Posted on 10/20/2013 11:29:26 AM PDT by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
But we cannot, every day, watch porn, get drunk, get stoned, cheat on our spouse, overcharge our customers, chase strange flesh (homosexuality, pedophilia), falsely accuse others or commit other sins and assume God’s automatic forgiveness.
Indeed, after forgiving the woman caught in adultery, the Lord told her, “Go and sin no more.”
But Pascal doesn't specify which of the 115,867 gods to be found in the various pantheons of Mankind we should believe in: Brahma, Odin, Zeus, Allah, Ahura Mazda...
The chances are overwhelmingly high that one will choose the wrong god to believe in. Fortunately, only a few gods - like that of the Christian religion - casts non-believers into a lake of fire for making the wrong educated guess.
Regards,
“Indeed, after forgiving the woman caught in adultery, the Lord told her, “Go and sin no more.” “
Strange that you should mention that. Just heard a sermon from a ‘fill in’ pastor and she cited that piece of scripture in expressing His love, but conveiniently forgot to mention the “sin no more” aspect.
There is a fundamental difference between the Arminian concept of “once saved always saved” and the reformed concept of “perseverance of the saints”. Both conclude that salvation cannot be lost but differ at a basic level regarding the foundation of that truth.
I think the doctrine of “once saved always saved” is actually true, and there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. I just think that — as my pastor said in church this morning in so many words “if your faith hasn’t changed you, it hasn’t saved you.” In other words, if there is no evidence of conversion in the form of a changed life (not a perfect life but one always striving to be more Christ-like), then there has likely not been a conversion.
Grace
Paul described salvation as a rebirth, a change of heart from the old man to the new man. Continuing to sdin as before salvation is not salvation. Unless the saved perosn is fundamentally changed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit there is no salvation. It is not a crap shoot. It is a total sacrifice of self to Christ’s redemption. In order for the new man to be born the old man must die.
Another way of looking at that is by thinking of ‘being saved’ as something that happens after we die.
Exactly. I have never understood the concept of once saved. It’s wrong.
The argument may sound like Christian reasoning, but it is just another way for the accuser of the Brethren to sow doubt in the minds of humans. But you must admit, it is a clever way to spittle in the 'doubting God's Promises' ploy and push the 'by my works and Jesus's blood I am saved', very Mormonistic argument.
So, are you saying that, after salvation, one ceases to sin, and so remains "saved?" Or that one does NOT cease to sin, but is "saved" anyway?
Regards,
It's a pretty safe bet for me because I really don't think I would like living the way some do or treating others the way some do.
I think I see the problem.
“So, are you saying that, after salvation, one ceases to sin, and so remains “saved?” Or that one does NOT cease to sin, but is “saved” anyway?
Regards,”
Obviously it is impossible to stop sinning, though the fact remains that the Christian is entirely changed from what he once was before:
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
(Rom 7:14-24)
I am saying precisely what Jesus and Paul said.
That “Once saved, always saved” has always been wrong. I should think the experience of the Israelites would easily demonstrate that.
bump for later read
Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSif77IVQdY&feature=related
Pascal’s wager is stupid, it’s based on the premise that you can fool God.
You can lose your salvation, if during the tribulation you are saved but then take the mark, you’re done for.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.