Thank you all so very much for sharing your testimonies and insights!
betty boop: But here's the problem I see with this position: Once a man has been "forgiven" (i.e., is thus promoted to the "elect" of the saved), on the basis of justification merely by virtue of the sacrifice of the Cross), does this relieve him of his responsibility for leading a life in this world that follows Christ? Or even a life that is even remotely human?
I do not see a problem because if a Christian loves God surpassingly above all else, of course He knows of a certainty that God IS and He loves Him and believes Him and trusts Him; disobedience is not conceivable except as an unwillful incident which he deplores when it happens, repents of and immediately is forgiven and restored.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. - I John 1:5-7
An example on a smaller scale might be the love that we have for our husbands or wives. Obedience is not an issue. Because we love him, we want what he wants, we rejoice when he rejoices, we hurt when he hurts, we don’t doubt him and we meld into his life. Indeed, when my husband died I honestly couldn’t tell you whether I wanted a cheeseburger because I liked them or because he did.
At any rate, we have God’s blessed assurance and need never be troubled by anything.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. – John 10:29
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. - I John 4:4
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. – 2 Timothy 1:12
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7-8
God’s Name is I AM.