To my detractors... Find a verse in the bible that sounds something like this
"If any man comes to you telling you that a born again person should seek the Lord for a full measure of grace at the throne of grace, let him be anathema"
That's what some here are basically saying to me. If you can't find your motivation in the bible...then get off my case! Look to your own carnal nature getting in the way of any kind of growth.
That's not it. You deny that we have received grace fully sufficient to overcome sin and flesh, to endure through trial, to walk in the pre-ordained works we've been created for.
Your assertion has been that we have to sufficiently crucify our flesh, and petition God, that He will accept this sacrifice, and give to us the additional measure of grace to live a righteous and holy life.
Hebrews 4:16 KJV
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help
in time of need.
We don't need to wait until we've put off all that is fleshy before we can come to God for grace to help, we can come in time of need, and He doesn't qualify here in what state we can or cannot be, only that when we need something more from Him we can come and receive His help.
2 Peter 1:2-4 KJV
2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Clearly these things are true, and we are being trained in them, maturing in them, coming to live in His promises, which He has already given us. His promise, that is, He has committed Himself that we will partake in His nature.
We are already, in Christ, fully accepted by God, fully reconciled to Him, by Jesus Christ alone, by His obedience to death on the cross. And the Spirit of Christ Whom we receive in our rebirth, our recreation, is not some "sample portion" as though we are tasting ice cream. We receive the earnest of the Holy Spirit, Who is Himself the down payment of our salvation.
This is the restoration of our living spirit unto eternal life, and the resurrection of our bodies unto everlasting life, incorruptible and immortal. This is because we've received new life in Christ, having received Jesus Christ Himself. This
is eternal life, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom you have sent.
There is no new life apart from our unity with our Savior, Jesus, Who has committed Himself to us. Let us walk worthy of His love!
Much love!
Edit to add . . . I never want to misrepresent anyone, feel free to tell me if I've misunderstood something you've said. I'd be happy to have a nice discussion about it if you want.
Keep giving sound doctrine, hopefully pushing "out" the fluff some have in their spiritual ears !
