Im referring to the definition of: A new creation in Christ, a changed life after salvation. Producing fruit. Sanctification
Not just mere mental acknowledgement and repeating a prayer. But genuine born again new creature in Christ.
I believe in PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS. The true saints will persevere in the faith. here is more on that:
https://carm.org/what-is-perseverance-of-the-saints
I will read it later.
The topical repentance/works is obviously the root of our indifference. It could prob use a thread of its own, although I’m sure it has been discussed...I think it deserves all of our attention.
Your doctrine (The majority) seems to be motivated by “your trying to take our guns away” meaning, your ability to recognize another Christian by his/her actions(in the flesh)..and council against them by means of treating them as non believers, or anything of the like. Allowing this, when (every man is a liar), all fall short of the glory, not one is good, no not one, seems to be an inability, or mode of self-preservation in the flesh...Many of you say “it is not judging” (repentance/works opens the doors wide) but do not contemplate it from the perspective of the subject you have entered in council against....
I could tell you story after story of destruction in the family, because someone got it in there head, that a family member was sinning(all the while admitting they sin themselves, but are repentful and confess of it)...this leaves the discernment to everyone in your congregation, whom we know make mistakes, and according to scripture, is guilty of the same..unknowingly, your doctrine, gives your congregation, the license to judge the heart of a man...falsely accusing his brethren, and family members while knowing full well, that mistakes will be made. False accusations will always hurt the other members (I made a mistake, I’m human) well this is not your ordinary mistake, it is a very serious mistake, pertaining to a mans eternity.
This mistake, falsely accusing a brethren( it happens on a scale much larger than you think) based of “repentance/works”. Pushes many away from the church...all from “allowing through doctrine” a mistake of human error. You feel comfortable allowing man, and all the flaws that acompany us per scripture (as filthy rags, repented of by God, fallen, all are liars, all fall short of the glory) a ticket to judge?
You say we are only desiring a ticket to sin (as the Galatians asked Paul) “shall we not sin so that grace may abound?” Same problem today....you believe we are motivated by a desire to sin freely, without rebuke, from our fleshly brothers. I believe you desire a ticket to judge, maybe you have not looked at this for the perspective of: If God knows, how corrupt we are, ( I would say it is obvious what he had to do) Do you really think he we leave us to our own devices?
You may not see it, but this doctrine is abused in more ways than you know, it has inundated the Church as the majority, and continues to tear apart families....God knew this, that man should not judge man through his gospel of today...it makes a mockery of the Holy Spirit, and I promise you, that the mistakes, of false accusations, as the watchful eye of your congregation, conspires falsely, maintains a tribal mentality, at the peril of human error, will not bring the message of grace.
This doctrine, continues to ring the bell of “shame, shame, shame, shame” and most, that apply their judgement on their brethren (treating as a non believer ) are getting it wrong....so it is folly, it is also damaging to the body of Christ. Sin should be hated because of what Christ did to resolve it, and the damage it caused while under its yoke..not because of fear, that your brethren will see it in you, as he gazes in the mirror.