setst777 said: In actuality you are rejecting the Gospel of Christ Jesus (John 3:16-18).
How so? I think I deserve a reason why you say this.
I don't deny the Gospel of Christ Jesus. I strengthen it. Or at least Peter, Paul, and James do. Your view weakens the gospel since, in your view, no one can know for certain that he or she won't fall away. How is doubt and uncertainty good news? Peter, Paul, and James remove uncertainty, which is good news.
You do deserve a reason why, and you shall get it.
I did not say that you reject the Gospel of Christ lightly; but rather, I said that after careful consideration of what you wrote in your responses. So, I am glad you asked that question, because this is the key to understanding how flawed your doctrine of “Divine Determinism” is in contrast to the Gospel of Christ.
For instance: What you just wrote is part of the reason you reject the Gospel, as follows:
- “Your view weakens the gospel since, in your view, no one can know for certain that he or she won't fall away. How is doubt and uncertainty good news?”
- Another reason you reject the Gospel is your belief in “Divine Determinism” which the Gospel does not teach; rather, God’s good pleasure is to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21; John 3:16).
- Lastly, you adamantly proclaim that if our faith is necessary to gain access to God’s grace then it would a work that merits salvation, which contradicts all of Paul’s Gospel teaching on faith vs. works; in that, our faith in Christ, not being a work, does not merit God’s grace onto salvation (Romans 4:1-25); rather, we gain access to God’s grace through faith (Romans 5:1-2).
In all honesty, you reject all these Gospel truths essential for salvation, even though I quoted these Scriptures to you repeatedly. You cannot say that is not true, because it is.
God’s promises are guaranteed, but only for those
who believe and
remain in
the faith, according to
Peter,
Paul, and
James.
Here is what Peter wrote about our certainty in his teaching of the Gospel that, in all honesty, you continually reject.
2 Peter 1:8-11 (WEB) 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten {{{
the cleansing from his old sins}}}. 10 Therefore, {{{
brothers and
sisters}}},
be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For
if you do these things, you will never stumble. 11
For thus you will be richly supplied with the
entrance into the Eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:17 (WEB) 17 You therefore,
beloved, knowing these things beforehand,
beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked,
you fall from your own steadfastness.
2 Peter 2:1-3 (WEB) But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even
denying the Master who bought them,
bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them
the way of truth will be blasphemed.
Here is what Paul taught regarding our certainty in the Gospel, which you, in all honesty, continually reject:
1 Timothy 4:16 (
Writing to Timothy) 16 Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching.
Continue in these things, for
in doing this you will
save yourself and
those who hear (listen to) you.
1 Corinthians 9:27 (WEB) 27 but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be
rejected
Rejected: Gk: adokimos: worthless (literally or morally) -- castaway, rejected, reprobate
Philippians 3:10-12 (WEB) 10 I want to know Christ—yes,
to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so,
somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Shortly before Paul’s martyrdom, only then was he sure that he fought the good fight of faith, he stayed the course, and so, was assured that God would save him (
2 Timothy 4:7). Was Paul certain that his faith was guaranteed throughout his ministry? No.
Sinners are
called to Christ by the Gospel (
Luke 5:32). Those who believe are saved, but not everyone will continue to believe as the Gospel defines “believe” (
Matthew 28:19-20;
John 10:26-29;
Romans 6;
Colossians 3:1-17;
1 John 6-7).
Let us continue to view Paul’s teaching regarding “certainty” of our faith.
Make note of the fact that Paul addressed all his Letters to the born again believers, not false believers. The faith being discussed is a genuine faith – {{{
THE}}} Faith. “
THE” is a
definite article, showing that the faith being discussed is the
genuine faith of the Gospel.
1 Timothy 1:19 (WEB) 19 “
holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away “
made a shipwreck” (Greek: enauagēsan) concerning {{{
the faith}}}”
1 Timothy 4:1 (WEB) 1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will
fall away from {{{
the faith}}}, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons
1 Timothy 6:20 (WEB) Timothy, guard that which is committed to you,
turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some profess, and thus have
wandered from {{{the faith}}}.
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (WEB) 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,
that they {{{may}}} lay hold of eternal life.
Romans 11:20-22 (WEB) 20 True;
by their unbelief they were broken off, and
you stand by
your faith. Do not be conceited,
but fear; 21 for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 See then the
goodness and
severity of God. Toward those
who fell,
severity; but toward
you,
goodness,
if you continue in his goodness; otherwise
you also will be
cut off.
Romans 8:12-14 (ENIV) 12 Therefore,
brothers and sisters,
we have
an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 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. 14 For those who are
led by the Spirit of God
are the children of God.
Galatians 6:7-9 (EWEB) 7
Do not be deceived.
God is not mocked, for whatever a man
sows, that he will also
reap. 8 For he who
sows to his own flesh will from the flesh
reap corruption. But he who
sows to the Spirit will {{{
from the Spirit}}}
reap Eternal Life. 9
Let {{{
us}}} not be weary in
doing good, for {{{
we}}} will
reap in due season, {{{
if we}}}
do not give up.
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 (WEB) 11 Now all these things happened to them by way
of example, and they were written for
our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands
be careful that he does not fall.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 (WEB) 5 This is an obvious sign of the
righteous judgment of God, to the end that
you may be
counted worthy of
God’s Kingdom, for which you also suffer.
I continue to quote Paul in the following post, showing that the Gospel he taught us does not teach that our faith is secure/guaranteed; rather salvation is guaranteed to those who believe.