Sola Fide vs Faith + Works
If you've been reading Unsealed for the past few months, you may have seen my series on The Gospel, where I handle "works-righteousness" and salvation. I recently found a really good article that does a thorough historical comparison between the Biblical doctrine of Sola Fide and the Roman Catholic (and N.T. Wright Protestant) doctrine of grace through works-righteousness. I would encourage you to read it: http://www.equip.org/article/justification-the-catholic-protestant-argument-over-justification/
What amazes me is how many even in evangelical circles are quickly forgetting two very basic things:
1. Jesus died for your sins. Why is that hard to understand? Why obscure the most basic of all Christian beliefs? He didn't just die to give you a moral example to follow... He actually died for your sins. This is the heart of the Gospel, called "first importance" by Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Yet Christians muddy the waters to no end, beginning within one or two generations of the Apostles.
2. Philippians 2:12. You don't "work for your salvation" (if you did it would completely negate the Cross: see Galatians 2:21). You "work out your salvation". In other words, you don't work to merit salvation, you work out/from your already obtained position of salvation in Christ.
This issue is so important, especially now as we see the Day approaching. Know whom you believe in. Know God's standard of total perfection. Will you offer your attempt at a good life as the admission price? I would instead say to hide yourself in Christ. He already paid the price.
What amazes me is how many even in evangelical circles are quickly forgetting two very basic things:
1. Jesus died for your sins. Why is that hard to understand? Why obscure the most basic of all Christian beliefs? He didn't just die to give you a moral example to follow... He actually died for your sins. This is the heart of the Gospel, called "first importance" by Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Yet Christians muddy the waters to no end, beginning within one or two generations of the Apostles.
2. Philippians 2:12. You don't "work for your salvation" (if you did it would completely negate the Cross: see Galatians 2:21). You "work out your salvation". In other words, you don't work to merit salvation, you work out/from your already obtained position of salvation in Christ.
This issue is so important, especially now as we see the Day approaching. Know whom you believe in. Know God's standard of total perfection. Will you offer your attempt at a good life as the admission price? I would instead say to hide yourself in Christ. He already paid the price.
THE MAJORITY HAS NEVER BEEN RIGHT BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteWhen the subject of Christianity has been debated the majority has never been right.
The majority of first century Jews rejected Jesus as the messiah.---The majority has never been right.
John 4:25, 26 The woman said to Him. "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things."
26 Jesus said to her. "I who speak to you am He."(NKJV)
The majority of world rejects Jesus as the only Savior.---The majority has never been right.
Acts 4:10-12 ...the name of Jesus Christ.....12 "Nor is there no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."(NKJV)
The majority of those who claim to be Christians believe the false doctrine of original sin. They believe that because Adam and Eve sinned that all men are guilty of spiritual sin at birth. They believe in inherited sin.---The majority has never been right.
Ezekiel 18:20 "The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (NKJV)
No man has inherited the guilt of Adam. Men will face spiritual death because of their own sins.
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned---(NKJV)
Death spread to all men because all men have sinned.
The majority of those who claim Jesus as Savior believe that modes of water baptism are sprinkling and pouring---The majority has never been right.
Mark 16:16 Whoever trusts and is immersed will be saved; whoever does not trust will be condemned. (Complete Jewish Bible)
Mark 16:16 He who has believed, and has been immersed, will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (The Better Version of the New Testament by Chester Estes)
There are no translations that translate Mark 16:16 as such, "He who believes and has been sprinkled or poured shall be saved."---The majority has never been right.
The majority of Baptist believe that water baptism is not essential to the forgiveness of sins and that once you are saved you can never be lost---The majority of Baptists have never been right.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)
Galatians 5:1-4.....you have fallen from grace.(NKJV)
The majority of those who claim to be Christian believe that their church denomination is the final authority when it comes to faith and practice of the Christian faith---The majority has never been right.
The word of God found in the Bible and the Bible alone is not only the final authority, but the only authority for mankind.
THE MAJORITY WILL NOT BE GOING TO HEAVEN
Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.(NKJV)
If the majority were always right there would be many who find life eternal, however---The majority has never been right.
Luke 13:23-24 Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them, 24 "Strive to enter the narrow gate for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.(NKJV)
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Posted by Steve Finnell at 8:11 AM No comments:
Where you refer to your link about the gospels - regarding 'works righteousness 'I think the 'works' spoken of in James ch. 2 is 'the carrying out what the Spirit of God impels you to do'.
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ReplyDeletei need no other argument, i need no other plea.
ReplyDeleteit is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.
chorus from the old hymn-my faith has found a resting place
i need no other argument, i need no other plea.
ReplyDeleteit is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.
chorus from the old hymn-my faith has found a resting place