I shared this with ole peterjens (Petey) in another thread, as usual, he skipped right over it and refuse to even acknowledge it
i will share it here also, my faith in a nutshell
my response in him...
the problem is our justification is not based on how sanctified we become
our justification is by faith based on Gods love, not based on me, if it were based on me, I would never be justified, because I am a sinner who has and continues to fall short of the glory of God (perfection) but praise to God i was.. well here, let me let the apostle Paul tell you, maybe you will listen to him
Rom 3: being justified freely, by his Grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
now look there what did paul say
Being justified - it is an ongoing process, not a one time event, it continues, even today, I am being justified
what is the cost?
Freely, in the Greek the word is Dorian. The word means without cost, as a gift, freely given without paying
by his grace - grace comes from the Greek word charis it is where we get our word charity from, it is where I think most people have a problem with grace based theology, or try to change the meaning of what grace really is, it is no cost to the reciever, free (well it is free to the believer, it cost Jesus things we will never comprehend) it is basically charity, and one thing I have learned about proud people, they refuse to take anything by charity, they demand to pay for it, and if they can’t pay they will reject it,
this is why Jesus said we must become poor in spirit if we want to enter the kingdom of God
the word poor comes from the Greek ptochus. Which means destitute of wealth, reduced to begging, we call this in our day bankrupt, totally broke, unable to even feed ourselves, no place to call home, sleeping on the streets or wherever they can find a place. Jesus said this is where we need to be, if we want to enter Gods kingdom.
if we want a picture of this, Jesus gave us a picture, the sinner (tax collector) who got on his knees, so ashamed of his sins he was not able to even look up, calling out on God to shew mercy (charity) like the poor and destitute man who lays aside his pride, who comes and falls on their knees asking for charity so he can feed himself or his family, and what did Jesus say?
that man went home justified,
That is what God has given me and I am offering to share with other people,
but since I do this, and it offends so many, I am shamed, cut down, told I love my sin, and hate God
well who really hates God? It’s not me, I did what he said I should do, I became poor in spirit, and God is reminding me every day how poor I am without him, and when I forget, he is quick to remind me
I pray you find this one day, I really do