kairos wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 2:40 pm
Reference repentance- as the good thief asked Christ to "remember me when you come into your kingdom", by asking Jesus he mentally hopefully willfully repented - this was acceptable to jesus- the thief did not have to make restorations to those he robbed. his turning from his former self and relying on the blood of Jesus/atonement, the thief is a good example of how grace works- Lord's ,unmerited by the thief, favor,grace, with the faith the thief exhibited was sufficient for his salvation.
When i gave my life to Christ jan 6th 1986 , i said the sinner's pray " i recognized my sinfuness, asked for forgiveness turn my will over to God, asked Christ to come into my heart as my personal- so the little faith i exhibited by doing that and with grace that is Christ's atonement,these sealed me forever by the holy spirit and my name was written in the lamb's book of life never to be erased no matter how much backslidding i might do. for me i experienced a 180 degree turn in my life, as i tried to avoid sin, repented daily for any sins i committed, tried to love and serve god first and others second. my experience was a defining moment in my life-like the first half of my life was all about "me,my mine", instant gratification, while the second half of my life has been a close walk with Christ giving him glory in every situation, avoiding sin(try to repent as soon after a sin as possible) and serving others.
i wanted to bring up how some see salvation :1) non- saved individual is drowning in a lake, but reaches his hand up and god grasps his hand, giving him salvation:2) calvinist would see the scene as a person drowning but lifts not a hand toward god, but god swoops down and brings that individual salvation because that person is one of the elect. Clearly no work is required of the second individual, but some might say the first guy reaching his hand out of the water is "work". For me i see faith in Christ as an assent not work(you may disagree), but a cooperation with god in the salvation process.
the Bible in john 3;16 Jesus says if you believe in him-who he is, what he did then you have eternal life. most religions require baptism, assent o doctrine etc but Christ really makes it simple- the key is what he meant by believe-turn fully and willfully our life to Christ, turning from our sins living from then on in obedience to him. whether that salvation formula is authentic is determined by actions after the salvation event. have i truly turned from sin, love god and neighbor intensely , reading and following the Bible etc. if after my salvation moment i continue to cheat on my wife, steal, use god's name in vain then the salvation moment was probably not authentic!
forgive the often discombobulation of my responce
thanx
k
Thank you for sharing that kairos. I often feel discombobulated in my responses as well.
I think I was probably around 11 years old. I don’t know the exact date, but vividly remember what happened. I was at a revival church service. Suddenly I was aware myself as a sinner like never before. It was like I could see myself right next to Jesus and I was nothing like him. It was like sin [me] standing next to holiness [Christ]. In one quick moment, I was convicted of my sin, convicted who Christ was and what he had done for me. I wanted what he was offering to me. For me, it was like what I’ve heard described as irresistible grace. It was like I was enabled to let go of what would very quickly become my former self, and run into the arms of Him who came for me.
Looking back, it was then that I was set free from the bondage of sin, no longer being under the condemnation for my sin. No more carrying around the weight of my sin. I was at peace with God. It was then that the Holy Spirit entered in—sealed with the HS never having to wonder about where I stand with Heavenly Father.
Someone here in the chat room asked me one time, “Scripture, is that all you’ve got?” My answer was, “Yes.” Yes, because Scripture whether written, spoken, or the Word Himself, is the means God uses to transform us. The Bible does what it says it will do and God’s word does indeed not return to him void, and accomplishes His intended purpose.
John 20:21-22 says, Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” I look back now ~45 years later and see all the people God used to “breathe on me,” until that very day He breathed the HS into me.
I sin every single day. This morning, as far as I know, I managed to get down to the driveway leaving for work before I sinned. Yep, it was over a fairly new hydrangea that was so small and struggling, that it got mowed over not only once, but twice. It is a struggle every single day, but I know I am forgiven.
I’m going to stick my neck on the line here and say this, I’ve posted alongside some of you for like maybe 18 years and it is time for some of you to shake off the grave clothes and start living. So, if the Lord calls you, let go and turn to Him. Don't push him away. He is what you’re really longing for. You’ll know what real grace is. Ask Him to give you the faith to trust in Christ, and when the time is right, He will do it.
Grace is costly, yet freely given.
for what it's worth, the book of Hebrews has been on my mind. Hebrews chapter 10 is where I've been camped out. Read the book if you're of the mind to. :)