Monday 28 May 2007
Monday's Monologue
Not too long ago the topic of once saved always saved came up in our discussion blog. I was reading in James 2:14-26. It talks about a faith unaccompanied by action as being dead. So I guess the idea of the once saved, do diddly, always saved, can be answered in these verses, or can it? Ephesians 2 talks about being saved by grace through faith in Christ, not by works, cause then we would brag. BUT we are created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. I always think of the once saved always saved idea as - okay I prayed the prayer and now I am saved, and I can go on living just like I was before I prayed the prayer. God has a purpose and plan for us, that comes with the salvation process. When I first became a Christian I was so excited about reading the Bible, and I think at that time even shared the gospel once, maybe even twice (yes it was a long time ago), but have not shared it since, at least verbally. Lifestyle evangelism - a topic for another day. As I said before sharing the gospel is not my gift. Does God call us to share our faith. You know the answer has to be yes. I can chicken out all I want and say woe is me, because I am shy, lousy of speech, scared spitless. In all honesty, I believe the only way it will happen for me (short of church blogging), is to.... (you know in TV land it is ratings month, so just like they do I will continue this story next time).
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read James 5:19-20.
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Okay I read it. Are you trying to say that this refers to once saved, always saved. It sounds like they have wandered away, so does that mean going from saved to not saved.
Check out 2 Peter 2:20-21 Kinda sounds like to me you can lose your salvation - "It would have been better for them not to have know the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them." But then again you may ask were they really saved in the first place.
Amanda
since i just phoned your house and you didn't answer i am therefore assuming that you just really wanted at quit you job and didn't.
not nice to tease that way!!!!!
lots of typing errors in that last one, sorry. what version are you reading - mine says if they have escaped corruption not death.
Amanda
Not nice to tease that way!!!!!!
well in that case call me for coffee - the kids are done school for the year so I may have some time or I could put you to work cutting name tags for camp.
By the way I changed my mind on the water balloons - Mike is threatening a water balloon slingshot and that sounds like it could hurt.
I know I'm a wimp. But I'm a wimp that bruises very easily!!!
Amanda
so in other words you didn't quit. oh, you are such a tease:)))
what will we do with you?????
Amanda
Maybe we could team up Amanda, hehehe. Maybe water balloons is not such a bad idea after all ;)
I would never throw one at Amanda, after all is she not the prez of our group :), I think Su-ann voted you in.
o.k. water balloons - i'd hate to be the one to disappoint you so much.
yes, i noticed that too.
so back to theological - in light of "then they weren't really saved in the first place" - how do we know then if we are truly saved. I have seen people - like my brothers - who have made a profession, been baptized, followed God with their hearts and now have turned around and walked away from God. So were they not truly saved to begin with???
Amanda
Amanda
Prez of the group?? What's that?? This group is really good at volunteering people without telling them.
7 more sleeps!! This is going to be a lot of fun. If it for some reason rains - we can meet at our house. Just no water balloons in the house please!!!!!!!
Amanda
i have a plan, if you email me your phone number I can phone you!
Amanda
Will there be time for "hashing" over some of these issues at the BBQ? I mean if we are cooking, eating, throwing frisbees over peoples heads (not saying whose), eating ice cream. I am sure you would not throw water baloons at someone holding their Bible, now would you?
So back to the discussion. Lose salvation, did they ever have it, I believe that a decision must be made to accept Christ and that is followed with doing the things of God, seeking and doing God's will, fruit will be evident (not just one time but throughout our lives).
Otherwise I think it will end up with Matt. 7:15-23 - 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
I don't think it is fair that you two are phoning each other and discussing your plans for the BBQ behind my back and in front of my face. Fine, here I thought you were my favorite.
Not sure which prof you are referring to SA, although now a days when it comes to christian/non-christian and affairs is the percentage that much different any more?
Mel if you are reading this, I will need some help against these balloon plotting (albeit nice) girls and grownup ones to boot :)~
Someone brought up to me the prodigal son today, and where he fits in with the once saved always saved. Was he saved before he left and squandered it all? If he had died in the meantime before coming back would he have been saved? Do we only believe the once saved always saved because we are unsure of our own standing with God or of our friends and families standing with God? What about the plans and sovereign purpose God has for each of us? The works that he created for us to do? Just throwing that out (like a water balloon) for you to stir around. Thanks for bringing up more questions and answers, makes life tougher having all these questions, but it beats the easy life and not questioning things and then finding out we were wrong in the end.
Did I tell you how much I am looking forward to the BBQ next week?
Did I tell you how much I appreciate those of you who read, and those of you who blog as well.
Thanks
Mike,
Just talked to Su-Ann - she's really happy! But, she won't be able to blog until she get's home some time tomorrow.
Uh Oh, she's not so happy now, I just read your blog to her. She says that we should be even now - since you had ice cream with us not once but twice this week behind her back and in front of her face. But she figures things are even now her on the phone you having ice cream. She's also kind of bummed she didn't think of going for ice cream in Winnipeg.
I know I was supposed to tell you something else but I can't think of it right now. Oh right she thinks that you are making fun of her when you write did I tell you I'm really looking forward to the bbq on Monday.
Please, please, please don't kill the messenger.
Amanda
Is it just the four of us attending this BBQ???? Don't you think we need more people than that, especially if you plan on playing with h2o balloons? Hopefully my schedule will remain clear on that Monday, it's absolutely crazy right now! But anyway, hopefully it's more than just the 4 of us... I know MOST of you don't like crowds, but I don't do well in small groups :) I am your complete opposite friend!
Well I guess I am stirring her pot a little by repeating what she says about looking forward to the BBQ, but after all aren't we all looking forward to the BBQ. I know I really am. I won't kill the messenger either.
Hey Mel. At this point if you and James show up there will be about ten people. Hope you are able to make it.
Sweet, 10 people! I just had the image of Su-Ann and Amanda throwing water balloons at each other while Mike and I debated verses, haha! I plan on making it, I have it in my day planner for 5:30 pm. I am not sure if James will come, he is probably less social than any of you!! (Yes, hard to believe that a loud mouth like me did marry a VERY shy person!). I am looking forward to it! (and No, I am not imitating Su-ann either :) )
Glad you are coming Mel. What are you bringing to the BBQ? You did not email me back.
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