godrulz said:
The conditions to receive salvation (not without which) is repentant faith. I would suggest that the type of faith that saves us is not a one time act that later turns to rebellion and unbelief. It is a continuous faith and trust evidenced by love, knowledge, and obedience to the Royal Law of loving God supremely and others equal to ourselves. This is only possible as we abide in Christ.
The faith that saves is a faith that continues. You say that, then you say that it is only possible as we abide in Christ, as if it is possible for those who are placed in Christ to abide outside of Him.
Saving faith continues, for all time. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
At the risk of being misunderstood, I believe a case can be made that:
the grounds (reason for which) of salvation is grace and the person and work of Christ. Salvation is of God, by grace, not by works or human effort.
the conditions (not without which) by which we appropriate His perfect provision are repentant faith (we cease rebellion and are willing to turn from unbelief and what God calls sin in order to turn to God in simple trust). The condition for persevering is a continuance in the faith, not a later reversion to unbelief and rebellion. Faith that does not continue cannot be called faith anymore. It is unbelief or selfish rebellion. I disagree that we cannot change our minds in order to become a believer or that once we are a believer we cannot change our minds back. This would negate free will and make salvation a metaphysically coerced change, rather than a genuine love relationship.
1] Faith that does not continue cannot be called faith, ever.
2] Creations cannot be uncreated. Same goes for new creations.
3] We cannot deny what we know. To deny it, we would have to have never known it.
4] God renews the minds of those He makes His. We will not change our minds, because they have been renewed.
5] Our will is conformed to His will. Plain and simple. Once we are His, our wills are no longer at enmith with Him. This is why we will never change our minds back to where we once were, if we are His.
"I could never entertain the thought that things were better back in Egypt."
-Skypark
'Shelter'
Am I Pretty?
Conditions:
Repentance
Faith
Continuance in the faith (perseverance; abiding)
A faith that does not continue is no faith at all.
These are not works, nor are they done in our own strength. We need Him to live His live through us. Just as grace is resistible before we are saved, so it is possible to resist the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation. Jesus and His work is perfect. Not everyone is saved in the end. Not everyone who starts the race finishes it.
They are not done in our own strength, yet we can discontinue them?
Do you see how backwards that sounds?
Salvation is of God and initiated by God. He transforms us. We do have a responsibility of response and receiving (synergism vs monergism/Calvinism...salvation/reconciliation involves two parties and is not unilateral nor causative).
All of salvation is of God. All of Him, and none of us.
