Quote:
Originally Posted by tux  Steven,
My remark was not that we earn our salvation (rather, grace through faith per above), but the loss-of-salvation position would seem to make maintenance of our salvation - not gaining it - contingent on continuing these works. What I stated in the beginning of the thread is if these righteous works are not naturally (by the Holy Spirit) forthcoming, then the salvation which should be producing them is not lost, it is in fact, false.
Doug |
Doug,
The salvation we receive here on earth is a promise (1 John 2:25). The promise of salvation is contingent upon our living the Christian life faithfully (Hebrews 10:36). When one becomes saved they enter a state such that upon their death they would be in a position to inherit eternal life . One can forfeit this position with God at any time and would fall short of the grace of God upon death (Hebrews 4:1, Hebrews 12:15). Our salvation on earth is indeed a maintainance issue (Jude 21, Philippians 3:14).
Neither the Holy Spirit nor Salvation operate directly to produce works in a saved individual. Our works of righteousness/obedience are wholly of our own free will and we are accountable for them. We are each responsible for our own righteousness. Galatians 6:5, Philippians 2:12, John 5:28-29
None of this in any way earns or merits us salvation. God does not owe us anything for serving Him. Our works can never repay the life that was sacrificed on our behalf. In the end, after we have done all that was required of us, we must still count ourselves as unprofitable servants. We only did what was our duty. Luke 17:10
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"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." 1 John 3:18-19
The church of Christ at Granby