QUESTION: Jesus said “If you love me you will obey what I command). In 1Corinthians 1:2, I am told to “Be holy. 1John discusses the necessity of forgiveness (1:8-10). Yet we do sin, even after we are saved (2:3-6). So, how can we be expected to live as Jesus lived (v. 6)? This is all too confusing— actually too contradictory— to be taken seriously.
ANSWER:
Great care is required to AVOID offence in answering such a question. That is because it is so easy to search the Scriptures for out of context statements which could appear contradictory. The truth is, God NEVER contradicts Himself.
Let’s begin with how we are saved: ● “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…” (
John 6:44) ● “No one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him. (Jn 6:65) ı● …
you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).
Now consider why we are saved: ı● For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10). (It’s not just about us; it’s about God’s purpose.)
As God’s workmanship, we are absolutely assured of all the success we want. ● Consider the astounding promise f Philippians 2:12-13:“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” o
May I elaborate on that promise? Consider Jesus personal promise in John 15:1-17. Seventeen verses are longer than space permits, but it would be difficult to imagine a Believer who does NOT want to live Life in the Vine. Just to read vv. 7 and 8, is to be filled with surprise and wonder— and the pure joy of actually living it! Concerned about being able to understand God’s revelations? Jesus personally covered that in John 14:16, 23-24, and 26; it’s also addressed in Romans 8:26-27). Never, EVER, allow anyone to tell you that God hasn’t covered His promises— just remember, God makes NO promises to those who do NOT believe (that would be contradictory).
This ANSWER actually follows the how & why we are saved. God chose not to reveal every detail of being born again (re: John 3:1-15). To understand the Bible, and accept its mysteries, read God’s divine Word (John 12:49-50) with the Counselor. It cannot read as an ordinary book.
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Introducing Mike Budd
My name is Mike Budd. I enjoy the opportunities of learning and sharing the Bible as a member of the Homewords Small Group Bible Study Ministry conducted by Reverends Frank and Glenda Brunson. The class reliance on divine guidance to lead each member, in expressing spiritual experience and thoughts, results in the Spirit leading us where God wants us to go. Are these lessons divinely inspired? As a class, we have two reasons to believe they are: (1) We humbly seek it (John 15:7-8); to glorify God, to bear more fruit, and to show ourselves as Christ’s disciples, and (2) We are fulfilled in ways which only the Spirit could accomplish (John 14:26).
Homewords Ministry 