Temporal or Eternal view? Which one do you have?

 Temporal or Eternal view?

Which one do you have?

A.W. Tozer, a great man of God, also a sinner saved by grace, wrote this: “The law of mutation, belongs to a fallen world, but God is immutable, and in Him men of faith find at last eternal permanence.

I remember the great theological war concerning “Once saved, always saved.” One clear problem was that many times the tone did not sound like it was coming from individuals that were “Christlike.” We should be fervent in our convictions, but not mean or carnal. From all my study, the issue is stated wrongly! It is not “Once saved, always saved”; would God ever deny one of His own children? Even sinners like me would not do that! The problem is not with God, but with us…so the proper question is “once saved or EVER saved”?
Jeremiah makes clear how dangerous our heart is. If we made a profession of faith but there is no evidence of change or a new perspective, is it not prudent that we ask ourselves if we truly are in a relationship with God and whether are we His child? However, only God and that individual can make such an assessment.

Is it not proper that the half-brother of Jesus, a man that grew up with Jesus for all of his years prior to adulthood and ministry, should be led by God to pen a letter to the Church concerning evidence of Salvation?
 
In Review:
Evidence # 1 – How you handle troubles is an “evidence” of what you believe
Evidence # 2 – Purposeful living is an “evidence” of what you believe.
Evidence # 3 – Spiritual Maturity is an "evidence" of what you believe.
Evidence # 4 – Wisdom that is from God is an "evidence" of what you believe.
Evidence # 5 – Standing on what God states in His Word and not how you

                       feel, is an "evidence" of what you believe.

James 1:4-8 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.  But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.
 
I have read and enjoyed many “How To” books that describe living the Christian life…and I will state the best I have read contain more words from the Eternal Author and what He states, rather than the human one writing the book. It is important to remember two truths concerning any “How To” book: 1. God’s Word is living and God Breathed!

2. The human author of the “How To” book is sharing what works for him or her. When filled with Biblical principles we can learn a lot and investigate if that principle works in our situation. Human authors have sinful limitations like all of us, and God’s principles work in different ways for each individual. In one way we are all the same, our sin nature infects and affects our entire being!
 
In this context of James “Doubt” is an accusation against God Himself! Does God really have the best in mind for me, or is He just being mean, vindictive, or playing games? Faith is a process for all of us that are fallen. To move slow because we are concerned if we, in our sin nature, are afraid, sense danger or just don’t want what we cannot yet understand or see is flawed, but is a part of “normal” faith for most humans.
 
If, however, we are slow because we don’t trust Who God is or doubt His love and plans for us, our sin nature has polluted our image of God and led us into sin. When we accuse God of being less than He is (Doubt) we prove we have not resolved in our mind Who this God is we claim we are following. If the enemy came to destroy you and I stood in the way and made them take me instead…after that…would you ever doubt my love and commitment to you?
 
That is exactly what God did when He became the sacrifice for sin, to offer us forgiveness and eternal life with Him. The only limit He placed on Himself was to not force us into that relationship.
 
He left that decision to each individual. What are you doing about it? You say, “I need time” or “I am not sure” – Fine, I can accept that. BUT, if this physical life is so short and limited…at best 100 years, how much energy are you investing into figuring it out?
 
Meditation Thoughts: If God’s plan of salvation does not work for you, what is your plan? Do you really believe that you only live as long as your physical body does? If yes, how should you be living? If you believe there is more, how should you be living?