Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 9
He emphasizes Jesus’ words that obedience leads to divine intimacy—“we will come to him and make our home with him”—and then nuances evangelical fears about “losing salvation” by describing a *pattern* (“if the norm is to disobey God, then we don’t love God”); how do you evaluate the “norm” of your life without either self-justifying or spiraling into despair?
Another way to ask: How can you honestly look at the usual pattern (“norm”) of your life without making excuses or falling into hopelessness? What helps you tell the difference between real growth and a lifestyle of disobedience?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests evaluating your “norm” by looking for a sincere pattern of trying to keep God’s commands (with repentance when you fail), rather than demanding perfection or excusing ongoing disobedience. The speaker’s balance is: God understands mistakes, but a settled lifestyle of disobedience shows a lack of love for God.
- Jesus: “If you love me, keep my commandments,” and “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.”
- He stresses the promise of intimacy: the Father and Son “will come to him and make our home with him,” and God will “manifest himself” to the obedient lover of God.
- He critiques “evangelical circles” that treat essentials as “black or white… ‘Oh no, I lost my salvation. I wasn’t patient, so I wasn’t loving.’”
- He offers the “norm” test: “If the norm is to disobey God, then we don’t love God.”
- He also offers comfort: God is Father and “understands that we’re going to make mistakes… broken humans.”