Guest Post: Is Security of the Believer a License to Sin?

(Note: This is a guest post written by Wally Fry who blogs here.  I am currently away and I am thankful to Wally for this guest post.  If you have thoughts and questions, feel free to comment and when he has time he will respond.)

Is Security of the Believer a License to Sin? 

I think anybody who reads here knows that I believe in the Eternal Security of the believer, Once saved always saved, or Perseverance of the Saints. I believe God’s Word clearly teaches that the salvation of a truly saved person will never be revoked, nor can it be taken from us. 

This is problematic for some, as many consider this doctrine to be nothing more than the granting of a license to run out and sin all they want. Sadly, many who oppose the Doctrine of Eternal Security are made to feel this way by the conduct and lifestyles of those professing to believe. Sadly, some do actually believe that salvation is no more than getting their ticket to heaven punched and that they can, in fact, do as they wish with no repercussions.

Advertisements

Read Full Post »

Sunday Morning Motivations for Preachers and Teachers: You are given spirit of Self-Discipline

It is Sunday!  I know teaching, preaching and ministering is not always easy.  Among those things that can be difficult is getting everything done that’s on your plate.  Of course that requires self-discipline.  How can we preachers and teachers be encouraged and properly motivated to be disciplined?

We are finishing off the third and final part of 2 Timothy 1:7:

Read Full Post »

Guest Post: The Father’s Fire: Embracing Imminent Discipline

Editor’s Note: I (“SlimJim”) am away in a family trip and this is a pre-scheduled post.  It is written by our guest Adam Kristofik who is a brother in Christ that regularly interact with us on our facebook page.  Today happens to be the day his wife is induced and giving birth so you might want to pray for his wife and their family.

“Does God send trouble?” Surely, surely, He and He alone. To the sinner in punishment, to his children in chastisement.” – B.B. Warfield

Our first bundle of joy is expected to be arriving on this earth in about two weeks from the current time I am typing this. My wife and I are excited that we will be having a girl. Naturally, being a father of a girl, excitement for me is redefined as being extra cautious. I am enthusiastic about soon approaching the tragedies and triumphs of being a parent.

I pray that I will show my child the goodness of the Gospel as long as I am alive. My life example will not be her saving grace, but that only of Jesus Christ crucified. I am prepared to teach her all of the wonderful things throughout Scripture. With the understanding that I will not be the perfect parent, I hope to show her that our Father in Heaven is.

Speaking of the perfect parent, never in my wildest dreams would I think to send danger anywhere near my child. Sure, I might teach her lessons when she falls short. Although, deliberately placing my child into harm’s way seems terrible. What kind of parent would I be if I were to place spiritual, physical, and/or emotional roadblocks in my little girl’s path of life? Well, let us look at scripture.

We see in Hosea 9 that God placed many dangers in Israel’s way. The LORD dealt with Israel’s insubordinate nature harshly. In hindsight we see that God’s providential hand brought harm their way to punish their sin and renew the relationship that was shattered. God’s people are only ever put through the ringer with the goal to redirect them back to God.

True parental love is best displayed through gruesome chastisement. Being disciplined exposes your joy and exterminates your happiness. This process is painful but reaps great spiritual rewards. Hebrews 12 tells us this. God will put hardships in our life to prune us. Sanctification is an inwardly beautiful process that seems torturous to the carnal mind.

The veil of sin has still obscured our view with the false pretense of human innocence. We set our standards by others around us as opposed to the perfect standard set by Christ. Therefore, our sin does not look as heinous to God as it really is. We should stand firm against the temptation of the heresy of human righteousness.

May the Lord of Hosts continue to not spare His rod, as this is His people’s best assurance of an unfailing love. May we as His people seek the living Christ through the midst of the brutal discipline we will face. May the Lord purge our sin with His sanctified fire. This present pain pales in comparison to the glory that will be revealed.

Read Full Post »