Most people in modern culture think they are too "good" to go to Hell. That's one reason universal salvation has become an increasingly popular belief, even among Christians.
In addition, some Christians claim that repentance, sanctification, and discipleship are not a necessary part of salvation.
Genuine faith in Christ is nothing less than a life commitment.
In Luke 14:25-34, Jesus says "count the cost... those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."
This doesn't mean God will ask us to give up everything. It means we must be willing to do whatever He asks of us (Matthew 19:29). He died for us so that we can live for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15).
There will always be people who think God's wonderful grace is a license to sin. That was a problem in the early church, and Paul addressed it in Romans 6:
"Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"
(Romans 6:1-2)
If someone thinks they can come to the Lord without repentance and continue to live an ungodly lifestyle, refer them to 1 John 3:6. If they think they can repent but give up nothing for the Lord, refer them to 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.
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Bible Love Notes
This is something that I wrestle with daily. Since I tend toward "rule keeping", I appear to others as if I forget about or limit grace. Which, in my heart, is not so. But if it is 100% grace without a transformed life, then grace has no effect, which, in my understanding, is not grace at all. Grace that empowers us to live righteously is what we have been given. Not so-called-grace that enables us to live according to the flesh. Just a few thoughts from someone who wants to know the power of His rising.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your insights, Joanne. From my observations, we typically tend toward rule keeping or cheap grace. Very few of us get it right without constantly seeking the Lord.I don't think it's as hard as we make it, but our fallen human nature has difficulty grasping it.
DeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts.
Gail
I studied both sides of that debate years ago too ... Personally, I came to the conclusion that I would take Jesus' words at face value (considering the Hebrew context at times). My marching orders come from Him. In fact, I recently was moved to study "just the words of Jesus," which I've never done before ... and I even got a words-of-Jesus app for my iPhone! The way I see it, God's grace and the empowering of the Holy Spirit enable me to obey Him and live in righteousness.
ReplyDeleteI have realized that I tended to take no responsibility in the need to transform and grow in my faith when I believed that salvation was 100% grace. As I am studying the Hebraic perspective, it makes the Bible make more sense and even "counting the cost" more relevant. My heart is being transformed to want to follow the instructions of God because I do not feel like I am being forced into a set of rules. My perspective has changed and my desire is to be pleasing to Him. I am criticized (for lack of a better word) by Christians for putting myself in bondage or being legalistic. All I am trying to do is follow what the Bible says. I am fully aware that my salvation is based on grace, but my obedience is demonstrated by what I do. I would rather err on the side of doing what the Bible says and be wrong than to follow man's theology and hope for the best.
ReplyDelete"By their fruits you will know them." Follow God's will for our lives, keeping his commandments, being a disciple are an expression of our commitment to HIM - not the road to salvation. James 2 tells us that a faith without works is dead. We can't have one without the other. God knows out hearts and when it comes down to it - He knows if we are sincere or if we are making excuses. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThe COST is stated and the BENEFITS are also stated. We have been saved by grace and while we are believers, to be a disciple is a both a work of grace and commitment through sanctification. We have to decide whether to remain just believers or become disciples (Ready for the process and discipline).
ReplyDeleteSo help us Lord.
Hi Biodun,
DeleteYes, you're right.
And genuine believers want to become disciples. If someone claims to be a believer but has no intention of becoming a disciple, perhaps they aren't a believer at all. To know Jesus is to love Him and to love Him is to obey Him.