Let's continue discuss on 'spirit'.
Securists & Calvinists use Eph. 1:13,14 to prove us that we cannot lose salvation, because the Holy Spirit already sealed in us and hold us till rapture. No matter how many sins we commited, we still always saved long as till rapture or we die.
I understand Eph. 1:13-14 differently as what they intepreting it.
Before I discuss on Eph. 1:13-14 with you. Another passage, they use it to prove of security salvation- John 10:28-29. They saying of this passage tellling us that, no one can take us out of God's hand, because Christ already give us the eternal life-salvation.
I am 100% agree with this passage. Christ is right. No one can take us out of God's hand when after Christ give us of eternal life.
Understand, securists often pick John 10:28-29 by skip verse 27. Verse 27 is so very important key to understand the context of verse 27-29 more clear, what Christ actual talking about.
Christ promises us, that He gives us eternal life, LONG as no one will take us away from our salvation in his hand, UNLESS,
IF we hear God's Word, and to FOLLOW God's Word include Christ.
OR.... if we stopped follow Christ, then Christ would loose us out of his hand in our freewill decision.
Luke 15:11-32 is a perfect example that it teaches us, that we all have freewill to make decision, and we can astray away from the Lord. Lord CANNOT force us to stay in his hand all the time. Lord allows us to make decision with our choices. Also, Joshua 24:15 tells us, it is very clear that we all have choices which we want to follow God or world.
I agree with 2 Tim. 1:12 telling us, that Paul and other Christians who believed in Christ, He is able to keep Paul and others till rapture or die. Notice important word - 'committed'. He means that he already determined and dedicated his life to follow Christ long as Christ is able to keep him till rapture or die.
OR... what IF we stopped committed to Christ, then He would not keep us in the halfway in our lifetime by the time we die or Lord comes.
Paul tells us, God is able to keep us LONG as we continue to committed Him TILL we die or Lord comes. This verse doesn't prove the proof of security salvation, also, it is not unconditional. It is very clear conditional.
Now, back to track on Eph. 1:13-14 again. Before I explaining this passage. I want to discuss on Eph. 4:30 first. It says,
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
This verse seems prove the support of the doctrine of security salvation, according as what securists saying.
My understanding of Eph. 4:30 differently as what securists interpreting it.
Why does Paul telling us with the warning that we do NOT greive the Holy Spirit?
Simple, Paul answer of this- because we are sealed UNTO the day of redemption.
Does Eph. 1:13-14 show us, that we are already guaranteed already saved at once as stay secured by the Holy Spirit till rapture or we die? I mean, does this passage telling us, that we are already "automatical" already saved at the moment right after we accepted Christ, already have eternal life for good?
No. Eph. 1:13-14 do not saying that we are already 'automatical' or 'guaranteed' that we already have eternal life and are secured all the way throughout our life till rapture or we die.
I want to explaining Eph. 1:13-14 to you more clear as what I understand what Apostle Paul said.
When we reading Revelation 19:7-9 talking about the wedding of the Lamb.
I have a GOOD thought of Rev. 19:7-9. I want to explaining it to you as it refers with Eph. 1:13-14.
Let's focus on Eph. 1:13-14 first.
Right now, the Holy Spirit is sealed in Christian's body/soul since they believd Christ. Holy Spirit is a type of "engaged".
We notice many couples are being engaged. That does not mean they are guaranteed or already automatically or offically "married" at the moment, they first meet and fall in love.
At the first, when they first meet, they start to warming up as 'friend'. In the process, they are developing in their relationship to test each other for within several months. As the next several months later, they are seriously love each other. So, one day a male brought an engagement ring, and to surprise his girlfriend that he is declare to her, that they are going to be marry. So, they are being engaged. So, does that mean they are already married???
No. Being engaged is not a offically married yet. Being engaged is in a process toward the day of marriage.
While they are engaged, that mean, they are make agreement and make pledge each other, that they are determined to be marry.
But, by the halfway toward their the date of the marriage approaching. They decide to break up, and end up being engaged. Because they are not get along well, and not work out well.
Same with the idea of the Holy Spirit is now engaged with us since after we hear the gospel and believed in Christ. That does not mean we are already marry to Christ.
I want to show you in Jeremiah 3:8 says: "And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel commited adultery
I had put her AWAY and given her a bill of DIVORCE; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played harlot also."
This verse telling us, God dropped her away, because of their wicked and iniquities. God was justified for divorced Israel. He has a good reason for divorced her.
Understand, during in that time of Jeremiah's period. Jeremiah, himself as prophet. He did warning to Israel, that God will punish them, and commanded them to repent of their sins. But, they disobey Jeremiah's warning, remain in their iniquities. So, several years later, God sent babylon takeover Israel, and broight them into captivity. Obivous, God did divorced them. Does that mean God already divorced Israel as WHOLE nation in the rest of the Old Testament period for good???
No. God divorced them as INDIVIDUAL. Because of their sins.
Another question is, does God remarried Israel again when they repented again? Yes. But, Himself is not actual "remarried " them again.
Let's back to Eph. 1:13-14 again. When we heard the gospel, believed and accepted Christ, the Holy Spirit comes into us, and He sealed us, show that we are engaged with Jesus Christ. Does not mean that we are offically or automatically married to Christ yet.
Is the Church married Christ already????
No. The Church is not yet marry to Christ.
Rev. 19:7-9 telling us, that the Church WILL BE marry to Christ by follow at the second coming. Right now, Church is engaged with Christ.
I am trying my best as I can to explaining you why the Church is currently engaged with Christ.
Matt. 16:18 tells us, right now, Christ is currently built his church. That mean, He is NOT finish built his church. Builting the church will be completed by follow at the second coming of Revelation 19.
Obivously, Christ is not yet marry to the Church right now.
Church means God's people.
Ephesians 1:13,14 is deal with individual, NOT the whole church as Christ's body.
Ephesians 1:13-14 tell us, when a person or individual hear the gospel, believed and repented, accepted Christ, then Holy Spirit comes into person's body, as a person is sealed is remain sealed till rapture or die. It shows that a person is now engaged with Jesus Christ.
Before Christ returns back to heaven. In John chapter 14, Christ told his disciples, He promised them, that He shall sent the comforter, the Holy Spirit to them. As it already fulfilled at Pencostal Day of Acts 3. Holy Spirit is a picture of mediator or intercessor between us and Jesus Christ.
Right now, Jesus Christ is sit on the right hand of God the Father in the heaven. He is up above. He is not on earth right now. How can we communicate direct to Jesus Christ from earth to heaven? By through the Holy Spirit.
When once Christ comes to earth at the second coming, then the work of the Holy Spirit witin us will be completed and done. As we shall be marry to Christ in person and physical.
I better stop typing this post. This is very long. In the next post part four, I will continue discuss more deep on spirit with verses.
To be continued. Sorry!
In Christ
Rev. 22:20 -Amen!