The phrases and words we use have the ability to imprison us to the mind of another's imagination. Biblically speaking, this is why Paul reminds believers at the Church in Corinth, that they have the mind of Christ. In the next following few verses, we read that the only way to attain this mind, is to get fed by His Word.
It's important how we phrase our words. I've heard time and time again, the cliche Billy Graham phrase, "I am a sinner saved by grace." Well Bibically speaking, this concept is innately not accurate. First off, all you BG enthusiasts, we are saved because of God's grace, but that isn't how we are saved, that is WHY we are saved!
The whole concept of a sinner saved by grace is actually no where in the Bible. In fact, if you are saved you cease from being called a sinner, but now you are called redeemed! In fact many of the salutations in the letters that make up much of the New Testament are addressed to saints, not sinners. Ephesians 2:8 is talking about God's grace and why he saved us. After the redemption part or "saving/entering covenant" with God, believers are no longer called "saved sinners." There is no such thing as a saved sinner.
Do you think the adulterous woman in John 8, continued being an adulterer? Can drunks inherit the Kingdom of God? If we can be saved sinners, then why would the Bible warn us about drunks not being able to enter the Kingdom of heaven? (1 Corinthians 6:10) Also, we have to keep in mind that until we all rise again, we are always in the process of being saved, which is why Paul gave the church a warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. IF YOU ARE ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED, WHAT WOULD BE THE POINT OF WARNING THE CHURCH FROM BEING DECEIVED?
When one is redeemed, your lot is now to walk in righteousness after Messiah. I'm not saying your not going to slip up, but I am saying you will mature and get to the point where the chains of sin that plagued you, up until you became redeemed will be broken. (Why we sing the song, break every chain!) This change is a process. The ancient Hebrews wondered in the wilderness for 40 years. Do you remember the name of this wilderness? It was called SIN! But guess what, the Hebrews came out of it, didn't they? And what do we know these people today as? The Children of Israel! Israel, meaning to contend with God...not sin.
It's important how we phrase our words. I've heard time and time again, the cliche Billy Graham phrase, "I am a sinner saved by grace." Well Bibically speaking, this concept is innately not accurate. First off, all you BG enthusiasts, we are saved because of God's grace, but that isn't how we are saved, that is WHY we are saved!
The whole concept of a sinner saved by grace is actually no where in the Bible. In fact, if you are saved you cease from being called a sinner, but now you are called redeemed! In fact many of the salutations in the letters that make up much of the New Testament are addressed to saints, not sinners. Ephesians 2:8 is talking about God's grace and why he saved us. After the redemption part or "saving/entering covenant" with God, believers are no longer called "saved sinners." There is no such thing as a saved sinner.
Do you think the adulterous woman in John 8, continued being an adulterer? Can drunks inherit the Kingdom of God? If we can be saved sinners, then why would the Bible warn us about drunks not being able to enter the Kingdom of heaven? (1 Corinthians 6:10) Also, we have to keep in mind that until we all rise again, we are always in the process of being saved, which is why Paul gave the church a warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. IF YOU ARE ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED, WHAT WOULD BE THE POINT OF WARNING THE CHURCH FROM BEING DECEIVED?
When one is redeemed, your lot is now to walk in righteousness after Messiah. I'm not saying your not going to slip up, but I am saying you will mature and get to the point where the chains of sin that plagued you, up until you became redeemed will be broken. (Why we sing the song, break every chain!) This change is a process. The ancient Hebrews wondered in the wilderness for 40 years. Do you remember the name of this wilderness? It was called SIN! But guess what, the Hebrews came out of it, didn't they? And what do we know these people today as? The Children of Israel! Israel, meaning to contend with God...not sin.