Although ‘getting in’ the Kingdom is based upon God’s grace, we often think that ‘staying in’ is based upon our performance. But, our assurance must never be held hostage by our obedience. If obedient living is our basis for assurance, then we run the risk of living graceless moral lives that look like the Pharisees whom Jesus repeatedly denounced. And, if we tie assurance too closely to our salvation experience, then we run the risk of our faith being devoid of evidence that God has truly transformed us. The objective basis of our assurance in salvation must always and forever be “Jesus Christ the Righteous One,” whereas the subjective basis of our assurance comes from our obedience. To confuse one with the other often invites spiritual shipwreck.
2010-09-17