Straying is something Christians do. We fail, we fall, we rebel, we stray. We are not sinless.
Some would say that straying can lead to loss of salvation.
Yet, in the profound mystery of grace, we are viewed as sinless in Christ Jesus. His blood has washed away our sins. His death has brought us life. By His stripes we were healed. God does not see us as sinful anymore. He views us through Christ. So to lose our salvation, not only would we have to withdraw from God, but God would have to withdraw from us. He would have to withdraw all of His promises, and view our rebellion apart from Christ Jesus. Yet it must be asked: if Christ died once and for all for all those who put their faith in Him, then wouldn't any unbelief/rebellion/rejection (sins) committed by a straying Christian be covered by His blood? So wouldn't any Christian, having once been Christian, even if they wanted to leave the faith, still go to heaven by Christ's merit? Whether a man lives his life in relative goodness, or lives a life of debauchery, Christ must still pay the redemption price. It is only by the sacrifice of Christ Jesus that we are viewed as righteous, and the blood of Jesus washes away all the believer's sins.
It would seem to me that Christians who stray would be treated like Peter jumping out of the boat. Christ saved Peter, and asked "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Despite Peter's doubting, Jesus saved him. Peter believed in Jesus. He did not have perfect faith in order to stay afloat, but Jesus does not rely on the perfection of our faith in order to act on our behalf. He is, after all, the Perfecter Himself. He completes and gives what we cannot produce.
The concept of secure salvation ties in to all of life. It gives me confidence to go forward in life and faith and ministry, knowing that Christ Jesus keeps me. My efforts have a foundation of grace. I don't have to worry that what I do is not enough - of course it is not enough. Jesus doesn't expect "enough" from us. He has given us everything. He has promised us everything. So taking the gospel, receiving the gospel, preaching the gospel, keeping the gospel, are all things that we do in very failing measures. We often go against God's Word. We often sin. We often fail to do what is required of us.
It would seem to me that Christians who stray would be treated like Peter jumping out of the boat. Christ saved Peter, and asked "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Despite Peter's doubting, Jesus saved him. Peter believed in Jesus. He did not have perfect faith in order to stay afloat, but Jesus does not rely on the perfection of our faith in order to act on our behalf. He is, after all, the Perfecter Himself. He completes and gives what we cannot produce.
The concept of secure salvation ties in to all of life. It gives me confidence to go forward in life and faith and ministry, knowing that Christ Jesus keeps me. My efforts have a foundation of grace. I don't have to worry that what I do is not enough - of course it is not enough. Jesus doesn't expect "enough" from us. He has given us everything. He has promised us everything. So taking the gospel, receiving the gospel, preaching the gospel, keeping the gospel, are all things that we do in very failing measures. We often go against God's Word. We often sin. We often fail to do what is required of us.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, gave up His Son. Because of Christ's propitiation, we are safe and secure. By the guarantee of the Holy Spirit, I can cry tears of joy, not worry, knowing that He keeps me, failure that I am. It gives me hope, and it most certainly gives me rest, but it also gives me enthusiasm to go forward for Christ's sake, because He owns and keeps my life, because my inheritance is kept in heaven by God, imperishable, undefiled and unfading.
Amen. We are given simple tasks as Christs slaves, to live out our life as Jesus did, on His word and in His strength. What a wonderful blessings it is to be persecuted like my Creator!
ReplyDeleteMatthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-28
Using what God gave us to the Glory of Christ always, never burying or putting on the back burner for later is such a privilege. Praise The Lord for those who double Gods investment!