David Miller wrote: When I teach holiness, it is not connected with salvation, but invariably, those who emphasize grace think that I tie it to salvation through implication.
I do teach that anyone who believes in Jesus needs to receive Jesus as Lord of their life. I don't say that people are damned if they have never done that. Some people might depart from this life without having a chance for Jesus to be their Lord, yet hearing of the grace and mercy of God, they might receive saving grace. But anyone living who is called to salvation, they need to accept Jesus as Lord of their life. In my perspective, it is not an option. Hi David Miller, I have a hard time with understanding all this. It seems that we are taught that "all you have to do is believe that Jesus is Savior, and accept Him, and you get a free ticket to heaven...nothing else matters. You can be as sinful as you want to and still get into heaven." This seems ridiculous to me! If having "faith" in Jesus just means believing that He is the son of God the Father--even demons believe this, and they tremble! So what does "saving faith" mean??? Obviously not just that. It seems that really "believing" or "having faith in Jesus" means more than just head knowledge, but must have an effect upon US in how we behave, as well as how we believe. "Faith without works (righteous behavior) is dead!" It seems that "faith" and "works" are as inseparable as our body and spirit. If our body exists without our spirit, we are dead. If our spirit exists without our body we are dead. Just the same way, if our works exist without our faith in Christ, we are dead. And if our faith in Christ exists without our works, we are dead. Does that make sense so far? If so, then why are our "works" and our "salvation" not related? Obviously we must depend upon the sacrifice of Christ on the cross to atone for our sins. That was the whole reason for His incarnation. But at what point does our sin get so grievous that His sacrifice no longer atones for it? Ever? At what point does the fact of our sin point out that we really DO NOT believe in Him? That's where it gets muddy for me. How can anyone walk in continual, grievous sin and still be destined for heaven, regardless of the atoning blood of Christ? Doesn't their sinful life show that Jesus is not their Lord, and therefore they have no faith in Him? They just "talk the talk, but don't walk the walk." Didn't Jesus make it clear that hypocrites will not enter the Kingdom? Can you shed any light on this? Izzy ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
