MaxSterling wrote:
> What is the Biblical evidence for this doctrine? It looks as if I
have
> to jump through some hoops to come to this conclusion, yet this is
> what I have been taught most of my Christian life.
>
> Any thoughts would be appriciated.
>
Well, Kevin, you're going to get both barrels from both camps.  I'm of
the OSAS camp.

In the OT Job asked, "How can a man be in the right before God?"  In
the NT, the young ruler asked Christ, "What shall I do to obtain
eternal life?"  The Philipian jailor asked in terror, "What must I do
to be saved?"

It all depends how one answers this question that you will find an
answer to your question.    But the teaching of the NT seems to be
quite uncomplicated on both accounts.  A simple word check will get you
at least 100 hits that faith in Christ is the means by which a sinner
is forgiven and received by God.  The last words of Christ,
specifically, tetelestai, or "It is finished."  The Greek word was used
in the market place to indicate a close of a transaction, like "Paid in
full" written across the bill.  The point being that Christ's death was
sufficient, totally sufficient to pay the sin dept.  Nothing further
need be added.

Now there are two implications following this.  One, we are not saved
by our own effort.  The debt was paid by Christ's cross work.  That it
was paid in full puts a period at the end of the sentence.    For if
Christ paid the full and final price then there is no further need of
payment or merit on our part.

Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph. 2:9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

Those who both think that one must add good works to their salvation
and the logical result that if one isn't totally faithful to the end in
good work production,  naturally believe that one can lose what was
gracefully given.

I'll say it out right.  The question is asked by those who think that
some sort of works must be added to their salvation,  i.e. Christ only
made the down payment and it is up to us to keep up the payments, that
if one doesn't continue in good works then are you saying that such a
person is still promised eternal life.  And to that I answer, YES!

But I would immediately add that we must not overlook the fact that the
change God brings about as the result of faith is so radical that our
desires are changed.  Sure, we will still sin, but we no longer sin
without the consciousness of the inward prompting and grieving of the
Spirit.  God moves in the lives of those who have been saved
(justification) and begins the process (sanctification) of renovation
and spiritual growth.

This is the second point.  That God works directly in a human heart by
the HS throught the truths of the scriptures.  There need be no human
intermediaries such as priest nor any rituals.  The miracle of the new
birth happens directly at the moment of saving faith.

However, the true cause to answer pro or con to this question of yours
depends on your position on free will.  And your position on free will
depends upon your position on the depravity of man.  This is exactly
where Luther stood hundreds of years ago.  He (and me) came to the both
the biblical conclusion and the experiential conclusion that all men
fell with Adam.  And when man fell, his inclination toward God was like
a swing bridge that swung from being God oriented to being totally self
oriented.    Left to himself, man, even in his more feverous religious
activity, is self oriented.  He does such things to seek merit, to be
recognized, to be acknowledged both by men and by God.

However the biblical picture is that the heart of man is deceitfully
wicked.  That no man seeks after God.  That no man understands God.
That "none, no not one, does good."  So if we are so depraved that we
cannot even seek / incline ourselves toward God, then it is He who must
regenerate us to faith and good works.  That is is "all from Him,
through Him and to Him," is the Pauline conclusion that our calling,
election, and salvation are as sure as the promises of God, or God's
own veracity.  That it is finished means that there is no further
payment and if there is no further payment then there is no debt left
to be maintained.  Therefore salvation is once and for even as Christ's
sitting down at the right hand of the Father was once and for all, for
there is no further work required "therefore having been [in the past]
justified, we now [in the present] have peace with God."
We are saved for all eternity because it all depends on Him.

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