- Oct 27, 2017
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Part of the "call of the gospel" (that involves God having chosen us for salvation) is:
(a) A belief in the truth (Jesus) and,
(b) The Sanctification of the Spirit.
13 “...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)."
For the grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and that we should live righteously in this present world (See Titus 2:11-12).
The grace of God does not teach that we have a license to sin or to treat sin as if it is no big deal. The grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and to live righteously. So if we are say,
"Hey, I generally live upright, but nobody is perfect and we all sin and I am saved by grace, grace, grace..."
Well.... if that is what one is saying, then I am got news for this person:
The grace of God teaches us that we can live righteously in this present world. If one is admitting that we all sin and we are not perfect, then they technically are not living righteously in this present world according to Titus 2:12. For if a person admits they sin or they are a sinner, they are not living righteously but they are living unrighteously. Scripture says all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17).
Jason, thanks! Again, as always, I agree with the whole of the Scriptures.
I am curious about one thing: you consistently refer to the "grace of God" teaching us. Why do you not refer to the Holy Spirit and instead refer to the inanimate "grace of God" as if it is a separate entity in and of itself? Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ, but grace is not a person, it is an attribute of God. The Holy Spirit leads us into all Truth. We are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh and when we do so, we will live righteously post-reception of the Holy Spirit. However, apart from the Blood and Testimony of Jesus Christ and the subsequent gift of the Holy Spirit, we could never ever earn our salvation.
I also agree with you on what you said about claims, once born again, that you are a sinner and can't help yourself. God gave us the Holy Spirit for multiple reasons. At the same time, John also shared other things which included praying for someone who was committing a forgiveable sin.
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