Posted on 01/02/2021 6:05:47 PM PST by ebb tide
This Sunday, January 3, 2021, is the 500th anniversary of the excommunication of Martin Luther as a heretic and schismatic – the greatest damage ever done to the Holy Catholic Church. He died unrepentant, without the sacraments and outside the One True Church.
Yes, Pope Leo X, who issued the excommunication decree and the previous Exsurge Domine warning (6/15/1520) to Luther, had a mixed record of papal righteousness – but in this event he is nearly unsurpassed and fairly vindicated.
In this writer's view, these documents are two of the most formidable, necessary and courageous decrees emanating from the Chair of Peter, defending the Holy Roman Catholic Church from doctrinal attack. They were subsequently, fully upheld by the Council of Trent – also one of the greatest Councils in Church history – to which we owe very much, especially on the Eucharist!
We still face great danger. With Luther, there was no warning, just 95 absurd theses appearing out of thin air.
Here today, we had a warning in 1917 at Fatima. “Russia will spread her errors throughout the world,” did Our Lady alert the three children and us Catholics.
We feel these effects today – a far more serious warning than Luther. In full deference to Our Lady and the Most Holy Trinity – it is extremely doubtful (despite assertions to the contrary) that the full, correct Consecration to Russia was done; or that the decisive 3rd Secret text was totally revealed.
The errors, it is said, will lead to “The Great Apostasy.” There seems no appetite in the Vatican, at any level, to humbly accept and remedy those grave errors. Rather, a desire to hurtle into the future with Pachamama; Amazon Culture; ecology; and global secular solutions – as moral virtue is completely ignored and vocations and faithful Catholics disappear at record speeds.
Will the Church (and our Country) continue its decline? Will we still continue to receive God’s Divine Mercy and Graces? Are we due for a severe Divine Chastisement?
I am not going to advance an opinion here – only to charitably say, we would all do well to place our own souls in a state of grace, and urge our families, friends and others to do the same.
And Pray. God is very good.
“ So how long were you a Catholic and what (specifically) changed your beliefs?”
Cradle Catholic, altar boy. No priest abused me thankfully.
I read the Bible myself for the first time when I got to college.
I came to saving faith in Christ and assurance of salvation. What a joy to know God personally! And to know all my sins are forgiven! And to have assurance of salvation!
“You don’t indicate the basis for your beliefs, apparently protestant based on Luther and others.”
God’s Holy Word and The Wonderful Spirit to open my eyes.
No Luther, no Protestant, no Catholic.
“You seem very committed to your beliefs, but it apparent to me that they reject some of God’s truths and don’t agree with the Bible.”
That your opinion is that my beliefs don’t agree with the Bible does not surprise me. You are “rome-blind” as I used to be, but fir the grace of God.
I took almost 4 years in seminary, outlining every book in the Bible - verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Studied every single verse of every single book. Read more church history than I would ever want to again, studied theology and more importantly, the history of theology. And of course Greek and actual translation.
But there is no greater truth than this:
Salvation comes only by entrusting yourself to Him alone for the forgiveness of sin and to make you a new creation in Him.
No work, no church, no rituals, no saint, no angel, no scapular, nothing but simple saving faith in Him alone.
Best.
Thanks for your response. That is an impressive background.
You have indicated that your beliefs come from the Bible and your previous studies, but that you are not associated with the Catholic Church or any other church.
Can you explain some of your beliefs based on the Bible?
1, That faith alone is sufficient for salvation. That appears to be a belief of Martin Luther and protestant religion? Yes, Jesus told us that faith was necessary, but so was Baptism, keeping His commandments, Eucharist, etc so why do you exclude them when it is clearly comes from Jesus? What is your definition of faith?
2. That you have assurance of salvation. Does this mean everyone that says they have faith is assured of salvation or do they need to agree with your beliefs? Show me where there is absolute assurance rather than an opportunity when we die after God’s judgement? That also appears to be a protestant belief? Do you dispute that all will be judged by Jesus at the time of their death on whether they go to Heaven, or Hell?
So you disagree with Jesus on parts of the Bible?
1. Christ established His Church (Catholic Church)?
2. Jesus gave His Church the 7 Sacraments including the Eucharist.
3. That Jesus told us to do good works even greater. Mt 5:16 John 14:12
In Phil 3:;&-16, Paul renounces his religion of Judaism in favor of God’s gifts to us in Christ’s Church. Legal righteousness under the old covenant is not a saving righteousness because it does not depend from the inward grace of God. Divine righteousness which we receive through faith in Jesus Christ under the New Covenant. . The life of faith is like a race, where the prize of salvation has yet to be won since the completion is still in progress.
Your comment: “Salvation comes only by entrusting yourself to Him alone for the forgiveness of sin and to make you a new creation in Him.”
So if one with saving faith commits murder, adultery, etc (mortal sins) and dies in the act, are they saved?
What changed your animus toward the Catholic Church, the Mass and good works?
Your comment: “That your opinion is that my beliefs don’t agree with the Bible does not surprise me. You are “rome-blind” as I used to be, but fir the grace of God.”
That is your opinion. You have not convinced me that your beliefs are God’s Truth. If one can not convince someone that their beliefs are supported as God’s Truth and not just opinions. then why should anyone follow your beliefs?
God bless you.
“ Your comment: “Salvation comes only by entrusting yourself to Him alone for the forgiveness of sin and to make you a new creation in Him.”
“So if one with saving faith commits murder, adultery, etc (mortal sins) and dies in the act, are they saved?”
…..
Christ’s death covered all the sins of the redeemed - past, present, and future.
The believer is now positionally the recipient of the imputed righteousness of Christ, seated in the heavenlies with Christ, and sealed to the day of redemption.
And that is just the start.
Best
“ You have not convinced me that your beliefs are God’s Truth.”
Nor can any man.
Only God can open the eyes and heart.
You didn’t answer the questions.
Your beliefs are not based on the Truth of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. You do not substantiate your beliefs, which appear to be man-made protestant opinions.
Your response: “Christ’s death covered all the sins of the redeemed - past, present, and future.”
God had sent Jesus to forgive sins, but after his resurrection Jesus told the apostles, “‘As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21–23).
Your response:” You have not convinced me that your beliefs are God’s Truth.”
Nor can any man.
Only God can open the eyes and heart.
Christ gave us His Church, the Sacraments and his priestly ministers to teach us God’s Truth for our salvation. We need to accept God’s Truth and follow Christ.
Christ authorized the Apostles and their successors to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
We will disagree on the Truth of Jesus and we will find out God’s Truth when we are judged by Jesus.John 5:25-29
America is not and will never be a Catholic country
“ You didn’t answer the questions.”
I answered the ones you need.
The other questions have been asked and answered a great many times on FR - and it seems apparent you didn’t benefit from the answers, since you are back asking them all over again.
“ Your beliefs are not based on the Truth of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.”
You are apparently suffering from Rome-blindness.
I can’t help you there Adsum. God will have to intercede in your life as he did in my life.
After you come to saving faith with assurance of salvation, those questions will be revealed as insignificant.
And it is worth noting, you go to church, confession, have “sacraments”, “priests”, etc., but you still aren’t saved.
You have no assurance of salvation.
Better to strip away the pagan beliefs and turn to Him alone.
Salvation comes only from Him.
Yet you do not accept it.
The deadly sin of pride. Preferring to pretend we can earn our own salvation rather than simply taking what is freely and lavishly offered
“ The deadly sin of pride. Preferring to pretend we can earn our own salvation rather than simply taking what is freely and lavishly offered”
+1!
Preferring to pray to anyone but God the Father.
Preferring to bow before idols
Preferring to justify the gay clergy
Preferring to believe Rome rather than God’s explicit word
Preferring to endlessly repeat the same prayers than coming to the Father to lay open the heart
Preferring to play with beads, and idols, “miraculous medals”, incense, scapulas, and other pagan religious practices - than to come to Him who asks nothing but entrusting our souls to Him alone.
You still didn’t answer the questions.
That is because your beliefs are protestant opinions and not God’s Truths.
Your anti-Catholic bias eliminates your ability to see and understand God’s Truths.
May you find God’s Truths before you die.
That is because your beliefs are protestant opinions and not God’s Truths.
God's Word is not Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, nor Independent.
It is His stated Truth.
As a person who says they are not saved, how would you even know what it means?
God's Word is spiritually discerned by the saved.
Haven't you stated you are not saved?
Please step up and declare yourself now. Are you saved now??
Your anti-Catholic bias eliminates your ability to see and understand God’s Truths.
Truth is never biased.
It judges every false belief of every denomination and false religion.
In this case, it appears you do not like that Rome is judged by Scripture.
Understandable.
May you find God’s Truths before you die.
Done! January, 1976 - yes, 45 years ago by the marvelous Grace of God.
Now it is your turn.
Are you saved right now?
Do you have assurance of salvation right now?
Do you want to have the assurance of salvation?
And if you don't want salvation and assurance, then why ever not??
"Today is the appointed day of salvation"
Why not choose His Grace today Adsum??
God’s truth is His word.
We find God’s truth in Scripture and maybe in a church inasmuch as it preaches and teaches that truth.
However, it is not found in any denominational teaching that doesn’t either align with God’s word or have its source in God’s word.
More circular reasoning. Only the Roman church can interpret Gods word through the means of their tradition and teaching. If you disagree with the Roman church you disagree with God because only they can interpret Gods word.....rinse lather repeat
You have indicated that your beliefs come from the Bible and your previous studies, but that you are not associated with the Catholic Church or any other church. Can you explain some of your beliefs based on the Bible? 1, That faith alone is sufficient for salvation. That appears to be a belief of Martin Luther and protestant religion? Yes, Jesus told us that faith was necessary, but so was Baptism, keeping His commandments, Eucharist, etc so why do you exclude them when it is clearly comes from Jesus? What is your definition of faith? ...So if one with saving faith commits murder, adultery, etc (mortal sins) and dies in the act, are they saved?
And as you have already been shown per usual, but ignored as it typical of one whose robotic refuted arguments run like a virus, your strawman sophist description is that of,
"a faith different from what Luther himself described as salvific within his prolix writings, such as that,"
faith is a living and an essential thing, which makes a new creature of man, changes his spirit... Faith cannot help doing good works constantly... if faith be true, it will break forth and bear fruit... where there is no faith there also can be no good works; and conversely, that there is no faith.. where there are no good works. Therefore faith and good works should be so closely joined together that the essence of the entire Christian life consists in both. if obedience and God's commandments do not dominate you, then the work is not right, but damnable, surely the devil's own doings, although it were even so great a work as to raise the dead... if you continue in pride and lewdness, in greed and anger, and yet talk much of faith, St. Paul will come and say, 1 Cor. 4:20, look here my dear Sir, "the kingdom of God is not in word but in power." It requires life and action, and is not brought about by mere talk. Works are necessary for salvation, but they do not cause salvation... faith casts itself on God, and breaks forth and becomes certain through its works... faith must be exercised, worked and polished; be purified by fire... it is impossible for him who believes in Christ, as a just Savior, not to love and to do good. If, however, he does not do good nor love, it is sure that faith is not present... where the works are absent, there is also no Christ... References and more by God's grace: http://peacebyjesus.net/Reformation_faith_works.html
However, as also shown you and ignored,
But contrary to the Catholic contrivance of the Lord's supper (see link), nowhere in the only wholly inspired-of-God and substantive record of what the NT church believed, which is Acts thru Revelation (which best shows how they understood the OT and the gospels) is the Lord's supper described as spiritual food, and the means of obtaining spiritual life in oneself. Instead, and consistent with the metaphorical use of eating and drinking, the word of God is what is called spiritual "milk," (1Co. 3:22; 1Pt. 1:22) and "meat," (Heb. 5:12-14) what is said to "nourish" the souls of believers, and believing it is how the lost obtain life in themselves. (1 Timothy 4:6; Acts 15:7-9; cf. Psalms 19:7) Thus the primary active function of pastors is preaching, (1 Timothy 4:2) by which they “feed the flock” (Acts 20:28; 1Pt. 5:2)
And as also shown you even V2 affirms faithful properly baptized Prots as Christians even though they do not believe in transubstantiation, while it is not the act itself of baptism that appropriates justification but it is the heart-purifying regenerating faith that is expressed in baptism that justifies one, being counted for righteous (and which faith thus effects obedience).
That you have assurance of salvation. Does this mean everyone that says they have faith is assured of salvation or do they need to agree with your beliefs?
As already shown you, sola fide means effectual faith justifies one, that where "there is no faith.. where there are no good works," thus mere professions do not mean one is regenerated, for one much believe in "the gospel of the grace of God," (Acts 20:24) of penitent, heart-purifying, regenerating effectual faith, (Acts 10:43-47; 15:7-9) which is imputed for righteousness, (Romans 4:5) and is shown in baptism and following the Lord, (Acts 2:38-47; Jn. 10:27,28) and by which faith the redeemed soul is "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6) on His account.
Show me where there is absolute assurance rather than an opportunity when we die after God’s judgement?
That is simple: those who are have and thus characteristically walk in salvific obedient (and thus penitent) faith are are assured of salvation if they die in that faith,
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)
However, as also told you, Scripture "warns the same against departing from the faith." (Heb. 3:12; 10:25-39; Gal. 5:1-4) What Rome actually teaches is that "no one can be absolutely certain of his or her salvation unless--as to Magdalen, to the man with the palsy, or to the penitent thief--a special revelation be given." [ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06701a.htm , cf. Trent, The Sixth Session, CHAPTER XII)
Do you dispute that all will be judged by Jesus at the time of their death on whether they go to Heaven, or Hell? NO: this is plainly unScriptural for "The Lord knoweth them that are His" (2 Timothy 2:19) and as shown you before, wherever Scripture clearly speak of the next conscious reality for believers then it is with the Lord, (Lk. 23:43 [cf. 2Cor. 12:4; Rv. 2:7]; Phil 1:23; 2Cor. 5:8 [“we”]; 1Cor. 15:51ff'; 1Thess. 4:17) Note in the latter case all believers were assured that if the Lord returned, which they expected in their lifetime, so would they “ever be with the Lord,” though they were still undergoing growth in grace, as was Paul. (Phil. 3:7f)
And the next transformative experience that is manifestly taught is that of being like Christ in the "first resurrection." (1Jn. 3:2; Rm. 8:23; 1Co 15:53,54; 2Co. 2-4; (Revelation 20:6)) At which time is the judgment seat of Christ, which is the only suffering after this life, which does not begin at death, but awaits the Lord's return, (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Timothy. 4:1,8; Revelation 11:18; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Peter 1:7; 5:4) and is the suffering of the loss of rewards (and the Lord's displeasure) due to the manner of material one built the church with, which one is saved despite the loss of such, not because of. (1 Corinthians 3:8ff)
So you disagree with Jesus on parts of the Bible? 1. Christ established His Church (Catholic Church)?
Rather, it is you who disagree with Jesus on parts of the Bible since as told you before, distinctive Catholic teachings are not manifest in the only wholly inspired substantive authoritative record of what the NT church believed (which is Scripture, in particular Acts through Revelation, which best shows how the NT church understood the gospels).
2. Jesus gave His Church the 7 Sacraments including the Eucharist.
Rather, it is you who disagree with Jesus on parts of the Bible since Scripture does not teach that,
1. Baptism: (As told you already) has as its stated requirement personal wholehearted repentant justifying faith. (Acts 2:38; 8:36,37; 10:43-47; 15:7-9) Nor does the act itself of baptism (ex opere operato) of baptism effect regeneration, or render one actually good enough by being justified by his own interior righteousness and thud being actually good enough to be with God. Which leads to another invention since the the sinful nature that remains manifestly shows he one is not actually good enough to be with God, thus resulting in the [url=https://peacebyjesuscom.blogspot.com/2018/10/did-new-testament-church-believe-in.html]false doctrine of RC Purgatory [/url] in order to become good enough to be with God (and atone for sins).
2. Confirmation: As manifest in the overall spiritually dead consideration of the baptized and confirmed RC's, neither operations by spiritually dead priests effect either regeneration or baptism with the Spirit of Christ in power.
3. Eucharist: Besides other errors, you were abundantly shown that your contrivance of the Lord's supper is not what the NT church believed, based upon what is manifest in the only wholly inspired substantive authoritative record of what the NT church believed (which is Scripture, in particular Acts through Revelation, which best shows how the NT church understood the gospels).
4. Reconciliation: As also shown and explained to you at length, Actually the only exhortation or command in the NT to confess sins is that of confessing them to each other in general, in communion with the body, but not just pastors, and which includes instrumentally obtaining forgiveness for others, and teaches that the power of binding and loosing in provided to all believers of Elijah-type fervent holy faith. Thus rather than regular private confession to pastors - much less Catholic priests - being taught, instead confession to each other and prayer for each other is what is exhorted/commanded, and with intercession of holy believers of fervent faith - which the pastors are normally to be - being able to obtain release from chastisement for sins of ignorance.
5. Anointing of the sick: Likewise rather than being a precursor of death as is the norm with the Catholic sacrament of Last Rites, this [annointing of the sick] is to meant to provide healing.
6. Holy Orders: As also told you, Neither are Catholic priests even legitimate NT pastors
7. Matrimony: Contrary to Scripture, in which no consummated marriage to each other was ever declared to be a non-marriage which is annulled, even those which were entered into upon false pretenses (like uncle Laban's bait and switch) or with concubines or with non-believers were stated to be marriages, among other conditions within the broad scope Rome allows for annulments. Which effectively means multitudes of RCs do not have valid marriages, though they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
3. That Jesus told us to do good works even greater. Mt 5:16 John 14:12
And as shown you, it has been evangelicals who have shown far more evidence of regeneration, both in commitment and works of faith and private charity than Catholics relative to their numbers, and Catholics are overall much an admixture of liberals and conservatives, all of which Rome counts as members in life and in death, even Ted Kennedy Catholics.
In Phil 3:;&-16, Paul renounces his religion of Judaism in favor of God’s gifts to us in Christ’s Church.
Likewise souls must turn from the false gospel of Rome of being justified and truly meriting eternal life by the good works that he performs by the grace of God (Trent, Canon 32) with final salvation thru atoning for sins and actually becoming good enough to be with God thru mythical Purgatory, and come to God as sinners knowing their desperate need of salvation, not as a souls saved by their works or church affiliation, but as destitute of any means or merit whereby they may find salvation, and with broken and penitent heart believe on the risen Lord Jesus who alone will save such on His account, by His sinless shed blood. And show this in baptism and following their Lord, in characteristically penitent obedient faith.
The life of faith is like a race, where the prize of salvation has yet to be won since the completion is still in progress.
Actually as said and shown, all those of saving effectual faith are presently saved and would go to be with the Lord at death, and await the judgment seat of Christ which is only for believers, and which is to determine the recompense for works, and not one's salvation. However, as said and shown you, perseverance is essential, as believers are warned against such things as having "an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." (Hebrews 3:11-12)
What changed your animus toward the Catholic Church, the Mass and good works?
A logical fallacy twofold. Begging the question and resorting to ad hominem as a form of sophistry due to desperate lack of a valid argument.
That is your opinion. You have not convinced me that your beliefs are God’s Truth. If one can not convince someone that their beliefs are supported as God’s Truth and not just opinions. then why should anyone follow your beliefs?
Another logical fallacy, akin to arguing the since Paul could convince the chief Jews together then why should anyone follow his beliefs? Rather, since you have been repeatedly answered and refuted time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again time and time and time again (not an exhaustive list) but with refutation by Scriptural substantiation and reason overall ignored and instead both-like repetitious "arguments by assertion" of the same counterfeit currency, then your argumentation remains an argument against being a Catholic,.
May God peradventure grant you "repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." (2 Timothy 2:25)
Thus while RCs attempt to appeal to Scripture for support of distinctive Catholic beliefs it does not teach, the weight of Scriptural substantiation is not their basis for assurance of Catholic teaching, as instead it is ultimately based upon the novel and unScriptural premise of ensured perpetual magisterial infallibility as per Rome. Which is why a typical recourse of Catholics when failing to establish distinctive Catholic beliefs via Scripture is to argue "we gave you the Bible" thus you need to submit to Rome. Which logic in principle invalidates the NT church.
But how do they know their church is the one true one? Because Rome has presumed to infallibly declare she is and will be perpetually infallible whenever she speaks in accordance with her infallibly defined (scope and subject-based) formula, which renders her declaration that she is infallible, to be infallible, as well as all else she accordingly declares. And around and around it goes.
You make blanket general statements that may sound good to you, but have no relationship to God’s Truth.
These are just some of the beliefs that protestants hold that are contrary to God’s Truth.
1. Sola Scriptura Scripture Alone
2. Sola Fides Faith Alone
3. Once saved, always saved.
4. That the Catholic Church was not founded by Jesus Christ for our salvation.
5. That Christ did not establish 7 Sacraments including the Eucharist. That they dispute that Jesus told us to eat and drink His Real Body and Blood that He gave His apostles at the Last Supper and told us to continue to do so in His memory.
You claim that you are already saved, and no matter what sin you commit before you die, you are saved.
That is contrary to God’s Truth and you can not substantiate that you are saved other than your opinion. There is nothing in Scripture that confirms your false opinion. Obviously, one needs faith (true faith) in God, but there are several other conditions that Jesus requires. Such as Baptism, keeping God’s commandments, the Eucharist, endures to the end, dying in the state of grace. For a baptized Catholic there is a need to remain in the Catholic Church CC846-847
You will know after Jesus judges you upon your death (just like the rest of us) whether you are saved or not.John 9:39 John 5:22 Mt 10:22
For my salvation, I follow St. Paul “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you” Phil 2:12
Your statement.”God’s truth is His word.
We find God’s truth in Scripture and maybe in a church inasmuch as it preaches and teaches that truth.
However, it is not found in any denominational teaching that doesn’t either align with God’s word or have its source in God’s word.”
Yes. I agree.
However, there is a large problem when a protestant church and its members teach things that disagree with God’s Truth, such as,
1. Sola Scriptura Scripture Alone
2. Sola Fides Faith Alone
3. Once saved, always saved.
4. That the Catholic Church was not founded by Jesus Christ for our salvation.
5. That Christ did not establish 7 Sacraments including the Eucharist. That they dispute that Jesus told us to eat and drink His Real Body and Blood that He gave His apostles at the Last Supper and told us to continue to do so in His memory.
These are just some of the beliefs that protestants hold that are contrary to God’s Truth.
Since you identify as unsaved person, I am not interested in your assessments of truth.
It isn't found in Rome, so reiterating that nonsense is just funny.
These are just some of the beliefs that protestants hold that are contrary to God’s Truth.
Again, how would you know God's Truth??
All you are doing is making wild claims.
You claim that you are already saved, and no matter what sin you commit before you die, you are saved.
YES! GLORIOUSLY YES!
"Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift!!!!!"
That is contrary to God’s Truth and you can not substantiate that you are saved other than your opinion.
Again, if you have never had the inner testimony of God the Holy Spirit, you couldn't possibly know anything about this.
there are several other conditions that Jesus requires. Such as Baptism, keeping God’s commandments, the Eucharist, endures to the end, dying in the state of grace.
No. Totally false. Again, that you do not know the Gospel of Grace emphasizes you are probably not saved, as you say.
You will know after Jesus judges you upon your death (just like the rest of us) whether you are saved or not.
"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." Jesus, John 3:18
Judged already! "Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift!!!!!"
For my salvation, I follow St. Paul “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you” Phil 2:12
"...whoever does not believe stands condemned already"
Show us where Jesus says that He is establishing the CATHOLIC church so people can be saved. Or any church for that matter.
I would like to see the quote with chapter and verse references.
Philippians 2:12, for your edification.
…………………..
“ Philippians 2:12 (TCENB): Specifically they were to work out their salvation. Note that Paul did not say “work for your salvation.” We obtain salvation by receiving it as a gift (Eph. 2:8), but having received it freely we have a responsibility to perfect it.
“The apostle had in mind the present aspect of our salvation, sanctification, in which we are laborers together with God (1 Cor. 3:9; cf. Titus 3:8).
In justification and glorification, God does all the work (Eph. 2:9; Jude 24). We work out our salvation by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit who leads us in the will of God (Gal. 5:16). In the context the particular aspect of sanctification in view involves achieving unity through humility.
“Paul is not here concerned with the eternal welfare of the soul of the individual. The individual believer is not now being called ‘to self-activity, to the active pursuit of the will of God . . . to a personal application of salvation’ (Müller). Rather the context suggests that this command is to be understood in a corporate sense. The entire church, which had grown spiritually ill (2:3–4), is charged now with taking whatever steps are necessary to restore itself to health and wholeness.”
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