Once Saved, Always Saved

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

(Romans 6:14 ESV)

Romans 6:14 best explains the principle behind this controversial phrase. This verse reflects that a Christian who is truly pardoned by grace, would always have the will to be sanctified from his sins. A heart that knows his wretchedness and is humbled by the loving kindness of the Lord, would always seek forgiveness to the One who is perfect, for he understands that in his fallen state, he could still sin both knowingly and unknowingly. Yet since Jesus captured his heart, sin would no longer master him, he has a sure hope that leads him to the redemption of Christ through grace.  

And as we relent on our everyday shortcomings to the Lord, we are reminded in the Holy Scripture to "bear fruit in keeping with repentance".  Thus, we cannot misinterpret that while our calling is irrefutable ~ "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." (John 10:29 ESV),  we can do whatever pleases us, without consideration to our holy calling.

Matthew 7:16 ESV says "You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"  The doctrine of our faith must lead us to be Christ-like, with all we are, we are sanctified, from glory to glory.

Matthew Henry's Commentary explains 

Nothing so much prevents men from entering the strait gate, and becoming true followers of Christ, as the carnal, soothing, flattering doctrines of those who oppose the truth. They may be known by the drift and effects of their doctrines. Some part of their temper and conduct is contrary to the mind of Christ. Those opinions come not from God that lead to sin.

Let's examine our doctrine and its effects on us.  The Christian doctrine is not about sinning as you like and asking for forgiveness whenever it pleases you.  I would like again to quote from Gil Exposition of the Entire Bible:

When doctrines are contrary to the perfections of God, repugnant to the Scriptures of truth, tend to depreciate the person and offices, blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ, to lessen the glory of God's grace, to exalt the creature, and to fill men's minds with notions of the purity, self-sufficiency, and ability of human nature; when they are calculated to feed the pride and vanity of men, to get money, and gain applause, to serve their own interests, and gratify men's lusts and passions, they may be easily discerned who they are, and from whence they come

Hebrews 10:26 clearly states "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries."

The evidence that we possess the true salvation of God is not merely based on our profession and claim that we are followers of Christ, but through the level of our obedience to Him.  

"If I want to know what you really believe... I have to look at your life." - R.C. Sproul




*Image was downloaded from shutterstock.com

In Between Rough Edges

Some time in our lives, there would be a dawning moment when we would turn towards heaven, and ask, “Why?” -- maybe not always of anger or unbelief, but could be of marvel and mystery. 

As I write my words, I would never know where would this end.  I woke up this morning thanking God for everything that I have, yet my heart was still heavy for my unborn baby. 

Maybe it was my fault.  Was it?  I would never ever wanted to hurt my baby in any way.  Or maybe things were just the way it should be, but why then?  If my God is able of all things, why could something so delicate and innocent leave without a future?  Why did He breathe on it and then take it back, anyway?

If anyone would firmly stand and undoubtedly reasons with the vagueness of my voice, then maybe he could also know the things written,

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?

Tell me, if you understand.

Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

Who stretched a measuring line across it?

On where its footings set,

Or who laid its cornerstone-

While the morning stars sang together

And all the angels shouted for joy?

Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea

Or walked in the recesses of the deep?

Have the gates of death been shown to you?

Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?

Tell me, if you know all this.” –Job 38: 4-7, 16-18

The definite answer to all our uncertainties may always be indefinite.  But when this time comes - when we look for answers that we know we could only find beneath the wonders of the skies, I am steadfast that the very seams of doubts would know the power of God.  And at the very moment that the human queries escaped from our lips, my hope is that we would swiftly realize our dependence on our God, and how we are at mercy on His throne.

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

may the name of the LORD be praised.” –Job 1: 21

See You In Heaven, Love

I saw your laughter in my dreams;
      dried your tears on my thoughts
 
I prepared my chest to lay you down;
     settled my mind on coming pains to give you life

I announced your name in the throng;
     welcomed you in my whole world

I made you smile in my imagining;
     readied all we have to nurture you

In my vision I walked you on freshly cut grasses;
      cuddled you strongly in my arms

On my mind I kissed your feet so many times;
       and bathe you in the morning sun

When the Lord gave you to me
      my tears fell down, I knew you were mine

But when He took you back
      my tears well up, I knew I'll know you up there

We say goodbye for now
      but we'll see you in heaven, love

                                            -Dad, Mom and Andi

If I Want Mint, Then I Want Ice Cream!

I just can't get over loving this mint chocolate ice cream from Baskin Robbins -- yes, that I have to write it down and overload some of my yummy joys today.

I love those bits of mint chocolates that linger in my mouth for a couple of seconds after a spoonful!  It's not too sweet nor too minty. Not to mention I get that "Christmas feeling" whenever I eat it! :)

So, now I've said it.  And I don't know, I have to say some more.  The desert kinds of make me a little sad with the Yuletide closing in.  There are no carols or lanterns or colorful blinking lights in the streets -- but this kind of dessert will surely compensate a little! (Blah! Excuses! ^_^)

half-full ;)

Faith Fight: Bring it On!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

Hebrews 12: 1-3

Here you are one morning, all dressed up and ready to face the day!  

You stepped out of the door, only to find out you are on the grounds of an amphitheater with your gladiator armor, ready to face the day... of battles! And there they are-- the Apostles and the ancient Christians, settled in the circular seats as spectators, cheering for you and awaiting for your next spiritual victory.

"...we are surrounded by so a great cloud of witnesses..." 

Of course, this is a figurative representation.  The scripture tells us to act as if the Christians of the old are watching our efforts to live by the purpose we are called for.  Those brothers who had endured greater sacrifices to the extent of their death, to live their faith and make everyone know that Jesus is Lord.

Going back to our present time, knowing the situation we are into and the things we need to give for the glory of God, we realize that it isn't so bad after all… we realize that it’s not too much at all. 

 “…sin which clings so closely” 

Can you believe that?!  I can imagine sin clings so closely that every time our faith grows, the scheme of the devil cunningly upgrades to the level apt to our spiritual maturity!  We could fail at times, all right.  But we all know that what really counts is getting up and learning from it .  Paul said in 1Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses".  Yes we fall at times, but our God will always give us the grace to stand up and overcome! (2 Corinthians 12:9a "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses...”)  

...

Now let’s go back to the “great cloud of witnesses” surrounding us… what if we keep failing on the same level, to the same temptations?  The point here is, what if Paul and the other worthies are really watching us in the battlefield?  The ones who underwent a lot of persecutions, sufferings, imprisonment and pain for the sake of the same faith we have.  God will always give us a chance, but how shameful it could be?  More so if we compare our situation to theirs.  Are we even fighting anyway?  Or are we standing up just to stumble again?  The Lord knows our hearts!

Jesus endured it all, despite that He did not deserve a bit of it.  He bear all of it so “that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”  We had hard times, that’s true. It could be somebody’s fault or our own.  But then let us “Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility…”  Jesus is Lord.  Everything was created through Him, including these “hostile sinners” from whom he experienced cruelty beyond our imagination.  And for what? Just so He can fulfill what He was sent for… our Salvation. 

I believe we can go through all the growing pains of our spiritual endeavor.  We can overcome all the trials and temptations.  And we can finish the race of faith… for God has given us everything through Jesus Christ.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”  2Peter 1:3

With all these, should you still be lying, knockdown by the enemy?

Source: Barnes'  notes on the Bible