I recently received this email - an honest (no doubt) attempt at presenting the gospel
of Christ. Unfortunately, it comes from one who appears to be quite confused as to
God's roll in His plan for "saving" man.
The way you answer the next question should allow you to see and
understand where your heart is with God; Do you sincerely want to
walk (meaning, continually) with God, in peace and uprightness, and
turn many away from sin by (learning) the doctrine of grace, so that
you can teach others? (Mal 2:6)
What is of interest to me in this post are the words
turn many away from sin by (learning) the doctrine of grace, so that
you can teach others? We turn away from sin (and it is implied in the larger document, not included in this posting, that this turning away is required ) by learning something. Can
anyone see that when we are required to complete any task "in order to _____," we condemn ourselves to failure. Spiritual assignments (read : requirements) have a dualistic economy attached to their imperative presentations: what is required of us, the disciples, AND what is necessary as God partners with us. Because of the continuing effect of the blood of the Lamb, the fact that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, the "requirements" are completed in the unmerited forgiveness of God in Christ. Learning of the doctrine of grace is most definitely a good thing.........learning in order to avoid damnation is unbiblical, not to mention unnecessary.&nb
sp;
The works salvationist believes that if obedience in the fullest sense of the word is not fully required, the disciple will not be motivated to perform ... "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding." He does not see that fear is only an initiator. It only gets us started. It is the BEGINNING of understanding. The beginning of .................... the flip side of this precess has to do with the fact that "perfect love casts out fear." No parent wants her children to continue in fear..........there comes a time when spankings and time-outs are inappropriate. There comes a time when love and respect dominate the outcome of a child's action -- if the parent is going to have continuing influence over her children.
I have five children --------- all with a deep seated faith in the Lord. No spankings; no time-outs. When they cross the line, when they make poor and even destructive choices, when they realize the choice to be poorly made -- they often come to me to talk and pray. They do not ask me for forgiveness (in a vocal way) knowing full well that forgiveness from me to them is something that is freely given and above the need for formal or ritual request. God, the Father, works in the very same way.
Do we need to learn grace? Do we need to be obedient? Of course. Can any of this be completed without God considering the life of Christ IN OUR PLACE AND ON OUR BEHALF?
Absolutely not. Impossible ! He completes the assigned tasks because we either cannot or will not.
JD
Caroline, Debbie, Bill and Slade could have said it better -- come on back !!!
