You know we so often address salvation and losing it, and how obedience is important in relation to our eternal security. This is NOT what this thread is about. What I am addressing is the importance of obedience, not only for our usability but also how disobedience can and does affect the lives of those around us. We see this with Jonah, how his one act of rebellion affected those around him, for example...the well-being of those sailors as God hurled the wind, causing a great storm.
We also see how his taking off in the opposite direction, completely disobeying God, did not thwart God's will. I find this important to remember when we think we have destroyed His purpose for our lives.
We see the importance of repentance…
But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord .” Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.
Jonah 2:9-10 NASB
James Boice said this and I think most of us agree…
"no one has ever truly repented until he has acknowledged that there is nothing in any person that can possibly commend him to God. And no one has ever been saved who has not come to God on the basis of the sacrifice that he alone has provided"
Romans 3:23-26 comes to mind.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:23-26 NASB
So it sounds like I'm leading into the ongoing debate of secure salvation. Honestly though, that is not my intent, for we see Salvation belongs to the Lord.
I just appreciate how we see with Jonah the importance of walking in our salvation by faith, obeying our Lord, not only for ourselves but for those around us.
Every true believer in Christ is clothed in Christ's righteousness. His perfect life (active obedience) and His sacrificial death (passive obedience).
Just because His providence remains doesn't mean we don't get to play a part or that we shouldn't want to. It is a privilege of His people, which He Himself stirs to bring us to our knees and also causes our yearning to obey.
We also see how his taking off in the opposite direction, completely disobeying God, did not thwart God's will. I find this important to remember when we think we have destroyed His purpose for our lives.
We see the importance of repentance…
But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord .” Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.
Jonah 2:9-10 NASB
James Boice said this and I think most of us agree…
"no one has ever truly repented until he has acknowledged that there is nothing in any person that can possibly commend him to God. And no one has ever been saved who has not come to God on the basis of the sacrifice that he alone has provided"
Romans 3:23-26 comes to mind.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:23-26 NASB
So it sounds like I'm leading into the ongoing debate of secure salvation. Honestly though, that is not my intent, for we see Salvation belongs to the Lord.
I just appreciate how we see with Jonah the importance of walking in our salvation by faith, obeying our Lord, not only for ourselves but for those around us.
Every true believer in Christ is clothed in Christ's righteousness. His perfect life (active obedience) and His sacrificial death (passive obedience).
Just because His providence remains doesn't mean we don't get to play a part or that we shouldn't want to. It is a privilege of His people, which He Himself stirs to bring us to our knees and also causes our yearning to obey.-
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