Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | John 6:49 "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 6:49 "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. |
Subject: O.T. Israel salvation? |
Bible Note: Dear zach†, Greetings in the name of Jesus! In answer to your questions: 1) "Are unilateral relationships something that must be maintained?" No. Our relationship with God is not a 'fair' one. We have nothing to offer that could even come close to what He did for us. The sum total of any amount of effort on our part will never pay for His sacrifice. 2) "Are they something that requires some effort on the parties involved in that relationship to keep it going?" No. Otherwise unilateral grace is not unilateral grace. It makes our relationship a bilateral one, a barter arrangement. Whatever we 'do for Christ' must be done with the absolute knowledge that we can never repay this debt. It keeps us humble! All of our effort must be simple and total submission of our will to Him. It is service, not mortgage. 3) "Is a persons involvement in any relationship passive?" No. (again) We actively serve our God and His people with the hope that we can see Him one day. "For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 NASB. He initiated my salvation by quickening my spirit by His Spirit. The Spirit continues to lead me on a path of sanctification, in accord with the Bible and in relationship with His church. All I can do is believe. And one sweet day I shall see Him in all of His glory, this earthly body glorified. Any service I render unto God in the meantime is purely incidental, though He may give reward based on His interprtetation of my actions. "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 NASB. My friend, salvation by grace is a surety, but losing that salvation is but a possibility, with no measurable means to achieve it. As long as there is no way that I can know what is necessary to reject or deny Christ, I see no point in dwelling on that (IMHO, very SLIM) possibility. Much ado about nothing. :-) Zach†, I am not a 5,4,3 or 2-point anything, so I have no absolute position to defend. :-) I can see your point about the possibility of losing salvation. I know that this is a public forum to discuss Biblical theory and opinion. But I sure hope that this point is not a daily part of your life or a foci in your evangelism of the lost or encouragement of the saints. Saved by grace through faith is so much more comely! In Christ Jesus, charis |