tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26558050.post6288414664996699437..comments2007-06-30T22:55:48.909+09:30Shane Beckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745922518331200335noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26558050.post-6997381635799778502007-06-30T22:55:48.909+09:302007-06-30T22:55:48.909+09:30Thanks Joe and a hearty Amen to all you've said. <BR/><BR/>"Many do, in the end see their sanctification as works maintained or sustained by behaviorism( which is really nothing more than the world's way of trying to be good)." That says it all.<BR/><BR/>I like the way you say, "But Christ gave us the whole package." That is nicely put. Christ doesn't simply save us and leave us with a job to do - he equips, empowers, and see it all through with us from beginning to end. <BR/><BR/>"We seize hold of the promises of eternal life by God’s grace and then we continue to seize hold of the promises of Christ as we partake in the divine nature that our salvation produces." True! <BR/><BR/>Love in Christ-<BR/>Shane.Shane Beckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745922518331200335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26558050.post-57721435383349287882007-06-29T21:02:49.667+09:302007-06-29T21:02:49.667+09:30Shane, this is a wonderful series.<BR/>Many do, in the end see their sanctification as works maintained or sustained by behaviorism( which is really nothing more than the world's way of trying to be good).<BR/>But Christ gave us the whole package. There is nothing to earn and nothing to look for. It is all there as a result of being in Christ. <BR/>When we are living in a godly manner (for example demonstrating the virtues of 2 Pet.1:1-11) we are partakers of the divine nature. We are identified with Christ because we are able to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust, unlike the false prophets that Peter taught about in 2Pet 1&2, through the promises of Christ.<BR/>These great and magnificent promises tell us that because of Christ we ultimately overcome sin and death and condemnation. Corruption is a gradual process. And even for believers their bodies may corrupt in the grave, but spiritually we are progressing toward glorification. We are new creatures in Christ and part of the everlasting New Covenant and it is a Spirit Covenant that gives life because where the Spirit is there is life and liberty not only in living but also from sin and death. There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. All of these things prove to us that we are incurable lovers of Christ and move us to know Christ more and as we do we will be displaying more of the divine nature which in turn displays more of the glory and excellence of Christ.<BR/>Our escape from the corruptions in the world through lust is our knowledge and growing knowledge of Christ as we are partakers in the divine nature and live godly lives.<BR/>We seize hold of the promises of eternal life by God’s grace and then we continue to seize hold of the promises of Christ as we partake in the divine nature that our salvation produces.<BR/>The false prophets have no hope to offer and no promises that are found in Christ.<BR/>The world holds out all kinds of false promises that only lead to corruption through lust, which is ungodliness. All kinds of false hopes are given in the promises of the world. It is tragic when that which says it is the church would rather cling to these promises than those of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<BR/>Resting in Him,<BR/>JoeJoseph G. Krygierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14517673482573884450noreply@blogger.com