- Jul 22, 2014
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It's a matter of perspective. I'm not a Dispensational Fundamentalist Christian so I'm not cornered into a literalistic perspective that disallows for nuances in meaning. I would contend that 1 John 1 is talking about a general warning to Christians to remain faithful, this portion is not teaching that our works help us remain saved, as your understanding logically concludes. It is important to have a proper context instead of isolating a verse for your pet doctrine. It is clear from 1 John 1 that we are deceived when we teach their is no sin in us, which your understanding forces us to conclude, for only those who never sin are saved. No, rather, we must confess that we have sinned (v. 9) and receive forgiveness. Your understanding is very narrow and based on a misunderstanding of the passage.
Not all Christians share the Dispey Fundie doctrine of "Eternal Security" as your wrongly assumed. You clearly prefer the Straw Man over the actual doctrine taught in scripture but for the reader I'll lay it out using the London Baptist Confession of Faith, 1689:
Chapter 17
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PARAGRAPH 1
Those whom God has accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, from which source he still begets and nourishes in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality;1 and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them,2 yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraved upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.3
1 John 10:28,29; Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19
2 Ps. 89:31–32; 1 Cor. 11:32
3 Mal. 3:6
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PARAGRAPH 2
This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election,4 flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him,5 the oath of God,6 the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them,7 and the nature of the covenant of grace;8 from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
4 Rom. 8:30, 9:11,16
5 Rom. 5:9, 10; John 14:19
6 Heb. 6:17–18
7 1 John 3:9
8 Jer. 32:40
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PARAGRAPH 3
And though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein,9 whereby they incur God's displeasure and grieve his Holy Spirit,10 come to have their graces and comforts impaired,11 have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded,12 hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves,13 yet shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.14
9 Matt. 26:70,72,74
10 Isa. 64:5,9; Eph. 4:30
11 Ps. 51:10,12
12 Ps. 32:3–4
13 2 Sam. 12:14
14 Luke 22:32,61–62
The way you are misreading 1 John destroys the free and unmerited salvation Christians are given through Jesus Christ. You place the works of the sinner, the checked walk of the Saints, before the forgiveness of sin. This is utterly shameful and deceitfully wrong. Why? Because you are looking at your own self righteousness to say you and it can't. It makes no rational sense considering you dead in trespasses and sin and will continue to sin the rest of your life.
* Now, what you suggest is refuted in the same epistle, because the Greek clearly teaches that regeneration/being born again takes before before we believe.
Our salvation is not based on what we do but what Christ has done.
Yours in the Lord,
jm
Well, you did not offer a word for word commentary on 1 John 1:7.
I will ask you again to do so please.
I want you to offer the commentary and not somebody else, as well.
As for nuances in meaning:
How many ways is there to interpret a blueprint in building a plane or a house?
Can you imagine the disaster that would take place if folks took your approach to building planes and houses? How much more should we treat God's Word which provide for us the words of eternal life?
As for my assuming I am only aware of Eternal Security:
This is simply not the case. I am aware of those who deny Eternal Security and yet they hold to a sin and still be saved gospel or Belief Alone-ism. Free Will Baptists deny Eternal Security, but they do not think sin can separate a believer from GOD. I merely mention Eternal Security because it is one of the more popular beliefs out there that holds to Belief Alone-ism or a sin and still be saved gospel. In fact, many times I will say within my posts "Belief Alone Proponents" and or "Eternal Security Proponents." (to help to distinguish that there are folks who believe differently). The phrase "Belief Alone Proponent" is more generic and can refer to either Eternal Security proponents and or Non-Eternal Security Proponents who hold to Belief Alone Salvationism.
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