What does it mean to abide "in Christ?"

[moondweller]

banjo:

Christ commands us to love one another as He has loved us (Jn 13:34). How does one demonstrate love without doing something?

One does not. But salvation is based on God’s demonstration of love, not ours. We enter salvation by believing it:John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."The gospel of salvation is not about our love but the “good news” of God’s love for us:Rom 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?"The “gospel” of works gets it backwards.

 

[Hope3]

One does not. But salvation is based on God’s demonstration of love, not ours. We enter salvation by believing it:John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."The gospel of salvation is not about our love but the “good news” of God’s love for us:Rom 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?"The “gospel” of works gets it backwards.

We entered salvation because we believed in Jesus Christ (John 6:29) and becauses we were also baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). But, it is important to understand what “believing” actually means after initial “belief.”

“Believes in” and “believing” in the “present tense” carries the responsibility of “obeying God’s commands.” Belief requires obedience or it is a false belief and false belief does not save us.

James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

“Belief alone” did not save the demons. Why not? They disobeyed, so they were not saved.

Romans 11:19-21 “You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.”

What was this “unbelief” which caused them to be broken off? It was disobedience.

Hebrews 3:18-19 “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

Disobedience is unbelief according to Scripture.

Hebrews 3:12 “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;”

We depart from the living God when we sin. Sin/disobedience is unbelief.

1 John 2:4 “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

Sin changes our belief into unbelief. Unbelief/sin condemns us because commandment breakers are liars and liars are cast into everlasting fire (unless they repent before death).

Revelation 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

So, when the Scripture states that “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life,” it means that “whoever obeys Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This is why Scripture also states:

Hebrews 5:9 “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,”

Belief and obedience cannot be separated when speaking of salvation. Both are necessary in order for us to be approved for the crown of eternal life. Jesus only saves those who love Him. Those who love Him obey Him.

John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Belief is obedience. Without obedience, there is no true belief.

 

[NoelFitz]

Banjo

You wrote:

I hope you won’t mind a friendly reminder; you have to be more alert when you are sailing in uncharted waters.

I like the discussions here, as they help me learn.

Thus friendly comments are always welcome. I am often wrong. I do not mind this, but I hope that I have never written anything contrary to the teaching of the Church.

Have I been incorrect in something I wrote? What was it? Was my judgment wrong?

I think we can all learn here. For myself, I am just a lay cradle Catholic interested in the Bible, but I hope to be an orthodox Catholic.

 

[banjo]

One does not. But salvation is based on God’s demonstration of love, not ours. We enter salvation by believing it.

I cannot see it your way. IMO your view leaves not point to the story of the good Samaritan; the account of Lazarus and the rich man who did nothing to relieve his condition; the eschatological discourse of Mt 25…the things we did not do for others we did not do for Christ; the explicit instruction to bear fruit in the Gospels and in Rm 7; the testimony of 1 Jn 3:17-18…But if any one has the world’s goods and sees he brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth; and of course James’ well known statement in chapter 2 of that letter with which I’m sure you are very familiar.

Salvation is a gift but the Scripture shows that acceptance requires more than a statement of belief. We do not earn salvation by our efforts for as it is written in Hos 14:9 Because of me you bear fruit. Whatever we do is by God’s grace and we cannot boast.

The Apostle Paul had faith yet said…*that **if possible **I may attain the resurrection from the dead. **Not that I have already obtained this *or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus hads made me his own.

I fail to see in any of this the notion ‘I believe, therefore I am saved’.

 

[banjo]

Banjo

You wrote:

I like the discussions here, as they help me learn.

Thus friendly comments are always welcome. I am often wrong. I do not mind this, but I hope that I have never written anything contrary to the teaching of the Church.

Have I been incorrect in something I wrote? What was it? Was my judgment wrong?

I think we can all learn here. For myself, I am just a lay cradle Catholic interested in the Bible, but I hope to be an orthodox Catholic.

Noel,
Forgive me if my post has been a source of concern to you. I was in no way implying that you are wrong in your opinions or in your judgment. Your post mentioned an new study of Paul in which Protestant exegetes are involved. My intention was merely to urge you to be careful when reading through opinions which come from a non-Catholic source. Be sure of what the Church teaches so that you are not misled by a contrary opinion; mistake a comment from a Protestant source as coming from a Catholic source or vice-versa. From what I have read of your posts, your orthodoxy cannot be called into question.

 

[banjo]

MD

Just to clarify…I agree that salvation is a demonstration of God’s love for us. It occurred to me that my remarks may have led you to conclude something else on this point. I was too late to edit, hence, this postscript.

 

[BRB1]

You’re still getting it wrong. It’s not God’s grace that enables works, but “by grace” He saves apart from works: (Eph. 2:8

."

You consistently misuderstand Paul’s scriptures re: works. W/O grace, one’s works are not approved by God and w/o merit.

When Paul talks of works [of the flesh] like circumcision, dietary laws,etc … you confuse and distort the scriptures to teach another Gospel message of your own creation.

Reread Romans and Galatians … and don’t overlood Paul’s emphasis on the neccessity of ‘gracious works’ for the True Believers.

 

[Hope3]

You ask me about the new perspective on Paul.

It is a relatively new way at looking at Paul’s teaching, which reconciles Catholic and Protestant views.

Oh, I see what you mean. I believe that Scripture is supposed to be understood in the context of “what the original writer meant to convey” specifically for the “intended audience” of each of the Gospels and Epistles.

For instance, this Scripture verse always puzzled me, but I did not find out the meaning of it until recently:

Romans 12:20 "Therefore “ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Some believers think it means that these enemies will be shamed for having been your enemies since you helped them, because you are such a fine Christian for doing so. (I was one of these.) But, what it really means is that you will bless them and make them happy by feeding them and giving them drink.

Hebrew letters that make up the word for fire (the aleph and the sheen) also are in the word for man and woman. This was to show how we were created in God’s image, Who is a consuming fire. (Deuteronomy 4:24) So, if we don’t have charity/love in our relationships with each other, then we will only consume each other which is not a good thing according to Paul. (Galatians 5:15)

Take the same two letters for fire – the aleph and the sheen – combined into “esh” – which in ancient Hebrew means a strong devourer/consumer, and then add the letter “Reysh,” which is the “r” sound and you get the Hebrew word Asher (Osher) which means “blessing” or “happy.” (Genesis 30:13) “Esh” plus “r” makes “Asher” which means “blessing.”

The Hebrew symbols for “Asher” are a person’s head (symbolizing a man/woman) and the aleph and the sheen (symbolizing fire), so taking fire (coals) and heaping it on a person’s head means that you are blessing him.

So, when you feed your enemy and give him drink, you “asher” him (bless him and make him happy) and this is known metaphorically and symbolically in the Semitic culture/language as “heaping coals of fire on his head.” This is a good thing in God’s eyes! (Matthew 5:44)

Whew! And this is the origin of just one Semitic phrase! :whacky: So glad we have the Bible in English and not Hebrew only.

Hope3

 

[moondweller]

We entered salvation because we believed in Jesus Christ (John 6:29) and becauses we were also baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). But, it is important to understand what “believing” actually means after initial “belief.”

What you’re saying is that salvation begins with belief and ends with works.Gal 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

“Belief alone” did not save the demons. Why not? They disobeyed, so they were not saved.

There’s no salvation program for demons.

Romans 11:19-21 “You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.”

Go back and read it again. I put in bold and underlined what you need to see.

What was this “unbelief” which caused them to be broken off? It was disobedience.

It was their unbelief. And you stand only in your FAITH.

Hebrews 3:18-19 “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

Disobedience is unbelief according to Scripture.

Unbelief causes disobedience but according to the Scriptures salvation is based on BELIEF.

Hebrews 3:12 “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;”

We depart from the living God when we sin. Sin/disobedience is unbelief.

It says lest any of you have an evil heart of UNBELIEF.

1 John 2:4 “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

Sin changes our belief into unbelief. Unbelief/sin condemns us because commandment breakers are liars and liars are cast into everlasting fire (unless they repent before death).

Revelation 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

So, when the Scripture states that “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life,” it means that “whoever obeys Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

No, Jesus says whoever believes in Him HAS eternal life, “and does not come into judgment but has passed out of death into life” (see Jn. 3:14-18; 5:24. How do you define the words “eternal” and “life?”

This is why Scripture also states:

Hebrews 5:9 “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,”

Belief and obedience cannot be separated when speaking of salvation. Both are necessary in order for us to be approved for the crown of eternal life. Jesus only saves those who love Him. Those who love Him obey Him.

John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Belief is obedience. Without obedience, there is no true belief.

Rom 5:19 “For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”
Salvation is “by grace through faith” in and because of the “obedience of the One” in Whom the believer is made righteous. The object of saving faith is the (finished) work of Another.John 6:29 “Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

 

[moondweller]

I cannot see it your way. IMO your view leaves not point to the story of the good Samaritan; the account of Lazarus and the rich man who did nothing to relieve his condition; the eschatological discourse of Mt 25…the things we did not do for others we did not do for Christ; the explicit instruction to bear fruit in the Gospels and in Rm 7; the testimony of 1 Jn 3:17-18…But if any one has the world’s goods and sees he brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth; and of course James’ well known statement in chapter 2 of that letter with which I’m sure you are very familiar.

Salvation is a gift but the Scripture shows that acceptance requires more than a statement of belief. We do not earn salvation by our efforts for as it is written in Hos 14:9 Because of me you bear fruit. Whatever we do is by God’s grace and we cannot boast.

That’s not what Paul says:Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

I fail to see in any of this the notion ‘I believe, therefore I am saved’.

First you must jettison your works and then believe.Rom 4:5 "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,"What is “credited as righteousness?”

 

[moondweller]

You consistently misuderstand Paul’s scriptures re: works. W/O grace, one’s works are not approved by God and w/o merit.

“Approved” for what? “Merited” for what? Salvation? Justification? Reconciliation? Redemption? Expiation? Regeneration? Glorification? Are all these based on merit and works approved by God?

When Paul talks of works [of the flesh] like circumcision, dietary laws,etc … you confuse and distort the scriptures to teach another Gospel message of your own creation.

Paul’s emphasis is always on GRACE through FAITH, apart from works.

Reread Romans and Galatians … and don’t overlood Paul’s emphasis on the neccessity of ‘gracious works’ for the True Believers.

Can you show me in either Romans or Galatians where Paul uses the term “gracious works” in respect to achieving one’s salvation? I fully understand in Pauline theology that we are saved “by grace through faith” in the finished work of Another (the cross); but I don’t see where Paul ever defines that “grace” as works related to us. I don’t see where he ever says, “For by gracious works you will be saved…” Do you?

Now it is true that the “saved by grace” are “created in Christ Jesus FOR good works” that they should walk in them," but the “saved by grace” are not “created in Christ Jesus” BY" those good works (Eph. 2:8-10).

Here’s what Paul has to say about the grace of God and the redeemed:Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds."Zealous for good deeds but not saved or redeemed by them. And the believer’s purification is through the redemption in His blood. Remember how redemption relates to God’s possession? I covered it in a previous post.

 

[banjo]

That’s not what Paul says:Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."First you must jettison your works and then believe.

And James says “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.” (2:26).
I cannot “jettison” that which is so plainly taught in Scripture and by the Church, “the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Tm). I would say we are back to square one except that the dialogue here has a least reinforced the futility of the notion of sola scriptura.

Christ’s peace be with you.

 

[ryanoneil]

"The contradiction occurs when you, at the expense of grace, incorporate works as a means of salvation. Any works. What Paul meant by works was works, period; weather works of Law or “works of righteousness” (Titus 3:5). Paul’s doctrine on salvation is “by grace through faith" …hence, "NOT as a result of works.” There’s nothing esoteric about it, Ryan.Paul did not mean all works. There is a distinction.

**For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. (Eph 2:10) **

These good works are not from us either, and they are no less a part of salvation than the faith he also gifted us, both of which he prepared in advance that we should live in them.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? (James 2:21)

Paul was not railing against this either because it was done in faith.

In respect to Rom. 11:6 you wrote:You’re rationalizing. The context is found in Rom. 9:30-32 where Israel failed to attain righteousness because they pursued a righteousness according to works rather than the righteousness which is by

 

[Hope3]

What you’re saying is that salvation begins with belief and ends with works.Gal 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

Paul is speaking of being justified by circumcision! No one is justified in the New Covenant by circumcision.

Galatians 5:4 “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

These Galatians fell from grace by believing that circumcision would save them. To fall from grace means that they are no longer saved. Our souls must have sanctifying grace in them at our deaths in order for us to inherit eternal life. These Galatians had to repent and confess in order to become justified again so that their defiled temples could be cleansed so that the Holy Spirit could again reside/abide in their souls. 1 Corinthians 3:16-18 The Holy Spirit found within our souls/hearts/temples at our deaths is the Guarantee of our salvation! Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:4-5

FYI: I’ve linked the extra “underlined” Scripture references to Biblegateway.com to make it easy to access them. I did this in order to make shorter posts.

Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.”

Notice what does matter for salvation? It is Faith WORKING through Love.

After Jesus saves us/justifies us, then we must continue to be justified/maintain our justification by “working out our salvation with fear and trembling.”

Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”

If we do not continue in the faith, striving for perfection, then we will not inherit eternal life.

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

We must push forward to “win the prize” which is eternal life. It is not just given to us with no effort on our part.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” Hebrews 12:1-8

Revelation 3:16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

Jesus saves us as a free gift of grace, but then we must “work” to inherit eternal life. We must do the will of God in order to inherit eternal life. We can lose our salvation/justification and not be approved for eternal life by either no actions on our part (lukewarmness) or evil actions (sins/transgressions/lawlessness).

Jesus will not know/recognize those persons on Judgment Day who did not keep His commandments and they will not inherit eternal life. Matthew 7:22-24, Acts 10:34-35, Colossians 3:23-25

There’s no salvation program for demons.

God created the universe. It was all good. Genesis 1:31 Evil is caused by those who abuse their free wills and choose to disobey God’s commands.

These fallen angels were not always demons. Everything God created was first good. They fell from grace by choosing to sin. They, however, do not get a second chance for repentance as man does. They chose to not serve God and lost their exhalted position in heaven and hell is now their abode for eternity. Revelation 12:3-5, 2 Peter 2:4

More next post:

 

[Hope3]

More:

Rom 5:19 “For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”[/indent]
Salvation is “by grace through faith” in and because of the “obedience of the One” in Whom the believer is made righteous. The object of saving faith is the (finished) work of Another.John 6:29 “Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

You really need to look at the whole process of salvation. Yes, it is a process. Adam sinned. This caused all of his descendants to share in the consequences of his sin. Jesus was obedient unto death and ransomed all of us from these consequences of Adam’s sin. Still, not all men are saved. There are conditions which must be met in order to be saved.

He commanded that we believe and be baptized in order to become His disciples/be saved. Mark 16:16 This action on our part (belief and baptism) reconciles us to God. Matthew 28:18-20

Notice that Jesus commands the Apostles to teach all persons to observe (do) the things that He has commanded? We are required to keep His commandments in order to inherit eternal life. Jesus gives us salvation as a free gift of His grace but we must work (fear/obey God and work righteousness) to maintain our salvation/justification in order to inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:16-19, Acts 10:34-35

If we become like the Galatians and Corinthians and fall from grace through sin/disobedience, then we will not be saved and we will not inherit eternal life unless we repent before death.

Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:8-10 “No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Paul warns against preaching a different gospel such as yours. Galatians 1:6-8

His epistles are God’s commands!

1 Corinthians 14:37 “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”

Want to be a saint (an inheritor of eternal life) ?

Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”

Do His commandments and inherit eternal life. Disobey His commandments and reap wrath.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,”

Hope3

 

[BRB1]

“Paul’s emphasis is always on GRACE through FAITH, apart from works.Can you show me in either Romans or Galatians where Paul uses the term "gracious works” in respect to achieving one’s salvation?

I don’t see where he ever says, “For by gracious works you will be saved…” Do you?

.

Actually Paul teaches that some Galatian converts had LOST their initial Saving Grace … due to lack of righteousness, loss of hope, failure to work for Christ, giving up the Christian race & falling back into disobedience, being deceived by believing the Jewish ‘spin of the day’ [that circ. was essential to Godly obedience], not bearing their Christian Crosses, not sowing the Christian tenents of faith, replacing sprituality in Christ for Jewish legalism [especially circ.].

Here Paul is defining NT Gracious Works in Christ … as being in direct opposition to Legalistic OT Works.

Galatians 5:4-7 … you have FALLEN AWAY FROM GRACE. For through the Spirit, by faith, we WAIT FOR THE HOPE of RIGHTEOUSNESS. For in Christ Jesus neither circ. nor uncirc. is of any avail, but faith WORKING thru LOVE. You WERE RUNNING well; who hindered you from OBEYING THE TRUTH ?

Galatians 6:3-8 For if any one thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one TEST HIS OWN WORK, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each man will have to BEAR HIS OWN LOAD. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT HE WILL ALSO REAP. … but he who SOWS to the Spirit will from the Spirit REAP ETERNAL LIFE.

 

[Hope3]

I think Galatians 5:4-7 may be the best Scripture passage in the entire Bible to show that the OSAS or Eternal Security dogma/doctrine is both unscriptural and false.

Galatians 5:4-7 “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love. 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?” RSV

This passage clearly shows that since we are now living under the New Covenant, that if we believe that “circumcision” from the “law” of the “OT Covenant” will save us, then this actually causes us to fall from grace and be severed from Christ. This is an example of heresy.

Every branch (Christian person) who is “severed” from the Vine (Christ) is thrown into the fire and burned if he/she is not grafted back onto the Vine before death.

Romans 11:19-24 “You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?”

Disobedience is also unbelief. Unbelief is also disobedience. If you believe, then you must also obey, because if you do not obey, then you do not really believe. Belief and obedience cannot be separated in the Christian life. (1 John 2:4)

John 15:4-6 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

If a person does not remain/abide in Christ until death, then he/she is cast out/severed from the Vine (Christ) and ultimately thrown into eternal hellfire after death.

However, if a person repents and confesses, then he regains his faith in Christ and he will be grafted back onto the Vine and once more he will stand in grace with the hope of eternal life.

Romans 5:1-4 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

We must abide/remain in Christ until death in order to inherit eternal life. We have “hope” only of eternal life while we are on earth. The Holy Spirit, who is the source of our sanctifying grace, must be found living within us at the time of our deaths in order for us to inherit eternal life. He, found within our souls at our deaths, is our “guarantee” of eternal life. (2 Corinthians 5:5)

On Judgment Day, Jesus will only “know” the persons who have the Holy Spirit living within them. (Matthew 7:22-23, Luke 13:24-27) He “recognizes” His faithful followers because of their sanctifying grace. (Acts 20:32)

If we have defiled our temples and have not repented before death, then He will not be abiding in us at our deaths and so therefore we will not be found faithful/worthy of eternal life and we will not be approved for the crown of eternal life. (1 Corinthians 3:16-18, 1 Corinthians 4:2, James 1:12) Those persons who are not approved for the crown of eternal life are cast into hell for eternity. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, Revelation 21:8)

We must abide in Christ until death in order to inherit eternal life!

 

[NoelFitz]

Hope3

This is a brilliant and powerful post.

Everyone who read the Bible or has any interest in Christianity must appreciate the force of your post.

You express clearly, powerfully and with passion solid Catholic teaching.

 

[Hope3]

Hope3

This is a brilliant and powerful post.

Everyone who read the Bible or has any interest in Christianity must appreciate the force of your post.

You express clearly, powerfully and with passion solid Catholic teaching.

Thank you for your kind comments.

However, the credit should go to all the “Scripture Catholics” whom I have learned from, because if I rely on my own interpretation/understanding alone, then I can easily be mistaken as to the original intent of the author! (2 Peter 3:15-17, James 3:1)

 

[BRB1]

I think Galatians 5:4-7 may be the best Scripture passage in the entire Bible to show that the OSAS or Eternal Security dogma/doctrine is both unscriptural and false.

Galatians 5:4-7 “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love. 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?” RSV

If a person does not remain/abide in Christ until death, then he/she is cast out/severed from the Vine (Christ) and ultimately thrown into eternal hellfire after death.

However, if a person repents and confesses, then he regains his faith in Christ and he will be grafted back onto the Vine and once more he will stand in grace with the hope of eternal life.

Romans 5:1-4 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

We must abide/remain in Christ until death in order to inherit eternal life. We have “hope” only of eternal life while we are on earth. The Holy Spirit, who is the source of our sanctifying grace, must be found living within us at the time of our deaths in order for us to inherit eternal life. He, found within our souls at our deaths, is our “guarantee” of eternal life. (2 Corinthians 5:5)

On Judgment Day, Jesus will only “know” the persons who have the Holy Spirit living within them. (Matthew 7:22-23, Luke 13:24-27) He “recognizes” His faithful followers because of their sanctifying grace. (Acts 20:32)

If we have defiled our temples and have not repented before death, then He will not be abiding in us at our deaths and so therefore we will not be found faithful/worthy of eternal life and we will not be approved for the crown of eternal life. (1 Corinthians 3:16-18, 1 Corinthians 4:2, James 1:12) Those persons who are not approved for the crown of eternal life are cast into hell for eternity. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, Revelation 21:8)

We must abide in Christ until death in order to inherit eternal life!

Well understood, well stated ! Most Catholic BACs understand Peter, Paul, & John’s Gospel message from Christ … just as you present it here. Those who Abide in Christ will always appreciate the necessity for both one’s initial spiritual rebirth by faith alone & the subsequent necessity of the newly elect, to thereafter imitiate Christ in their daily living.

One’s understanding of the Gospels & Epistles is deficient / problematic … if they preach predominately FAITH ALONE, rejecting / ignoring the need for one to thereafter ABIDE in cross bearing [patterning one’s life on the NEW LAW - WORD, graciously ‘infused’ into those of Faith].

MD … you claim to be a BAC. If true, why do you reject need to ABIDE in Christ – as taught by Christ to his NT Apostles & to his Church Triumphant elect ?