Your Greatest Need

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

The message of the cross (Gods grace) is offensive and is resisted for it's simplicity and the fact that it is a finished work. We have a hard time believing it is that simple. It's almost too good to be true.

But thats only HALF the message of the cross. Jesus bore his cross. He finished his work. Now we must take up ours and die to ourselves.

I am not resisting Jesus finished work as our sacrifice. I resist the offer of salvation without taking up our cross. I resist the message of unconditional love because it is not Biblical.

[Dordrecht]

You guys make things complicated.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Dordrecht

You guys make things complicated.

No its just that you have bit into strage fire doctrine.

Heres something ELSE Jesus said about entering eternal life:

Luke 13:22-27

13:22 He went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem. 13:23 One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?”

He said to them, 13:24 “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able. 13:25 When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 13:26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 13:27 He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’

Note who said this? Me or JESUS?

If JESUS said these words would you agree there are conditions to salvation?

What about the verses I have already given? Comment on THEM please.

Jesus never promised unconditional love to his hearers. Rather he instructed them concerning the way they must walk if they want to be saved.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

But thats only HALF the message of the cross. Jesus bore his cross. He finished his work. Now we must take up ours and die to ourselves.

I am not resisting Jesus finished work as our sacrifice. I resist the offer of salvation without taking up our cross. I resist the message of unconditional love because it is not Biblical.

Michael, I will have to disagree with you. I absolutely agree that Salvation has conditions... One must come into covenant with the finished work of Calvary, take up their cross and follow. I absolutely believe that.

However, even if someone doesn't do that... they're still loved. Not with our simple human love, but the JUST and FAIR love of God. He would that none perish, but that all have everlasting and abundant life. But God is a gentleman with His Grace.

There are people in hell that God still loves them unconditionally. I don't see in Scripture where the love has conditions, just the salvation. Love alone won't save us... and that's the issue here. People don't understand that true, agape, God like love also contains wrath and justice within it. They want to gather in their cum ba ya circles, hold hands, and just speak acceptance over one another.... but thats only one aspect of Love.

Love also means, you won't let someone go without the consequences to their choices, that you love them enough to let them have free will, and make their decisions.... and you love them enough that even as they destroy themselves and turn the other direction from you... you still love them.

Oh, God's love is unconditional, but it alone wont' redeem a lost soul. That's where the love must be returned, from man to God.. in a life laid down for Him.