The tenth important point about the seal of God was that it is conditional. This lesson is entirely devoted to
Parable of
The parable Jesus told about the fig tree planted in a vineyard, illustrates what “"conditional” means. The fig tree’s place in the vineyard was under review because the tree was not bearing fruit as it should. At the same time, its place was secure. The owner had no wish to cut it down. The caretaker was anxious to nurture and protect it. The tree was not being asked to do anything too difficult for a fig tree to manage. It was not asked to hoe weeds or keep birds out of the vineyard. All the fig tree had to do was fulfill its purpose in the vineyard, to bear fruit. A fig tree is supposed to produce figs. If it would do what it was able to do and helped to do, its
Branches cut off
This passage is about God’s kindness to both Jews (the cultivated olive tree) and Gentiles (the wild olive tree). I hope it does not confuse you to switch from fig tree to olive trees, but this analogy shows that those who are grafted in can be cut off, and those who are cut off can be grafted in again. There is a proviso or condition (in other words an "if") in the security of the saved and sealed:
Running the race
Here Paul likens the Christian life to running a race. You don’t run aimlessly, otherwise you will be disqualified for the prize. You "run in such a way as to win the prize" and if you don’t, you lose the prize. The prize is certain, provided you do your best
Enemies who
It is clear why some people are God’s enemies. It is because of their evil behaviour. It is impossible to remain reconciled to God while returning to that behaviour. Only "if you continue in the faith" will you remain reconciled to God. The reconciliation is certain so long as you dont move away from it. Move back into the enemy’s camp, revert to enemy behaviour, and you are once again
A certain
The Christian has a hope that is sure and certain, but at the same time a fear that is just as sure and certain. Drawing near to God, we have "full assurance", but we must hold to it unswervingly. No power can force us to sin. But if we deliberately and willfully sin, no power will prevent us. If that is our choice, then we enter into the wrath
The important
John says, "We know that we have come to know God". We challenge anyone in the universe to cast any doubt upon that knowledge. It is certain truth. But John adds a condition: "...if we obey his commandments". Only "if we walk in the light" are we truly able to assert that we have fellowship with God. Our guarantee is solid; but that does not mean it is without a proviso. Knowing God is conditional upon
The Lord’s
"I will never erase his name from the book of life" says the Lord. Whose name? The one whose deeds are complete in his sight. The one who remembers Christ’s word, obeys it and repents. The one who wakes up. The one who does not soil his garments with sin. The one who overcomes. The threat is clearly implicit that names can, and will, be erased out of the book of life
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