This clearly demonstrates a passage can be read two ways, the words interpreted differently.
It is clearly up to the reader to decide for themselves as people will definitively say different
things about the same scripture, so it is up to everybody to make up their own mind.
I have seen people deny their own words right after writing them, so it is possible to ignore
what is actually there without admitting it. God unfortunately is not so kind on the day
of judgement and things will be very clear then.
I won't lie, often what you write has merit to me. I like your desire to remain patient and loving. I so often think we are on the same page...BUT then i get the feeling it gets a little slippery.
I'm not attacking, just that no one, is saying works/fruits are not a major component made possible through faith in Him.
I think the difference is who do we trust to walk out our faith, Him or ourselves? I like that you appear to listen and gain perspectives. I can relate to that. I want to ask you something, though?
Do you believe in eternal security? Yes or no?
Do you believe it is He that does the saving and keeping?
In your response to me earlier, you said you did.
He is faithful or not?
I was raised by a Pentecostal preacher evangelist. I came to Lord when I was nine. I went way left and so did He, my dad, for long while. I was never settled, always tormented in my sin. He wooed me into the wilderness and not so gently, pulled my head out of my hiney bo. I know we can turn away, so does He.
BUT... He was faithful to stay with me as I grieved the spirit over and over, to the point of quenching. He never gave up on me and the foolishness of the ditch I kept running into. I hurt myself and was reckless, even as a mother of 2 beautiful girls, I put me and my sins before them.
One beautiful and powerful day, I felt such sorrow, like I have never felt before...it took me straight to sobbing, it literally took me to my knees. Finally, I begged Him for forgiveness and pleaded for Him to take the wheel.
I will always deeply regret my sins rooted in selfishness, rather than selflessness. I hurt my dearest loves.
I now take refuge now in Luke 7:36-50.
How can anyone truly rest in Him, if we are on slippery ground? He knows who He is dealing with, and He deals with His sheep accordingly.
So what if He had come and I was in the midst of running away instead of toward? I believe that deep sorrow, that came from deep within shows me that He was with me, every step of my broken way. He saved me all the way.
I agree that loving as we are called is obedience. I believe without Him in our hearts, it is impossible.
I am so grateful because of Him, I want to be pure, but know I never will be outside of Him. I am in Him...I am not Him. On my best most selfless days, on my own, there is NO hope. If my understanding is wrong, I pray He helps me.
I believe Home is in Him alone.
He gets ALL the Glory, every last drop of it!!!
God Bless you and yours.