"It is finished" meant Jesus has done all He can to open the door and
provide the means of forgiveness and re-establishing communion with us.
If we believe on Christ, if we trust Him He can deliver salvation.
I was emphasising the work that must go on in our hearts to make
this a reality.
If we do not respond, we do not get saved.
Now in a real sense we do not control our response to the message,
the warm glow, the sense of desire, the hunger for a greater reality,
the conviction of our unworthiness.
Now if you down play our response as actually non-existant and our
ability to not walk away, then free will does not exist.
So no matter how small our part in the whole scheme of things,
without it, no salvation.
It has always staggard me, but also how difficult this step really is.
The pride, the fear, the resistance, the impossibility of realisation,
the levels of walking and learning, each small step.
But still so many do not grow, and the actual overcoming and walking
as we should, seems very rare. So my question is what is missing, where
are we going wrong? How is it something so glorious can end in such
a way, or have success but we do not capture it or see it.
It opens the door for heresy and defeat, for discouragement and loss,
for denying the very thing we know is true.
I know where you coming from bro. But it all boils down to a person “free will” to continue to believe and follow Christ; to endure.
The Christian walk is a walk of endurance; it’s endurance that reveals the sincerity of our heart.
The Cross is the power onto salvation but the scriptures clearly states after salvation we are to; Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
Unfortunately most Christians think the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about love and Blessing; not realising “suffering” is part of salvation. Romans 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Did God deliberately allow trails and temptations in our lives so we can backslide? Everything God allows is in your life is Gods salvation plan for you to “grow” into maturity. A babe in Christ is a novice, they cannot endure.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
It’s through temptations and trails God is building/strengthening our faith and reliance on Him;
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and
every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the
fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. Most do not understand this scripture; you have to personally experience it to understand it.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
The scriptures speak of Job, what he had to endure to prove God’s faithfulness in Him to Satan; of Abraham’s trail of fire, by offering Isaac as a sacrifice.
Our God is a faithful God, the trials He allows in your life, He knows you can overcome but most don’t believe they are able; 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Pastors are a Blessing to the church but they are only men with faith as you and me.
I have learned and still learning by seeking Him, knowing Him and asking Him; John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
As the old saying “the school of experience, the school of the Holy Ghost is the best school to attend”.
It is sad when Christians backslide or even worse become luke-warm; but it was their choice, they made the decision not God, it was not Gods Will them for to turn back.
God has equipped with all the tools for salvation, through His Word and His Spirit, it’s up to the believer to use the tools and use them skilfully.
It our Christian duty to help each other grow into maturity. But unfortunately as the scriptures clearly states;
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
Not all will be saved for they made the wrong decision.
