Virtually all of the women who come to us for residential recovery profess faith in Christ. Some have been baptized multiple times. They generally hope ( and some have assurance) that their profession of faith frees them from the penalty of eternity in hell. But somehow the victorious life of freedom from the power of temptation and sin in the here and now has eluded them. Our task is to help them come to know freedom from the power of temptation and sin by coming to know themselves better and to know Christ more intimately and personally through study of and obedience to the principles, proclamations, prohibitions, and promises of the Word of God. It is a process every true disciple must undergo.
Many have the form of religion inherent in an acquaintance with God in Christ without the power of a real, life-changing relationship with the Living Christ.
If one truly wants it , it is available. “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with your whole heart.”
Too many hearts and minds are divided by a desire for all the world offers while denying yearning for God. That double mindedness demands a double cure, as the song Rock of Ages says:
Let the water and the blood from thy wounded side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure
Save from wrath
And make me pure.
Salvation from the penalty of sin in eternity is achieved through repentant profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
Salvation from the power of sin in this present life is achieved through the sanctifying work of cooperating with the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and grow into the likeness of Christ.
If the second work of grace never occurs can one live a joyful life of assurance that the first work has actually been real or simply an emotionally induced delusion??? Over and over we are told in scripture that a Christian is known by the fruit seen in her life HERE.
Jesus said some would come saying ”Lord ,Lord” but they will be sent away with these words, “I never knew you.”
It is the privilege of a true child of God to KNOW victory over sin in eternity and abundant life here. Victory is possible……. Talking the talk is not the same as living into learning to walk the walk.
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22