Of course. If one believes Jesus is God, one WILL live differently - because of one's belief. But the works are a DEMONSTRATION of devotion, not a substitute for it.
Where we differ on assurance is on who is responsible. You say we are. Jesus says He is.
The full passage of Jude says, "But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
There will be non-Christians who enter the church and cause divisions. The solution isn't to allow church leaders to interpret scripture for you, but "...building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God...".
And you can be assured of success, because of "him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy".
That doesn't mean we aren't to be pro-active in following Him, or to be lax in doing good. That is what the new birth is all about - becoming a new creation.
Assurance of salvation isn't a feeling. Many have feelings, and they are deceitful - we are capable of lying to ourselves. In a sense, it is best to live as though there is no assurance, seeking to draw ever closer to God and trying to follow His will ever more closely. But Jesus said He'll take care of those given to Him. We cannot keep ourselves. Jesus can.
You wrote:
“Of course. If one believes Jesus is God, one WILL live differently - because of one’s belief. But the works are a DEMONSTRATION of devotion, not a substitute for it.”
Do you sin? Did you sin BEFORE you became a Christian? All the Christians I’ve ever met have been sinners both before and after becoming Christians. If they become mired in sin and DO NOT REPENT they will not be saved. You might have repented ten years ago, but might commit murder and not repent of it. Will you still be saved then? No. Protestants, through their unbiblical beliefs, work themselves ino illogical corners. Here’s an example: http://www.geocities.com/area51/quadrant/2141/sinstory.htm
“Where we differ on assurance is on who is responsible. You say we are. Jesus says He is.”
I am not denying Jesus is responsile for our salvation. I am insisting that we are responsible for our damnation. Jesus suffered for us BUT WE MUST REPENT. John the Baptist called on people to repent. Jesus called on people to repent. And St. Peter made it plain enough: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
The idea that we are not called on to repent and cooperate with God’s grace is completely anathema to scripture (yes, pun intended). If we don’t cooperate we are damned. God does not save us against our will. He redeemed us, but we must be open to Him or we are damned.
“There will be non-Christians who enter the church and cause divisions. The solution isn’t to allow church leaders to interpret scripture for you, but “...building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God...”.”
The Church was the author of scriptures under the supervision of the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Church into the world to teach and baptize. The Church was given such authority and power because she is His bride and continues His mission on earth.
“And you can be assured of success, because of “him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy”.”
If I were to put several supposedly Bible believing Protestants in a room and ask them to discuss baptism they would come to different conclusions. Can infants be baptized? Some would say yes, others no. Does it effect a soul? Some say yes, others no. And so on. So, which of those Protestants is the “stumbling” one? What yor view does is make out the Holy Spirit to be a liar. That’s not your intention. That’s just the result. Since all of those suppsedly Spirit filled people can’t agree on the scriptures then the Holy Spirit must be a liar. I find that impossible to believe. The only other realistic option is that some men can believe they are led by the Spirit even when they are no. I am currently trying to help out a young Protestant woman I know who is mistaking what apparently is paranoid schizophrenia for visions of heaven and angels and so forth. She believes she is a prophet.
“That doesn’t mean we aren’t to be pro-active in following Him, or to be lax in doing good. That is what the new birth is all about - becoming a new creation.”
You’re still missing the point. Jesus is responsible for our redemption. If we don’t cooperate with Him we will be damned. That means more than just being “pro-active in following Him”. Our actions cannot make our salvation, but our actions can make the ground of salvation in us more fertile or more barren.
“Assurance of salvation isn’t a feeling.”
It isn’t a reality in any case.
“Many have feelings, and they are deceitful - we are capable of lying to ourselves.”
Thanks for admitting that. Now, square that thought - that we lie to ourselves - with the idea with the idea of the Spirit guiding all believers yet the believers disagreeing with one another. How can you? Clearly it is not the Holy Spirit that is the problem.
“In a sense, it is best to live as though there is no assurance, seeking to draw ever closer to God and trying to follow His will ever more closely.”
I agree, but I can’t see how you do. Why would someone need to live a lie? If absolute assurance is the truth then there is no need to do any more than what has been done. Also, to do more might - in your already expressed view - shift the “responsibility” as you put it from Christ to us. You need to think this through and make your view more consistent Right now you’re all over the place.
“But Jesus said He’ll take care of those given to Him. We cannot keep ourselves. Jesus can.”
Now you’re suggesting that Jesus saves men against their wills? We need Jesus’ grace, but if we aren’t responsible for ourselves and our actions to some great extent then we can’t be blameworthy either.
Excellent, as always.