I know of a pastor's son with whom I worked. He got drunk on his 21st birthday, went driving, misunderstood a police car behind him(thought he was being followed), accelerated, lost control and was killed shortly after. Cbc makes a good point.
No wonder, especially with a statement about Jesus not the only way. People want a concrete faith with defined terms, not a philosophical amalgamation--life is confusing even without such.
I always find it interesting to remember revival which was so powerful so as to cause drunkards to repent and bars close their doors. They got holy by faith, not their own works, which I think is what Discerning Believer is getting at also.
Lurker, Whew! Thanks. For a moment I was starting to feel a little dispair coming on. No offense at all. I had the feeling that's what you were after and it's a good thing. And thanks for the clarification. I was going to add that I agree with your comments below but this server wouldn't allow me to submit another post until somebody else did first(and it happened to be you again). The Lord grant you grace that you be assured even yet now you are His. Amen...and time for bed.
However, James 5 kinda relates to this. In there, we are told to confess our faults to one another and one who warns another of the errors of his way saves a soul from death and covers a multitude of sins. James 5:14-20
Lurker, I believe them to be true. Received by faith. And as many as received are given power to be children of God. How about you? Maybe you have more to add. If so, please add it.
Assurance is based on the promises of God's Word--The Holy Bible
"Search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life," "In Him (that is Jesus) we have redemption...the forgivenss of sins," among many others.
Hmm...not sure about that sin inspector stuff. Apostle James says in chapter 5 to confess our faults to one another. Shortly after that, at the end of 5, he talks of great benefits if one catches one in a sin and shows him the errors of his way, and will have saved that one from death and covered a multitude of sins. The congregation is a hospital where sins are taken care of--remitted, releasing one from bondage of all kinds, physical and spiritual. James 5:14-20
You could expand on Acts 10:43, to 45 and 46, since subsequently the Holy Ghost came upon them. Also Acts 19:2, the Apostle Paul asks if they received the Holy Spirit since believing or when believing(depending on the translation, but I'll stick with the KJV wording---"since," because it harmonizes best with the other verses). Good seeing you, DB. I hope all is well with you.