From sinner to saint

[Episkopos]

As I mentioned in the OP, we all walk the same path, but our journey is unique to us. Full surrender for one is not the same as full surrender for another. for example, someone living in the filth of carnality before conversion is going to surrender in the direction of religiousity, while one who is in the grips of legalism is going to surrender in the direction of carnality, But both surrenders are just the start of the journey for these believers. The start being the surrender of our pride that comes with faith.

The journey from thereon is to God perfecting his love in us.... Agape Love which is the motive and mark of the saint in all they do. Peter outlines this journey in his life from faith to virtue to knowledge to temperance to patience to godliness to brotherly love to Agape love. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

Most Christians and those counted among the faithful are somewhere on this journey while the saint has had their heart purified and readied for this act of Agape love for the giving of their testimony (Martyria).

Religious people get focused on the outward appearances God is looking at the heart of men, the motives. One can do something righteous for all the wrong motives or one can do the same righteous deed for the right motives, one is the work of the human will and strength, the other empowered by the Spirit which has transformed us. One is fruitless the other produces the fruit of the Spirit.

Until the inside of the cup is clean, Our motives being in line with the will of God, any surrender and sacrifice we make of our outer self is fruitless and self-serving.

I Honestly do not know if the above answered your point in the above, so forgive me, but the Spirit led me to write and post this, and i do not quite understand why?
God bless

I am speaking of the cross of Christ...being crucified with Him in the outer man...the husk or shell around the inner man that is carnal. No one can walk in the Spirit unless their outer man is taken out of the way...otherwise they will walk in the power and covering of the flesh.

Circumcision has to do with removing a covering. We are all covered by an outer sinful man/nature even AFTER being born again. We are meant to sacrifice our lives to be IN Christ. That is our sacrifice.

I don't think you understood what I said concerning how we enter into resurrection life. Unless we DIE (outer man) we cannot experience the life and power of Christ in the inner man. If the outer man remains intact we will always struggle with the flesh...as Paul attests to in Romans 7.


“Always bearing about in the body the dying (death in real time) of the Lord Jesus, that the life (eternal resurrection life in real time) also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” 2 Cor. 4:10

To walk as Jesus walked involves taking away the outer man of the carnal nature....through an event called being crucified with Christ. We know that our sacrifice has been received by God when His fire comes down from heaven and we are translated into the Kingdom of His dear Son to see as He saw and walk as He walked. Then we can say..As He is so are WE in this world.

 

[David H.]

We form habits and have worldly conditioning that the Lord patiently cleanses us from with the Holy Spirit.

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

 

[Episkopos]

I ask without guile: Is it within man's power to even desire to surrender all to God? And then to actually surrender?

We need help in surrendering all. We don't know how to choke out our own life. We go to God with what we have and are in submission to His will. Few will be able to enter into the Kingdom walk...very few...for reasons that God knows.

But we can remain open to His corrections and directions in the meantime. We need humility and the fear of the Lord to adorn our faith. It is only when we think that all is lost that God rescues us.

I remember I story I heard about a man who went down to the river where a saint was baptizing people. He asked the saint how can I find God? The saint then thrust the man's head underwater until he was almost drowned. The man said...why do you almost kill me? The saint replied...what did you need the most when you were underwater? The man replied...AIR! The saint then said...when you need God as much as you needed that air, then He will find you.

 

[David H.]

I don't think you understood what I said concerning how we enter into resurrection life.

I do understand what you wrote before and largely agree.... my wording may have been off in the OP regarding imputation.

The last comment I felt led to post even though it was off your questions. Perhaps the HS had someone else in mind to hear that.

I think it is time we take the term saint back from being applied to all the faithful, and with that distinction in place much of the denominational confusion goes away IMO. What is made righteous is being made Holy So that one day we will be able to stand in the presence of God.

 

[Episkopos]

We form habits and have worldly conditioning that the Lord patiently cleanses us from with the Holy Spirit.

This is good...but it is a standard that is below being crucified with Christ. We are indeed to be weaned of the flesh gradually when we are NOT walking in the death and resurrection of Christ. Crucifixion is not a process...it is an event. But weaning is a process...one that brings us to the limit of either our own power (weaning)...or else to the unlimited power of God (being crucified with Him).

 

[GRACE ambassador]

We form habits and have worldly conditioning that the Lord patiently cleanses us from with the Holy Spirit.

Amen! I met a fellow once who claimed he "had complete sanctification/holiness."

When I asked him "what happens when you get angry with your wife" He answered,
"Well, when I do that, it's JUST A MISTAKE." When he invited me to a "meeting of these holiness folk," there was a guy running around and jumping all over the place, and everyone says: "he's got it, he's Got It!" Not sure what that guy "had."

THEN "the lights went out." I RAN from there, and never went back!

I prefer "God Patiently Conforming me Into The Image of HIS SON!"
(Romans 8:29). Amen? And, God's:

GRACE And Peace...

 

[Pearl]

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

[GRACE ambassador]

put on the new man who always trusts, and always loves.

We wonder that we may never be complete in this life because we await His working, and His timing, Jesus is made unto us sanctification, we don't just do it ourselves. But we do work with Him.

Wouldn't that be the same as "present your body a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1-2),
which allows HIM To Work Through us, and On us?

 

[marks]

Wouldn't that be the same as "present your body a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1-2),
which allows HIM To Work Through us, and On us?

Amen!

Romans 12:1-2 KJV
1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
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.

We present our bodies to Him, and He transforms us by the renewing of our minds.

Romans 6:13 KJV
13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Literally, as those that are alive from among the dead ones.

Much love!

 

[Lambano]

We need help in surrendering all. We don't know how to choke out our own life. We go to God with what we have and are in submission to His will. Few will be able to enter into the Kingdom walk...very few...for reasons that God knows.

Is this walk for all believers, or only for those whom God calls to it?

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Some would say we go from sinner to saint as soon as we are born again, I say it is a process, and a journey, a path every believer must walk in their own unique way.

When we are born again, we are Justified, declared righteous, imputed the righteousness of Christ upon us, thus we are instantly sanctified in the eyes of God. We are given the "earnest" which literally means a down payment of the Holy Ghost, and what we do with this "earnest" from this point on determines our place in the Kingdom.

A New born believer, though made righteous is yet to be Holy. this is the process, the journey we are all on. This theological terms is known as progressive sanctification. This is the work of the Holy Spirit which is given in earnest working in us to cleanse us from the inside out, making our motives and heart holy and not self-serving and proud.

Thus a a born again believer is made righteous by the blood of the Lamb, and made Holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The big hinderance to the latter of these things is the belief that the born again believer is already a saint, I am here to tell you they are not.... They are counted among the faithful, but they remain on the journey to becoming saints from the sinners we were all born as.

Do not let Satan hinder your journey from sinner to saint by being satisfied with merely being righteous. None of us are perfect, but we are being made perfect as the love of God is perfected in us.

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)

There are two parts here I don’t understand. The first is the repetition “imputed righteousness.” Honestly, the phrase could almost make me jump out of my own skin when I hear it repeated because I have never understood it despite trying very hard. Everything I read is that God counts a man as having done what is right/righteous if he trusts God and believes what He says and is honest. We read, and he believed God and it was counted as righteousness. And we read about the sinner praying to the God he believed forgave sins and how he walked away counted righteous/justified. So where does this “imputed righteousness” come from when the examples we are given just say the men were honest and trusted and believed what God has said.(It’s true that no man can come to God unless God first draws him and it’s true that his trust/faith was a small seed/gift so he can’t boast.)

So if in both old and new testaments we read it is by a mans trust in God that God says he has done what is right, where does “imputed righteousness” come in? I understand growing in trust/learning about righteousness, and I understand learning the obedience of complete and unshakable trust. I further understand Christ’s blood covers our sins of unbelief in areas and mistrust in areas as we grow in trust. I just dont understand where imputed righteousness comes from. Where did men find that in Gods word?

 

[stunnedbygrace]

We are justified when born again...but that is not a permanent condition.

Yes! We believe/trust and God counts it as righteousness. But we do not remain/continue in that trust, we do not abide, just as Israel in the desert. It’s the exact same thing. They trusted Him to save them and stepped out under the wall of water. He saved them, then they did not continue in that same trust when it came to earthly cares.
We LEARN the obedience of unwavering trust.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Pearl, I agree I know that I should surrender all. But I am also aware of how deep the fleshy self-preservation instinct runs in me. (Actually, it probably runs a lot deeper than I realize.)

you are where Paul described in Romans 7. With your mind you agree with God but you recognize something in you that fights that.

 

[Pearl]

you are where Paul described in Romans 7. With your mind you agree with God but you recognize something in you that fights that.

I think this must be a place we all find ourselves in.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I think this must be a place we all find ourselves in.

Yes. But He will put your passions under your feet. The purpose of carrying your cross is to die on it. It’s impossible for men, but God will do it. He will put all your enemies under your feet, and the way to that is to keep trusting Him. Don’t be afraid, it’s great peace. Keep trusting Him.

After you have struggled awhile, He will strengthen, confirm and establish you. That’s good news and something solid to hope for here. It’s 1 Peter 5:10 and it says He Himself will do it.

Don’t worry He will ask something of you that you can’t do. It’s by He, Himself, His power, not yours. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Don’t look at what is impossible for you in your own strength. Just wait patiently for His promise and practice the obedience of trust rather than the disobedience of worry.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Lord, I DO believe! Please help my unbelief!

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Some would say we go from sinner to saint as soon as we are born again, I say it is a process, and a journey, a path every believer must walk in their own unique way.

When we are born again, we are Justified, declared righteous, imputed the righteousness of Christ upon us, thus we are instantly sanctified in the eyes of God. We are given the "earnest" which literally means a down payment of the Holy Ghost, and what we do with this "earnest" from this point on determines our place in the Kingdom.

There are two aspects of salvation a believer needs to be concerned with in this life.

#1. God's Grace Through Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior
(Initial Salvation, and or Foundational Salvation).
(The 1st synergistic work of GOD done in a believer).
Being saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus as ones Savior is the entrance gate to salvation, and it is the foundation of our salvation (by faith) upon which we stand. Being saved by God's grace is believing the gospel (Which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes it - Romans 1:16). According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: The gospel is you believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins, He was buried, and He had risen again three days later for your salvation (Note: Do not let anyone sell you on another gospel besides this one). Depending on a person’s access or exposure to the Word: Being saved by God's grace will also generally include receiving Jesus as your Savior (John 1:12), and calling upon the name of the Lord (i.e. confessing with your mouth the words: “Lord Jesus” or similar equivalent - Romans 10:9) as a part of seeking forgiveness of your sins with Him by way of prayer (Romans 10:13) (Luke 15:18-21) (Luke 18:9-14). This process of salvation is without the deeds of the Law or works because it is based upon God’s mercy and grace and His redemptive work. As a result: One is born again spiritually (Note: Born again by the Spirit, and born again by water (i.e. the Scriptures - Romans 10:17, 1 Peter 1:23)). A person is foundationally or ultimately saved by God’s grace because if they happen to sin on rare occasion in their Christian walk, they do not do a good work to absolve that sin, but they confess of their sins to Jesus in order to be forgiven of that sin (1 John 1:9) (1 John 2:1) (Hebrews 4:16) (For verses on being saved by God's grace, see: Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:1-6, Titus 3:4-7, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 5:1-2).

#2. Sanctification of the Spirit to Live a Holy Life & A Belief of the Truth.
(The Next Step or Phase in the Salvation Process).
(The 2nd synergistic work of God done in a believer).
This is based on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (Which is call of the gospel; Note: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 is not the gospel. It is simply the call of the gospel; For the gospel is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

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,..”​

Anyways, this secondary aspect of salvation is in two parts. It is a two part intertwined secondary aspect of salvation (Which joins the cord of Initial Salvation or Foundational Salvation in being saved by God’s grace; See note below at the end of this post). Anyways, this secondary aspect of salvation is in two parts. One does not exist without the other (Note: The following is mentioned in order according to 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 and it is not stating that one cannot proceed the other or vise versa).

(a). Sanctification of the Spirit to Live a Holy Life is the next step or phase in Salvation for a believer who lives out their faith; This is the work of God moving in a believer's life so as to help them to live holy, and to do good works and to put away the lusts of the flesh. These good works are the works of God done through the believer, and so all boasting or praise is given to the Lord. Therefore, there is no boasting in one's own work because they are ultimately the works of God done through the believer. A believer today who obeys the Lord looks to the commands of Jesus and His followers within the New Testament primarily. For believers today are not under the 613 Laws of Moses as a whole package deal (even though certain laws have carried over into the New Testament). Basically all ceremonial laws and judicial laws in the Old Testament no longer apply. For example: Believers do not have to keep the Saturday Sabbath, circumcision, dietary laws, animal sacrifices, holy days, etc.; However, believers must keep God's Moral Laws like: Do not murder, do not steal, do not covet, do not lie, do commit adultery, etc.; Two of the greatest commands that we should focus on daily is to love God and love our neighbor which is more fully described in Mark 12:29-31. We need to worship or adore the Lord our God, preach the gospel, help the poor, love the brethren, love our enemies, and live holy lives, etc. (For Sanctification verses, see: James 2:24, James 2:17-18, Titus 1:16, Hebrews 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 8:1 (KJV), 1 Corinthians 16:22, Romans 8:13, etc.).

(b) A Belief of the Truth is also another secondary synergistic intertwined aspect of salvation for the believer (in addition to Sanctification of the Holy Spirit). We need to study to show ourselves approved unto God according to 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJB). We need to hold to certain correct doctrines or teachings in God’s Word. One example: It is implied that denying bodily resurrection means one’s faith is overthrown (See: 2 Timothy 2:17-18). So we need to study God’s Word (the Holy Bible) and hold to it’s truths. Now, does that mean one is not saved if they don’t know of the bodily resurrection? I don’t believe so. I believe that is what God’s grace is for. But once a key core doctrine of God’s Word is revealed to a believer, they cannot reject it. So a belief of the truth is similar to Sanctification. A Christian must grow in the knowledge of God’s Word and accept it’s beautiful fundamental truths. Does holding to all truths in the Bible save? Well, I don’t think a belief in the Nephilim saves (although it is a truth taught in His Word). But I believe there are other foundational truths we must eventually learn and accept as Christians. The Spirit will guide a believer into all truth within God’s Word.
​

Side Note:

(A) Initial Salvation is solely in being saved by God’s grace through faith without works.

(B) Continued Salvation (or the Secondary Aspect of Salvation) is sort of like a three corded rope (or a cord of three strands). This rope involves:

Cord #1. Initial Salvation continuing in our life as one strand of the rope in our ongoing trust in God’s grace as the foundation of our salvation. Without this grace, we would be without any hope and without salvation. For Jesus is our cornerstone or foundation upon which we are ultimately saved. If we sin, we must confess of our sins to the Lord (throwing ourselves down upon His mercy and grace for forgiveness).

Cord #2. Sanctification of the Spirit (to live a holy life by God’s power according to His Word) (Living holy by the Spirit involves putting away sin, and doing good works, and in keeping oneself pure and not by justifying sin).

Cord #3. A Belief of the Truth (Which is a continual study and belief of God’s Holy Word known as the Holy Bible).​

For Ecclesiastes 4:12 (GNT) says,
“A rope made of three cords is hard to break.”

As for your other points (like Sanctification being Progressive,
and your view on what is a saint, etcetera), I will have to address them in other future posts (Lord willing).

Anyways, I hope what I said to begin with helps, and may God bless you and everyone else here greatly today.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Some would say we go from sinner to saint as soon as we are born again, I say it is a process, and a journey, a path every believer must walk in their own unique way.

When we are born again, we are Justified, declared righteous, imputed the righteousness of Christ upon us, thus we are instantly sanctified in the eyes of God. We are given the "earnest" which literally means a down payment of the Holy Ghost, and what we do with this "earnest" from this point on determines our place in the Kingdom.

A New born believer, though made righteous is yet to be Holy. this is the process, the journey we are all on. This theological terms is known as progressive sanctification. This is the work of the Holy Spirit which is given in earnest working in us to cleanse us from the inside out, making our motives and heart holy and not self-serving and proud.

Thus a a born again believer is made righteous by the blood of the Lamb, and made Holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The big hinderance to the latter of these things is the belief that the born again believer is already a saint, I am here to tell you they are not.... They are counted among the faithful, but they remain on the journey to becoming saints from the sinners we were all born as.

Do not let Satan hinder your journey from sinner to saint by being satisfied with merely being righteous. None of us are perfect, but we are being made perfect as the love of God is perfected in us.

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)

Yes, I believe the Bible teaches Progressive Sanctification.
I believe God's Word tells us that after we are saved by God's grace, the Spirit will help us to be able to live more holy and to love God and others more and more each day as we mature and grow in Christ.

Here is...

Progressive Sanctification in the Bible:

#1. 2 Corinthians 7:1 KJB
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

#2. Philippians 1:6 KJB
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

Context:

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;” (Philippians 1:9) (KJB).

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13) (KJB).

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:15) (KJB).​

#3. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 KJB (Part 1)
“...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 KJB (Part 2)
“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”​

#4. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJB
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

#5. 1 John 3:3 KJB
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Context:

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8).​

#6. Ephesians 5:25-27 KJB
“...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Context:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:17-19).

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (John 15:3).​

#7. Hebrews 13:20-21 KJB
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”

#8. Colossians 4:12 KJB
“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.”

#9. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 KJB
“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

#10 Revelation 3:2 KJB
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”

#11. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJB
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

#12. Hebrews 12:14 KJB
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”

#13. Titus 2:14 KJB
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

#14. 1 John 2:5 KJB
“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

#15. James 1:21 KJB
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

#16. 2 Timothy 2:21 KJB
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Some would say we go from sinner to saint as soon as we are born again, I say it is a process, and a journey, a path every believer must walk in their own unique way.

When we are born again, we are Justified, declared righteous, imputed the righteousness of Christ upon us, thus we are instantly sanctified in the eyes of God. We are given the "earnest" which literally means a down payment of the Holy Ghost, and what we do with this "earnest" from this point on determines our place in the Kingdom.

A New born believer, though made righteous is yet to be Holy. this is the process, the journey we are all on. This theological terms is known as progressive sanctification. This is the work of the Holy Spirit which is given in earnest working in us to cleanse us from the inside out, making our motives and heart holy and not self-serving and proud.

Thus a a born again believer is made righteous by the blood of the Lamb, and made Holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The big hinderance to the latter of these things is the belief that the born again believer is already a saint, I am here to tell you they are not.... They are counted among the faithful, but they remain on the journey to becoming saints from the sinners we were all born as.

Do not let Satan hinder your journey from sinner to saint by being satisfied with merely being righteous. None of us are perfect, but we are being made perfect as the love of God is perfected in us.

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)

The Importance of Meeting the Qualifications of Progressive Sanctification:

I believe Progressive Sanctification can only happen after we are genuinely saved by God's grace and we don't justify sin (i.e. thinking we can abide in sin with the thinking we are saved just because we have a belief alone on Jesus as being our Savior). Believers must confess and forsake their sins or there will be no true Sanctification by the Spirit. See 1 John 1:9, 1 John 1:7, and Proverbs 28:13.

Repent means to seek forgiveness with the Lord Jesus Christ with a godly sorrow (with the intention of forsaking sin), which naturally leads to the fruits of repentance (good works and or putting away sin, etcetera).

If there is no Sanctification by the Spirit (in living a holy life) on some level for a believer (with them growing), I don't believe they are really saved. Unfortunately, in such a case, they are only deluding themselves. For without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). Yes, there is grace, but God's grace is not a license for immorality (Jude 1:4). God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12). The gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 saves, but there is also the CALL of the gospel which is the Sanctification of the Spirit (living holy by the power of God working through us). Narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (See: Matthew 7:14).

If a believer is in sin, they need to confess it (1 John 1:9) in order to be forgiven of that sin, and then they need to walk in the light as Christ is in the light so that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses them from all sin (1 John 1:7). This walking in the light is loving your brother according to the indirect wording in 1 John 2:9-11. For everything hinges upon love. Love of God, love His Word, and love of all others.

 

[David H.]

There are two aspects of salvation a believer needs to be concerned with in this life.

#1. God's Grace Through Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior
(Initial Salvation, and or Foundational Salvation).
(The 1st synergistic work of GOD done in a believer).
Being saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus as ones Savior is the entrance gate to salvation, and it is the foundation of our salvation (by faith) upon which we stand. Being saved by God's grace is believing the gospel (Which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes it - Romans 1:16). According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: The gospel is you believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins, He was buried, and He had risen again three days later for your salvation (Note: Do not let anyone sell you on another gospel besides this one). Depending on a person’s access or exposure to the Word: Being saved by God's grace will also generally include receiving Jesus as your Savior (John 1:12), and calling upon the name of the Lord (i.e. confessing with your mouth the words: “Lord Jesus” or similar equivalent - Romans 10:9) as a part of seeking forgiveness of your sins with Him by way of prayer (Romans 10:13) (Luke 15:18-21) (Luke 18:9-14). This process of salvation is without the deeds of the Law or works because it is based upon God’s mercy and grace and His redemptive work. As a result: One is born again spiritually (Note: Born again by the Spirit, and born again by water (i.e. the Scriptures - Romans 10:17, 1 Peter 1:23)). A person is foundationally or ultimately saved by God’s grace because if they happen to sin on rare occasion in their Christian walk, they do not do a good work to absolve that sin, but they confess of their sins to Jesus in order to be forgiven of that sin (1 John 1:9) (1 John 2:1) (Hebrews 4:16) (For verses on being saved by God's grace, see: Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:1-6, Titus 3:4-7, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 5:1-2).

#2. Sanctification of the Spirit to Live a Holy Life & A Belief of the Truth.
(The Next Step or Phase in the Salvation Process).
(The 2nd synergistic work of God done in a believer).
This is based on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (Which is call of the gospel; Note: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 is not the gospel. It is simply the call of the gospel; For the gospel is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

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,..”
Anyways, this secondary aspect of salvation is in two parts. It is a two part intertwined secondary aspect of salvation (Which joins the cord of Initial Salvation or Foundational Salvation in being saved by God’s grace; See note below at the end of this post). Anyways, this secondary aspect of salvation is in two parts. One does not exist without the other (Note: The following is mentioned in order according to 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 and it is not stating that one cannot proceed the other or vise versa).

(a). Sanctification of the Spirit to Live a Holy Life is the next step or phase in Salvation for a believer who lives out their faith; This is the work of God moving in a believer's life so as to help them to live holy, and to do good works and to put away the lusts of the flesh. These good works are the works of God done through the believer, and so all boasting or praise is given to the Lord. Therefore, there is no boasting in one's own work because they are ultimately the works of God done through the believer. A believer today who obeys the Lord looks to the commands of Jesus and His followers within the New Testament primarily. For believers today are not under the 613 Laws of Moses as a whole package deal (even though certain laws have carried over into the New Testament). Basically all ceremonial laws and judicial laws in the Old Testament no longer apply. For example: Believers do not have to keep the Saturday Sabbath, circumcision, dietary laws, animal sacrifices, holy days, etc.; However, believers must keep God's Moral Laws like: Do not murder, do not steal, do not covet, do not lie, do commit adultery, etc.; Two of the greatest commands that we should focus on daily is to love God and love our neighbor which is more fully described in Mark 12:29-31. We need to worship or adore the Lord our God, preach the gospel, help the poor, love the brethren, love our enemies, and live holy lives, etc. (For Sanctification verses, see: James 2:24, James 2:17-18, Titus 1:16, Hebrews 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 8:1 (KJV), 1 Corinthians 16:22, Romans 8:13, etc.).

(b) A Belief of the Truth is also another secondary synergistic intertwined aspect of salvation for the believer (in addition to Sanctification of the Holy Spirit). We need to study to show ourselves approved unto God according to 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJB). We need to hold to certain correct doctrines or teachings in God’s Word. One example: It is implied that denying bodily resurrection means one’s faith is overthrown (See: 2 Timothy 2:17-18). So we need to study God’s Word (the Holy Bible) and hold to it’s truths. Now, does that mean one is not saved if they don’t know of the bodily resurrection? I don’t believe so. I believe that is what God’s grace is for. But once a key core doctrine of God’s Word is revealed to a believer, they cannot reject it. So a belief of the truth is similar to Sanctification. A Christian must grow in the knowledge of God’s Word and accept it’s beautiful fundamental truths. Does holding to all truths in the Bible save? Well, I don’t think a belief in the Nephilim saves (although it is a truth taught in His Word). But I believe there are other foundational truths we must eventually learn and accept as Christians. The Spirit will guide a believer into all truth within God’s Word

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

Thanks for the comments, and welcome to the forum.