This is a response to a post on apostasy from Peter Kirk of Gentle Wisdom:
Look at Phillipians 2:12-13, where we are charged to work out our own salvation, but we are also told that it is God who works in us. We are also told that God works all things for the good of those who love him. There is that "if" clause in there, but the way I've viewed this matter is that if one is truly a Christian, then God will continue to conform them to the image of his Son, as he promises. But if one is not truly a Christian, and is one who says, "Lord Lord," but is not known by Christ, then their fruit will show the evidence. So pragmatically, I have faith that God will save me because I love him, and I know his love is greater than mine, so in that I find security, yet I also feel that if somehow I am not in relationship with Christ, he will hopefully make that apparent before I die. In that thought I do tremble, but honestly I do not feel much fear from that idea, at least not now, and in fact the fear of that continues to lessen as I grow. Perhaps it is because my love is being perfected by our Lord, and fear is being cast out.
I hope that made sense; I'm rather tired and this is such a hard topic! I was going to say something short and sweet about salvation, but then I realized I couldn't do that without raising a crap-ton of questions. Anyway, love Jesus.
abrotherisborn.
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hello!
- stamati anagnostou
- Tallahassee, Florida
- I am a 22 year old person. I currently am studying Buddhism and practicing Zen. I love my family quite a bit and want to learn more about what makes life a good thing.
5 comments:
Thank you, Stamati. I think you mean Philippians 2:12-13. These are good thoughts. But I don't just believe or hope I have a relationship with Christ, I know I have because I "walk with Him and talk with Him along life's narrow way". It is not just a matter of the head but of the heart. If you don't have a more personal relationship, I am not suggesting that you are not saved, but I do suggest that you are missing out on what it really means to live as a Christian.
I have just read about how your fingers got burned by Benny Hinn. I'm sorry about that. Benny certainly goes too far at times, and Roy said some silly things about him. But where he seems to differ from you is that he is really in touch with God. So apparently was Roy.
If you look in the right places, you can find for yourself a real relationship with God that you can know day by day without getting into the excesses of Hinn. I'm not quite sure what to recommend, but Rick Warren's "40 Days of Purpose" might help you.
(Comment copied from my own blog)
Hmm.... See I think I have a hard time expressing myself in this sort of thing. As a human, I am prone to doubt. But honestly, compared to anything I "know," I am most sure about my relationship with Christ, and the moments I doubt that love grow fewer and farther between as I walk with Him. And I don't doubt God's ability to save, but my own ability to love. But at any rate, I think you're right in that I could be far more in touch with God. Can't we all? I think that's my point.
btw, thanks for correcting my incorrectness on the Bible quote.... DOY!
It seems I misunderstood you, Stamati. If so, sorry. Don't worry about your own inability to love. Your salvation does not depend on that, but only on God's ability to save. Love will come as you continue to develop your relationship with him.
I do appreciate the comment though, it made me think twice about my life and what I wrote. It humbled me. Thank you.
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