While on the surface this is a nice post. It does NOT address anything EG is talking about in his post.
What determine salvation?
EG has stated over and over again that sanctification happens and is needed in the lives of a believer.
The difference is WHO do you glorify in bringing about that change: YOURSELF or God?
Why do you want to mix justification and sanctification?
I do not understand this question. The reason is change only happens in the context of Jesus and
the Holy Spirit, so all the glory goes to Him. Now I have never thought of bring praise to myself
because how could I a failed sinner.
This is why I find this is a straw man question.
It is like saying who motivates you to do good works? Because of Christs love it is Christ.
If you know how lost one is without Christ, everything in ones heart desires to bring things
back to Him, because He is the source of life.
My only question to those who raise such questions, is, do you know the brutality of the cross
the suffering and shame involved, and you and I put Him there. And He forgives us.
Everything feeds from this. To not listen and obey the Lord is to dishonour this very act,
which we learn each day to value more.
Now what flabbergasts me is this fascination with safety. Christ is about risk, faith, knowing
righteousness and love conquers sin every time, purity and holiness is everything. A corrupt
split society rots from the inside out. To walk in Christ is not to know who will overturn you
persecute and destroy what you have, but it does not matter because you know Jesus.
So if you know Jesus, why do you need a theology of being safe? Do you not trust Him?
If I had a friend and we made a deal, but I wanted penalty clauses, a commitment that no
matter what I would be safe, would this convey trust and being a team together, or I did
not trust him at all and wanted my end safe. So I suspect things are really very different
than people admit to, and they are not sure of their relationship with God, and want so
reassurance or else they will lie awake in fear it will all go wrong.
And I become a target because I am starting the whole insecurity apple cart all over again,
because the real understanding of Jesus is just missing.
My favourite character in scripture is Mary Magdeline. She gave her all to her Lord, and just
loved Him, and He appreaciated this. I suspect she was the woman caught in adultery.
He knows us and loves us, and sin is something profoundly wrong but conquered.
The Lord is so much more than theological ideas, or constructs, or easy solutions.
This is eternal significance, yet I do not read this is many of the words or approaches here.