I Must Be Archaic

Recently, I've been forced to come to the realization that the beliefs I hold as a Christian are archaic. I'm not saying that my beliefs are wrong, just that they seem out of date. I find more and more that, in today's Church, the idea of "Faith Only Salvation" is what's desired by most. This being the case, I see that my belief of a covenant relationship with God is on its way out.

Why would I say this? Well, to have a covenant, you have to hold up your end of the deal. You've made a contract, and you're required to fulfill your part of the agreement. I believe that the Bible describes this agreement that the human race has with God. We know for certain that God will hold up His end of this agreement. But it seems that we, even those of us who claim Christianity of our own, are guilty of a breech of contract.

"But", someone might say, "the Bible says that we're saved by grace through faith, and that is a gift from God." Well, I absolutely agree with that. I cannot be good enough to merit salvation. However, is God the only responsible party in the contract? Do not we have obligations which we must respond with?  Do we even have a contract with God? I've always thought so. If not, we aren't held responsible for anything! What a wonderful thing that would be! Live my way now and go to Heaven later.

But, what if we do have a covenant with God? How does the contract read?

Let me begin by finishing; finishing what the Bible says about being saved by grace through faith. Scripture continues to say that we are not saved by our own works. That would put us back under the Law. But it does say that we're saved FOR good works given to us by God. So what happens when I refuse to engage myself in these God-given works? Am I not breaking my part of the bargain?

Now, I'm going to switch gears. Before I need to concern myself with breaking the contract, I have to know how to enter it, to begin with. And to do that, I have to study it and determine what the contract is for and what my primary responsibilities are in it.

When I read this contract with God, I find that I can benefit greatly by it. I find that God's offer to me is that He'll give me a life of happiness that will have no end. The contract refers to this as "Salvation". And after studying it, that, to me, is of tremendous value. But again, what is my part in this contract. What must I do to be "saved"? What are the requirements for me that God has placed there? More study...I need to find what the contract says about what saves me or keeps me from being unsaved.

This is what I found, and I quote:
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith.

Mr 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved."

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Ro 10:10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

1Pe 3:21 ¶ Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you.
Ac 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
Ac 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 Eph 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.

So, through my belief, I attain faith. I respond to that faith by repenting of my sins, confessing Christ with my mouth, being baptized to wash away my sins and to receive the Holy Spirit which is the seal of God's promise of heaven.

Once again, this has been my belief. But it seems as though this belief is not only archaic, but becoming quickly obsolete.

I could say, "God, forgive us for our breech.", but by studying the maturity of the contract, I'm convinced He won't. I can only say, "God, help us to see that we've broken our end of the deal, and shame us into adherence before the end."

Agape