What is the difficulty of getting into heaven?

[atpollard]

In the most basic terms for a child to understand, How hard or easy is it to get into heaven?
In other words, Is it easy to obtain salvation or is it hard for the joe shmoes of the world?

It has this REALLY tall wall and these Pearly Gates to keep out uninvited guests … but friends and family just follow the streets of gold and walk right in (at least, that’s what I read at the end of the book).

 

[Rapture Bound]

fhansen said [post #378] :

"No, sin, from the beginning, was/is the primary difficulty of getting into heaven. Jesús came so that your sins would not only be forgiven, but so that you can 'go, and sin no more'. Which means die no more."

My Reply :

Sin, and how a person can obtain forgiveness of all of their sins was the very context in which my statement [post #377] was couched in. "'go, and sin no more" does not directly pertain to justification ... justification is a judicial declaration, whereas "go, and sin no more" pertains to sanctification [which is not a judicial {legal} term]. If justification and sanctification were synonymous terms, then one of them would be unnecessary to be included in scripture.

 

[fhansen]

You will be their pleading your own righteousness which is of the Law, good luck with that.

I won't plead anything-certainly nothing about the law. Righteousness, whether identified as the law or just good deeds or putting to death the deeds of the flesh/overcoming sin must be done, however, or you'd be mocking Jesus and everything He did for us. And it won't be done by my righteousness, let alone my attempts at obeying the law, as if I possessed any righteousness on my own apart from Him, but with His righteousness that He's imparted to me a result of my faith in Him.

He'll ask, how well did you love, with the love you've been shown and given? He won't bother about someone's paltry faith, because that's only the entranceway to relationship with Him, not the outworkings of it. And He'll already know the answer and give His just judgment, regardless of someone's pleas, "Look at my faith!" He looks at our love. If we understand that, we understand Him, and His gospel. He wants more for you than you know, and therefore expects something from you, like any good parent. This requirement for us to love as He does is consistent with many verses, such as Matt 6:14-15:
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."

But keep ignoring Scripture as you prefer, Scripture which shows that God gives righteousness to believers. Again, why do you prefer unrighteousness, when Jesus came to finally restore justice to His creation-to take away its sin- rather than leave it in sin? You disagree with Jesus, Paul, James, John et al, as well as the church Christ established. You need to escape the brainwashing that's stemmed from novel interpretations, false gospels.

 

[fhansen]

fhansen said [post #378] :

"No, sin, from the beginning, was/is the primary difficulty of getting into heaven. Jesús came so that your sins would not only be forgiven, but so that you can 'go, and sin no more'. Which means die no more."

My Reply :

Sin, and how a person can obtain forgiveness of all of their sins was the very context in which my statement [post #377] was couched in. "'go, and sin no more" does not directly pertain to justification ... justification is a judicial declaration, whereas "go, and sin no more" pertains to sanctification [which is not a judicial {legal} term]. If justification and sanctification were synonymous terms, then one of them would be unnecessary to be included in scripture.

I see, so it's kind of a pick and choose kind of thing. We like the forgiveness part so that must pertain to justification, but we don't like any obligation to actually be righteous, to refrain from adultery, killing, lying; God would never demand such from us.

"We're forgiven! That's the main thing." No, justification is more than a mere legal declaration, but a true change made in us, with grace, God's life in us, now imparted. And we can walk in that justice, living by the Spirit or, or not.

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." Rom 8:12-13

 

[Rapture Bound]

fhansen replied [post #384] :

"I see, so it's kind of a pick and choose kind of thing. We like the forgiveness part so that must pertain to justification, but we don't like any obligation to actually be righteous, to refrain from adultery, killing, lying; God would never demand such from us.

We're forgiven! That's the main thing. No, justification is more than a mere legal declaration, but a true change made in us, with grace, God's life in us, now imparted. And we can walk in that justice, living by the Spirit or, or not.

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." Rom 8:12-13."

My Reply :

No, it's not a "pick and choose kind of thing", it's God's plan of redemption whether people like it or not ... God has designed it this way ... not you or me. Justification is a legal declaration, while on the other hand, the true change made in us at the new birth is called regeneration ... which is again, a distinct component of salvation from justification.

If you would prefer to preform some type of righteous acts [or avoid committing others] to earn your forgiveness [or justified status before God] ... have at it ... but I can guarantee you, that according to what God has clearly revealed in the scriptures ... it won't end well for you.

Romans 8:9, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you".

All those who have truly been regenerated by the Holy Spirit are no longer "in the flesh" [but are "in Christ"] ... you must read verses 12-13 in light of the context of verse 9 in order to rightly divide the scriptures.

Romans 6:3-7:
"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, [certainly] we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin."

["Certainly"]...all those who were baptized into Christ will also be in the likeness of his resurrection."

What is the definition of certainly? --- cer·tain·ly - undoubtedly; definitely; surely.

It couldn't be made any clearer than that ... glorification in it's "already" as well as it's "not yet" dimensions is promised and guaranteed for all those who have become new creations in Christ!!... Hallelujah!!

 

[fhansen]

fhansen replied [post #384] :

"I see, so it's kind of a pick and choose kind of thing. We like the forgiveness part so that must pertain to justification, but we don't like any obligation to actually be righteous, to refrain from adultery, killing, lying; God would never demand such from us.

We're forgiven! That's the main thing. No, justification is more than a mere legal declaration, but a true change made in us, with grace, God's life in us, now imparted. And we can walk in that justice, living by the Spirit or, or not.

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." Rom 8:12-13."

My Reply :

No, it's not a "pick and choose kind of thing", it's God's plan of redemption whether people like it or not ... God has designed it this way ... not you or me. Justification is a legal declaration, while on the other hand, the true change made in us at the new birth is called regeneration ... which is again, a distinct component of salvation from justification.

If you would prefer to preform some type of righteous acts [or avoid committing others] to earn your forgiveness [or justified status before God] ... have at it ... but I can guarantee you, that according to what God has clearly revealed in the scriptures ... it won't end well for you.

Romans 8:9, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you".

All those who have truly been regenerated by the Holy Spirit are no longer "in the flesh" [but are "in Christ"] ... you must read verses 12-13 in light of the context of verse 9 in order to rightly divide the scriptures.

Romans 6:3-7:
"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, [certainly] we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin."

["Certainly"]...all those who were baptized into Christ will also be in the likeness of his resurrection."

What is the definition of certainly? --- cer·tain·ly - undoubtedly; definitely; surely.

It couldn't be made any clearer than that ... glorification in it's "already" as well as it's "not yet" dimensions is promised and guaranteed for all those who have become new creations in Christ!!... Hallelujah!!

I see. So you're now saying that the regenerated never sin anyway? Or are guaranteed sanctification at some point such that they'll have no sin to condemn them for? Or what are you saying, in your rightly dividing?

 

[fhansen]

If you would prefer to preform some type of righteous acts [or avoid committing others] to earn your forgiveness [or justified status before God] ... have at it ... but I can guarantee you, that according to what God has clearly revealed in the scriptures ... it won't end well for you.

But that’s exactly what Scripture says. All of Romans and elsewhere speak of a new righteousness now available, the true righteousness that comes from God. The Reformers really didn’t get it. By making justice a forensic declaration only, they managed to separate justice from…well, justice! And shades of Isaiah 5:20 can’t help but start dancing around in our heads.

All those who have truly been regenerated by the Holy Spirit are no longer "in the flesh" [but are "in Christ"] ... you must read verses 12-13 in light of the context of verse 9 in order to rightly divide the scriptures.

Of course, and in light of the rest of Romans, and in light of all Scripture. So tell me, how does 8:9 inform us about 12-13? The Church has consistently taught that only by grace, only by life in the Spirit, only by remaining in Christ can man hope to live righteously, in such a way pleasing to God. Only the justified man, IOW.

 

[Rapture Bound]

fhansen said [post #386]:

"I see. So you're now saying that the regenerated never sin anyway? Or are guaranteed sanctification at some point such that they'll have no sin to condemn them for? Or what are you saying, in your rightly dividing?"

My Reply:

"So you're now saying that the regenerated never sin anyway?" ...

Wow! ... Where did I ever say that?... why are you trying to put words in my mouth that I never stated??

 

[Rapture Bound]

fhansen said [post #387]:

"Of course, and in light of the rest of Romans, and in light of all Scripture. So tell me, how does 8:9 inform us about 12-13? The Church has consistently taught that only by grace, only by life in the Spirit, only by remaining in Christ can man hope to live righteously, in such a way pleasing to God. Only the justified man, IOW."


"So tell me, how does 8:9 inform us about 12-13?"

My reply:

I just explained this in my prior post [#385].


"The Church has consistently taught ..."

My Reply:

Oh I see, now you want to play the "Trump Card" ..."The Church"... really? I take it you are referring to "THE Almighty Roman Catholic "Church" ... correct? Please, don't even go there, this is not even close to the subject of the OP ... it would be a tangent that would only result in the exposure of the many heresies of that "Almighty Trump Card". Are you aware of the mantra of Roman Catholicism?... "if you can't support it with scripture ... just appeal to the "Almighty Council of Trent" - lol.

Anyways, I do not disagree with you when you said, "that only by grace, only by life in the Spirit, only by remaining in Christ can man hope to live righteously, in such a way pleasing to God. Only the justified man, IOW."

But again, this truth in no way nullifies the clear scriptural teaching that once a person is justified, they will remain justified by the blood of Jesus Christ all the way until the time they draw their last breath upon this planet. The fact of the matter is ... all those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit WILL remain in Christ... God Himself will personally see to it ... He will faithfully preserve all of His sons and daughters.

Romans 8:30,"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."......

"glorified" here is in the past tense ... it is already a done deal for all who have been justified [past tense] ... why can't people accept this plain truth?...and why wouldn't people want to accept it? ... could it be that ..."The primary difficulty or obstacle of a person getting into heaven is their perception that faith in the atoning blood of Christ alone for their justified status is either "too easy" [i.e - "not enough by itself"] , or "too good to be true".?

 

[servant7777]

The difficulty of getting into Heaven is because the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven, such as finding one pearl of great price, (selling all you have to buy it)

being the least among herbs,, then becoming a tree where the birds can shelter,

the kingdom being leaven, which was hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was being leavened, ( the Father Son and Holy Ghost in us)

the different ground , and who receives these words of the kingdom and who does not,

and the different plants ( some sown unwanted)




Then the answer is, who wants to sell all they have and give it all away, who is the least among herbs to do that, and to become a tree ( of righteousness) through it, to receive God in them, receiving Him into good ground( a humbled heart) and it is the wheat and not the tares.


On top of that, sitting the lowest, being the last, and the least, why would a tare hear such a righteous, good way, when they can just make a mockery out of Christs Holiness and lowliness, and turn it into sin and themselves.

 

[servant7777]

f

But again, this truth in no way nullifies the clear scriptural teaching that once a person is justified, they will remain justified by the blood of Jesus Christ all the way until the time they draw their last breath upon this planet. The fact of the matter is ... all those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit WILL remain in Christ... God Himself will personally see to it ... He will faithfully preserve all of His sons and daughters.

Romans 8:30,"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."......

"glorified" here is in the past tense ... it is already a done deal for all who have been justified [past tense] ... why can't people accept this plain truth?...and why wouldn't people want to accept it? ... could it be that ..."The primary difficulty or obstacle of a person getting into heaven is their perception that faith in the atoning blood of Christ alone for their justified status is either "too easy" [i.e - "not enough by itself"] , or "too good to be true".?

We do accept that, that glorified is a past term.


But, there is more info on glorified.

The Spirit bears witness we are the children of God, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him to be glorified together.

For Christ once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God, death in the flesh and then quickened by the Spirit.

We arm ourselves with the same mind and as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, we suffer in the flesh to cease from sin ( we become dead to sin, in the flesh)

No longer to the will of men but now the will of God, no lasciviousness, no revellings, no idolatries, no running with them to the same excess of riot, as they will give account to God who will judge the quick and the dead( they remain dead in sins by not believing in the whole testimony of Christ)




Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.




Quickened together with him( just like for when we will be glorified together if we suffer with Him/ suffer in the flesh to cease from sin.)



Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

 

[fhansen]

fhansen said [post #386]:

"I see. So you're now saying that the regenerated never sin anyway? Or are guaranteed sanctification at some point such that they'll have no sin to condemn them for? Or what are you saying, in your rightly dividing?"

My Reply:

"So you're now saying that the regenerated never sin anyway?" ...

Wow! ... Where did I ever say that?... why are you trying to put words in my mouth that I never stated??

I'm asking what you are saying in #385. So, we're regenerated by the Spirit, walking in newness of life. Why are you quoting Rom 6:3-7? To say that the regenerated don't sin anyway-even if righteousness is not required in order to realize eternal life? What was the point?

 

[servant7777]

Questions of words only shows pride, knowing nothing and doting about strife and envy, railings and evil surmisings, perverse disputings of corrupt minds, why not show we are not destitute of the truth and ever cease from this as testified..


1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

 

[servant7777]

I guess the strife disputers wont cease, until they are ceased forever.


Proverbs 2:22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Proverbs 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

 

[fhansen]

fhansen said [post #387]:

"Of course, and in light of the rest of Romans, and in light of all Scripture. So tell me, how does 8:9 inform us about 12-13? The Church has consistently taught that only by grace, only by life in the Spirit, only by remaining in Christ can man hope to live righteously, in such a way pleasing to God. Only the justified man, IOW."


"So tell me, how does 8:9 inform us about 12-13?"

My reply:

I just explained this in my prior post [#385].

Not really, Or I missed it.

"The Church has consistently taught ..."

My Reply:

Oh I see, now you want to play the "Trump Card" ..."The Church"... really? I take it you are referring to "THE Almighty Roman Catholic "Church" ... correct? Please, don't even go there, this is not even close to the subject of the OP ... it would be a tangent that would only result in the exposure of the many heresies of that "Almighty Trump Card". Are you aware of the mantra of Roman Catholicism?... "if you can't support it with scripture ... just appeal to the "Almighty Council of Trent" - lol.

The Trump Card? Never heard that one. There can only be one church that Christ established, as you should know. With one faith. It subsists in churches in both the east and west that trace their lineage to the beginning. You can find its teachings in the councils and catechisms-and the ECFs reflect most of them almost unanimously.

Never heard that mantra either but Trent was one more council, in this case one that was convened due to the new gospels being floated around at the time. Trent laid the true doctrine of justification out quite eloquently and more clearly and exhaustively than ever before in ages past-and supports it with Scripture along with the historical, continuous understanding of the...well, of the church.

Anyways, I do not disagree with you when you said, "that only by grace, only by life in the Spirit, only by remaining in Christ can man hope to live righteously, in such a way pleasing to God. Only the justified man, IOW."

But again, this truth in no way nullifies the clear scriptural teaching that once a person is justified, they will remain justified by the blood of Jesus Christ all the way until the time they draw their last breath upon this planet.

And this is one area where the historical teachings divide with the reformers. The justified man must still work out his salvation with He who works in us, with whatever time and opportunities and grace he's been given to "invest", as per the Parable of the Talents where the wicked and lazy servant was booted from the Kingdom. More will be expected of those given more (Luke 12:48). This is because the grace given is real, the life of God in him is real; justification consists not only of the forgiveness and remission of sins but also of righteousness imparted, not merely declared. And, while it's taught that man cannot possibly move himself to God; he's lost after all such that the Holy Spirit must call him, touch him, prompt and move him towards Himself, the will of fallen man is not so totally impaired, and not so overridden as God calls him, that he cannot still muster a "no". Or he can say no and walk away at any point after being justified. Read post #111 of this thread.

Grace is resistible precisely because God wants the will of man involved, to the extent possible. And that involvement is the only way that man can even have any meaningful justice or righteousness. God did not create man to be a sinner; man just needs to know that he desperately needs God in order to have moral integrity, in order to refrain from the sin that causes all the ugliness and harm in creation. Man without God is an anomaly, it's disharmony, corruption, injustice, death. That's what we're here to learn; that's what Adam didn't quite yet get in Eden. To put it all in different terms and succinctly: love is both a gift of grace and, necessarily, a human choice that defines man's ultimate justice or righteousness. It's a daily choice, and one that grows in strength and conviction, as does faith and hope, as we embrace and express them. It's the very image of God we're to be transformed into. And this begins in the moment of justification.

The Reformed teaching on the elect not being lost is redundant. Of course those who's names are written in the Book of Life will be saved. But to say that we can know with 100% certainty just who they are, who the words spoken in John 10:28, for example, necessarily apply to, who will persevere and who will not, is rash, over-confident; it's knowledge that God, alone has, not us. He'll judge us, on our love, at the end of the day. That's where the journey, begun with faith, is meant to lead. And yet we can have at least a strong level of assurance going by the fruit that love should produce in our lives while knowing that God, at least, is 100% trustworthy and true. We're the wildcard in it all.

 

[fhansen]

deleted post

 

[servant7777]

Not really, Or I missed it.


The Trump Card? Never heard that one. There can only be one church that Christ established, as you should know. With one faith. It subsists in churches in both the east and west that trace their lineage to the beginning. You can find its teachings in the councils and catechisms and the ECFs reflect most of them almost unanimously.

The church is not visible, it is in the heart where no corruption was joined to the church( Catholic and Protestant church corrupted,murderous/supporting wars etc)


1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

 

[servant7777]

And this is one area where the historical teachings divide with the reformers. The justified man must still work out his salvation with He who works in us, with whatever time and opportunities and grace he's been given to "invest", as per the Parable of the Talents where the wicked and lazy servant was booted from the Kingdom. More will be expected of those given more (Luke 12:48). This is because the grace given is real, the life of God in him is real; justification consists not only of the forgiveness and remission of sins but also of righteousness imparted, not merely declared. And, while it's taught that man cannot possibly move himself to God; he's lost after all such that the Holy Spirit must call him, touch him, prompt and move him towards Himself, the will of fallen man is not so totally impaired, and not so overridden as God calls him, that he cannot still muster a "no". Or he say no and walk away at any point after being justified. Read post #111 of this thread.

Grace invested into man is equal, no variableness, just filled with ALL THE FULNESS OF GOD.




James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.





The calling of man by their Shepherd is to never go astray again from Him, where shall they go when they know assuredly He is the Christ and has the words of eternal life ?





Ezekiel 14:11 That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord God.


1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.



Where to go when you have the same full assurance of faith..


John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

[fhansen]

Grace invested into man is equal, no variableness, just filled with ALL THE FULNESS OF GOD.




James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.





The calling of man by their Shepherd is to never go astray again from Him, where shall they go when they know assuredly He is the Christ and has the words of eternal life ?





Ezekiel 14:11 That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord God.


1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.



Where to go when you have the same full assurance of faith..


John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Yes, I get it. You are perfect in every way, no tiny white lies, no gossiping, no...sin, at all.

 

[servant7777]

Grace is resistible precisely because God wants the will of man involved, to the extent possible. And that involvement is the only way that man can even have any meaningful justice or righteousness. God did not create man to be a sinner; man just needs to know that he desperately needs God in order to have moral integrity, in order to refrain from the sin that cause all the ugliness and harm in creation. Man without God is an anomaly, it's disharmony, corruption, injustice, death. That's what we're here to learn; that's what Adam didn't quite yet get in Eden. To put it all in different terms and succinctly: love is both a gift of grace and, necessarily, a human choice that defines man's ultimate justice or righteousness. It's a daily choice, and one that grows in strength and conviction, as does faith and hope, as we embrace and express them. It's the very image of God we're to be transformed into. And this begins in the moment of justification.

Nah, the will of God is all, mans will becomes non existent.



Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

1 Peter 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.