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Hi Gang,In the last few days I've found myself reflecting on the joyful discovery that God is 100% committed to all people and 100% successful in reconciling them to Himself. Wow... What a life-transforming discovery that has been for me! And for all of my family too!
Growing up in Arminian Pentecostalism I was taught that the Lord was 50% committed to me and would fulfill his 50% part of his bargain to save me from an endless hell IF ONLY I would succeed at accomplishing my 50% of faith and obedience. (Which had to be done with 100% enthusiasm and love toward Him, of course.)
Unable to do my 50%, I struggled with deep despair over the years as I searched for evidence that God might be more reliable and committed than my church had taught me to believe that He is. At last, I found myself among more "grace-oriented" Arminians who believed the doctrine of "once-saved-nearly-always-saved." This is the doctrine of eternal security that asserts that we are secure in Christ as long as we don't do something VERY bad. This understanding introduced me to the god who is 75% successful, as long as you do your part of 25%.
Believe it or not, I found some solace and joy in this understanding of our Heavenly Father--for a season, that is. Then, I became painfully aware that I couldn't even manage to keep my 25% of the bargain. And even when I THOUGHT I might be keeping it, I suddenly realized that I WASN'T keeping it because I wasn't doing it joyfully and from a heart of 100% willingness and love toward Him. Most of my obedience/faith was accomplished in frantic fear and begrudgingly.
Yikes! Where could I turn? My search for a God of total reliability continued...
Some years later, through the influence of dear Christians whom I had come to know, I found that my perception of God had improved significantly--and amazingly. It was during this season that I discovered the god who is 99% reliable and successful. All He required was that we do our tiny part of 1% to assure His success in saving us. At that time I was also seeking to savor security in God's love in the doctrine of "once-saved-always-saved-no-matter-what." Problem was, the doctrine packed this one hidden proviso, which was seldom mentioned, which was this: Those who DIE in disobedience and unbelief are showing evidence that they MAY not have ever been "truly" saved.
Sheesh! Uh oh... There were still so many, many screw-ups happening in my life, there was NO WAY that I could be sure that I would fulfill my 1% of dying in a state of faith and obedience.
Yep. I'll be the first to admit it: I was really a skuzz and a wimp, wasn't I? Surely ANYONE with an ounce of decency could fulfill at least that 1% of the heavenly business deal of trusting that he would die in a state of faith and obedience, couldn't he? But the simple fact was that I COULD NOT. And the weird thing about the god of 99% success and reliability is that this percentage MEANS that there will be "one lost sheep" in the mix. How was I to know that I might not be that one?
I couldn't unless I could be CERTAIN that I could keep my 1% part of the bargain of faith and obedience so that God could fulfill His 99%. Of course, most of you know my story from that point.
It was then that Heaven sent George MacDonald into my life (via his writings) and I discovered the God of 100% reliability and success! Here I speak of the God who loves all of us passionately and with total and unconditional commitment who plans to reconcile all people to Himself through Christ. It took many months thereafter for me to trust the God of 100% from my HEART, but discovering HIM was what changed everything in my life.
(By the way... If you are a silent reader you can read my testimony here on Tentmaker which is titled "Absolute Assurance in Jesus Christ" and visit our webpage for more short stories and articles that celebrate the True God of 100% reliability and love. http://www.sigler.org/slagle )
So gang, why am I rambling like this? Because I enjoy and need your fellowship, is one BIG reason. Also, I'm just so happy that the God of 100% has shown up in my life, I couldn't resist sounding off about Him a bit more!
Love you guys--
CharlieP.S. Thanks for your prayers this week as the Lord calls us to mind. A friend of mine (named Gabriel, who is also a whole-gospel brother and proclaimer) and I are making a wild "faith trip" to Springfield and Saint Louis MO and Illinois this week. We just found out yesterday that there are some folks in Springfield who want us to come share Jesus and the good news of His 100% committed love with them. (You're on, Lord!)
Spirit of the Word - Covenant Eschatology - Introductory Note - New Stuff