Carol,
Its funny because I hear all the same arguments when I talk to an arminian about justification. Pretty much word for word.
But we are talking about sanctification, not justification. In justification we
respond to God. God makes it possible for us to repent and to believe. We were dead in our sins and could do nothing before God regenerated us.
They say there are all these commands in the bible to believe and repent and we must participate in that, and --- yes, we must and we will, once he changes our minds and gives us the desire.
We respond to God's work in us- being made into new creatures-- by exercising the gifts of repentance and faith that God has given us.
You all keep pointing out verses to me that say we must participate in our sanctification and I say to that yes, we must and we will, once he changes our minds and gives us the desire.
OK we are agreed here too.
It seems strange to me that you believe the Holy Spirit can do it in justification, but not in sanctification. In sanctification, we must help him along. The idea that he would do the work in us and give us the desire to do these things is called ethereal, mystical, secret and alien guiding.
I don't recall anyone saying that the Holy Spirit working in us and giving us the desire to obey is being questioned. It seems you are saying that our role is a passive one. That I do disagree with. Also the Spirit guides us through the Word of God and this includes the commandments.
I do not believe it. I will look to Christ for my justification and my sanctification. If I have to depend on myself to do it I will fail, I know. If I look to him and study his word, I know he will perform the work in me. I needn't worry about it, just look to him and trust in him and the faith and good works will come
I am also looking to Christ for my justification and my sanctification. Without Him I have no hope and no salvation. But you seem to be overlooking the fact that we are in a spiritual war here. Nothing is automatic or easy. We also have the world, a sinful nature (the flesh), and a devil to fight against. There are too many verses that teach this to ignore. J. C. Ryle said," If he (a Christian) had a nature like an angel, and were not a fallen creature, the warfare would not be so essential. But with a corrupt heart, a busy devil, and an ensnaring world, he must either "fight" or be lost."
To name a few verses here:
Galatians 5: 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Matthew 26 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Romans 7 v.21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
