A Contentious Faith?

The article on Salvation, Security, Works & the Believer is finished.  At least for now.  It is His perogative to teach me and show me the mistakes I made and need to correct.  I only want to honor Him and glorify His Word.

When the Bible talks about salvation is it always in reference to eternal life and freedom from the penalty of sin?

It appears the Bible talks a lot about being saved (delivered) from certain circumstances, whether persecution, our own bad choices, or situations we have no control over.  This implies many things for the believer, what might that be for you?

The page 'Salvation, Security, Works & The Believer' has been updated to include a brief discussion of this.

I have been doing some reading on the differences between Armenianism, Calvinism and Free Grace; when are we going to stop trying to put God's Holy Word into a neat little definition or box?  Each time I have read an article each of these seems to be defined differently with many variations of each and while I fully appreciate and encourage the personal study and conclusions which come from such study we really mess up Christian Fellowship by putting labels on ourselves, others and our doctrinal position.  I am at the point of refusing to label myself by a denomination or doctrinal position because these are so easily misunderstood and perverted.

I would like to post some information on what the Bible says about grace salvation, lordship living and God's purpose for the believer because these issues flavor how we view His discipline in our lives but I fear using any label will derail the whole conversation. 

Can we agree to let the Bible and the Holy Spirit speak to and teach us?  We may just find that each of these doctrinal positions are right and wrong at the same time, but God is always right if we will lay aside our prejudices and let Him teach.

I have updated the page on personal deliverance during divine discipline.  The main point is to be clear about the affects of sin on your fellowship with God, not that this sin destroys your relationship with God.  Sin for the believer creates a temporary block between you and God which is removed by confessing your sin as 1 John 1:9 indicates.  Don't let your theology get in the way of reading God's Word and letting it teach you.

I am working on a comparison of different theologies (Armenianism and Calvinism) which should help clear this up.

I have just added content on the topic of Church discipline and how encouragement for the individual believer.

Yesterday I posted new material on divine discipline, what it's purpose is and hope for the believer.  This topic has been on my mind for several months now, it is the culmination of reading the daily news and meditating on the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  I would love to think God will deliver my nation and the church in some fantastic and wonderful way, but the more I consider the situation the more I am convinced the likely answer is national discipline with deliverance for the believer looking more like the captivity of Israel in Babylon than the victory of Israel over Ammon and Moab in 2 Chronicles 20.  Please consider what God may be speaking to you and not what I propose, honor God by being a Berean (Acts 17:11).

I must admit publishing this site was a rather nervous event.  I don't know how well I have expressed myself or taught the material.  I have no idea if my words have made anyone think or been just brushed off.  (Right now I doubt they have even been read.)  It was a lot more humbling to put myself out there for all to consider and critique than I anticipated.

My only hope and expectation is that God would use this as He sees fit.  This may mean no one ever visits the site or that I never know how it impacts people if they do read the material.  I hope I am ready for whatever comes.

I am working a new category about Deliverance During Discipline, I hope to have it out in a few weeks and that it is useful to you.