2Co 2:9, For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
2Co 7:15, And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
It should go without saying that it is possible to obey the Lord in all things.
This is in contrast to the teaching that I sometimes hear in the church today, wherein pastors say from their pulpits, that it is inevitable that you are going to sin.
I know that my own past is not exemplary; but this does not have to mean that my present and future will necessarily be a failure when it comes to living out the Christian life.
No doubt, it is the attitude of the perfect that I have not apprehended that for which Christ has taken hold of me; but bear in mind that it is the attitude of the perfect: and that to the measure we have already attained, we must live by the same rule. We ought to be continually moving forward in our Christian walk; and not backsliding backward. Once we have made a step forward, let us not take any steps backward.
In 2 Corinthians 7:15, Paul commends the Corinthians for the obedience of them all; whereas previously he had given them a test to determine whether they were obedient in all things. This indicates to me that they were obedient in all things.
It is indeed possible to live the sanctified Christian life; to obtain that state wherein one may be sanctified wholly. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
The Lord has shed abroad His love in the heart of the man who is born again. And this love is the fulfilling of the law; and the bond of perfectness. It is written (1 John 2:10) that if I love my brother, there is no occasion of stumbling in me. And it is also written (2 Peter 1:10) that if I give diligence to make my calling and election sure, I will never fall.
Now these things are not speaking of justification but sanctification, which takes place after we are justified. Our justification resides in the forgiveness of our sins (Romans 4:6-8); and because we are forgiven much we will love much (Luke 7:36-50, 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:5); and this love, which is not in word or in tongue only but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:17-18) is the fulfilling of the righteousness of the law within us (Romans 8:4, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:14, 1 John 5:3, 2 John 1:6).
2Co 7:15, And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
It should go without saying that it is possible to obey the Lord in all things.
This is in contrast to the teaching that I sometimes hear in the church today, wherein pastors say from their pulpits, that it is inevitable that you are going to sin.
I know that my own past is not exemplary; but this does not have to mean that my present and future will necessarily be a failure when it comes to living out the Christian life.
No doubt, it is the attitude of the perfect that I have not apprehended that for which Christ has taken hold of me; but bear in mind that it is the attitude of the perfect: and that to the measure we have already attained, we must live by the same rule. We ought to be continually moving forward in our Christian walk; and not backsliding backward. Once we have made a step forward, let us not take any steps backward.
In 2 Corinthians 7:15, Paul commends the Corinthians for the obedience of them all; whereas previously he had given them a test to determine whether they were obedient in all things. This indicates to me that they were obedient in all things.
It is indeed possible to live the sanctified Christian life; to obtain that state wherein one may be sanctified wholly. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
The Lord has shed abroad His love in the heart of the man who is born again. And this love is the fulfilling of the law; and the bond of perfectness. It is written (1 John 2:10) that if I love my brother, there is no occasion of stumbling in me. And it is also written (2 Peter 1:10) that if I give diligence to make my calling and election sure, I will never fall.
Now these things are not speaking of justification but sanctification, which takes place after we are justified. Our justification resides in the forgiveness of our sins (Romans 4:6-8); and because we are forgiven much we will love much (Luke 7:36-50, 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:5); and this love, which is not in word or in tongue only but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:17-18) is the fulfilling of the righteousness of the law within us (Romans 8:4, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:14, 1 John 5:3, 2 John 1:6).
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