"Grace also gives us peace with the Lord. Before salvation, a person is His enemy, under a sentence of eternal death. But after trusting in Christ, that individual is adopted into God's family and has His favor forever."
You see, I am not clear on the forever part. OK , through Grace the Holy Spirit works in you, and this leads to conviction and repentance. At that point, you receive justification, as God in His grace and through grace, gives you a new heart, a heart of flesh. I do know that once this happens you are saved and have received salvation. What I am not clear is post repentance, you may have undergone repentance and received salvation at say age 32, and go on to live say 78 years. During this period between 32 and 78, is God's favor conditional depending on your works? I am convinced completely of the doctrine that if I love my God with all my heart, soul and body, I would not commit sin consciously that jeopardizes my salvation. However knowing God's character of being a Just God, what about the sins that I commit unconsciously?
I am aware of the imputed righteousness that I receive through Jesus' blood shed on the cross of calvary, but am still disturbed by the thought that even with all the grace that God is providing me, I fail Him. Is this unnecessary guilt ? Yes I know that Paul said that our nature is sinful till our resurrection in Christ. How can I measure my growth in Christ, I think I need to know this else how can I ask God for help in the areas that I need help?
I feel that if I dont ask these questions, I am being just a passive being without actively seeking my destiny in God. Do you think this is normal ?
The next day these are the thoughts that came to me on my drive to work while listening to John MacArthur, on the questions mentioned above.
Once you are saved by God's grace, you have eternal life, guaranteed. Now the saved person will sin after receiving salvation. But God in His grace and through His Word ( in the scriptures) still gives the person eternal life. Romans 8:38
Now coming to the troubling question, of continuing in sin after receiving salvation, this is where the part of "the kingdom of heaven is here now at hand" comes to life. God redeems the sinner by purchasing him through the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ by His grace. The sinner repents and has a new heart and the Holy Spirit is in him. Although now the person is a bond servant, he still is given free will. The sacrifices of a person offered to God out of his free will is the sweet smelling aroma rising up to His Holy throne.
I feel that if I dont ask these questions, I am being just a passive being without actively seeking my destiny in God. Do you think this is normal ?
The next day these are the thoughts that came to me on my drive to work while listening to John MacArthur, on the questions mentioned above.
Once you are saved by God's grace, you have eternal life, guaranteed. Now the saved person will sin after receiving salvation. But God in His grace and through His Word ( in the scriptures) still gives the person eternal life. Romans 8:38
Now coming to the troubling question, of continuing in sin after receiving salvation, this is where the part of "the kingdom of heaven is here now at hand" comes to life. God redeems the sinner by purchasing him through the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ by His grace. The sinner repents and has a new heart and the Holy Spirit is in him. Although now the person is a bond servant, he still is given free will. The sacrifices of a person offered to God out of his free will is the sweet smelling aroma rising up to His Holy throne.
When the redeemed person starts to love God with all his heart, body and soul, he is actually living the Kingdom of heaven now on earth, a life full of joy, praise, and victory in Jesus Christ. With His power, the redeemed person now has the opportunity to spread the Kingdom of heaven now , here on earth through his love for his creator and by loving fellow humans. You are transformed and you have the power to transform. What is this source of transformation, the source of power? It is God.
Everyone knows that in order to be powered , there are 3 things involved. One, the power source, two the power connection, and three the power receptor. I have already mentioned that the power source is God, and you are the power receptor. What constitutes the power connection? It is the relationship. The relationship is established, nurtured and strengthened through tangible ways, namely prayer, and study of the scripture, justice, and acts out of the fruits of spirit. Again you all know that in order to receive power the power receptor must be built and maintained as per established specifications. At the time of your salvation, God Himself has built/transformed you into the power receptor. Now it is in the hands of the individual to get familiar with the specifications and maintain. You may think, oh boy am I now totally responsible to maintain the power receptor all alone? Now God did not abandon you after transforming you through your salvation. He provides you with a wonderful Helper for you to work with. This is the Holy Spirit
