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On Methodism's Sunday Christians... 
We are NOT sinners (Keith)
SAINTS OR SINNERS? (Ivan)
We still sin but we are not call sinner (True Light)
SAINTS OR "AINTS" (Ivan)
just for your info... (Royston Ong)
Royston, please do not put words in my posting:" I say it is natural to be AWARE I am a sinner" eom. (Ivan)
In God's eyes, (Royston Ong)
Hey Royston, (Interested )
Thanks for your affirmation, Interested. (Royston Ong)
Hi Royston, (Interested )
On Modern Christianity (Royston Ong)
Modern Christianity? (True Light)
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Hi TL, This opinion you might be holding, is ultimately your choice. Am not really interested in convincing people, only interested in sharing the truth of what Scriptures has to say about salvation. Maybe it be wise to read Chris' posting "You are on the right track, Royston" "Modern Christianity? I don't believe in that. I don't think the early Christians hold the "once saved always saved" doctrine. I don't hold that doctrine either. Contrary to what Interested said, I have peace and joy. If we sin against God, we repent and God is faithful and just to forgive us, nothing to be guilty of. The problem for those who became worst is because they lack of faith in God, they don't believe that God can forgive them so many times. *** Philippians 2:12 did tell us to work out our own salvation. Being a Christian and walking with God is never an easy thing. If it is that easy, God would not have told us to endure to the end. This doctrine of "once saved always saved" has a hand in the increased number of sunday christians or pseudo saints as mentioned by Ivan. Phi 2:12 - 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." This "once saved, always saved" doctrine which is in your mind, is more the doctrine coming from Calvinistic theology. I have mentioned that Wesleyan-Armianist theology is different from that of Calvinistic theology. Calvin approaches from the aspect of God deciding who can be saved and who cannot, so man has no choice whatsoever, so therefore no point working out our faith. Wesley approaches from yes, God knows who can be saved who cannot, yet at the same time, moves along the line of people making their own choices to confess that Christ is Lord and King. Hence, once they have made their choice. They are saved, like it or not, for those who would fall under the category of the older brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, you would certainly not be happy with the fact that such a truth is at hand. Once this was understood by me, the simple question which a lot of non-christians loved to ask me, has now been simply settled. Their question of: "who would go to heaven and why you so sure that this person would go heaven? The person who was the greatest sinner, but on the death bed, confesses that he has sinned and ask for God to forgive and accept Christ as his Lord and Saviour, or a person who had always done good works, but have never confessed Christ was Lord and Saviour." One had all the works to show for, while the other had no fruits whatsoever, but on the basis of that sinner confessing Christ is Lord and Saviour. He is accepted into the Kingdom of God instead of the one who had works to show for. So how do I come to terms with Sunday Christians? Actually, Sunday Christians are so, because they are actually still searching, and have not found out the truth. This is not because of the issue of "once saved, always saved". If one asks a few Methodist about this issue of salvation, you will find each Methodist will give a different response. Why? You might ask. It is because most of their schooling of theology came from Sunday School teachers who are ill equipped to handle the Word of God. Which is why I mentioned that many lack the gift of teaching. A serious matter indeed, because a teacher of the Word of God, is judged even more severely for a teacher influences the very souls in their assurance of salvation. This is the reason why Modern Christianity is creeping into Methodism. No proper teaching. It might be better to remove Sunday School altogether, as it has caused more harm than good, and in place of it, have our Methodist Pastors preach to the youths to get the right footing in a youth service. The only time I started getting my foundations right, was when I had received from my pastors Spiritual food through their sermons, and even more impact recently, when they started to work one-to-one with me. I am being mentored directly by at least 2 pastors. I count myself very fortunate amongst the many Methodists in Singapore, to comprehend where my theology has stirred the wrong course, while others are still drifting around, without proper direction. These people who are still drifting around, actually constitute to our Methodism's Sunday Christians and 2nd generation Christians. So far, those are belong to the 2nd generation Christians, who understand this issue of assurance of salvation, act out their faith with much joy and peace in their lives, where this peace echoes that of Phil 4, where even in the toughest situation, they are still at peace. Hope you have a clearer picture from my further explanation. God be with you, royston |
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Messages
Outline:
Are we talking about sinner or Christian? by True Light, 2001, Oct 22
We cannot really say they do nothing for only God knows their hearts, and that is more important by Royston Ong, 2001, Oct 22
Made a typo... by Royston Ong, 2001, Oct 23
Who is "those" by True Light, 2001, Oct 23
Yes, we are getting closer to understanding each other, probably like 3/5 there. Ü by Royston Ong, 2001, Oct 23
We are closer now, 4/5 by True Light, 2001, Oct 23
On topic of discussion in future by Royston Ong, 2001, Oct 25
To Royston, on Philippians 2:12 by Interested , 2001, Oct 23
Who is correct? by Ivan, 2001, Oct 23
On "working out one's salvation", To Ivan by Interested , 2001, Oct 24
I have already answered on "work out your salvation"........ by Ivan, 2001, Oct 24
Good. Once you make up your mind new discoveries ceases. n/t by Interested , 2001, Oct 24 
Actually, my stand is both are right, have not changed that stand since 5 yrs ago but... by Royston Ong, 2001, Oct 24 
Hello Interested by Royston Ong, 2001, Oct 25
Hi Royson, I said what I said because it is a waste of time arguing with the Arminian. Will get back to you again. n/t. by Interested , 2001, Oct 25
So it is then better to remain open-minded abt theology, just as one of my pastors is encouraging me to do? Ü thanks by Royston Ong, 2001, Oct 28
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