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To to insist that our salvation is complete once we make a public confession that we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior is simply not biblical— that is to say, for instance, that faith counts but obedience does not is wrong.
Wouldn't it be much better to say that God expects obedience as well as faith to complete the process? Faith does not stand alone. Born again experience or not, if you live like the Devil in the end you will be treated like one when it is all said and done. No, we must choose daily to live a Godly life; once that is done, however, God is there to help us along on the journey (Philippians 2:13)— not with just free floating grace, however, or cheap grace; but with a practical grace of choice (God forces himself on no one).
I say this because we by osmosis (it seems) have absorbed a foreign free grace theology that once we openly confess Jesus as Lord we are home free; however, I would point out that Jesus' response to such foolishness if we don't "walk the talk" was and still is:
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46 NIV)
For if He was, as they confessed Him to be, their Lord, their daily life would have modeled it. Clearly then, they had only given lip service, assuming as it were that just to acknowledge Him as Lord is enough. May we never be guilty of the same. Talk is cheap; and so is that so-called grace that prompts it.
So, in the New Year just ahead of us, let us remember that doing as well as saying go hand in hand:
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.…" (Titus 2:12)
Friends, I must emphasize—if I am to be true to His word, that obedience to Christ is a serious matter that must be practiced daily, moment by moment if we are to be assured of a successful outcome. This however is not an impossible task for:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence....Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1: 3; 11)
With the comfort and confidence in Christ when you obey for what lies ahead for you in 2017 be blessed—better yet, be a blessing to others! Through it all may I wish you and yours a Happy New Year!
JimR_/-
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