Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke
I am saved yet striving to stay saved.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; |
These verses were written to the born again believer. They were already "saved". Now, keeping one's body under subjection so as to not be cast out by other believers is related to sanctification, not salvation. In addition, so is diligently searching the soul for any root of bitterness.
I look at it like this... many people in Hell could be said to have been "saved". However, they failed the grace of God relating to their sanctification.
Also, sanctification isn't the application of traditions or man made rules. Nor is it applying any combination of OT laws. Sanctification is growing into the fulness of Christ's own image and likeness... becoming a living extention of Jesus in this darkened world. And this is not accomplished through the law. The law will only conform you into the image of ancient Israel. Traditions and man made rules of religion will only conform you into the image of that specific denomination or religion. We are seeking to have Christ formed in us. A living union of spirit with God Himself through Jesus.
Jesus boiled it all down to this...
Loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Then we are to demonstrate that love by loving others as ourselves.
He who loves his neighbour as himself has fulfilled the entire law, for the law was only designed to try to get Israel to do this in the context of their ancient culture. Too many people put the cart before the horse and say that the command to love (the Law of Christ) should lead one to follow the Ten Commandments or some other combination of laws. Wrong. The Ten Commandments and the entirety of all laws were intended to demonstrate God's demand to love others.
So... we're free of the law. We live by grace. We now sanctify ourselves by cultivating the love of Jesus in our hearts towards God and our fellow man. Biblical Christianity is therefore the most universal and applicable faith in the world and can be practiced in ANY cultural context.
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