Active
The believer's part is to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:25), which ability is given by God as He unceasingly “works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phl 2:13). Thus self cannot retain redemption any more than one can save one’s soul! Sustainment of redemption attributed to self-reliance in any form has in my estimation the same implication (though unknowingly) as self-attributed salvation; for where would the difference between the two be found?
In all openness, what credit is there—anywhere—that a believer would desire to claim attribution of anything belonging to God? Knowingly, nowhere; but wrongfulness committed in ignorance is yet evidence of a misapprehension in understanding. It’s God who saves a soul, and it’s He who “makes him stand” (Rom 14:4).
Thankfully our Father knows the weaknesses in our understanding, and progressively teaches us all that He desires us to comprehend (Pro 28:5; 2Ti 2:7). If those professing Christianity eventually decide to permanently discontinue it, there is a manifestation of two things: the profession was not genuine; the soul was never reborn.
What is within those reborn which contains the “life” of the Lord Jesus (Col 3:4) and is what the Father, through His Holy Spirit “works in you” (Phl 2:13)?—the new nature; which is “after the image of Him (Christ) who created him (it)” (Col 3:10). If we profess to be in Christ, what is the most evident manifestation of this rebirth?—continuing in all that is involved (obedience) unto the cessation of one’s life (Mat 24:13; Mar 13:13). Only a permanent Christian walk best demonstrates the redeemed life; for those who are not reborn will unavoidably discontinue a profession and walk of the Christian life.
How unsettling it is in seeking restful assurance towards joy and sustaining endurance, when there is not that knowledge of the permanency of faith and salvation, wherein there is no surer encouragement within the “Word of Truth,” concerning the “hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Heb 6:19).
NC
In all openness, what credit is there—anywhere—that a believer would desire to claim attribution of anything belonging to God? Knowingly, nowhere; but wrongfulness committed in ignorance is yet evidence of a misapprehension in understanding. It’s God who saves a soul, and it’s He who “makes him stand” (Rom 14:4).
Thankfully our Father knows the weaknesses in our understanding, and progressively teaches us all that He desires us to comprehend (Pro 28:5; 2Ti 2:7). If those professing Christianity eventually decide to permanently discontinue it, there is a manifestation of two things: the profession was not genuine; the soul was never reborn.
What is within those reborn which contains the “life” of the Lord Jesus (Col 3:4) and is what the Father, through His Holy Spirit “works in you” (Phl 2:13)?—the new nature; which is “after the image of Him (Christ) who created him (it)” (Col 3:10). If we profess to be in Christ, what is the most evident manifestation of this rebirth?—continuing in all that is involved (obedience) unto the cessation of one’s life (Mat 24:13; Mar 13:13). Only a permanent Christian walk best demonstrates the redeemed life; for those who are not reborn will unavoidably discontinue a profession and walk of the Christian life.
How unsettling it is in seeking restful assurance towards joy and sustaining endurance, when there is not that knowledge of the permanency of faith and salvation, wherein there is no surer encouragement within the “Word of Truth,” concerning the “hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Heb 6:19).
NC