Things New and Old: Shipwrecked faith

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Shipwrecked faith

Eternal salvation is NEITHER by your faith in Jesus Christ nor by your works of righteousness. Both are damnable heresies.

Salvation is by the free grace of God alone (the manner eternal salvation is bestowed upon dead condemned sinners), based upon the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone (the basis and foundation of salvation), and this salvation is evidenced or experience by believing in Jesus Christ. ...And once the eternal salvation is applied by God's free grace, a man is perfectly fitted for eternal glory. Nothing else is needed. "It is finished."

Faith in Jesus Christ is an EFFECT or FRUIT of salvation already given to a sinner. An effect of eternal salvation cannot be the means to obtain that same salvation. This is elementary.

Of course the Scriptures also speak of temporal salvation that is conditioned upon the obedience of God's children to the will of God. That which is by God's free and sovereign grace alone must not be confused with that which is conditioned upon the obedience of God's children

It is helpful to speak distinctly... i.e. rightly dividing the word of truth.

Remember this injunction: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology.
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Php 1:19 "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ"

Apostle Paul speaks of a salvation that distinct from the eternal salvation already applied to him by the free and sovereign grace of God. This salvation is through the prayers of the saints, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Php 2:12
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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."

Apostle Paul exhorts the beloved, those already bestowed with eternal salvation by God's free grace) to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. There is a salvation that is fully accomplished for us by Christ's work alone, and there is a salvation that God's children must work out for themselves.

1Tim 4:16

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."

Timothy, a man whom the Lord has bestowed eternal salvation in Jesus Christ, needs to be vigilant to take heed unto himself, and unto the doctrine and continue in them; OTHERWISE, he would harm both himself and the God's children he ministers to.

Falsehood and unsound doctrines always INJURE the well being of God's children - them being tossed to and fro, with no assurance or comfort or lively hope - and that means big headache and heartache for an overseer, like Timothy!