Question about a Soldier's Covenant Statement

[chickette]

Ok. In one of the statements in the Soldier's Covenant it says "We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ."

What are other people's thoughts on this? We were talking about it the other day and was just wondering who agrees with this and why and who doesn't and why?

Thanks.

 

[coalfarm]

Yep. I agree with it. Stands to reason.

 

[Abiel]

I will think about this one

 

[Abiel]

I suppose it has to do with arminism/calvinism/once saved always saved stuff

 

[chickette]

I suppose it has to do with arminism/calvinism/once saved always saved stuff

Yeah, I understand that, but what are other peoples thoughts on it? Agree or disagree? Why or why not?

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

I agree with it - I don't agree with 'once saved always saved' - although we aren't 'works based', I do believe that we do have to keep obeying God, and doing what He wants, and serving Him - in order to get to heaven.

I doubt becoming a Christian, and then knowingly and unrepentantly continuing in sin will still allow you entry into heaven.

It's not THAT part of the soldier's covenant that stops me from becoming one!

Sasch

 

[chickette]

It's not THAT part of the soldier's covenant that stops me from becoming one!

So you're not a soldier then? Can I ask you what part is stopping you? Just curious. If it's too personal, don't answer!

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

No that's okay...

Basically - I have a drink once every 3 or 4 months, and I enjoy it. Because of the no alcohol clause, I choose not to be a soldier. And, I put money in for the occasional raffles we get at work for charities - which comes under the 'gambling' clause, I think!

I am praying about it - so if God does say something to me about becoming one - I may just change this opinion!

Sasch

 

[Victrixa]

I agree with it - I don't agree with 'once saved always saved' - although we aren't 'works based', I do believe that we do have to keep obeying God, and doing what He wants, and serving Him - in order to get to heaven.

I doubt becoming a Christian, and then knowingly and unrepentantly continuing in sin will still allow you entry into heaven.

I love your response, Sascha!

 

[chickette]

So let me draw a quick conclusion on this. If we lose our faith in God, we lose our 'spot' in Heaven? I mean that makes sense to me and I agree with that. But It says obedient faith, and as humans we are disobedient sometimes, so where do you draw the line I guess?

 

[Abiel]

When you put it like that it sounds like awfully hard work- but I think the definition of 'obediant faith' is probably not as onerous as it sounds. Christ called his disciples 'you of little faith'. He said that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. What is 'obediant faith' is the same as 'faith in God ie being a Christian'? Then it sounds more do-able.

 

[Victrixa]

I think that one has to say 'yes' to God continually... Of course, we are all rebellious at times, lol, we say 'no' at times, that's when we must ask for our Good Lord's forgiveness, reconcile with Him and everything's fine!

 

[chickette]

Thanks all. It was pretty much what I was thinking but it has clarified it a fair bit.

If anyone else wants to add anything though, go ahead!

 

[InTheFlame]

Maybe...

When our lives are open to his working in them, we are in a 'state of salvation' - God is continuing his good work in us?

Salvation

1. 1. Preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil.
   2. A source, means, or cause of such preservation or deliverance.
2. Christianity.
   1. Deliverance from the power or penalty of sin; redemption.
   2. The agent or means that brings about such deliverance.

www.dictionary.com

 

[Athanasian Creed]

I agree with the belief that salvation is conditional upon continued obedience to Christ and His Word.

Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. He also says that we must continue to abide in Him; our life comes from abiding in Him (He IS the Way, Truth and Life) To divorce ourselves from Him, as the Vine, means certain death as we can only stand against the wiles of the devil by His power.

Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.


Ray

 

[the_baby]

I agree with the doctrines. I believe and follow God thats why I go to church and If I didn't agree with our doctrines I need to go somewhere else to church. Since we do have choices we do have a choice to become a soldier or not. I think drinking is a sin if you abuse it.

 

[tadpole29]

A great book for all to read, that explains in debt our doctrines, and supplies scritptures in which they are based is called Salvation Story, your local corps officer should have a copy, they have to read it in training.

 

[coalfarm]

i think recruits are supposed to read Salvation Story before they get enrolled...

 

[J21]

I agree with the doctrines. I believe and follow God thats why I go to church and If I didn't agree with our doctrines I need to go somewhere else to church. Since we do have choices we do have a choice to become a soldier or not. I think drinking is a sin if you abuse it.

Yes. We do have the choioce to become a Soldier in His Salvation Army or not.
My husband became a Soldier two weeks ago now, having having been an Adherent for a year. When we did our Soldiership class, it was done using the book, 'Battle Orders' by Chick Yuill which goes through the doctines and the biblical basis for ur lives.
As concerns the drinking...the Salvation Army do not claim it to be a sin to drink...but sin can come through the actions of a person who has imbibed too much.
The Army knows that the Lord in His Bible has said we should not give ourselves over to drunkeness, for it is an abuse of our body, but it is not actually a sin to drink alcohol.The Lord Jesus drank wine.
Soldiers do not drink ,and make that covenant agreement,for though we know that according to God, all things are permissible, we are not to do things to cause a weaker brother to stumble.
Working as we do with alcoholics, who have an addiction to the drink, it would not be fair to them to be drinking that same drink which has kept them enslaved.
From the Battle Orders book:
Alcohol affects our judgement
Alcohol may lead to addiction
If I drink it may influence others to do so
The alcohol industry aims its advertising at the young with the suggestions that it is glamorous /sexy to drink
Alcohol is often a factor in violent crime
Alcohol damages health

The Lord wants us to be free of any substance which enslaves us or harms us in any way.
Peace.

 

[TheDag]

Yes. We do have the choioce to become a Soldier in His Salvation Army or not.
My husband became a Soldier two weeks ago now, having having been an Adherent for a year. When we did our Soldiership class, it was done using the book, 'Battle Orders' by Chick Yuill which goes through the doctines and the biblical basis for ur lives.

I think its a good basic book for learning about what being a soldier means but when I read it I made the statement to my wife that I would never become a soldier because of one of the covenants. When we discussed it we came to the conclusion that my wife interprets the statement one way while I interpret it differently. Of course my wife had to make the sensible suggestion of praying about it to see what God says!

Basically - I have a drink once every 3 or 4 months, and I enjoy it. Because of the no alcohol clause, I choose not to be a soldier. And, I put money in for the occasional raffles we get at work for charities - which comes under the 'gambling' clause, I think!

I am praying about it - so if God does say something to me about becoming one - I may just change this opinion!

Glad you are praying about it. The drink issue shouldn't really be a problem. If God wants you to be a soldier then you'll just have to accept that you won't be able to drink. I'm not a soldier but I gave up drinking because my wife asked me to as she is a soldier. I did enjoy a drink but was more than happy to give up.
As to the raffles I would say that it depends on your view. I'm amazed by what some people think is not gambling but with raffles for charities can be a grey area. I heard one person suggest that you buy a ticket and take your stub but don't put your details on it so if it is drawn out they will draw another ticket. Maybe if it is mainly a food parcel (and they do have some good ones of those) if you win donate it to YOS or other similar outreach.