KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE:
To have success in ANYTHING of any value in this life, you MUST put in the hard labor. There are no shortcuts, only lies from the KoD suggesting there are, and myriad alternatives to keep you distracted and ultimately, frustrated.
Just because grace is “free” doesn’t mean there isn’t any “striving” to obtain it.
Grace, Works, and Indifference – blog 8/9/19
The Greek word translated “strive” is agonizomai (Can you see the English cognate “agonize” in there?). Jesus stated that salvation implies a certain struggle. The Greek word carries a wrestling connotation with it, meaning to contend for a prize. Are we to suppose that Jesus was suggesting additional work to the Cross as a requirement for salvation? May it never be! That work is complete, as Jesus said while on the Cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
In Luke 13:24, Jesus was referring to the analog of walking from our place of origin to the [the free gift]. Is salvation any more gracious – and therefore effective – for someone who is forced to take a longer walk [to obtain it] (think of how many conversion stories you’ve heard over the years – they’re all unique)? How about a shorter walk, shall we presume a lesser grace, then? May it never be!
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Grace is Jesus accomplishing everything necessary to secure our eternal salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast”(Ephesians 2:8-9). There’s nothing man could ever do to alter the value of Christ’s redemptive work. However, hearing the Gospel truth and understanding it leaves no one unchanged. …In each case the convicted person is forced to exert themselves (the Gospel demands it). This work is in the struggle either to cast aside the sinful pride of life and pursue salvation or to reject the Gospel (or even remain indifferent to it). Striving in one direction or the other doesn’t increase or diminish the value of the Cross in any way – that negotiation between Father and Son took place in Heaven long before man even walked the earth, as a function of God’s grace alone.
We are always a slave. Freedom and slavery are not mutually exclusive terms (that’s what Satan wants you to believe).
Commitment, responsibility, and accountability are all disciplines in the local church.
God is glorified, we are blessed!
It’s simply not enough (anti-Biblical, even) to establish/maintain commitments to ourselves (as virtual islands). We are called to a community (aka “a congregation”), for the purpose of “obedience of faith” (ref: Ro 1, 16).
We are called/commanded to BE a community of brothers/sisters/mothers/fathers in the faith. And like ANY command, it requires OBEDIENCE.
GOD MUST BE the center of ALL our Universes so that we can all meet at a single place for fellowship!
COMMUNION SERVICE