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This is where I am now, one revelation at a time. Perhaps this will help someone.
God has given what appears to be opposite sides of some doctrines for a reason:
so that some spiritual truths are available only by revelation through His Spirit.
The NT is an incredible inter-weaving of blessings, explanations, exhortations,
edifications, rebukes, and warnings that the blessings are conditional.
God revealed who He desires to spend eternity with
Those who have a contrite and humble spirit (Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 34:18, Prov 3:34)
Those who have a repentant heart towards God (Jeremiah 25:5, Ezekiel 18:30)
Those who are holy, i.e. can be made holy (Exodus 19:6, Leviticus 11:44,19:2)
Those who are obedient to His will (Matthew 7:21) … “And you shall keep My
statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (Leviticus 20:8)
Notice that God’s OT “chosen people” must co-operate in their sanctification!
God proved that man is basically unable to satisfy Him
In the old covenant, it was almost impossible for God’s people to obey His Law!
They had an inherited sin nature, and they did not have God’s Spirit to help them.
God desired to prove man’s hopelessness, and His “chosen people” did just that.
God promised a new and better covenant
This included a Messiah-Redeemer-Savior, the Holy Spirit placed inside people,
a possible relationship with God, and a way for Him to forgive people’s sins.
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant
… I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts” (Jer 31:31-33).
Note: God’s Law (e.g. the Ten Commandments) are to remain in the new covenant.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you … I will put My Spirit
within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments
and do them … you shall be My people, and I will be your God.” (Ezek 36:24-28)
The Spirit will help those who co-operate with Him in being obedient to God’s will.
He will cause the obedient ones (through His Spirit inside) to walk in His statutes.
He will NOT cause the disobedient ones to do such. Man always has free will
to choose sin and disobedience … both before and after being born-again.
God’s free gift of grace-faith-salvation
“… the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing …
whose minds the god of this age (Satan) has blinded” (1 Cor 1:18, 2 Cor 4:3-4)
This is just one of many reasons why man is not able to believe in the gospel.
These reasons just prove that it was necessary for God to intervene, so He did:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)
Biblical grace refers to “God’s unmerited favor towards man”.
The very beginning of God’s grace is that ANY person could be saved at all.
Here Paul is talking about SOME being given the gift of grace-faith-salvation.
However, this is just the beginning of the process of salvation ...
because it is a salvation which can be thrown away (see many warning verses).
Who really believes
To fit the rest of Scripture, the English word “believe” (Greek “pisteou”) in verses
such as John 3:16 must actually mean “believe, trust, depend on, follow, obey”.
Greek words can have up to 40 different meanings, depending on the context.
God desires to have a personal relationship with us
“I know My sheep, and I am known by My own … My sheep hear My voice,
and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life” (John 10:14,27)
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
Some people really think they “know” God, but are mistaken (Matt 7:23, 25:12).
God requires that we overcome sin by being sanctified (i.e. made holy)
“God from the beginning chose you for salvation through
sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2 Thes 2:13-14)
“… those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 2:11 and 10:14, NKJV)
“For as many as are being led by God’s Spirit, these are sons of God” (Rom 8:14)
The Holy Spirit (Helper, Advocate, etc.) was given to us for a specific purpose
… primarily to help us and guide us through the sanctification process.
“To him who overcomes (sin, Satan, etc.) I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Rev 3:21)
Jesus, i.e. God, suffered a lot for us, and He expects some serious appreciation!
God requires holiness, which is accomplished through repentance
“He chose us … that we should be holy and without blame” (Eph 1:4)
“Pursue … holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14)
“let us cleanse ourselves … perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor 7:1)
“as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet 1:15)
“present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (Rom 12:1)
“He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle
or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:27)
“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection” (Rev 20:6)
Repentance of on-going sin is necessary to cleanse ourselves …
“… the goodness of God leads you to repentance” (Rom 2:4)
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Cor 7:10)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
Note: There has been a lot of confusion between those who were
elected before the foundation of the world, and other “believers” …
as alluded to by the wheat and the tares, the wise and foolish virgins, etc.
