| Author | Message | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 1268 Registered: 10-2008 |
Questions 1.What is meant by commandments in this passage of scripture? Is it the 10 commandments? Why or why not? 2. From this passage how or is obedience to Christ related to the assurance of salvation? 3. If we continue to have a tendency to sin all our lives, how is it possible to know for certain we are saved? I realize these are tricky questions based on our former understanding as an Adventist. These 3 verses have been used to emphasize the need to keep the 10 commandments of God and particularly the fourth. It is time to really dig deep and see exactly what John is trying to say in these verses ... based on the context of what he has already been saying. Looking forward to reading your answers. Carolyn | ||
| Dalvarenga Registered user Username: Dalvarenga Post Number: 61 Registered: 3-2012 |
Carolyn, I had the same questions before and, actually, my former SDA pastor pulled that verse on our last conversation, and you know, I was glad he did, because the answer is right there. Go a little further on chapter 3 verse 23: "And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us." This is the difference between reading the bible considering the context.  The answer to questions #2 and #3: In Romans, Paul talks about the "obedience of faith", which is pretty much the fruit of the genuine salvation, which will naturally result in obedience, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is a great sermon on this subject, by Pr. John Piper: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/command-of-god-the-obedience-of-faith Read Romans 12 that says "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." We will always be sinners, there's no way out of it, until our glorification by the second coming of our savior. However, that doesn't mean that we will intentionally keep sinning. God is constantly showing us our errors, through the Holy Spirit, so you will know whenever you are going against God's will. God bless. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 2764 Registered: 7-2007 |
To continue Dalvarenga's point, that's why Adventist preachers don't seem to like to preach THROUGH a book of the Bible like Evangelical Christian preachers often do. Preaching through a chapter or book of the Bible brings out what the Bible is REALLY saying! Adventist preachers seem to jump all over the Bible like mad hares, picking out one verse in one place and then another in another place. Then they bind it all together, quoting someone they call, "my favorite author." | ||
| Rider Registered user Username: Rider Post Number: 26 Registered: 9-2009 |
Questions 1.What is meant by commandments in this passage of scripture? Is it the 10 commandments? Why or why not? And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 1 John 3:23 2. From this passage how or is obedience to Christ related to the assurance of salvation? If we believe that Jesus is the son of God & confess our sinfulness, God forgives us and we are given Christ’s righteousness. Our obedience is to accept Jesus as our savior. 3. If we continue to have a tendency to sin all our lives, how is it possible to know for certain we are saved? If we walk by faith knowing we have been saved by grace not by works. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Eph. 2:8 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24 |
