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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Free gift of God | John 3:15 | S.W | 152659 | ||
CONCERNING LOOSING ONE'S SALVATION - PART I DEAR JANAE and all those who are interested to understand this sensitive question. First, I would like to thank Janae for an openness towards different views on the subject. I also ask each of you who read this message to really listen with your heart and please lay aside all prejudice. The points given in this message has been tested and tried through many difficult circumstances and proven to be the only way of christian living which brings true peace and experience of God in joy of the holy Spirit. BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION Relating to the previous postings I would like to remind you of the importance of considering, as much as is possible, the whole truth when trying to attain a firm belief. Remember that when Jesus himself was tempted by Satan during his 40 days of fasting, the Devil used Scripture as a tool for deceit (Mt 4:6-7). The Serpent used the same technique against Eve in the Garden of Eden when lying about God when he, as well, was claiming to know (about) God (Gen 3:4-5). Obviously it is not adequate to support a principle or claim by a few verses of Scripture. When considering such important topics as this one, it is critical to examine each view with the rest of the Gospel. I am sorry to say that unbiblical teachings and practices always goes hand in hand with a neglection of this basic principle of interpretation. Meanwhile, believers are deceived when they fail to gain a broad understanding of biblical principles and instead listens to "fast-food" teachings. In such a intellectual climate some preachers say what their audience likes to hear and like corrupted lawyers they search for "holes" in the bible where they find statements which can be used to support their own ideas. IS IT POSSIBLE TO LOOSE ONE’S SALVATION? THE PRODIGAL SON (Lk 15:11-32) Initially both sons was at home with the Father (v.11-12). Then, after receiving their goods the younger son left home (v.13). When the son was wasting his things and living riotous, the bible sais plainly that he, in such a state, was (spiritually) "dead" and "lost" (v.32). When he finally came home he was "found" and "alive" (v.24). I assume that we all can agree that this parable primarily is about the Father's heart and salvation. Now, it is obvious that the sons state of being away from home is a picture of mankind's condition under sin, right? Since this is a parable concerning spiritual principles and not about someone leaving a church or moving somewhere, a very important question is: What caused the son to become "dead" and "lost"? and what made the son become "alive" and "found"? The difference between these two conditions in this parable is that the son lived in sin (v.18) and then he repented (changed his mindset and returned home) and confessed his sin (v.21). Note that the Father showed his love even before the son had arrived and confessed, which is a picture of the Father's love towards the person and does'nt depict his attitude towards sin. Although the Father loved his son all the time, the son was surely "dead" and "lost" in the Father's eyes until he repented. It is important to make a distinction between the Father's love and the state in which one lives. To conclude and give you my point in this, first, if it was sin that caused the son to die and be lost, how many times do you think the son could "run away"? Secondly, how many times do you think the Father would run to the son ready to hug him and receive him with total forgiveness? Thirdly, could you imagine that the Father would bind his son to his home with some kind of chain in order to prevent him from running away again? IF IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO LOOSE ONE'S SALVATION, WHY DOES THE WORD OF GOD SAY THE FOLLOWING TO MEMBERS OF THE NEW COVENANT? Mt 5:29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." Comments: Sin always has consequenses. Anyone who believed and listened to Jesus saying this statement would be terrified of sinning again. Mt 6:15 "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Comments: I'd rather not be in those shoes. If you deny this statement you call Jesus a liar, since he's talking to his disciples who previously asked him to teach them about prayer. (CONTINUED IN CONCERNING LOOSING ONE'S SALVATION - PART II) |
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2 | Free gift of God | John 3:15 | DocTrinsograce | 152667 | ||
Dear S. W., You write, "IF IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO LOOSE ONE'S SALVATION, WHY DOES THE WORD OF GOD SAY THE FOLLOWING TO MEMBERS OF THE NEW COVENANT? ... Mt 6:15." The verse in question is, "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:15) Matthew 6:14-15 are not describing a trigging mechanism or a mathematical equation. In other words, this is not a prescription. As you have rightly pointed out, one must understand all of Scripture in the light of all the rest of Scripture. Instead, our Lord is clearly stating that one who has properly understood and received the gift of justification will, in turn, be imitators of God. No one will ever offend us to the degree that we have offended our Holy God Almighty. Consequently, we can forgive the comparably very tiny offenses of our fellow man. In Him, Doc |
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