Thanks for your reply. I have very much enjoyed your posts in past and knew you to be “solid” where contending with the faith. These are hard questions, no doubt. I wanted to clarify the phrase “believing in Christ” for myself and anyone who reads later who might not be clear on what I mean by that. (I knew you did not mean belief as the demons do, but had to clarify for the purpose of my example).
On the issue of those who are tempted to add something to Christ’s sacrifice, I am reminded of a conversation I had with a professor of mine who was a Huguenot. She once said that she “hoped” she would get to Heaven. I was stunned because while I knew this was a position that Catholics take I was unaware of any Protestants who did. I gave her citations from Scripture which assure us of salvation. She read them (as she told me later) and admitted that that IS what Scripture teaches (once saved, always saved). I know now, of course, that there are some Protestant denominations who believe that one can “fall from grace” and must be restored. I rather think they are basing that thinking on the parable of the sower — and confusing those who “once tasted but fall away” as those who are saved when in fact a contextual exegetical reading will confirm these were those who were never believers to begin with.
I think (and these are just my thoughts) that in the dark of night our frail human nature feels that surely one must “do something” to gain entrance into God’s good graces. It’s one of the oldest temptations we have. I had a conversation once with a girl who was crying in a pew by herself after church. I went to find out what was wrong. She said “I just feel I’m not good enough for God.” I said “You’re not. And neither am I. And that’s the point. If you were there would be no need for Christ. He’s doing what you cannot.” If one has trusted in Christ as one’s Savior, but then feels one must add something — isn’t that a bit like praying that the Lord will help with a problem or resolve it, only to take it back again? I think the Lord understands both temptations and tendencies. I don’t think it’s the same as those who are trusting in something other than Christ for their salvation — but those are just my thoughts and certainly I could be quite wrong. I can see why you (or any other believer) would question the salvation of those in the former situation (and would agree that the latter are not saved, of course).
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.