sojourner said:
I respectfully disagree with this part of your post. "Failing" to "live up to a commitment" is an act-based dynamic -- not present in the process of salvation. That dynamic makes salvation a trophy to be won or lost -- a "contest" -- not a gift that is freely given to us.
I don't believe you're understanding my perspective. You may even be understanding the words, but you're definitely not understanding the attitude behind them. We've had this conversation so many times in other threads, that I wonder if there's any point in my even trying to explain myself again.
Nevertheless, for the benefit of those who may have interpreted my words as you do... Salvation is not "a trophy to be won... [or] a contest." It is a gift offered to every human being who has ever lived. It is a "gift" because Christ is under no obligation to give it. He could have refused to sacrifice Himself to redeem our souls, in which case there would be no one --
no one at all -- who could ever hope be in a position to return to the presence of God. All of the good deeds in the world would be without value whatsoever.
If such is the case, how do we quantify "living up to our commitment?"
It's not up to us to quantify it. It's up to us to give Jesus Christ the best we have to offer, to show Him that we are sincere in recognizing Him as the only means by which we might be forgiven of our sins. This is what I mean by "living up to our commitment." It means doing more than "having faith in Christ." It means "being faithful to Christ."
How much "good works" is enough? How little is deemed "too little?"
God isn't counting and neither should we be. He expects us to be 100% committed to Jesus Christ. He knows the condition of our hearts. We show the depth of our sincerity by our obedience. He will reward each man according to his works, but all the works in the world are for naught without His grace, which is what ultimately saves.
Turning salvation into a "numbers game" is futile, since spiritual matters are not quantifiable.
I couldn't agree more.
I'd like to clarify my position on just one more point. I know that you believe in the universal salvation of everyone who has ever lived. I don't. But I do believe in an almost universal salvation -- including the salvation of billions of non-Christians and even non-theists. I think you have read enough of my posts on the subject to know that. Consequently, I think it's really not only inaccurate but unfair for you imply that I believe in an "act-based... process of salvation."
I also believe in different degrees of salvation. Jesus Christ said that He would reward every man according to his works. It is clear to me, if not to you, that our works
do have value in God's eyes. Most anyone can manage to avoid spending eternity in Hell; that requires virtually no effort whatsoever. The fulness of salvation, on the other hand, requires an uncommon devotion to Jesus Christ and faithful obedience to His commandments. For those who attain that level of salvation, it will have been worth the effort.