Twenty days have passed in the month of May
and my soul still feels cold.
The aches, the pain, the darkened stains,
still weigh on my chest;
No, I’m not at rest.

Though the weather feels fine,
all my surroundings don’t define
my heart, that still yearns
for the vine,
that satisfactory wine - so sweet.

The complete joy
I run after,
yet I yield to each disaster;
they blockade my path,
and so I let them.

My peaks fall
faster than I ever raised them tall,
and I wonder
does my God, like thunder,
rage against my tiring?

Oh grace!
what a mysterious way,
God grants me goodness,
despite my cliche
of hypocritical motions
and false emotions.
Is there glory in that display?

Lord, reveal
the loves I hold dear,
and convert them true
to a divine love for You.

Is doubt and faith parallel in regards to the strenuous extraction of independence that must take place? Do not both lay one’s sensibilities and perceptive knowledge to the side as incomplete, and submit to the higher ground which is existent yet mostly unidentifiable? The process may parallel, but they most certainly do not produce the same result. Faith, in the scriptures, is described as a “certainty” despite the lack of sensible observation. Certainty and doubt are antonymous; yet, is not the doubter sure of his yielded item of doubt? Then the greater distinction must be the item of dependence, not the process. 

The doubter notes his existence and capabilities as finitely limited. The man of faith does the same. It is here where the divergence is drawn; in that, at this motionless moment, the man of faith moves forward - by the power of God - and the doubter yields. The doubter is unsatisfied and apathetically sulks in it, whereas the faithful man, despite the absurdity, thrusts his dependence onto the higher ground - the transcendent God - and moves forward.

Skepticism is a nihilistic assertion, but it is not illogical. We are indeed broken, in need of fixing, and worldly remedies are in need of scrutiny. It is what one does with his skepticism - whether he trusts the higher power, or carries on in his determined inane, trivial, vacant, inconsequential, and hollow existence -  that resolves his route.

kelseyisms:

Stop trying to “clean up your act” before coming to me. Just come to me, and we’ll work out the rest when you get here. I don’t love you because you are beautiful. I am making you beautiful because I love you.

Yours Eternally,

God

God regenerates. Why would we try to work to make ourselves presentable? - That would rob God of his glorious transforming power.

The heat I will take for this post will not be unknown to me. I have received derogatory and vulgar messages for my posts before, but I feel like there must be something said (Romans 8:31).

I am not going to act like I am completely informed on the present situation with North Carolina and marriage. Although it is my home state, responsive Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter posts have given me the rise to respond. I just cannot remain silent.

Yes, homosexuality is noted as a sin in the Bible. (And not only in Leviticus and the Old Testament: Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:10; Jude 1:7). That statement alone will spur comments and messages of name-calling - bigoted, hateful, hypocritical, outdated, sheltered, etc. I realize the front that Biblical ethics creates, but I am not ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16-17). For in the gospel there is hope in light of sin and its detrimental effects.

Christians have taken a serious lashing for condemning the homosexual community, and that pains me. Should sin be condemned? Absolutely. Should Christians be on the front-lines for moral purity? Definitely. But where is the presentation of the gospel to these people? I was once consumed in sin, just as much as any homosexual is - just not in the same perceptive form. You look at the Biblical references for homosexuality, and they are coupled with so many others sins: murder, adultery, slander, hate, etc - all of which, according to Jesus, I am guilty of. Why are Christians, myself included, singling out homosexuality as the root of all evil? Sin is the root of all evil, and we were once in pursuit of it - lusting after sin (Romans 3:9-10; 1 John 1:8).

Christ died for us while we were still sinners! (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). We may need to stop trying to correct these people’s morals, and point them to the cross, where Christ paid for the sins of those he loves. Seeing the cross for all it truthfully is will cause them to be disturbed by their sin themselves. We are stopping short in selling them our morals and not showing them the redemptive work of Jesus. Were we not delivered from such detrimental sin, and should we not also seek to proclaim the opportunity of deliverance to these people? The difference between Christians and homosexuals is not necessarily the homosexual’s sin and the Christian’s lack thereof, it is the Christian’s received grace of the cross (1 John 1:8; Romans 3:23-24; Romans 7:14-20,24-25). Do not sacrifice the opportunity to preach the gospel for being morally exalted.

To my Christian brothers: Preach redemption as the means to condemnation. Point them to Jesus where there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Do not elevate their sin above the sin that your were delivered from, for you were once plagued by the disease of total sin. Stop selling them ethics, and start showing them Jesus; He will restore them.

To the homosexual: I so desire and plead with you to fall under the power of grace. God took a wretch like me, and restored and revived me. I pray you feel convicted to do the same. The struggle can be won, indeed it already has been through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Reach out, fall to your knees, believe and depend on Him. I realize the foolishness that this may seem to be, but I assure you it will be your only means of relief. I cannot necessarily explain it to you, but God can transform your life completely if you find your joy and satisfaction in Him. If He could do it for a sinner like me, He can certainly do it for you. How?

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:9-13

I recently did a paper of the significance of Jesus’ first sign, where he turns the water into wine at a wedding in Cana. I thought I would share some of the practical functions of the Christian life I found in response to the text.

The wedding at Cana is only found in the gospel of John, chapter two, verses one through eleven:

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Now there were six stone water pots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

One interesting note is that there is no mention of Christ’s mechanical work of this miracle. In the telling of the narrative there is no “indication that John was interested in its mechanism.”[1] It is most certain that Jesus was the provider of the wine, but not one knows the precise process by which Jesus conducted the transformation. Better said, John does not specifically note a work of Christ - only the efficient transformation that takes place. Regenerate grace works in a similar manner in that there is no particular evidence of Christ’s work beyond the fruit of his grace, which is the presence of the Spirit. It is when one tastes the joy of the transformed that the work of Christ is truly beheld.

We are quick to identify belief, and the necessary christian process, as the means of transformation. Wrong. Jesus was the source of the transformation. If we were to speak in all truth, we would say that Christians only talk and act this certain way. Though this does have a rightful place in theology, we must not take it too far. God’s grace has free-range in the souls of men. We would fool ourselves if we claim to know exactly how regeneration works in the life of those whom God has shown grace. Yes, fruits will appear, but this is the only source of judgement. Belief, and adherence to Christian communities and systems, are not by any means true signs of grace. For if Satan desires to really uproot the church, would he not do so from within its very system?

My aim in this is for us not to succumb to shallow theology. God is in pursuit of man’s soul and heart, not his lips and hands. If all you have to say for yourself is that you have muttered a prayer and enacted some Christian service in your life, where is your mention of God’s grace? God works on levels we may not understand or be able to acknowledge. Sometimes, if I dare say: all of the time, God’s grace is indescribably unexplainable; all you are left to say is, “look at the transformation, God’s grace must have been at work here.” Don’t you see that Jesus did not describe the means, he only left the transformation into wine to be seen?

Do not be too quick to assume grace when there is only professed belief, and do not be surprised when such a person goes out from among the believing community. God’s grace is the requisite to true salvation. Yes, faith will uncontrollably flow from true grace, but this does not work in reversal. Profession of faith does not produce grace; it is God who works grace.

Part 1: http://tterzek.tumblr.com/post/22029719000/two-men-take-a-seat-pt-1

A slim waitress brings a coffee to each of the men. She is plain, and seemingly wants no part in the conversation that has obviously moved the emotions of the poor man. She is quick to arrive and quicker to leave.

While the prideful man remains purely analytical and unaffected, he is confused - a state he despises. The rationale of what has just been described to him is a pain to his intellect. “Well… then carry on.”

The poor man thrusts his spirit back to earth in hopes to meet this man where he is. He knows he cannot speak of things from above in plain terms to him. While reaching for his coffee, he joyfully appeases the prideful man’s wishes. “As simple as I can express, man was God’s creation who defiled the image he created him in, which was God’s own image.” After attempting to cool the hot coffee with his raw breath, he continues, “This defilement was called sin. Do you follow?”

“Yes.”

He takes a prudent and careful sip, “Then I will continue, but you must remember each proposition. For nothing will make sense in and of itself; each premise is contingent upon and concerned with the other.” The poor man pauses, and the prideful man nods in agreement. “Man’s rebellion substituted God with items of his creation -  animals, trees, the sun, the moon, and more detrimental: themselves. Humanity exalted lesser things, and placed them on the throne that was only meant for God. The essence of man’s malfeasance is that of idolatry.”

The prideful man interjects a question while the poor man takes a breath, “Now this idolatry you speak of…” He reaches for the cream and sugar. “It has been committed by every person who has ever walked the earth? I look around and I see many faces, many souls. I have to believe that not one is virtuous?” 

As the prideful man prepares his coffee, the poor man responds, “You do good to acknowledge the souls around us. For there are natural men and women surrounding us, going about their livelihood, benightedly aware of their true condition. This is what I spoke of earlier when I mentioned the ‘delusion of self-sufficiency’ that every man is or was once under. Moreover, you not only recognize the bodies of men and women around us, but you appreciate the spirituality of every body: their souls. By your own confession, there is a spiritual realm. and further there must be spiritual disruptions.”

“Well, yes I would assume so.” In further thought, the man tastes his coffee. “But I am not sure.”

“I am not so sure on the distinction either, but the point must be made that their are things we cannot directly observe, analyze, or judge. That being said, it should not surprise us that those around us may be, in contrast to their defensed front, deeply disgruntled. It does not strike me as odd because it is just as I once was. I fooled so many, even myself at times, into thinking I was tolerable and satisfactory. However, God is not able to be hoodwinked. There will come a day when we will face him as judge, and nothing will be withheld; we will answer for what we have done, those things both known and unknown to the natural world.”

Restlessly looking for a point of penetration, the prideful man responds, “Why would such a God be awfully offended by man’s meddling, or idolatry towards creation? Is that such a horrible wrongdoing? I understand that you believe them to be ‘made in his image’ - whatever that means - but if he is so much higher than us in every approach, why let man affect his being? Maybe better said is: why let man foil his goodness?”

The poor man places down his coffee and takes a breath. “It is rooted in our depraved nature to think ourselves to be better than we actually are. We gauge sinfulness differently than God does. To us, we are not too offended when a young child supposedly pours out its approval on a small stuffed animal over its loving parents. We may even say it’s cute. Nevertheless, idolatry towards God does not work this way. Considering the example of the child and its stuffed animal, that teddy bear offers the child no harm. It is innocent for the child to enjoy his or her gifts from his or her parents. However, sin is not an innocent and safe pleasure. It kills and destroys.”

The prideful man stares at the poor man for him to continue to explain.

“Maybe that was not the best analogy; analogies are always insufficient anyways.” They both chuckle and the poor man moves forward. “Plainly, God, in his perfect justice and holiness, tells man that the price for their prideful idolatry is death. Your answer may be seen here: that God was primarily offended and enraged by the imitate relationship man had spoiled. The scene depicted is not of an unruly and angry dictator who is detrimentally affected by his subjects, but a holy father who has lost the affectionate touch with his most cherished creation. And even this fatherly allusion is insufficient in regards to the magnitude of God’s love and necessary discipline. God is not changed; man is changed. God’s goodness is not foiled, man is. God remains constant, yet his love must take on a different form: wrath. For I have heard it said that ‘wrath is love’s response to sin’. It is only the immutability of God’s character that allows him to punish sin. In full, God did not change from creation to the fall of man, man did.”

Apparently sufficed, the prideful man motions to the waitress for another coffee.

(To Be Continued)

The imperative foundation for making life decisions: the only thing we are perceptively in control of is our love for God and His purposes. Be free of selfish ambition and self-centeredness; then we have a proper frame of mind to respond God’s will. We think that God owes it to us to show us, but the scriptures reveal that despite the burden placed in our hearts, the normal practice is for God to hide the path as to reveal your priorities. Dig some ditches for God to fill with rain; Make plans, but make them in pencil. God has every authority. He directs your steps.

Further reading: http://tterzek.tumblr.com/post/14154852849/wait-vs-work

Two men take a seat. One is a man of pride, and the other is poor. 

“How can God allow such evil to befall upon those innocent beings, whom you claim to be his cherished creation?” The one man recites in fashionable pride.

The poor man responds, “First, this is the wrong question my fellow man. Better proposed is in what good act has God allowed you another breath?”

The one man stands insulted, and rebukes, “Why, I am a good citizen! I follow my line. I do not allow my actions to impose upon the will and betterment of others.”

The poor man smirks with a glimmer of sadness in his eyes and reproves, “I was once under the delusion of my own self-sufficiency. I was doing just fine under the counsel of my conditioned conscience. But, two things must be corrected in your scheme. One, my responsibility is not found in debt to humanity and the common good of society. The price by which my soul has been charged is not in my dealings with men, but in my interaction to the divine creator and upholder of all things. It is him that I owe the glory, and my failings are counted by my robbery. Therefore, and secondly, your initial question assumes that unaffected men are ‘innocent’, and this proposition is the very hinge of your attestation. For if God was indeed striking down the righteous, he would rightfully be deemed an abominable being. This is not the case. For Innocence is only found in the life of the perfect man, whereby I see none.”

It is then at once when the prideful man perks up and interjects, “Oh! and you find yourself perfect?”

The poor man smiles in fullness of joy, for he had anticipated this question. “No, my friend, I am not perfect in the slightest. I am dysfunctional, and more crooked than any man you stand next to me in comparison.”

Almost angrily, the prideful man reaches out and questions, “Well then where is any hope of being delivered from this God who has left us as mere vessels for his wrath?”

Holding back the tears, clinching his fists and closing his eyes, the poor man begins with a whisper. “Jesus.” He smiles again and opens his eyes wide, gazing into heaven. “Jesus.” His voice begins to climb as he opens his palms and raises his hands. “Jesus Christ. God has made a way!”

(To Be Continued)

Do not fear too much the prominence of liberal theologies. They, by their very definition, tend to outgrow themselves in the pursuit of repudiating conservation. These fanciful liberals’ constant amendment to theological systems is not something to be anxiously disgruntled by, where as we see ourselves as extensively responsible to combat and correct these skews. Men who thrive on such imprudent theories to exalt their name cannot stay settled for too long. For just as their ideology begins to become acceptable in the now tainted and perverted minds of easy listeners, they must thrown in some new and pretentious bend to keep themselves free of any traditional economy of thought - and this is often an over-correction.

Liberal theologians must thrive on pendulum swings. They mutter, “We must not keep the thinker balanced. Moreover, we must certainly diminish the authority of the balanced-thinker by calling him arrogant and demeaning - for he claims to know the reconciliation of the scriptures; how rude!”

God’s Word has lasted for over ten thousand years, it was the very means of creation - God spoke this world into existence. It is concrete. It is unchangeable. Align your study to the revelation of God, and there will be no further research necessary in debunking the hoggish doctrines constructed by mercenary men. The devices of the indulgent are never satisfied with their interpretations (that only gain them shallow notoriety). However, Biblical interpretation and doctrinal establishment are not ways for men to exalt themselves in the knowledge of God, it is to in someway help reveal the immutable and unchangeable facts of who God is and how he works. We need not be as shockingly creative with our exegesis of the Bible as we have been; let the powerful word of God speak for itself - only make it more clear and cultural, not more comfortable.

The Hell debate is maybe not as prevalent as it was a year ago given Bell’s Love Wins and Chan’s Erasing Hell recent release, but there is certainly a need for the administration of the doctrine of Hell from the modern pulpit. For introduction, it must be noted that there are two revelations completely necessary to conversion into God’s Kingdom: the state of man’s deficiency and the state of Christ’s sufficiency. The doctrine of Hell pertains to the former.

Hell is naturally entangled in the observation that the human problem is rooted in their necessity to see one’s condition in true perspective - self-centeredness is the aim of all anthropological endeavor. Consequently, to neglect the doctrine of hell is to lack human feeling; preaching it is a matter of compassion. The terrible teaching is really a gift of God to awaken those who are blindly sleepwalking into eternal damnation. This is why it’s absence from the pulpit is so alarming.

Furthermore, the essence of all wickedness stems from a lack of belief in regards to the consequences of their actions. With truthful introspection, not a many of people find themselves to be all that moral or good, or they in the least see some defect or shortcomings. Therefore, it just may be that the reality of Hell is not of sincere acknowledgment to such a person. Moreover, there may be an inherited theoretical belief in hell, but there is no sense of it as a personal reality. We can not detach ourselves from our beliefs. If we do so, we will find that the workings of grace have no terrain to till, uproot, and transform our own hearts.

We must return to seeking God for all that He is. No longer will we benefit in seeing God in the way we want to see Him and not the full spectrum of his revelation. God reveals his justice, his holiness, and in the same passages, we see man’s wretchedness and defiance. Hell, this place of judgment, completes the idea of God’s just actions and penalty for rebellion. Hell is, at it’s philosophical core, a system of justice in the next life to rectify injustices in this one - it proclaims the holiness of God.

I do not wish to imagine what may come of the bride of Christ if we continue to belittle the character of the holy and just God in hopes of greater attendance and more fanciful worship experiences.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

I did not save myself. I will say it again, I did not save myself.

Stop. Think about that.

For the longest time I was under the impression it was by faith, but in reality it was through faith. My faith only manifests my salvation, it is not the power of my salvation. Before you pass this off, realize my aim in this: we need to redirect salvation back to God and off ourselves. It was by grace alone that I was saved. God saved me, not my faith. Faith is only the efficient cause of God’s grace in my life. This weight has now suddenly been released off my shoulders. No longer does my redemption hinge on my work or perspective - it is God’s work in me. 

The same principle is seen in Romans 1:

[Jesus Christ our Lord] through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations

Romans 1:5

One must see that Grace is the primitive action, and faith is the byproduct and the first act of obedience whereby all obedience thenceforth flows. Obedience following salvation is an item of sanctification, and therefore faith ought be placed within that categorization - our sanctification not salvation.

Why is this so important? It is so that no one may boast. For if it was by my faith that I was saved, I have room to boast. I am afraid that in our pursuit towards Protestantism, fleeing past Catholic soteriology, we have come full circle. We are quick to say that salvation is not by our works, but yet we are also quick to attribute our faith as the  means of our reconciliation to God. Our faith is our work. It is certainly the right path - to say our faith led to salvation - but we have stopped short. Yes, faith is absolutely necessary to please God, but we must see that faith is the proof to ourselves of God’s already working of grace in us! Salvation is not a procession of my own realization, it is the grace given by God that led to my transformation.

Article 7 - Grace in Regeneration

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (1); that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (2); that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth (3), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel (4); and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life (5).

John 3:3 is undoubtedly the strongest support for the pertinence of regeneration in the life of the true believer. Jesus’ response to Nicodemus enforces the undeniable necessity of regeneration as qualification for “see[ing] the Kingdom”. Jesus’ verbiage is not identical to our modern adaptation, but the implications of being “born again” equivocally representing the transformation of His followers is uncontested and hermeneutically sealed. You must be born again! True followers of Christ do not remain, they are regenerated. This regeneration is promised in Ezekiel 36:26, which is also conveniently cited in the article, and moreover represents that the regenerating work of God is a principle held and executed throughout the whole Scriptures.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Further, it details the root of regenerate salvation: first, one can see that regeneration is the gift of a new heart and spirit; second, there is a removal of the heart of stone; and thirdly, this gift is placed within us (certainly for our convenience), which may be the best position for our utilization. The emphasis must be placed on expulsion of the old and introduction to the new; one is released from us, and the other is released to us and in us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 gives a fitting précis in Pauline language, a better acquaintance to modern Christian thought, while reinforcing that regeneration and being “in Christ” are inseparable conditions.

Support for this article would have been stronger if the article had also cited Acts 1:8, whereby the mechanical use of the Holy Spirit is shown to be “power”. What would this power be used for if not for the power to work out one’s salvation, and can this not only happen by the outpouring of inward regeneration? My view on regenerate grace can be further explored in pasts posts:

Grace: Toleration vs. Triumph (Part 1) - http://tterzek.tumblr.com/post/17622937764/grace-toleration-vs-triumph-part-1

Grace: Practically Purposed (Part 2) - http://tterzek.tumblr.com/post/17902753980/grace-practically-purposed-part-2

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Biblical Citation of the NHC:

1. John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27
2. 2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7
3. John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13
4. 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11
5. Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18

Article 11: Perseverance of the Saints

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (1); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (2); that a special Providence watches over their welfare (3); and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (4).

This is one of the prominent controversies among Christian circles today. I almost abhor the question, because what is the questioner trying to get at with this appeal? Are they looking for a reason to stand still? Is this person seeking to find a reason to drift from their pursuit of holiness and succumb to stagnancy in the honor of Christ? If that is indeed the aim, then I would have to descend the depths of explaining what true salvation actually entails. The quick answer is found in a parable of Jesus noted in Matthew 21:28-31:

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.

Jesus reveals that it is in the true and final action of submission where one finds entrance into the Kingdom of God. We can profess that we believe in Christ, see Him as true, etc., but if our end is not an act of submission to that command and revelation, we gain nothing. In full, if we are seeking a way to not pursue God’s will, we must first analyze our hearts to see if we are slaves to sin or God; therein lies our submission and true nature of our professed dependance on Christ. For further study on this imperative truth, analyze these scriptures: James 2:19-26, Philippians 2:13-14, Romans 6:1-12.

However, if the question is rooted in seeking the hope of one’s salvation and full assurance of belief, this is naturally a good and most necessary pursuit. In my recent readings of Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections, it becomes evident that full assurance of salvation is the great river of the Christian life by which all cardinal spiritual affections flow: hope, peace, joy, etc. Without the possible comforting knowledge of one’s secured salvation, there is an imminent reversal into a restless struggle of one’s place and son-ship - a wrestle that ought to be secluded to a lost soul, not a regenerated new creation found in the grace of God. Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as a great “comforter” and “seal” of our faith, and therefore we acknowledge communion with the Spirit as means of full assurance. 

Now regarding the primary question: can one lose their salvation? Arguments surround this article of faith quite frequently, but the evidence of the opposition always seems to be experiential rather than Biblical. The Confessional’s cited verse that is best suited to elucidate the apparently contrasting reality of this perseverance of saints is found in 1 John 2:19. Proposition 1: “They went out from us…” - We see that people do indeed leave the fellowship of the church body, for it is well noted in the scriptures, and does not call for doctrinal alarm. Prop. 2: “…but they were not of us…” – Here is an important distinction to chew on; one can be from what they are not of. Fellowship does not constitute factual authenticity. Prop. 3: “…for if they had been of us…” – Notice John’s revisit to of, the latter preposition, which is most likely purposed in enforcing the already made distinction. Prop. 4: “…they would have continued with us…” – Would have expressed the inevitable perseverance forsaken upon the departed’s leaving from the church, all the while affirming that continuation is an absolute for those of the church, whereby John also inserts us into the passage as a possible dedication of sorts. Prop. 5: “…But they went out that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” – To its ultimate end, the purpose was to edify the church body in exposing the false and shallow apes of the faith.

Support for this article would have been stronger if the article had also cited Hebrews 12:2, whereby Christ, in His faithfulness, is depicted as responsible for our faith’s perfection. If we divert our attention unto Christ as the rightful instigator of our faith, in His faithfulness, we find security that he will complete that good work started in us (Phil. 1:6). Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 1:22 proclaims that we are “sealed” by the power of the unfaltering Spirit and given God’s trusted pledge and promise.

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Biblical Citation of the NHC:

1. John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18
2. 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9
3. Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3; 91:11-12
4. Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4

I wish to provide no hesitation in offering the means of man’s salvation after presenting his dire need and depravity. Our wretched introspection must always recoil into the perspective of God’s redemption.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25a)

Article 4: The Hope of Salvation

Of the Way of Salvation We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (1), through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (2); who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin (3); honored the divine law by his personal obedience (4), and by his death made a full atonement for our sins (5); that having risen from the death, he is now enthroned in heaven (6); and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all- sufficient Saviour (7).

Summary of Biblical Support: Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” takes salvation’s acclaim off the saved and on the Savior. Hebrews 9:13-15 shows the valuable parallel and fulfillment of Christ as the atoning sacrifice and high priest in the Old Testament, and moreover emphasizes God’s redemptive story. Personally, this typology gave me a greater view and understanding of God, specifically in regards to His unified principle of salvation running throughout the whole of the scripture’s narrative.

Support for this article would have been stronger if the article had also cited the follow up verses to Ephesians 2:5, including through verse 9.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Salvation ought to be completely directed to a vertical perspective that the false pride of man should be rightly crushed. This confessional means of salvation must take its proper place, and yield its forefront position. Yes, confession prefaces surrender to God, which stirs proclamation of His Son’s truth and Lordship, but it is, at most, a contingent piece of the procession of God’s work in a person. Christians’ testimony speak far too lengthily of their “walk down the aisle” or “prayer”, and far too less of God’s initiated, irreplaceable, and all-sufficient provision of salvation: the Gospel. Simply, the foremost inspection of the “conversion experience” of the Christian culture needs to be redirected to the gracious act of Jesus Christ above our “convinced” and “coerced” acknowledgment of an event. A hidden and sneaky scheme of satanic influence is most certainly the sickening reversal of soteriological source by Christians; this pride proves a misdirection of grace. Secondly, I believe it would be extremely beneficial if the NHC had referenced the historical account of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection found in the synoptic gospels or John’s Gospel.

Further thoughts on this idea can be found in one of my past posts: Intentions of Salvation - http://tterzek.tumblr.com/post/10306003680/intentions-of-salvation

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Biblical Citation of the NHC:

1. Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11
2. John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24
3. Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor. 5:21
4. Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21
5. Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15
6. Heb. 1:8, 3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4
7. Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14