A person unsubscribed from Bible Love Notes after telling me I was wrong about people having to diligently “work out our salvation” (Philippians 2:12-13).
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”*
This passage actually tells us that our old sin nature and our new nature are in conflict. That's why Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us to “put off” the old and “put on” the new, something involving action as well as prayer.
Besides the clear message of Philippians 2:12-13 about working out our salvation. We're also commanded to obey God (John 15:10), read and study Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15), seek godly fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25), and fulfill God's purposes for us (Ephesians 2:10).
We don't need to do these things to be saved, but once we're saved, these things are proof of our salvation (1 John 2:3-4; James 2:17).
Sadly, even when I explained our need to act as well as pray, this person proved the truth in Proverbs 18:2.
For more on this subject, see:
* When this passage says we are “not under the law,” it's talking about not being under Old Covenant law. It doesn't mean we need not obey God's New Testament commands. For more specific truths about the purpose and fulfillment of Old Testament law, see Law Collection. To understand the errors in a growing movement of Christians who claim we must obey Old Testament dietary and ceremonial laws, see All or Nothing: the Hebrews Roots Movement.
FREE SUBSCRIPTION: Would you like a devotion like this sent to your email each weekday? Subscribe: HERE.
No comments:
Post a Comment