Today, Scripture points are shared on doubt, salvation, and spiritual growth. Athletes who achieve as great runners all begin as babes who may wobble and fall when they first begin to stand. Like such babes, the followers of Jesus Christ also gradually develop to their full strength. The holy writings include many teachings that encourage believers to receive their salvation as a dynamic process of growth, not simply a one-time event. (For example: Romans 1: 16-18, King James Version (KJV): 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:). Where salvation is accepted as movement from faith to faith there is directed change and passage through multiple levels of relationship. One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
If I doubt my salvation does that mean I'm not saved?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2nd Peter 1: 2-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Simple and Mature Faith (09/05/2016); Abstractions, Atheism and I.Q. (08/18/2016); The Problem of Faith? (05/22/2016); Offspring of GOD? (12/23/2015); The Resurrection of Jesus Acknowledged? (04/03/2015); Understanding Spiritual Growth? (03/13/2015); Help Thou Mine Unbelief (12/31/2014)
“Anonymous”, one may be saved, and yet (like “new born babes”) not be an effective worker in the ministry from Christ. The operations of doubt are often called “analysis paralysis,” and give one an appearance of idleness, ignorance, immaturity, and indecisiveness. The forms of doubt include disbelief, distrust, hesitation, skepticism, and uncertainty. Like sin, doubt opposes the continued existence of divine law, the completion of duty, obedience, and fulfillment of prophecy. Doubt dampens and quenches the imparted, indwelling Spirit of GOD, thereby rendering a believer impotent, useless, and vain. A person who lacks commitment, sacred knowledge, and is not anchored and disciplined by their duties, sacraments and truth, eventually will display backsliding, falling away (apostasy), and no growth or increase of spiritual authority and power. Christian believers all are challenged and confronted by changes, distractions, errors, and opposition from unseen influences and “winds” that include the Adversary, ones own changeable emotions, pleasures, and wrongdoing. Sinners must acquire faith, develop discernment (ability to recognize spirit content from the makeup of divinity within events, motives, opportunities, other persons, themselves, etc.), and maintain focus upon eternal purposes. Only through such divine provisions do we become anchored and have unshakeable conviction. Consider again how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:
(1.) 1st Peter 2: 1-5, King James Version (KJV): 1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
(2.) James 1: 5-8, KJV: 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
(3.) Hebrews 5: 12-14, KJV: 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Ephesians 4: 11-16, KJV: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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