Quote:
Originally Posted by mfblume
FINISHED WORK OF THE CROSS does not mean OSAS. I believe in the finished work of the cross in that we can add nothing to the work Jesus did in order to provide us with all we need to overcome. That does not mean we cannot lose salvation nor does it mean we have no part to play. It simply means Christ has nothing else to do to provide us with all we need to be saved and live victoriously.
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Excellent point.
I'd like to ask a few questions. How do you know if you've lost your salvation? Can one be saved, lost, saved, lost, saved, lost, saved, lost... repeatedly throughout their lives?
The doctrine of eternal security teaches that SIN is so detestible to God that a perfect sacrifice was necessary. Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins, that means that Jesus endured ALL the wrath of God for the sins of the believer. Christ's blood atonement and the salvation provided is so pure and holy, it justifies the most vile of sinners in God's sight. Jesus essentially said, "I'll take ALL of the wrath they'd deserve for their sin." The believer is considered "crucified with Christ", the old man and his nature was nailed to the cross, and we are to be considered DEAD in regards to the Law. You can't bring a change against a dead man. All the sins of the believer were atoned for; past, present, and future (all of your sins were yet future when Christ died). Those who believe receive Christ's righteousness. A righteousness NOT based on their works... but on Christ's work, Jesus truly paid it all. The requirement for Heaven is
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION as it is written, "Be ye holy, as I am holy.", and, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." The perfection demanded is the PERFECTION OF GOD,
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION... and that is only imputed by God through faith Jesus Christ. For our righteousness to be perfect, it has to be HIS and HIS alone. Overcoming sin in our lives is predicated upon our oneness with Christ, not our efforts. Being one with Christ will allow His righteousness to flow through us and sins are overcome. We still struggle with sin because our minds must be renewed. Sins are increasingly overcome as we put on the mind of Christ Jesus and are conformed into HIS image. All of this is a work of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Those who "fall away" went out from among us because they were not of us. Yes, they tasted of the heavenly gift... but they were predestined to fall away. God foreknew it and declared it to be so, not altering their fate. The true believer WILL press into Christ Jesus and overcome sin. The new nature imparted demands it. A saint cannot continue in sin. Eventually the prodigal will come home. And when they do they will realize that their heavenly Father NEVER stopped loving them. They were NEVER disowned. And they are welcomed in unconditionally. The story of the prodigal isn't about forgiveness... it's about unconditional acceptance and grace. The prodigal wanted to be allowed back home and was willing to be a servant... HE WAS BUYING INTO A WORKS MENTALITY TO GAIN HIS FATHER'S APPROVAL. The prodigal's father welcomed him in with open arms, had never stopped loving him, and was ready to impart all the righteousness of the family upon him. The legalistic brother was taken aback, because he was works oriented also. Thought his obedience and faithfulness to the family earned him greater standing. Not so. Such is the power of grace.
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