Lacy's son said:Benjamin,
I agree with this. Sanctification ultimately is all grace. We will cast any crowns we win down at Christ's feet acknowledging that any glory or measure of reward we attain to ultimately belongs to him.
But there is a practical side to sanctification, a side that we must work out. The Scripture is chock full of real warnings and real promises to real believers that have real conditions. This cannot be denied.
We agree (Forgive me, I assume) that a believer is subject to familial chastening based uopn his behavior. And I hope we agree that this in know way whatsoever affects his standing as a justified man.
Why is it so far fetched to make kingdom entrance conditional when other things like fellowship, long life, health, and joy, are conditional. Especially when practically every time you see Kingdom entrance mentioned there are conditions, warnings and promises?
Lacy
I see a believer receiving instructions, putting on the new man, being preserved by these instructions as a saint, freely obeying in his love for Christ having received the gift of grace through faith.
(Eph 2:19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
(Eph 2:20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
(Eph 2:21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:
(Eph 2:22) In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.