Thess wrote:
“What is wrong with the view that the grace from the cross earned by Christ 2000 years ago is applied to our lives so that we may overcome sin? Most certainly we are predestined to justifcation and sanctification if we are among the saved and that grace was earned 2000 years ago on the Cross but how is it wrong to say that grace has to be applied to our lives and bring us to faith and repentence allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us? That's the Bible dude.â€Â
Here in is the difference of our theology of the cross, we would be more in agreement then disagreement in regards to God’s grace being applied to our lives, causing us to grow and have victory over specific sin issues. This is the aspect of being “simultaneously a sinner†I alluded to earlier in my responses. Certainly, by the end of our life, we should have spiritually matured, or one must question if they ever were saved (2 Cor.13:5). Where we would disagree, is that though one is never perfect in this life, when they crossover they become actually perfect both body and soul (1Cor.15:52-54), thus, no need for an intermediate state. In regards to the aspect of being “simultaneously a saint†even in this realm, Pink states it well:
“The justification of the believer is absolute, complete, final. "It is God that justifieth" (Rom. 8:33), and "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it" (Eccl. 3:14). So absolute and inexorable is this blessed fact that, in Romans 8:30 we are told, "Whom He justified, them He also glorified": notice it is not simply a promise that God "will glorify," but so sure and certain is that blissful event, the past tense is used. "Them He also glorified" is speaking from the standpoint of the eternal and unalterable purpose of God, concerning which there is no conditionality or contingency whatsoever. To be "glorified" is to be perfectly conformed to the lovely image of Christ, when we shall see Him as He is and be made like Him (1 John 3:2). Because God has determined this, He speaks of it as already accomplished, for He "calleth those things which be not as though they were" (Rom. 4:17).â€Â
Hopefully, you can recognize that our position has already been established in the heaven according to Scripture. The penalty already
Paid in full as Pink also states:
‘So far as the believer is concerned, the penal side of the sin question has been settled once and for all. His case has been tried in the supreme court, and God has justified him: in consequence thereof the Divine decision is "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1). Once those very persons were under condemnationâ€â€"condemned already" (John 3:18); but now that their faith has united them to Christ there is no condemnation. The debt of their sin has been paid by their great Surety; the record thereof has been "blotted out" by His cleansing blood. "It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth" (Rom. 8:33, 34). Who will reverse His decision! Where is that superior tribunal to which this cause can be carried? Eternal justice has pronounced her fiat; immutable judgment has recorded her sentence.â€Â
That is why I can state with confidence that your hypothetical situation with Billy and the last day on earth convert, that the latter went straight to heaven. Though he never had the chance to make right his many transgressions. Thank fully he was covered by the blood of Jesus.
Bubba.
