1) Please stop suggesting I am endorsing the heresy of the month.
You posted that but then you posted this.
"2) If a person receives the gospel partially, such as Soils # 2 and 3 of Matthew 13, they may in the future
rededicate their lives to Christ, fully committing by forming a deep root of
commitment in themselves or tossing out the priority of other earthly treasures and
making Christ the overriding priority of their life." ~~ end of quote
No matter how much the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak therefore any believer looking to themselves in doing the best they can in following Christ will be using the grace of God in living a life of sin by continually breaking that commitment every time they sin. They give grace to themselves to keep trying to keep that commitment or promise, and yet I have seen the same condemn others as if they are not truly believers or they were never saved in the first place when they had fallen away.
Then it adds sin to that self witness by the believer testifying of their commitment or promise is by keeping is how they are able to follow Jesus which is a false witness. John 5:31 & John 7:18
Then you posted this
"3) I am discussing what scripture teaches, not whatever outreach you find fault with." ~~ end of quote
Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.... 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:..... 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
it is living by faith in Jesus Christ or it is by doing the best you can striving to keep that commitment as if that is the power for us to follow Him by.
How can you apply Galatians 5:1 to your testimony or to your walk with Jesus Christ when any believer's commitment to Christ is a promise to Christ and it is you telling God and men that you are going to do it by the deed of that law and yet we can do nothing without Him?
Then you posted this
"4) Progressive sanctification has born anew believers
striving to think and act more like Christ and to become more effective witnesses for Christ. You seem to dismiss this as striving to obtain or sustain Positional sanctification. Nonsense." ~~ end of quote
Where is that rest in Jesus Christ for how we are to follow Him by faith in Him alone?
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
How can any striving of the believer be seen as resting in Jesus Christ?
The only striving the believer is to do is to avoid following the crowd that broadens the way in coming to God the Father by including the holy Spirit or the blessed trinity" as if that is another way we can approach God the father by when God has provided only one way to come to him and that is by His Son.
By continuing to go to the Son for all things, in fellowship, prayer, and worship, we are coming to God the Father. The striving is explaining the necessity and the urgency of narrowing the way back to the straight gate to avoid that work of iniquity of following the crowd or the church in coming to God the Father by another way like the Holy Spirit or even by the broad way like by way of the blessed Trinity.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
John 10:1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber....
....7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them
. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me.
That is the only striving I see is how we are to approach God the Father by in these latter days where the way has been broadened but by continuously going to the Son in coming to God the Father, is how we can rest in Him for all things including how Jesus Christ is the power we have for following Him because He is our Good Shepherd and not just our Saviour.
Puts a whole new meaning to "the just shall live by faith.....:".
