OzSpen
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- Mar 30, 2015
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I went back to read #90 and I'll pick up on one interaction between Jim Parker and you:ATP said:I responded to those verses in post 90.
JimParker, on 24 May 2015 - 06:18 AM, said:

Your response was:JimParker said:COL 1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now HE HAS RECONCILED YOU BY CHRIST'S PHYSICAL BODY THROUGH DEATH TO PRESENT YOU HOLY IN HIS SIGHT, WITHOUT BLEMISH AND FREE FROM ACCUSATION-- 23[SIZE=18pt] IF[/SIZE] [SIZE=14pt]YOU CONTINUE IN YOUR FAITH[/SIZE], established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.
Colossians 1:21-23 (ESV) is NOT about losing blessings in Christ and not salvation. How do I know? When I read the text, this is what I find that it is addressing:This passage is about losing blessings in Christ, not salvation. Without blemish and accusation precedes verse 23. Being accused is not about losing salvation. The devil accuses us every day, but who can bring a charge against God's elect? Rom 8:33 ESV. Also, if you notice here it says we have already been reconciled through the blood of Christ shed on the cross. His blood is permanent Jim...
- Those who were once alienated and hostile in the mind, doing evil deeds (v 21), i.e. those who were once unbelievers;
- They are now reconciled in his body of flesh through his death (v 22). This is addressing reconciliation through Christ's death. This is talking about salvation.
- These people are to be presented holy and blameless and above approach before him, i.e. salvation and sanctification.
- How will that happen? 'if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard' (v 23). It is only for those who 'continue in the faith'. Salvation (reconciliation) is only possible if one continues in the faith. This is the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints that is necessary to attain ultimate salvation. Do you understand the importance of 'continue in the faith' to attain salvation?
Jim's challenge was spot on and yours missed the mark.
Oz