Quote:
Originally Posted by Timmy
Ah, I see. Do you feel bad for Pharaoh?  |
I am not sure.
I am realizing that my train of thought here basically means that Pharoah was created for a life of disobedience and pain, without him being able to effect any of his life's decisions at all.
This could lead someone to question the character of God.
God is beyond reproach-- just and true in everything He does and doesn't do.
But I still have a problem with stating that I am saved because I did _______.
The Grace of God covers me and my life throughout the whole process.
If it wasn't for His Grace, there would be no process in the first place.
So I am not saved because of works that I have done.
I am saved by faith, through His Grace.
Because of my faith, I obeyed the form of Gospel delivered to me (repentance and baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ). Yes I did these things, but only after I believed.
Abraham was called righteous because he believed. His faith caused him to move.
His situation foreshadows our own salvation today.
We believe and are made the righteousness of God because we believe.
As the righteousness of God, we do. We obey. We love.
Then HE fills us with His Spirit.
He sets His tongues of fire on those who seek after His Spirit.
We can and must repent.
We can and must be baptized.
God is the only who can fill us with His Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues-- so it is nothing that we can do there EXCEPT wait on God to keep His Promise as we seek His Promise.
And in all of this, God commands belief for salvation.
Our salvation is sealed at belief.
He confirms our salvation that has already taken place by allowing signs to follow those who believe. The signs are not salvation.
No more than circumcision alone makes a Jew a Jew.