The reality is that born-again Biblical Christians remain sinners after salvation. The process of sanctification is never completed on this side of the grave. Paul states in Romans 7:14-25, that he continues to do wrong, and it frustrates him greatly (as it should). However, this reality does not give the Christian an excuse to continue bad behavior, nor can we rationalize away our sin.
Romans 6:1-2 – What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
God commands us to demonstrate both our love and obedience to Him by repenting, or actively turning away from our vices.
Salvation results in a changed life – James 2:26 – For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
That command, to demonstrate a changed life, is neither a precursor nor a requirement for salvation. Said another way, we can neither earn, nor can we lose our salvation.
Our salvation is by God’s grace and our faith. – Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Further, our salvation can only come from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. – John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Finally, many Christians believe our salvation is permanent – John 10:28-29 – I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
As we see this world seemingly overwhelmed in ever increasing aberrant behavior, just as referenced in Romans 11:5, there remains a remnant of believers among the mounting rubble of humanity as we look toward Heaven for final and total relief.
1 Corinthians 2:9 – But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
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Author – Jeff Hilles | BCWorldview.org
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