Why wait?

[tabibito]

So, sanctification?
Justification = I have been saved

Sanctification = I am being saved

Glorification = I will be saved

Would that it were so simple.

[Christianbookworm]

Would that it were so simple.

You are making it too complicated. Having our sins forgiven is wonderful, but we still need character development to become good people. And of course we want to someday be made perfect. Oh, and being saved is easy, but being a good disciple is hard. Being a good disciple is what might get rewarded in Heaven.

[Sparko]

As long as I am in the process, I see no reason to doubt where I'll end up, but I don't take it for granted.

John in 1 John 5 says believers can know they HAVE eternal life. Not might get it.

[One Bad Pig]

John in 1 John 5 says believers can know they HAVE eternal life. Not might get it.

Where do you see me saying I might get it? My last phrase is an allusion to James 2; I don't assume I can profess faith and then do whatever I feel like, but need to actively live my faith. Does Paul say it's copacetic to lay down on the track and take a nap, or to run the race in order to win the prize?

[Sparko]

Where do you see me saying I might get it? My last phrase is an allusion to James 2; I don't assume I can profess faith and then do whatever I feel like, but need to actively live my faith. Does Paul say it's copacetic to lay down on the track and take a nap, or to run the race in order to win the prize?

easy piggy.

You said you had to work at being saved, that it was a process. I just wanted to know how you could know when you were far enough along to go to heaven when you die, or is it "as long as you keep working at it you will get to heaven"?

[One Bad Pig]

easy piggy.

Not stressing, pirate - just not sure where you got the idea.

You said you had to work at being saved, that it was a process.

Eh, work at living out my faith, not at being saved. My works don't save me; they're just evidence I'm on the right path.

I just wanted to know how you could know when you were far enough along to go to heaven when you die, or is it "as long as you keep working at it you will get to heaven"?

The latter. It's not like the repentant thief crucified with Christ had much chance to progress very far.

[Sparko]

Not stressing, pirate - just not sure where you got the idea.

Eh, work at living out my faith, not at being saved. My works don't save me; they're just evidence I'm on the right path.

The latter. It's not like the repentant thief crucified with Christ had much chance to progress very far.

OK. That was what I was trying to clear up.

[Leonhard]

Source: Philippians 2:12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

© Copyright Original Source

[Jedidiah]

Source: Philippians 2:12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

© Copyright Original Source

Yes, work it out in your every day life. You have to have salvation before you can work it out in you life's walk.

[Leonhard]

Yes, work it out in your every day life. You have to have salvation before you can work it out in you life's walk.

I wouldn't say that. If we already had it, and nothing, neither blasphemy, carnal sin or abandoment of the mission could ever lose us our salvation, why the need to work it out with fear and trembling? Fear implies the coming of the terrible judge, and us having something to fear. If your salvation is possessed, certain, knowable and indestructible, then have no fear, sin, or not, you'll get to Heaven either way right?

The idea that we can't fall away from true faith never sat well with me. It always seemed an excuse of the most lukewarm milquetoast worldly Christians (of which I am certain you are NOT one of). It seems obvious to me that this happens all the time, even to Christian peers we respected. It seems we have to make an... effort, choice, will... decision (not sure what to call it), enabled, fuelled and made possible with God's Grace, to stay Christian. Not just in belief, but also in act and in spirit.

Like OneBadPig, I expect to be saved if I stay the course, which I can only do if I receive God's grace which I have to ask for every day.

God have mercy on me a sinner.

[Jedidiah]

Leonhard, you are allowed to disagree with my understanding, but I still see it the same way.

I disagree with your evaluation of the idea of the security of salvation as well. I make an effort, with trepidation, because of my desire to please Him, not to avoid falling away. He has assured me that nothing can make me fall away.