Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: boatbums

To put it in Catholic talk, you are convinced that you are in a state of grace, and that no matter what you do, you will so remain, because the Holy Spirit is within you?


45 posted on 11/19/2013 3:12:13 PM PST by RobbyS (quotes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies ]


To: RobbyS
To put it in Catholic talk, you are convinced that you are in a state of grace, and that no matter what you do, you will so remain, because the Holy Spirit is within you?

God's word assures me that I have been saved by grace through faith and that it's not of my own works or efforts. All those who come to Christ in faith are IN a state of grace because that is how we ARE saved - by grace. Just as we are not saved by our own merits (say, not sinning, doing good works, saying prayers, etc.) we are also not KEPT saved by those efforts. We are found In Christ, not having our own righteousness, but the righteousness which is of God by faith (Philippians 3:9). The grace that saves us, keeps us saved.

And, in anticipation of your next tack, saving faith IS a faith that is demonstrated in a changed life. The "old nature" is crucified with Christ and we have been given a new nature - a SPIRIT nature - that internally renews our minds. This is a "living faith" that the lives we now lead we lead by the grace of God in gratitude for His mercy and because we are now geared towards righteousness in order to honor and glorify God. We may slip from time to time, because that old nature keeps crawling off the altar, but the spirit always draws us back to Christ and repentance. We never are cast away, lost or unadopted, that same grace which redeemed us keeps us saved - even if/when we slip. When that awesome truth is finally revealed to our hearts, how can we EVER desire to remain in sin?

52 posted on 11/19/2013 3:43:32 PM PST by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies ]

To: RobbyS
To put it in Catholic talk, you are convinced that you are in a state of grace, and that no matter what you do, you will so remain, because the Holy Spirit is within you?

To put it in Biblical terms? Grace is not static, it is dynamic and belongs to God. Faith is also dynamic, always in action (ref Acts of the Apostles). The only way I know someone can "lose" Grace is to deny the Power of God's Grace to save. If someone denies His Grace, then they never trusted in Him in the first place and never knew Him.

If we believe our actions count one jot or tittle towards salvation then it is no longer Grace.

I know the next question so will answer it. Does this give 'motivation' for someone in God's Grace to sin as they see fit? As Paul says in Romans "May it NEVER be!" By Grace through faith we establish the Law.

80 posted on 11/19/2013 5:13:57 PM PST by redleghunter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson