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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | The measure of death? | 1 Tim 4:1 | charis | 33433 | ||
Dear 10EC, Greetings from Japan in the name of Jesus! You are correct that we probably have much more in common than we do not! :-) The problem is (to me!) quite simple. If we claim that salvation is 'loseable,' we must bear the burden of knowing how it is lost! It is very convenient to say, "That's easy! Whenever we deny Christ, or deny the Holy Spirit (depending on which 'proof-Scripture' we are using), we are separated from His grace by our willful departure." But the hard part is being more specific! This is why I use the word 'theoretical.' According to most popular methods of accounting, some of the greatest men of faith (Moses and David come to mind, as well as Paul by self-confession) deserve death. Yet God has a different method of accounting that we can never fathom. I have given this completely to the Lord. I see your Scriptures, and I see the 'opposing' Scriptures that claim proof of absolute assurance. Both parties (camps) lead to a form of legalism that I do not see substantiated in the Bible. To give an example of said legalism, the 'loseable' side usually ends up having to decide on a 'measure' of saved/unsaved, which does not bear up under the historical record of the Bible. The 'unloseable' side does fine until someone starts acting unsaved, which inevitably leads to 'not saved from the beginning' or 'that was false salvation' judgement. I KNOW the measure of life, but can I know the measure of death? If I err, I err on the side of salvation and grace, placing my life in His capable hands for measure. If you are right, I plead mercy to He who is merciful! Thank you for your kind regards! My blessings to you as well! In Christ Jesus, charis |
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2 | The measure of death? | 1 Tim 4:1 | Hank | 33495 | ||
Charis, astute observations! Frankly, God hardly prepared me to be the final arbiter for my own salvation. He alone is. So much the less has He given to me the right or the capacity to know what my brother's true relationship with Him is. So grievously I would err to say, "I KNOW so-and-so is saved because of this or that outward appearance." Or conversely, "I KNOW that this other so-and-so is not saved because of this or that outward appearance." If I do this, am I not, wittingly or unwittingly, subscribing to the "fifth" gospel, The Gospel According to the Pharisees? I shall never be able to view my neighbor with God's eyes. I should therefore never judge my neighbor with God's judgment. --Hank | ||||||