Pardon me while I think out loud, here; Im hoping I can get my thoughts across so that they make sense. Rom. 8:17~And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. If the heirs of God are automatically joint-heirs with Christ, as most who rightly divide are teaching this verse, then we cannot be heirs of God/joint-heirs with Christ unless we suffer with him. This makes salvation conditional upon suffering with him, so that could not be the truth that the Lord is trying to impart to us in this verse, as I see it. How do brethren see the phrase IF SO BE that we suffer with him, THAT we may be also glorified together as unconditional and then turn around and say that we who see it as conditional for reigning with Christ (2 Tim. 2:12) are preaching a false works-based gospel for salvation. It is the brethren who are making the heirs of God the same as the joint heirs with Christ that are making salvation works-based by suffering with him. This verse is not a justification verse as it is concerning our sanctified life in Christ and whether we are walking after the Spirit, minding the things of the Spirit which entails hearing, believing, and acting upon the doctrine given to Paul by the Lord. Not all brethren in the BOC are faithful to do this, but they are heirs of God (heirs of salvation by believing the gospel of Christ), whether they suffer with him or not. Joint-heirs with Christ are those who will live godly in Christ Jesus, suffering the persecution, running the race and finishing the course in faithfulness to the Lords gospel given to Paul in this dispensation of the grace of God. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, IF we faint not. Why all the warnings given to the BOC by our Apostle Paul if all the members are going to receive a crown of reigning with Christ no matter what they say and do in this body, i.e., those who choose not to redeem the time? 2 Cor. 5:10-11--For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. What is the prize you are running for then (if youve already gotten it by becoming a member of the BOC via salvation)? What race are you running?
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 01:31:05 +0000