="mailmandan, post: 3742605, member: 193497"]
*So without justification, there is no sanctification. Our ongoing sanctification has no bearing on our justification. That is, even if we don't reach entire sanctification/sinless perfection in this lifetime (which we won't) we are still justified by faith in Christ (Romans 5:1).
In Hebrews 12:15, we read - See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God. The NASB reads - comes short of the grace of God.. The ESV reads - ..fails to obtain the grace of God. Not a loss of salvation here but a failure to obtain it.
Only those who have been saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8,9) qualify to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Romans 5:1 - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
What about the deceived, the religious folks who "Believe" they are sanctified but are not? Have they fallen short of the Grace of God? And what if someone shows them the truth, but they choose their religion over it? When will they know the end of their choice? In "that day" yes? How can they be persuaded of their deception? Will the Word's of Christ convince them?
Luke 16:
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if
one went unto them from the dead,
they will repent.
31 And he said unto him,
If they hear not Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded,
though one rose from the dead.
Who are these folks Dan? Are they not those who claim to know the God of Abraham?
In regards to the believer's ongoing sanctification, in Philippians 2:12, we read - Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. This verse often gets misinterpreted by works-salvationists to mean "work for" your salvation, yet works salvation is not being taught here. The idea is to progress towards the finish or completion in spiritual growth and maturity in the process of ongoing sanctification. It should be noted that Philippians 2:12 makes it clear we are to be active, not passive, in this process. However, though we are active, we are not alone.
This scripture agrees with every other scripture in the Bible, Old and New Testament. And no one is saying the Christ doesn't help those who He knows. But God's Word is the authority in my view. As it is written;
2 Tim. 2:
15 Study to shew thyself
approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred,
saying that the resurrection is past already (we are already saved, already immortal) and
overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let
every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity. (Lawlessness)
Ex. 20:
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness
of any thing that
is in heaven above, or that
is in the earth beneath, or that
is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God
am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth
generation of them that hate me;
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day
is the sabbath of the LORD thy God:
in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that
is within thy gates:
11 For
in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them
is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.