"Half-True Blasphemy" pt.2
I totally agree with Hubmaier's belief that humans have free will. Hubmaier uses a distinction between body, soul, and spirit to explain how this works out. The body desires to do evil and the spirit desires to do good. It is the soul of humanity that is able to decide between the two of them to live according to the will of God or the will of the flesh. This is only possible because Christ has restored humanity to God's original intention of being able to choose between good and evil.
Don't misinterpret me. I am not saying that works save us or that humanity can save themselves by doing certain things. Humanity is totally depraved and unable to save themselves. Due to Christ's restorative sacrifice at Calvary, God has sent the Holy Spirit to draw humanity towards Himself.
Unlike some who believe that election by God is unconditional, I believe there is one, and only one, condition to being saved. That condition is faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that "we are saved by grace through faith". The grace of God is working throughout all of creation. Those who have faith are being saved. God desires all to be saved but there are some who don't have faith. The atonement was unlimited and it made it possible, but not probable, for all of humanity to be saved and restored to their rightful place as worshippers of the one true God.
This leads me to the belief that the grace of God is resistable. This is due to human free will. God desires all to be saved, Jesus died for all of humanity, and the Holy Spirit is at work in all of creation. Yet, some will not be saved because they do not have faith. To me, this means that the grace of God is resistable.
This also leads me to the troublesome conclusion that some people may be saved and then lose their salvation. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are "created to do good works that were prepared beforehand to be our way of life." So, we are saved by grace through faith to do good works. According to James 2:17 "faith without works is dead." We can say a prayer seeking forgiveness but if our life is not changed by this commitment then we are not saved. If we follow Christ's example, in faith, as a servant to humanity then we will be saved. If we cease to believe that God has saved us and that we are called to be shining lights of Christ's love for the rest of humanity then we are no longer saved.
Don't misinterpret me. I am not saying that works save us or that humanity can save themselves by doing certain things. Humanity is totally depraved and unable to save themselves. Due to Christ's restorative sacrifice at Calvary, God has sent the Holy Spirit to draw humanity towards Himself.
Unlike some who believe that election by God is unconditional, I believe there is one, and only one, condition to being saved. That condition is faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that "we are saved by grace through faith". The grace of God is working throughout all of creation. Those who have faith are being saved. God desires all to be saved but there are some who don't have faith. The atonement was unlimited and it made it possible, but not probable, for all of humanity to be saved and restored to their rightful place as worshippers of the one true God.
This leads me to the belief that the grace of God is resistable. This is due to human free will. God desires all to be saved, Jesus died for all of humanity, and the Holy Spirit is at work in all of creation. Yet, some will not be saved because they do not have faith. To me, this means that the grace of God is resistable.
This also leads me to the troublesome conclusion that some people may be saved and then lose their salvation. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are "created to do good works that were prepared beforehand to be our way of life." So, we are saved by grace through faith to do good works. According to James 2:17 "faith without works is dead." We can say a prayer seeking forgiveness but if our life is not changed by this commitment then we are not saved. If we follow Christ's example, in faith, as a servant to humanity then we will be saved. If we cease to believe that God has saved us and that we are called to be shining lights of Christ's love for the rest of humanity then we are no longer saved.
posted by Justin at 2/08/2007 10:51:00 PM
1 Comments:
I agree with you that one is saved through faith in God and accepting His salvation. However, once that salvation is accepted God promises man that nothing can separate him from the love of God. Does that mean God will always continue to guard and protect us and bring us back to Him? Or are we left on our own and hopefully we continue to follow Him? I think you need to give God more credit in leading us and guiding us to follow His will. Yes, some will walk in sin but I feel if the Holy Spirit is in their hearts, they will repent and realize their mistake and beg God for forgiveness. God knows the temptations we experience and fall into each and every day. But he loves us and wants us to strive to follow Him. Why does it really matter if someone can or can't lose their salvation? No one will ever know anyway until we all die. And then we will probably not miss those who aren't in heaven. Each person needs to live a life for Christ and pray for God to guide them and help them make good choices in this life. I don't really think God wants us to strive for perfection as much as he wants us to bring more followers to Him. No this doesn't give man an excuse to sin but if one is filled with the Holy Spirit and experiences an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ- hopefully he will understand that concept.
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