God is more concerned with our direction than our perfection (John MacArthur).
The modern church has been accused, rightly or wrongly, of leading people to false assurance. That assurance of salvation would be something like “pray this prayer and you are good to go”. While we must never imply that salvation is anything beyond our trust in Christ, we must acknowledge that true belief is accompanied by a life change immediately and over time.
2 Cor 13 KJV: 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. 11: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The true believer (TB) really desires to follow God. The true believer loves God and his or her fellow believers. The TB exhibits the fruit of the spirit, repents willingly of sin, loves fellowship and hates the ways of this world.
Again, to encourage you – I would say that such sanctification is a process that Paul describes in Romans 7. Romans 7:15-20 (KJV) 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Paul describes here the tension between the flesh and the spirit for the believer.
Contrary to some theology, sanctification (a movement toward holiness) does not happen at a certain point in time for the believer – rather it is a process that is very much the work of God in our lives. We learn from our sin and failure, and God leads us into a deeper walk with Him, often through those failures.
Some may ask “well then, since I am saved, I can sin all I want to, right?” Such a question is foolishness. The TB wants desperately to please God and hates his or her own sin. The TB may often sin and fall into temptation, but the grace of God which saved them also brings them back to fellowship. When we are saved, we are to be sanctified by the same saving grace. This is often called the persistence of the believer. It is really the evidence of God’s election and kindness.
This can be seen in the contrast perhaps between Judas and Peter. Both sinned and were sorry, but only one came back. Godly sorrow leads to repentance but worldly sorrow leads to death. If you come back after disaster, you can thank God for His love and mercy in your life. So, keep on coming back no matter what and thereby prove your salvation. Romans 8:30 says: Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. God will get us there if we are His. Do your part to make sure we are His. Never quit.
