Unending. I can't remember the specific date, but I can remember the moment that I realized that Sarah's love for me was real and would last a lifetime. I also remember the day that I made up my mind that I would love her for the rest of my life regardless of any circumstance that would come our way. Those two experiences were life changing for me. I didn't have to worry about her finding another boyfriend and I knew that she loved me for who I am.
Likewise, Christ loves us with an everlasting love. It is an unconditional love that at times is completely unexplicable and undeserving. My relationship with Christ completely changed the day that, just like my relationship with Sarah, I realized there wasn't anything that I could do to make Him love me less or to make Him love me more. All of the guilt and condemnation that I carried with me, as well as the pressure to please Him, in order to make Him love me more, was suddenly all washed away.
Think of it in terms of a marriage. I've made Sarah mad and have hurt her feelings, but just because I did that, that didn't make us any less married. Did we have to work out our differences? Of course we did. Did I have to apologize and ask forgiveness? Yes, but because of her committment to loving me, she was able to see past the wrong that was committed and see me for who I really am. Out of my commitment for loving her, I had to swallow my pride and ask her to forgive me and look past my "Exception-to-the-rule" behavior and see me for who I am. Out of her love for me, she forgave me. See what I'm saying?
Just to clarify, I'm not advocating a "Once-saved, always-saved" theology, where we can do whatever we want without any regard for our relationship with God, nor am I saying that there isn't punishment or consequences for our behavior. My point is that we cannot view our relationship with God as something that we have to continue earning day in and day out. Salvation is a free gift, and just like marriage, it's a beautiful thing.
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Worship is my life response to God. This blog contains writings from a heart devoted to worshiping God. It contains honest contemplations from my joy's and struggles as I passionately pursue my number one
4 comments:
Can man lose his salvation once he has been saved? just curious your thoughts. Hope all is well.
James,
That is such a tough question and frankly one we can't be 100% sure about in this life. Both sides of the discussion make valid points in which they believe to be Biblical.
As for me, I'm not sure. I truly see both sides and agree with points from both sides.
On one hand, I think that someone could make the conscious decision to walk away from God, knowing the consequences, and reject the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
On the other hand, I see how grace could abound and be more powerful than the deception one might be subject to that would cause such a decision to be made.
Honestly, I'm literally a fence post guy on this one.
I respect that. I'm 100% sold out to the idea that at the moment of salvation, you are saved and that salvation can't be lost. Glad to know your thoughts, and that they are thoughtful. God bless.
I totally respect that and can't disagree.
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