Subject: Renewal AGAIN to repentance? |
Bible Note: Joe, I like to think of it more along the lines of once saved, always being saved, unless you reject the gift of salvation and do not persevere in the faith until the end. Paul's letters are to Christian communities, but he is always warning them that they too can be cut off like those of the Hebrew covenant who rejected Christ Rom 11:22; 1 Cor 10:12; 1Tim 1:18-19. It is not God's faithfulness in question, but the faithfulness of His people in both the Old and New Covenant. We are just as free to reject or disgard his gift as were those in the Old Covenant. God does not force salvation on anyone. It is a gift freely given which must be freely accepted or rejected like any other gift. It is possible to fall away or reject God's gift and then again repent Luke 15:11-32. Do you think this father would have only given his prodigal son one chance. I doubt it. The older brother I wouldn't wan to count on. The reason God delays is to give us the chance to repent and finally persevere in His gift of faith and justification. |