@billym2521@ostrachan I believe in justification, I believe in redemption, I also believe in sanctification, and these are all core tenets of salvific Grace. If your Christianity doesn't place a demand on you to live circumspectly, then you're already living lasciviously.
@billym2521@ostrachan If our salvation is only for heaven and we do not owe God a reasonable sacrifice of service, not for the sake of a reward of heaven, but as a reasonable response to the love he has showed us, then something is off.
@billym2521@ostrachan We were saved to be united with him in heaven, but if that was the only reason, we would have been raptured immediately thereafter.
There is a reason you pray that the lord of the harvest send more labourers into his vineyard, there is a reason for the great commission.
@billym2521@ostrachan Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
@billym2521@ostrachan In Christ, you can come the way you are, but you cannot remain the way you were. Not by your power but by his Spirit
And if you say all the verses listed have nothing to do with salvation then I think you have a problem understanding the fullness of the salvific works of Christ
@billym2521@ostrachan 2 Peter 2:20–21
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein… the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”
@billym2521@ostrachan Hebrews 6:4-6
[4] For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit.. if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God...
@billym2521@ostrachan Hebrews 10:29 NKJV
[29] Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
@LaymansSeminary@ostrachan And they should know it's wrong and shouldn't get comfortable in it and should continue to pray to God for help with a sincere heart.
@ValaNienna97662@81_tamsyn@ostrachan If you were trying to quit smoking and I offered you a cigar, you'ld be more likely to resist that temptation if you say " I don't smoke", rather than "I am a smoker trying to quit"
You've identified yourself as someone that has risen above the temptation not struggling with it.
@ValaNienna97662@81_tamsyn@ostrachan The essence of identifying your weakness is to focus your prayers on that identified weakness and not as a means of identification of yourself
@ValaNienna97662@81_tamsyn@ostrachan Identifying yourself by your besetting sin doesn't sound wise. And the spirit of God is the spirit of wisdom. From what you said, that means someone can say "I am a lustful Christian" I am a covetous Christian.