----- Original Message -----
Sent: 10/18/2005 8:41:27 PM
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Re:The HEART of the matter
As I see it, Dean, there is a "salvation" that delivers us from the condemnation of the law. When God tells us that under the NT, our sins are not accounted to us -- He is speaking of sin as a violation of the law IMO. I can be delivered from the curse of the law and still find myself "lost." How is that? In the same say the prodigal son was "lost." Hell, in that scenario, is the pig pen --- a reasonable consequence of the life lived by the prodigal. We are told that those who do not believe are dead ALREADY. Eph 4:22-23 tells us that we are laying aside our old self (yes, he is still there but in decreasin
g measure) while, at the same time, putting on the mind of the Spirit. This process is called "salvation IMO, and the end of the precess is also called "salvation." You seem to think "salvation" is only about an event we call the new birth --- rather than a process of growth and activity that eventually leads us to see that God has been working all along to accomplish His will in us (Philip. 2"12,13 and John 3:21). Salvation from the condemnation of the Law is an event, I suppose. But salvation via faith and grace, bringing us to maturity IS NOT AN EVENT. In Romans 10:10, the key word is not written in that text -- it is "eventually." My belief will eventually lead to righteousness at some level. If my believing (present tense) is consistent, I will reach some level of personal
righteousness -- eventually. If I keep on confessing (present tense) , a personal salvation will be the result - eventually.
JD
cd: John I am of the belief that God not only saves now but there is a future fulfillment of that salvation in heaven. Consider 1 Thess 5:23 "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete,without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (ASV)".When we have our sins removed there is no claim against us. What decides a persons souls destination is sin and sin is the transgression of the law.If I am preserved complete then there is no guilt-therefore I can say I am right by Gods law(ie.righteous).I recently spoke with a Cherokee Indian who asked me,"So you are saying that all my ancestors that have never heard of Jesus before the white man came are going to hell". My reply was" No, what I am saying is that the sins your ancestors committed is what will send them to hell-Christ is the way to remove sins.He has removed mine therefore I can claim that I am saved from the penalty of the law
.That is why the Bible states that the Law is our schoolmaster bringing us to Christ.The law teaches right and wrong and if one has done wrong(as all have) then the law points towards Christ as the redeemer. His blood is the price that God demands for our sin -so we are purchased back from Satan whom we served.
