions and God is no respecter of persons - he loves us equally - he works in our collective hearts to assure us of his love and we must learn to trust in him completely.
I just don't understand how someone can say they believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, claim to believe the Gospel, but still deny the sufficiency that is in Christ. He saves us completely and not even one microscopic part is due to our merit or deeds. I understand that there has been deception from the enemy, but I hope that God “gets through” to the hearts of those who genuinely seek him.
I know I have to trust that God loves people more than I ever could, and that he desires that they know the truth so that they can be with him for eternity. It is not my job to judge another’s heart since only God can truly see it. But I do grieve for those who live their lives in constant fear of not pleasing God. To only be able to say, “I hope I will go to heaven when I die.”, but to not have the calm assurance that what he has begun in us he IS able to bring to completion, is a terrible way to live.
Thank you for your comments.
“It is not my job to judge another’s heart since only God can truly see it.”
Very true, but we are called to be “fruit inspectors” if you will... :))
This is where so many get confused with the concept of justification. They misinterpret “Faith without works is dead” which is an indicator of the type of faith one must have to be saved — not an indicator that works will earn one salvation. As far as “working out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you” — that is a reference to sanctification because only a justified person possesses Christ through the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is a process, not justification which occurs once. The reality from God’s perspective (being outside Time) is that we have been saved, we are being saved and we will be saved — for all times are ever present to Him. From our perspective it occurs once.
Just some thoughts.... Thanks for listening! :))