One is either on the broad way to destruction or narrow way to life, there is no middle ground. These doctrines not only pose as stumbling blocks to spiritual growth, they coddle carnal Christians by giving them false assurance of salvation when in reality they are on the road to damnation. What a pity!
on the path?
you are either saved or you're not.
you've either come to saving faith or not.
you're either born from above and
will be conformed to Christ or you're not.
do you know what justified means? full aquittal < NOT GUILTY.
do you think God only empowers SOME to live the Christian life? because that is NOT what scripture teaches.
is Jesus only the author and perfecter of the faith (which they were given as a GIFT) of some?
John 5:24
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned;
he has crossed over from death to life.
1 John 3:14
We know that we have departed from death into life
by this: Because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother remains in death.
^ if anyone is out there slamming Christians; not gathering together; lone ranger "i'm not a sinner but those christians are"
remains in death.
John gave that inspired TEST whereby we can SEE if we are in the faith.
by that love for all things Christian we KNOW we have been given a new heart.
if we now love the christians we used to despise (like Paul), we KNOW we have passed from death to life.
even the ones certain people keep calling carnal.
teach them. instead of standing back thanking God He didn't make you one of them.
teaching LAW LAW LAW to a new convert who already heard the proclamation against him!
when certain people continually go on and on about their obedience and performance, looking down on others saying "pity".....
i know they are not attending church, presenting themselves to God as a body.
if they were, they would know that everyone has received the new birth at different times.
the new convert is not going to know what
the old hand knows.
and i just hope that old hand isn't sitting eating with their own kind only - <
sinning!
The foolish virgins probably believed they were eternally secured and could not lose their salvation that's why they didn't take extra oil for their lamps, but what was the result? "I know you not". Similarly, multitude of Christians who think they could live however they wish and still inherit the kingdom will be greatly disappointed to hear "I know you not" on Judgment day.
what an awful handling of that parable.
that's about dying without the Gospel of Jesus Christ - it was about Israel.
falling asleep before being saved. and rising in the resurrection to be condemned.
it's NOT about christians.
i
know you not in that parable means - I don't know where you came from. you never came to Me.
I
never knew you.
I believe in a greater grace that enables us to deny ungodliness in this present world, not some weak grace that simply condones willful ongoing disobedience.
those awful seeker driven auditoriums.
so what are doing about it?
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;not in the future world to come
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Who did the purifying?
Who gave Himself for whom?
Who did the redeeming?
Romans 8
28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,g for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For 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. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can beh against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33
Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,"
are you actually teaching new converts?
how do they come to know how to live?
by someone talking and talking about a "greater grace"?
or by actually living it daily and encouraging and teaching and building and assembling FOR LIFE?
are you committing yourself to even one single convert for life?
are you picking up their kids and taking the kids to church when they can't go?
are you going to the hospital to see the old woman who suffered a stroke and can't be with the church anymore?
are you staying behind to clean the bathrooms at church?
are you giving money to your pastor's wife so she can buy new shoes?
what good works are you actually zealous for?
God’s call to obedience and righteous living is not impossible because His abundant grace and Spirit enables us. With God all things are possible.[/FONT]
1 Peter 1:14-16
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written,Be ye holy; for I am holy. This is addressing believers: Heb 12:14-15
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Sin can defile a believer and cause spiritual death but you say it cannot.
All these admonitions would not be in the scriptures if believers can live however they like and still enter Heaven.
no, His call is not impossible.
Christs yoke is light and He is meek and lowly at heart.
do you know what righteous living is?
is it sitting back glad you're not sinning?
no...that just means you're not sinning.
that's a blank slate.
that's not actually DOING righteously.
what is? talking about not sinning?
is it serving your neighbor when no one is looking?
is it living at peace in your town?
is it using just weights and measures?
is it being a good mother?
is it being a good daughter?
is it respecting the bus driver?
is it getting old and dying gracefully?
is it giving thanks in every single thing you do and even in what you suffer?
tell me.
what's that greater grace for?