I am writing this partly because of a recent experience visiting a new church where the issue seems muddled as to a firm stance on the subject. We face the extreme of two parameters; either giving no one any assurance that they can hold onto hope of His promises to that effect; or conversely a hypergrace mentality which basically ignores testing our faith and seeing if we are producing fruit; being chastised by God etc.
I am greatly burdened with this presentation. It isn't the first time I have mentioned it here but it is such a fundamental issue that it seems necessary to regularly reexamine. I experienced this issue way back in college when a young lady who seemed to be filled with the joy of the Spirit was terrified when someone mentioned that she couldn't be assured of salvation. It is at best an affront to the Spirit here. We are said to "know them by their fruits". Such a statement could be like telling a child that their parents may not always recognize or adore them. But such statements take discernment from the speaker to the recipient; Jesus had a vastly different message for instance to the woman at the well and other notorious "sinners" and the Pharisees.
The other extreme is assuming we can hold onto a grace that is cheapened by lack of obedience, fear of the Lord and a lifestyle of holiness. God is not mocked; we reap what we sow. Therefore in the end we all must agree that He will save all He chooses to save and all who are in hell will have no viable excuse for why they don't belong there. Or; let God be true and every man a liar.
Matthew 7:24-26
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And the opposite fate for those building on the sand as foundation.
When examining the Nature of God's Judgment and Salvation program, or any doctrine, we need to be careful not to draw conclusions from a few isolated verses. The Nature of Judgment and Salvation has remained constant throughout time. In fact the Bible in its Entirety is all about the Gospel, God's Judgment and Salvation program.
2 Timothy 3:16 " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
That said, here are a few verses that bear on the question:
John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Ephesians 1:2-6
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
Ezekiel 36:24-27
"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
When we harmonize everything in the Bible, we learn that God does 100% of the work in saving and keeping each of His Elect. What a comfort
I am writing this partly because of a recent experience visiting a new church where the issue seems muddled as to a firm stance on the subject. We face the extreme of two parameters; either giving no one any assurance that they can hold onto hope of His promises to that effect; or conversely a hypergrace mentality which basically ignores testing our faith and seeing if we are producing fruit; being chastised by God etc.
I am greatly burdened with this presentation. It isn't the first time I have mentioned it here but it is such a fundamental issue that it seems necessary to regularly reexamine. I experienced this issue way back in college when a young lady who seemed to be filled with the joy of the Spirit was terrified when someone mentioned that she couldn't be assured of salvation. It is at best an affront to the Spirit here. We are said to "know them by their fruits". Such a statement could be like telling a child that their parents may not always recognize or adore them. But such statements take discernment from the speaker to the recipient; Jesus had a vastly different message for instance to the woman at the well and other notorious "sinners" and the Pharisees.
The other extreme is assuming we can hold onto a grace that is cheapened by lack of obedience, fear of the Lord and a lifestyle of holiness. God is not mocked; we reap what we sow. Therefore in the end we all must agree that He will save all He chooses to save and all who are in hell will have no viable excuse for why they don't belong there. Or; let God be true and every man a liar.
Matthew 7:24-26
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And the opposite fate for those building on the sand as foundation.
2 Timothy 3:16 " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
That said, here are a few verses that bear on the question:
John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Ephesians 1:2-6
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
Ezekiel 36:24-27
"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
When we harmonize everything in the Bible, we learn that God does 100% of the work in saving and keeping each of His Elect. What a comfort
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