Originally Posted by
Just A Clay Pot
This, like many other issues at discussions concerning our faith, comes down to being of where salvation originates: man or God.
If man appeals for salvation, and that appeal is accepted by God, then it would be very possible for a person to be saved and yet still cling to the world to the point of perhaps needing more time to be brought to the fullness of their salvation.
If, on the other hand, salvation is originated by God and is accepted by man, then the salvation is assured by His promise. In this case, a person that clings to worldly things will lose opportunities to gain rewards, and will have a more distant daily fellowship with God. But, the salvation of that man is beyond the ability of that same man to affect in any way.
I believe the later over the former. To do otherwise makes things like John 17 seem weak and rather unimportant. We as in "the apostles" are the same as we "the early church" which is the same as we the "saved Christians of today"-- "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." Jhn. 17:20-21
It doesn't seem right that God would provide a people, to make that people to be "all one", then to divide that people at a later time. "But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth." Luke 11:17
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