by Mike Ratliff
The following was originally posted July 11, 2009. I am presenting this here again as I believe that many believers are convinced that even though they are justified by grace alone through faith alone, as Sacred Scripture clearly teaches, they have become convinced that they must obey certain commands of our Lord Jesus Christ in order to be accounted worthy of that salvation. This notion is unbiblical. For instance, as I show in the post below, the command to abide in Christ is indeed an imperative, a command, but the ability to obey it is only available to those whose hearts have been regenerated by God. The regenerate are justified by God and have nothing to earn and could never deserve their salvation, however, as we grow more mature in Christ we take on more and more of his character as the Holy Spirit transforms us all by the grace of God (Romans 12:2). We obey our Lord because we are in him not to earn our salvation. – Mike Ratliff
read on here...
4 comments:
very good writing by Mike Ratliff.
I was having a discussion with a gentleman about Tim Tebow. Later on in the convo, I brought up that exact same verse 1 John 3:6 as I was also refuting celibacy.
This is what he said-"you've taken 1 John 3:6 out of context and are missing his point, which is his hope in the return of Christ (verse 2) when finally we shall be like Jesus. If you keep reading, John goes on to say: "No one born of God makes a PRACTICE of sinning..." Someone with SS attraction who remains celibate is not "practicing". They are making a deliberate effort to avoid sinning for they acknowledge engaging in homosexual relations would be wrong. Of course this would be a struggle, as it often is for heteros who are celibate, but the fact that there is a struggle is proof that "transformation" is taking place.
My answer-1 John I will try and explain what I mean: Please bare with me so I can get my point across. Jesus made it very clear that sin is committed in our hearts and not just the literal act or practice of sin-Mat.5:20-28. The Pharisees were guilty of being hypocrites because they thought that if they didn't literally murder or literally commit adultery, etc that they were good and acceptable to God. They PRACTICED sin although it was not the literal act, it was practiced in their hearts just the same. Before I was saved, I thought I was a good person and I behaved-I never committed the literal act of adultery or being with another of the SS. I was behaving and abstaining. But,, I was very wrong because I was practicing sin in my heart-entertaining it. In 1 John 3:6- I take it to not only mean practicing sin literally but in one's heart as a lifestyle. -"No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him." The problem is this, we don't know people's hearts only God does. Yet we do have to be cautious when a person is in a state of ongoing same sex attraction and it has never ceased. One has to wonder why they have never had victory over that.
You have nailed it girl!! To have a 'desire' for sex, regardless of who it's geared towards, is the same as committing the act in 'their heart'. Your pointing to Jesus' teaching from Matthew solidifies this. People think they can fantasize about sex, just as long as they don't follow thru, they're okay. To say someone is 'attracted' to the same sex sends up all kinds of red flags. This sin is an abomination; to lust, to desire what is forbidden {which, btw, is the correct terminology for this, NOT 'attracted'!} is sin...period
Thanks lyn for the encouragement in the Lord.
I apologize for digressing from the main subject of your post. When I read the rest of Mike' post and came across 1 John 3:6, I just had to share this with you.
About the "abiding" Mike is correct.
The main verse that I've read so, so many times is Rom 1:17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
WE begin with faith and throughout our whole Christian lives, we live by FAITH -not works and it finishes with faith. Belief in the finished person and work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. WE did absolutely nothing to earn it, it is GRACE. The works we do are a result of God's grace in our lives. I know you know this. But sometimes I have to say it. thanks for listening(reading).
I cannot tell you how many Arminians try and (keep) their salvation. It's sad it's really heartbreaking. If God has truly saved an individual you can bet your bottom britches, HE will keep them saved because it's ALL HIS GRACE!!!!!
your sister in Christ, Linda
The gospel of free will is an accursed gospel, it robs God of glory and gives sinners credit for doing something to be saved. This is not what the bible teaches at all. We must stand firm against this accursed gospel whenever confronted!
Bless you dear sister!
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