Thanks Linda and Mike for these. Recognizing that the fullness of salvation is not only reconciliation of relationship but also restoration of the image of God within the believer is critical. In Jesus, we see both aspects fused together--a relationship unbroken and fully aligned and a man perfectly living out the image of God.
As for sanctification (the process by which we grow in full maturity and devotion to God), it is participation with grace. Dallas Willard put it best: Grace is opposed to earning, not opposed to effort.
Our effort--dying to self, surrender to God, trusting obedience--is participation in (and never augmentation of) Christ's work for us and is integral to what biblical salvation is about. Yet, all that appropriate effort is enabled by, and a response to, God's grace. So it doesn't earn our righteousness before God, or even maintain it. What it does is receive it into every part of who we are.
Sanctification is part of the deal and involves effort. We are expected to grow in faithfulness, but this doesn't slip into earning because faithfulness is the fruit of deeper surrender and trust, and is manifested in inward character and outward deeds.
My comment involves the same scripture Linda J noted, below. This verse, along with several others, seems to teach there is a contract requiring keeping the commands to stay in God’s favor as well as moving on to sanctification. The book of James can be interpreted the same way, IMO. The scripture from Colossians 1:23 that Guy used on Friday infers the same thing. My Baptist friends would refer to countless “assurance” scriptures and ask how we Methodists can ever rest assured in our faith.
In my own walk, I find blessings rain down when I walk with the Lord but I also know the paths to legalism and prosperity gospels are slippery slopes.
Thanks for the scripture studies and the attention to details within God’s magnificent Word.
(S) 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
(O). My observation reading this section of the Psalm concerns our relationship with the Lord, the “give and take” with Him. He gives the great gift of His love and faithfulness but in return we must be faithful and keep his covenant, obey His laws, return His love.
(A) The contract or covenant we keep should be easy considering all we receive from the Lord but we still are weighed down by the legacy of Adam and Eve and our sinful nature. Therefore, we need to stand back and access our lives daily, listen to the Lord, study the scripture and let it guide us to be better people. Self correct, lead more Godly lives, keep the covenant.
(P)rayer: Heavenly Father: continue to love me and lead me to return your faithfulness; guide my life, show me how to walk in your light and be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Thanks Linda and Mike for these. Recognizing that the fullness of salvation is not only reconciliation of relationship but also restoration of the image of God within the believer is critical. In Jesus, we see both aspects fused together--a relationship unbroken and fully aligned and a man perfectly living out the image of God.
As for sanctification (the process by which we grow in full maturity and devotion to God), it is participation with grace. Dallas Willard put it best: Grace is opposed to earning, not opposed to effort.
Our effort--dying to self, surrender to God, trusting obedience--is participation in (and never augmentation of) Christ's work for us and is integral to what biblical salvation is about. Yet, all that appropriate effort is enabled by, and a response to, God's grace. So it doesn't earn our righteousness before God, or even maintain it. What it does is receive it into every part of who we are.
Sanctification is part of the deal and involves effort. We are expected to grow in faithfulness, but this doesn't slip into earning because faithfulness is the fruit of deeper surrender and trust, and is manifested in inward character and outward deeds.
My comment involves the same scripture Linda J noted, below. This verse, along with several others, seems to teach there is a contract requiring keeping the commands to stay in God’s favor as well as moving on to sanctification. The book of James can be interpreted the same way, IMO. The scripture from Colossians 1:23 that Guy used on Friday infers the same thing. My Baptist friends would refer to countless “assurance” scriptures and ask how we Methodists can ever rest assured in our faith.
In my own walk, I find blessings rain down when I walk with the Lord but I also know the paths to legalism and prosperity gospels are slippery slopes.
Thanks for the scripture studies and the attention to details within God’s magnificent Word.
(S) 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
(O). My observation reading this section of the Psalm concerns our relationship with the Lord, the “give and take” with Him. He gives the great gift of His love and faithfulness but in return we must be faithful and keep his covenant, obey His laws, return His love.
(A) The contract or covenant we keep should be easy considering all we receive from the Lord but we still are weighed down by the legacy of Adam and Eve and our sinful nature. Therefore, we need to stand back and access our lives daily, listen to the Lord, study the scripture and let it guide us to be better people. Self correct, lead more Godly lives, keep the covenant.
(P)rayer: Heavenly Father: continue to love me and lead me to return your faithfulness; guide my life, show me how to walk in your light and be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen