The Arminian theological view, that arose out of sixteenth century reformed theology and was opposed by the Calvinists, is founded on sound Christian doctrine because it is based on the Pauline revelation that, “we are saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works [of law] lest any man should boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works [of faith] that God ordained beforehand that we should walk in them.” We must know that good works based on adherence to the “law of Moses” cannot get us into the kingdom of Heaven. But we must also know that wicked works, or no works at all, that are in direct defiance to the “law of Christ,” “the perfect law of liberty whereby we will all be judged,” “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ,” “the law of faith,” or, if you will, “the doctrine of Christ,” are defining tell tail signs, distinguishing marks of dead faith, and dead faith can save no one! Paul and James are in perfect agreement on these points. So, good behavior cannot save us, but wicked behavior, or a dead and dormant faith resulting in no works of faith can keep us from receiving our eternal inheritance in Christ, which is the kingdom of Heaven. “It is faith alone that saves, but faith that save is not alone.” A living faith in God will be accompanied by corresponding faithful actions.

Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit which is the kingdom of Heaven, are available to us right now because “the kingdom of Heaven is within,” and a tangible kingdom, the Holy City of God, where there is no more sickness, death, poverty, sorrow, sadness, or tears, is available to us in the future when Christ returns. There is a Heaven to gain, and a Hell to shun. This inheritance, this realm and rule of eternal happiness, can only be appropriated by grace through faith in trusting and obeying the gospel of the kingdom. Faith in, and faithfulness to, the will and Word of God are required to inherit this wonderful everlasting kingdom. In other words, a trust and reliance upon Christ’s promises (resulting in our justification) as well as a lifestyle of obedience to His commandments (leading to our sanctification) are required for us to enter into the glory of His kingdom.

I am concerned that our eternal inheritance in Christ is seriously jeopardized when we conduct ourselves in a manner that is unpleasing to God and not in keeping with His will. His will is our sanctification and only those who do the will of God will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Perhaps this is why I am constantly warning myself and other Christian believers that we must conduct ourselves “in a manner worthy of the vocation to which we are called,” and “pursue holiness without which no man will see the Lord.”

Now, being a father of three lovely children, I have come to realize that it is important to warn them of the consequences of their bad behavior and chasten them for their defiance. It is equally important to affirm, encourage, and reward them when they do well. When they do righteously, I am pleased, but when they do wrong, I am grieved. I don’t love them any more when they do what is pleasing to me, or any less when they do what is unpleasing to me. I don’t love them for who they are or for what they do. I love them for whose they are, and they are mine. This is the way God relates to His children! Having said that, when they do right, I also know that they will be rewarded by life, and when they do wrong, life will punish them, for we will reap what we sow, God is not mocked. “If we sow to the flesh, we will from the flesh reap corruption, but if we sow to the Spirit, we will from the Spirit reap life everlasting.” This is another reason for my disciplining them through restricting their freedoms when they do wrong, and rewarding them with acts of affirmation when they do right. Understanding that there is both a consequence for wrongdoing and a benefit for right doing is essential to our spiritual maturity and well-being. It is extremely important that we remember to affirm our children for their good behavior and not just punish them when they do wrong. It is equally important for us to affirm ourselves and each other in the same manner that God affirms us for our works of faith, and not just beat our selves up or brow beat each other when we fail to please Him by performing works of unrighteousness. I am afraid that I have been more prone to warn, rebuke, and discipline than I have been to reward, affirm, and encourage. Good works have their present and eternal benefits as bad works have their present and eternal consequences, “for we must all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.” But to focus more on one while neglecting the other is dangerous and will have undesirable results. I pray that in the future I will be more balanced in this important matter.

“Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts.” To be Christ’s requires repentance from works that lead to death and faith towards God. This is true of the unregenerate sinner as well as the backsliding Christian, those who profess Christ but don’t practice His doctrine. Paul, speaking to the sons of obedience said, “For you have obeyed from your hearts the manner of doctrine that was delivered unto you.”

I have already mentioned some of the benefits of being a practicing Christian, namely “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” By grace through faith (faithfulness) we are also saved from sickness, sin, and poverty, “for sin shall not have dominion over you because you are not under the law but under grace.” “We have been given authority to tread on scorpions and serpents (demonic powers) and no works of the enemy shall harm us.” More importantly, “our names are written in the Book of Life” and “our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west. He remembers our transgressions no more.” “We are made more than conquerors through Christ who loved us and gave Himself for our sins.” “We are always caused to triumph in Christ Jesus.” “He ever lives to make intersession for the saints according to the will of God.” “He is our High Priest unto God.” Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” “And this is that which overcomes the world, even your faith.” And let us remember the affirming words of Paul, “My God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” and “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, and at all times having all that you need, you shall abound in every good work.”

As Christian believers, we can only come to God and remain in Christ when we come to the end of ourselves. When we come to the end of ourselves, we find the sanctifying cross of Christ. An emissary of Satan was sent to buffet Paul. He referred to it as a thorn in his flesh. When Paul prayed for deliverance from this thing, God told Him, “My grace is sufficient for you because My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” Worrying, fretting, and being anxious over our faults, failures, infirmities, and sins is based on our lack of faith in Him. It is a sign of our independence from Him when we do this. It is a practice in direct opposition to our dependence on Him. This is because He is faithful to do the saving and sanctifying work in us that He has promised to do. He will do this through bringing us to the end of our own self-reliant efforts. Our only effort is to abide in Him, and this is where we will find our strength in Him alone, through faith. This is the labor that enters into rest because “He that has ceased from his own labors has entered into His rest.” We can only stand uprightly by learning to lean completely on Him. “Therefore, be careful for nothing, but in all things through prayers and supplications, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

If you are worried about your iniquities and infirmities, take Christ into them with you by patiently trusting in His grace which is available to you for your total deliverance in the midst of your weaknesses, temptations, tests, and trials. “Count it all joy when you fall into different temptations, tests, and trials, knowing that the trying of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men freely and does not withhold. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, for he that wavers is like the sea tossed to and fro. Let not him that wavers think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord, for he is double-minded and un-stable in all his ways.” We must discipline our minds by “casting all of our cares upon Him for he cares for us.” “He was tempted on all points, yet without sin. Therefore, he is able to nurture us when we are tempted.” “No temptation is overtaken you that is not common to man, but God will not allow you to be tempted beyond that which you are able to bear, but will with the temptation make a way of escape.”

"Mercy rejoices against judgment, and His mercies are new every morning." "Great is Your faithfulness!" "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."