WE are come now to the end of last chapter of The Complete Green Letters – Part 4, The Realization of Spiritual Growth, Chapter 54 “Foundations of Reckoning,” In this last chapter we have reviewed a list of Twelve Proofs or twelve evidences – reckoning principles upon which our life-union with the Lord Jesus Christ is established – that bring us to the full assurance of our so great salvation. As our author has been faithfully instructing us:
“Until we are grounded in the truths of substitution and union, we are not prepared for the more demanding reckoning of our identification with Him in His death and resurrection—and on to ascension.”
HE further points out in the opening of this chapter:
“Those who begin weakly, and are not instructed concerning their position in the Lord Jesus, are apt to remain weaklings. They move mainly up, down, and backward, with rarely any forward spiritual progress and abiding growth. For the most part, they subsist on experiences and so-called blessings; they seem to go from one crisis to another, never really settling down to reckon upon Christ risen as the source of their life here and now.”
AS I think on those comments it reminds me as to the reason I took the time to write this blog. It always amazes me (although it shouldn’t by now) when I counsel an individual going through a particular difficulty or struggle, how little is known and understood regarding the basics of the faith, the fundamental riches that reside in Christ. A recurring pattern seems to always emerge that reveals the same dearth of information and spiritual growth understanding. I’ve also noted another repeating pattern emerge, but I’ll save my comments on that for another time.
FOR now, let us close this study with one more remark. This last chapter is really dealing with the Doctrine of Eternal Security. I am familiar with this particular teaching in how it is phrased and in principal agree with it, having my roots in the particular school of theology from wince it originates. Having transitioned to a Calvinistic and Reformed school thought, I now prefer the term “Perseverance of the Saints” or “The perseverance of God” to the idea of Eternal Security. Having said that however, the premise and conclusions parallel, and these closing words remain most valuable in laying a solid foundation for ones faith going forward, further up and into Christ. With that being said, let us now conclude our reading.
In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa 30:15; Job 2:10; Jas. 1:2; Prov. 21:30
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Chapter 54 – Foundation of Reckoning – conclusion
Further, “to accept and teach that a Blood-bought child of God can fall from grace is to assault the very nature, character, and sovereign purpose of God, as well as His justice and His love.
“Such teaching is an assault on the nature of God in that believers are declared to be ‘partakers of the divine nature’ (2 Pet. 1:4); ‘born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God’ (John 1:13); and indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God (John 14:16, 17).
“It is an assault on the character of God – His faithfulness and truthfulness, in that the life He imparts He gives His pledge to maintain. His promise is, ‘I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand’ (John 10:28): ‘and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life’ (John 5:24).
“Also, the doctrine of ‘falling from grace’ is an assault on the sovereign purpose of God as set forth in Romans 8:28–30, where the believer is seen in the purpose of God in the eternity of the past, in His foreknowledge and predestination, and in the eternity of the future sharing the very glory of Christ (John 17:22–26).
“Then, it is an assault on the justice of God, in that God declares concerning the believer, ‘Your life is hid with Christ in God’ (Col. 3:3), and that there is now ‘no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,’ and no separation ‘from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Rom. 8:1, 37–39). Thus, we can thank our Heavenly Father for His justice, for it is this which preserves the child of God from a second charge:
‘Payment, God cannot twice demand,
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine.’
“Lastly, it is an assault on the love of God, in that God declares His love ‘an everlasting love’ from which nothing ‘shall be able to separate,’ for He is ‘able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy’ (Jer. 31:3; Rom. 8:39; Jude 24).”
