Faithfulness and Disowning

If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself

(2 Tim 2)

The proponents of “Once Saved Always Saved” like to use part of the above section of scripture to support their view.
They overlook the bit about disowning and highlight the part about God’s faithfulness.

They must read this as if it means faithlessness on our part towards Him doesn’t matter because He will remain faithful towards us regardless.

But that interpretation is undermined by the preceding statements about disowning, and the reality that the latter part of the quote is about God’s faithfulness to HIMSELF (clue is in “he cannot disown himself”).

So no matter how much He desires to see everyone saved, He cannot grant salvation if doing so compromises the righteous aspect His character.

People always prefer to recognise God as love – but aren’t as keen to balance that with His righteousness.
The tension between those two parts of His character is the reason why God’s love for the world was expressed in the giving of His Son and NOT in the giving of salvation without the sacrifice of His Son.

God’s righteousness made it necessary for His love to be costly to HIM.

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Christian Ministry in Syria

 

Covenant and Controversy part 3

We need to interpret the modern return to the land of Israel and the constitution of this modern phenomenon called the State of Israel.

We need to view this not as the fulfilment of eschatological prophecy, but we need to view it as the preliminary requirement that sets in motion the fulfilment of eschatological prophecy. Meaning that now they are in the land, these events can unfold. Now that they’re in the land these things can take place.

Because how do you flee Jerusalem if you are not in Jerusalem?
How can you be banished from Israel, if you’re not in the land of Israel?
There’s all of these verses about eschatological, apocalyptic expulsion and exile from the land that presuppose a Jewish presence in the land. (Dalton, Thomas, Covenant and Controversy part 3)

This is the third of a series of three videos. The other two parts have been posted previously.

The videos can also be accessed and downloaded via the vimeo site by clicking on the “vimeo” logo at the bottom of the video.

I have downloaded the films from that site onto a USB stick, I find that format makes it easier for me to watch half an hour at a time rather than have to find time to watch it all at once.

I think the films are very well written and produced and I highly recommend them.

Covenant and Controversy part 2

 

This is the second of a series of three videos. Part one has already been posted. The other part will be posted later.

The videos can also be accessed and downloaded via the vimeo site by clicking on the “vimeo” logo at the bottom of the video.

I have downloaded the films from that site onto a USB stick, I find that format makes it easier for me to watch half an hour at a time rather than have to find time to watch it all at once.

I think the films are very well written and produced and I highly recommend them.

Biblical Missiology Towards Israel and Her Enemies

A Biblical Missiology Towards Israel and Her Enemies from FAI on Vimeo.

Covenant and Controversy part 1

Covenant and Controversy Part One: The Great Rage from Covenant & Controversy on Vimeo.

This is the first of a series of three videos. The other two parts will be posted over the next week or two.

The videos can also be accessed and downloaded via the vimeo site by clicking on the “vimeo” logo at the bottom of the video.

I have downloaded the films from that site onto a USB stick, I find that format makes it easier for me to watch half an hour at a time rather than have to find time to watch it all at once.

I think the films are very well written and produced and I highly recommend them.

Salvation Is Hard

A few days ago I posted some thoughts on my blog under the title Practicality vs Airy Fairy.

Those thoughts were inspired by the contrast I’d seen between the very practical content of Jeff’s  recent series of articles on his Anti-itch Meditation blog about Justification, and an article sent to me by a friend that seemed to be all “head in the clouds” with little practical meaning; an article written by a very respected Christian identity.

This current article on Jeff’s site continues the practical and challenging line of his justification writings.

anti-itch meditation

Many years ago I was talking to an older guy about fixing a broken something or other. He was a handyman type, knew how to fix everything. I’m a waste of space at fixing things.

He was telling me how simple it was to do this repair. To emphasize how simple it was he said, “It’s as easy as getting saved.”

I was stunned by his statement. I remember laughing and saying something like, “Hm, I never thought getting saved was all that easy.” He was then stunned by my statement!

There are many who think “getting saved” is easy. If you view justification by faith alone the way most do–nodding your head yes at the appropriate time of the emotional Gospel presentation–then yeah, getting saved is easy.

Easy Salvation agrees to the facts of the Gospel and you’re good to go.

What amazes me is watching Jesus Christ talk…

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