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Just thought I'd ask this question as I've been thinking about it a lot myself lately. Why is it that God's grace, his lovingkindness and mercy - is taken as a weakness? I'm finding that myself included, as well as many others within this planet, seem to think that just because God has extended his grace to mankind - that means that we are no longer obligated to carry our crosses and serve the Lord, or obey the commands.
I think that God is a loving God, and truly does want all to be saved - but are we really accepting his gift of salvation, if we continue to live a life full of willful sin?
Rom 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
...
Rom 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Rom 7:19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
Rom 7:21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
...
Rom 7:23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
Rom 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
...
Rom 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Rom 7:19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
Rom 7:21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
...
Rom 7:23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
Yeah. I guess that I think says it for most of us. I guess my question was more in response to what I posted in another thread, regarding universalism. Perhaps this question really is more in response to that idealogy as a whole. I'd be interested in getting some opinions from those who believe in universalism regarding this.
You bring up an excellent point, Stephen. Your observation is why I don’t believe grace alone is sufficient. It is why I believe a life spent obeying the commandments and doing good works is necessary in addition to grace.
It is my opinion, readers of the Bible haven’t read close enough to understand that once saved doesn’t mean always saved. There is a key word in many verses in the Bible regarding sin and the sacrifice of Jesus, and that key word is “remission.” Remission means gone but could return; as in, “his cancer is in remission.”
The battle against sin is continuous and therefore continuous repentance and a striving to do the will of the Lord is necessary or we will find our sins have been placed back upon us, and we are without the grace of Jesus.
Matt 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:4
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Just thought I'd ask this question as I've been thinking about it a lot myself lately. Why is it that God's grace, his lovingkindness and mercy - is taken as a weakness? I'm finding that myself included, as well as many others within this planet, seem to think that just because God has extended his grace to mankind - that means that we are no longer obligated to carry our crosses and serve the Lord, or obey the commands.
I think that God is a loving God, and truly does want all to be saved - but are we really accepting his gift of salvation, if we continue to live a life full of willful sin?
Interested in knowing your thoughts on this....
In Christ,
Stephen
When I meditate on Jesus, my own wretchedness becomes crystal clear.
And when I remember He deeply loves me with a love that I'm incapable of,
I'm in awe of His grace, and what to reciprocate the love
( in my own feeble way)
You bring up an excellent point, Stephen. Your observation is why I don’t believe grace alone is sufficient. It is why I believe a life spent obeying the commandments and doing good works is necessary in addition to grace.
Grace is sufficient, my point was how can one say that God's grace is really effective in their life if they continue in their old lifestyle. Grace is the only way to God, I just think it's ironic that one can really say they've accepted God's grace if they continue in willful sin. Grace isn't a works based system, one can indeed see that it is present within an individuals life if some form of works/fruits are manifest.
Just thought I'd ask this question as I've been thinking about it a lot myself lately. Why is it that God's grace, his lovingkindness and mercy - is taken as a weakness? I'm finding that myself included, as well as many others within this planet, seem to think that just because God has extended his grace to mankind - that means that we are no longer obligated to carry our crosses and serve the Lord, or obey the commands.
I think that God is a loving God, and truly does want all to be saved - but are we really accepting his gift of salvation, if we continue to live a life full of willful sin?
Interested in knowing your thoughts on this....
In Christ,
Stephen
Seekers have been falsely taught that salvation means equality in heaven, there are the least and the greatest, the least do not inherit a pressence in the Kingdom of God, they may inherit a degree of heaven, but not the Throne of Christ. The other error, is that when one dies, they are just as they are when they died, other than not having a physical body.
We are here for more than salvation through grace, we are here to become sons and daughters of God, and that only happens by learning the ways of Christ and becoming love.
1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1Jo 3:4 ¶ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1Jo 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1Jo 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Jesus took away the sins of man by dying on the cross. Does this mean that man keeps living in his sinful nature ? No,of course not ,we should have our eyes focused on heavenly things and not things of the world. Grace is something that is given,man did not earn it. Without grace man could not overcome his flaws and imperfections in life.
We have salvation by believing in Him with a true repenting heart and knowing what His Son Jesus Christ did for us on the cross,this is the way to everlasting life.
Grace is sufficient, my point was how can one say that God's grace is really effective in their life if they continue in their old lifestyle. Grace is the only way to God, I just think it's ironic that one can really say they've accepted God's grace if they continue in willful sin. Grace isn't a works based system, one can indeed see that it is present within an individuals life if some form of works/fruits are manifest.
Regards,
Stephen
Quote:
Originally Posted by simpleton
Yeah. I guess that I think says it for most of us. I guess my question was more in response to what I posted in another thread, regarding universalism. Perhaps this question really is more in response to that idealogy as a whole. I'd be interested in getting some opinions from those who believe in universalism regarding this.
I`m not sure what you`re asking stephen concerning universalism. Are you saying that your understanding of UR is we believe you can run around and do whatever you want and still be saved? I hope you don`t believe that! We have stated many many times on here that IS NOT what UR is all about. So I`m not sure why you are pointing this question toward universalim?
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