On this earth, He was treated as we deserve that we who trust in Him, might be treated as He deserves. With His stripes we are healed.
Amen!!
In the IJ, God takes into consideration the back ground of a person.
Yes and no. We have to be careful here because of false teaching in the churches. "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." So, many Sunday keepers will be in heaven when they have truly experienced the new birth and walked after the Spirit, because they did not know the seventh day Sabbath was binding. But, God does not excuse known sin because of a person's background. A person must be changed in character no matter what the background. Some will not be saved because they could not be changed.
Each must trust and obey in every particular to their best ability, walking according to the spirit --making no provision for the flesh.
Here can be made an opening for sin. Some will say that because one was surprised into sin, or did not premeditate sin, that it is not chargeable, but this is not so. These are excuses for sin. There is no excuse for known sin. We need to look at some examples of what you mean when you say "to their best ability." If they are walking according to the Spirit, they have Christ within and self is dead. Their hearts are pure and their motives are pure. It makes no difference that they eat the wrong food or wear the wrong clothes, it is the heart that God looks upon in the IJ. The books are opened that reveal the deeds, the words, the thoughts, and the motives. The universe will get to see these things for out of the abundance of the heart the mouths speaks. But, more than this, the motives are written down for all to see. If the motives were not holy and pure, then the person's shortcomings will not be covered by the blood of Christ.
This is why our Sister Donna finds this thread so difficult. In it we must be truthful about the law of God. Too many "theologians" have brought into the churches doctrinal teachings that have deceived the lambs and the sheep. They have a false idea of what is required for salvation. The road has been made to go downhill rather than the steep uphill that it is. This is a false assurance of salvation. We need to guard against the lies so that we can claim the precious promises we have been given.
Here is how God takes the background of the sinner into account. It is not in the IJ, but in life that God makes provision for the background and the current situation of the sinner. "I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear." When in Christ, rather than forgive sin that is not repented of and forsaken, God keeps one from being tempted beyond what he can bear. He does two things. First He protects the sinner from temptations that he is not ready for. No loss of a child or pulling of fingernails. Then, when the measured temptation is allowed to come, God gives grace to be lifted above it. This is the method that God uses to meet us where we are. He does not excuse known sin. The heart is pure or it is not. It is the condition of the heart that will be revealed in the IJ. Jesus will not make up for a heart that has not been fully given to Him. The motives must be pure and holy.
When exceptions are made in this area, then there is no assurance of salvation because then there is no standard in the judgment. What is the standard? It is the law of God. No excuses, but the sins that were not known are not chargeable. God looks upon the heart. It must be pure, the motives must be pure. Self must be dead. When Christ is allowed into the heart, He purifies it. The man is a new creature in Christ Jesus.
I fear that some will make excuses for their sins when they are given any opportunity to do so. There is no excuse for sin. When we come to know this, then we will look for a Savior that can save us from our sin, not in our sin. Yes, this is a hard message. It is a fearful message to all who have not tasted of the power of grace. But, when by experience, we taste of His love and learn of His power, we understand by experience that His yoke is light! We are given precious promises that do not excuse sin, but rather empower sinful man to keep the commandments of God through faith in Jesus.
"Choosing to be in Christ each moment releases His enabling grace and only then do we have the power to practice a fitness for heaven."
Amen! And not only do we obey all that we know, we walk in all the light we have been given, our characters are perfected so that we more perfectly reflect our Savior in what we do.
After we have done our best, Christ sprinkles the moistening drops of His infinitely perfect obedience on our human shortfall and we are given the spotless robe of His righteousness. Oh, gracious provision!!
We may be saying the same thing, but I can 't see it in that order. In me is no good thing. To do my best then receive His robe is not good. First, I must have my heart purified, then I receive His robe. There is no works of righteousness in salvation. The good works follow conversion. And, the robe is given to produce good works. It does not come afterward. When a man is converted, he has seen Christ on the cross and his heart is broken, he ceases to resist His great love and allows the Spirit to take possession of his heart. When this happens, the filthy garments are removed and the robe of Christ's righteousness is placed on the sinner. The removing of the filthy garments and the placing of the "white raiment" is an object lesson. No unconfessed sins are covered over. The filthy character, the defiled heart are cleansed and once clean, the character of Christ is not only imputed, but imparted to the sinner. This is the robe of His righteousness being spoken of. It is His character, perfect at each stage of Christian maturity. It is Christ, not I. It is His Spirit controlling the fallen flesh.
Christ will indeed make up for some shortcomings. We do not perfectly match Christ. Many today eat food that makes them sick. Many do not receive the blessing from keeping His day of rest. Many dress in a manner that does not give glory to God. These things God will excuse IF the sinner does not know. Slapping one's wife, no matter how ignorant one is will not be covered by His robe of righteousness. The heart must first be made pure by the indwelling presence of His Spirit. Each of the fruits are given at conversion, not one is missing. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance are in the life of the converted Christian. These are not missing. This is Christ, not I.
I am sure that you, Brother Tim, and I are very close in our understanding, but there are many who use these ideas to make a person who is not fully surrendered a "saved" Christian. There is no standard of Christian character to them. Whatever the thoughts and motives, the deficiency is made up by Christ because after all, we are fallen sinners and cannot perfectly obey His law. Therefore, there is no standard to know in whom we trust. We are not saved by our good works, but they testify to ourselves and the universe that it is not I, but Christ enthroned upon the heart. Here many professing Christians have not understood the right relationship between works and faith. Satan has stolen a march on the church and caused many to believe that good works are not an evidence of conversion.
The fruits of His Spirit are the sure results of having made a full surrender to Christ. The works of the flesh reveal the absence of Christ in the life.
On a positive note, Sister Donna, there is no reason to not have this experience. It is available to the worst sinner. Matter of fact, when converted and taken to heaven they will stand closest to Jesus! Why? Because those who were the greatest sinners were the ones forgiven the most. And, he who is forgiven much, loves much. Those who love Jesus the most will stand closest to Him!
We are saved by grace. Where is grace? It surrounds us and is thicker than the air we breathe. Jesus said "If I be lifted up (and He was) I will draw all men unto me." He does not lie. He is drawing all to Himself. What excuse do we have? None. Jesus is working on our behalf today. He knows us personally and His great work is to save us into His kingdom! If He be for us, who can be against us!!! He is continually knocking on the door of the heart wanting in. It is only by resistance to that pleading that keeps Him out. If we will learn of Him, He will save us!! If we seek Him, we shall find Him!!!