Very good stuff...I will have to read it several times.....
I'm still looking over the scriptures you left..
I can only try to get something into your head, as far as 'new thinking', but it will have to be the 'Hholy Sspirit' which quickens it into your heart. And that comes from exactly what you just said; read those verses and 'meditate' on them. He will lead and guide you into the truth.
What you stated actually answers my questions in that area...I lean in that direction 79 percent but must confirm for the 100 %
Then as we go on I will reiterate points with other scriptures. I believe you'll see this view answers so may questions and settles so many of the never ending fights here. That's what it has done for me.
I kept telling my brother in law I was not saved...lol...they said yes you are...I said no I'm not....for part of salvation is that :you know what it is you have when you walk in it...this is the boldness we will have on judgement day. "Who will be able to stand?"...they ask...I kind of feel what is not purified now...will be when Christ comes back...recall His reward is with Him..Will His light scourge you or make you brighter?...smile
I had this very conversation with my father on salvation in whom is/was a pastor and went to Fuller Theological Seminary.
I think your brother was coming from and understanding of your 'relationship' with God in spirit, but you are coming from the scriptures which pertain '
not to
relationship with God, but
fellowship with Him. If your spirit got saved your relationship can NOT change. On earth you are the son of your earthly father and that can never change. You can be adopted to others and you can renounce your last name and you can seek legal emancipation but your father will always be your father and you will always be his son by birth. But your fellowship with your father CAN DIE. That is the story of the prodigal son. He forsook it all and left. But when he returned his 'father' said
this my son who was DEAD is alive again." The father never meant hat boy was dead physically, and he was never dead in their relationship. But their
fellowship was DEAD until he returned to his rejoicing father. Hope that makes sense. If your spirit is born from above your relationship with God is a done deal. But you must work on your fellowship and that means working out the salvation of your soul/mind so that you put on the mind of Christ. And that takes time for us;
GAL 4:19 My
little children, with whom I am again in travail
until Christ be formed in you!
We are born his little children OSAS relationship. But sonship requires maturing as Jesus did in "stature and favor with God" as even He Jesus worked out the salvation of His soul through fellowship with the Father.
And our conversation couldn't get passed..
His understand of imputed righteousness.
And pride is a killer of growth....that just doesn't allow one to open their eyes...
..
Does your brother even acknowledge that there is also '
imparted righteousness' which comes for the salvation of your
soul AFTER the '
imputed righteousness' of Christ has been given to you for the salvation of your
spirit?
That's how I see things and it all fits answering so many arguments for those living with a 1/2 truth understanding of salvation. They will never come to unity of theology until they see the other sides 1/2 and make it fit with their half. But most Christians/denominations are simply concrete believers.....all mixed up and hard to change.
I'm quitting for the night. Just lately I've been trying to quit spending so much time on CF, but this exchange with you has been refreshing. Thank you.
