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NASB | Romans 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
Subject: is there security of the believer |
Bible Note: You wrote: 'If people wish to be part of the "true vine" they must be "in Christ", that is to be covered by the atoning sacrifice of His blood, as I am sure you agree. Pay close attention to what is said next, however; those branches already "in Christ", who do not bear fruit, are taken away!' Where in John 15 do you see that being a branch automatically means being "in Christ"? Those words are not used at all in this chapter, and there are a number of very valid ways of looking at what the branches represent than concluding that all the branches are truly saved. In fact, the branches are burned not primarily for not bearing fruit on their own, but the cause of this situation is that they are not abiding in Him in the first place. You wrote: "If God were to ensure our salvation regardless of our effort, then this chapter, and many others, are foolishness." God ensures our salvation AND our effort. You wrote: "Christians must put forth the effort to prove themselves as Christ’s disciples." As as Jesus himself says in verse 5, apart from Him you can do nothing. It's not a "God's part-our part" scenario. Our part is God's part as well. --Joe! |