On the Need to Be More Urgent in Preparing for Final Judgment

Oh, and by the way: So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure -- Philippians 2:12-13

Indeed, which contextually is addressed to those who presently have their communion in Heaven (where they are made to sit with Christ, and have direct access into the holy of holies by the blood of Christ), and who thus are to work out (katergazomai) that salvation which they already have, to continue in that faith, to perform it, as Paul himself did. And the same Philippians who were told by Paul, I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better, (Philippians 1:23; cf. 2Co. 5:8) though Paul himself testified to them that he "had not arrived," he earnestly sought "the high calling of God in Christ Jesus," to be perfect as he could be as those in the resurrection will be. (Phil. 3:10 But which resurrection is the only transformative event after this life that Paul manifestly teaches for the believer, and in which one will become like Christ.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:12-14)

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:18-22)

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)

Thus the true believer presently has salvation, and positionally is in Heaven and will be with the Lord at death or His return, but is exhorted to continue in the faith, to live out his faith, and is warned against falling away in unbelief and what it effects. (Gal. 5:1-4; Heb. 3;6-14; 10;19-39) And it is this life with its trials and temptations that faith is proved, and character developed, thus even Christ was made "perfect" (as being tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin: Heb. 2:10,18; 4:15). But with the only transformative event after this life being that of the resurrection, which is when this vile body shall be changed, and be subdued to Christ, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Romans 8:7)

But a mark of saving faith is to continue in the faith and realize final full salvation, with the holy desire to be, as much as one can be, like Christ, because he was apprehended by Him to ultimately be so, and has already been made accepted by God in Him, being "bought with a price," (1Co. 6:20) no less than His sinless shed blood. Thanks to be God.

The God of Truth isn't going to be moved by a legal fiction or sleight of hand.

So you think that one is made accepted in the Beloved and will be with Christ at death or His return because he actually practically has become perfect in character as God, not merely forgiven, or that one is accounted righteous by the kind of faith that effects obedience? Its either one or the other. A system of salvation by actually attaining to moral worthiness, which the Law represents, or salvation by faith for those who abase themselves as unworthy of God, unable to attain glory, and worthy of damnation, and thus cast all their faith upon the risen Lord Jesus to save them by His sinless shed blood.

Which regenerative faith means make them new creations, washed, justified and sanctified, resulting in obedience, to which salvation is promised, who will be with the Lord at death or His return, Paul expressed, though as with Paul, they have not attained to moral perfection.

...if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (Galatians 3:21)

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:23-25) p>But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Faith that saves must be one that effects practical holiness, but salvation is not a means whereby one is saved by becoming practically morally perfect, which would be salvation under the Law, but just as one is made accepted in the Beloved on Christ's account, so it is on that basis that they are saved, with works of faith justifying them as being believers, and fit to be rewarded for obedience which God motivated and enabled them to do. (Heb. 10:35; Rv. 3:21; 1Co. 3:8ff)

Sorry, Mr. Luther, He's smart enough to know the difference between a dungheap covered by snow and a snowdrift.

So you think Luther taught that one is saved by a faith that does not actually make one clean, and is inert, that it does not effect righteousness?

and still less do we work to earn salvation_God works it in us._

Which is just the statement i said Caths make, in contradiction to what the priest penned, as even with the qualification, God working it in you means that you must attain actual perfection of character to be with God. Under which system "salvation by faith" is a means of attaining to the practical perfection which the Law demanded, which Christ alone fulfilled, but more grace is simply given to attain to this perfection. Yet in a matter of a few hours on the cross, the so-called "good thief" became perfect enough to be with God.

That's the Biblical teaching, not Luther's idea that God works a legal fiction, fools himself (!!), and agrees to ignore our sins.

I see, so effectual faith does not result in being washed, justified and sanctified, yet still having a sinful nature that cannot be subject to God, but which faith will testify to its salvific nature by effecting characteristic obedience, including repentance when convicted or not walking therein?

Your Augustine taught that one could be engaging in such sinful activity as marital relations but that it would not be accounted as sin for the elect.

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