The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum "Experimental Salvation" by A.W. Pink

Now see.... here's the problem with what you wrote above: it begs a question to be asked. This smacks of the type of Pietism promoted by the "Deeper Life" movement, again once popular in the 70s. There is no denying, which I have beforehand affirmed, that one cannot do that which is pleasing to God without true faith. And all that a true believer does is of grace; the Holy Spirit working within. But the problem is, and this could be due to your inability to express your view(s) succinctly and/or perhaps without knowledge and/or regard to the errors which both Scripture and history teach, that there is a concerted effort, a will to do that which is right before God in the believer. It is NOT an "either/or" scenario which is at least implied in what you have been insisting upon, but rather a "both/and". Paul puts it like this, which I believe couldn't have been stated more clearly:

Philippians 2:12-13 (ASV) "So then, my beloved, even 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; for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure."

Considering what you wrote, "we CAN'T do anything good other than ask Him to work through us", one has to ask, How and when do we know that it is God working through us and not our own efforts? Is there some magical tingling that occurs that indicates that it is the Holy Spirit moving us to obedience or ??? Yes, we must have total reliance on the grace of God to work in us so that we will be made willing and thus DO all that God requires of us. And, we must constantly pray that the Spirit will be our guide, etc. Yet, it is our own desires and wills that is also required. The Scriptures do not instruct us to wait for the Holy Spirit to convict us, make us desirous of holiness and righteousness, to repent of sin, to put off the old man, etc., etc... NO! The Scriptures enjoin and command us to do all these things while relying upon the grace and power of God to accomplish all these things. Augustine's famous prayer is most instructive here: "Lord, command what Thou wilt, and grant what Thou commandest."

Now, will you at least consider that how you are articulating your view leaves open wide a door to either misunderstanding and/or error and thus it should be revised so as to prevent this?

In His grace,