Posted on 02/20/2017 5:31:52 AM PST by metmom
A common question for many is, “Can I lose my salvation?” I’ve heard both sides of the argument, and only God truly knows a person’s heart, but I can share a few thoughts. The reason there is a debate is because the Scriptures teach that salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned, but they also offer warnings about falling away. There should be a healthy tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. This issue should not create a spirit of division, elitism, or theological superiority.
One school of thought suggests that salvation cannot be lost, as in losing your car keys, but that it can be left, as in walking away from it. This may be why Jesus spoke of the man who said in his heart “my master delays His coming; therefore, I will turn from living a godly life”. When the master returned unexpectedly, the servant was banished because he chose to turn from what he knew to be right.
In another passage, Jesus said, “You have left your first love,” when speaking to the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:4). James 5:19-20 adds, if anyone wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, a soul is saved from death. If anything, these Scriptures, and many more, reinforce the fact that we have certain responsibilities.
(Excerpt) Read more at westsidechristianfellowship.org ...
I’m with you on that one.
es is a Michael Rood sycophant. He cannot comprehend Grace through his work work work belief system. His pride will not allow it.
Romans 10,
...“whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
...
...faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I don’t see how that contradicts boatbums statement.
The “whoever” is known and predestined by God (Romans 8 & 9), as well as who will hear the word of God. Romans 8 & 9 is the theology, Romans 10 is the application.
I am aware of that.
There’s always the hope some truth will sink in past the deception.
The problem the Judaizers run into is explaining how they follow the Law with no Temple and no priesthood that is needed to offer the appropriate sacrifices in the prescribed manner.
They are big on keeping the law and feast days and yet have NO answer when it comes to explaining how that is to be accomplished.
There is no consecrated priesthood, no consecrated altar, no consecrated Temple to which to travel.
I wonder, too, if you checked their posting history if you’d find they don’t post on the Sabbath.
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>> “Our garment of righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us which is credited to our account when we believe.” <<
Nowhere is that absurd lie to be found on the word.
That is a false gospel from the adversary.
“Believing” is the daily following of the standard set by Yeshua in his daily life: Torah.
.
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The “righteousness of ‘God’ “ is Torah.
That is what every apostle preached and lived.
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“Seek ye first the Kingdom of YHVH and his righteousness”
Do we know who the elect are? No, only God does. That is why we preach and teach the Word. It is humbling that God has chosen man to do His Holy Will.
Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Ephesians 1:11 ESV In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
John 15:16 ESV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Romans 8:29-30 ESV For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
These scriptures are tied to the Messiah. I see these referring to the Disciples of Christ, those in Christ, etc. I didn't do a check on the OT, but assume the Prophets, etc., also fall under being "predestined" to serve the Almighty's purpose.
Ignoring the circular logic many will attempt to use to try to explain it, who believes the following is false?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
[Remember] as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand... 2 Peter 3
And you aren't?
That is why we preach and teach the Word.
Why? What's the use if everyone is already "predestined"?
Not only is that a false dichotomy, it defies logic.
Suffice to say, it's a very complex issue that neither one of us has done justice in explaining, though perhaps we've scratched the surface some. :)
There are two vantage points to look at this: God’s and ours.
From God’s omniscient point of view, he know exactly who will call on Him, and in His omnipotent power, has arranged all thing to work for His elect’s good (Romans 8). He will lose none that He has called. This is what Paul is teaching in Romans 8 and 9.
From our point of view, we come to faith by hearing His word, and being renewed by the Holy Spirit. We do not find ourselves kicking and screaming to come into His Kingdom, but rejoice in it. This is application presented in Romans 10.
Now, by nature, sinful man by nature is not inclined towards God, and must be given a new nature, replacing the heart of stone for a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26).
So, my question to you is: Who changes our nature, that we would follow God and not rebel against him?
The Holy Spirit.
In the life of the believer, is this purely the will of man that bring him to his senses to follow God, the call from the Holy Spirit, or something else?
Are we purely responsible for our faith, or is it something given to us by God, or something in between?
What is God's role in our salvation? Do you believe he is like the prodigal's son Father, thinking we are dead, and patiently waiting for us to return? Or is he like a shepherd, who comes to seek and save the lost?
In other words, God.
That doesn’t solve the question: Is the will of man able to accept or reject the spirit? Above, you are applying circular logic to answer something we really don’t know the answer to, though logic other than circular dictates the Almighty should have created mankind with a freewill - otherwise, what makes makes man different from the world of ants? Why does man rebel, & etc.: freewill.
But if we have no FREE WILL to opt out of that 'predestination'; then we are mere marionettes; dancing to the tune of the String Puller.
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