| Author | Message | ||
| Max |
^^It borders on blasphemy if one should claim that the testimony of Jesus is our own filthy rags righteousness.^^ The testimony of Jesus is the gospel. The Holy Spirit is the gospel transforming our lives into a new creation. Our filthy rags righteousness are covered with Christ's spotless robe. Hardly blasphemy. | ||
| Max |
^^Why waste a single moment on extolling our filthy rags righteousness?^^ It is rather our filthy rags righteousness that witnesses to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit living within. | ||
| Max |
^^Why not spend every moment in humble awe at the majesty and perfection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?^^ This is what our filthy rags righteousness does. | ||
| Max |
^^By faith. By faith alone.^^ By a faith alone that works (James). By faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone (Luther). And by a faith that reveals the Holy Spirit within by filthy rags righteousness without (Max). | ||
| Max |
^^The only lawfulness we will ever know on this earth is the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.^^ An "imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ" that reveals itself to the world. | ||
| Max |
^^We cannot keep the law--ANY law.^^ We do our best to to keep Christ's law of agape. | ||
| Max |
^^Remember if we fall short on one point of the law (the WHOLE law, not just the big ten) we are guilty of breaking them all. We, therefore, are always dependent upon the vicarious life, the perfectly fulfilled law of God, of Jesus Christ. This is our only righteousness. It is perfect, it lacks in nothing; it reconciles us to God, and it guarantees our acquittal in the judgment.^^ And if it doesn't transform your life, Christ never knew you. | ||
| Max |
^^There are still really only two choices: Either we are saved by the imputation of the perfect fulfillment of the law by Jesus Christ, or at least partially upon the works of our own hands. Let me reiterate: We stand on the merits of Christ alone or, at least partially, on our own.^^ We are not saved "at least partially upon the works of our own hands" or by standing partially on Christ's merits. But once we are saved by "the imputation of the perfect fulfillment of the law by Jesus Christ," by "the merits of Christ alone," we then love. | ||
| Max |
The Reformers did not coin ^^the phrase, "Salvation by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone," to appease the Catholics,^^ but to teach the Peasant's Rebellion that the gospel DID NOT mean, "Continue in sin that grace may abound." | ||
| Max |
^^The Gospel that Jesus Himself gives us and the one that Paul expounds upon is ... a strong powerful message of salvation without works^^ that works! | ||
| Max |
^^Whoever preaches [the gospel] will inevitably be accused of antinomianism by those who do not realize what it means to trust wholly in the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ.^^ And with the preachers of the false gospel that criticism will be right straight on target -- Jude 4. | ||
| Max |
^^"And the disciples said to Him, "What shall we do to do the works of God?" And Jesus answered them, saying, "The work of God is this: To believe on the One Whom He has sent."^^ For such a belief allows the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. | ||
| Max |
^^We can perform no higher or grander act of obedience than to honor God in our trust that He will keep His promises and save those who believe on His Son.^^ A salvation that transforms our lives into a new creation. | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Like in what way/s is a person 'transformed?' I would like to know if I've been transformed or not. This question comes from me out of frustration at myself. No matter how good I want to be, it never ever turns out that way. No matter what good I say I'm going to do, I don't seem to get it done. No matter how determined I am at being a better person, it's not happening. Now what? I can only look to Jesus and trust in Him completely, although I'm finding that hard these days too. Feeling condemnation is awful but I know I'm not worthy of anything to speak of. Lately, even less and less do I wake up with hope. What is happening? Was I deceiving myself into thinking I was saved and all along, I'm not? Was I thinking I had faith and all along I didn't? I don't feel like entertaining people or for that matter, engaging with people for any reason. I'm sick, I'm tired and I hate this feeling. My hope, as small as it is amounting to, is the hope of Mercy given to me by God. That is my hope. Jesus died for something and I tend to believe that He died for me because I'm a sinner of the first degree in my thoughts alone! This is not counting the fact that I know there are those around me that need me and I can't bring myself to be there. I'm selfishly tired. God bless me, D | ||
| Valm |
Denise, I love you. Valerie | ||
| Patti |
We are new creations by faith only. Faith is the evidence of things unseen; if we can see it, it is not of faith; if it is not of faith, it is sin. We live as if we have been literally transformed. But here on this earth our only righteousness is the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. | ||
| Patti |
Denise: My hope, as small as it is amounting to, is the hope of Mercy given to me by God. That is my hope. And the mercy (grace) of God is a sure and steadfast object on which to base your hope. You know the old hymn don't you? "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." Anything inside of us is much less than the perfection of Christ. The more you look into yourself in the light of the perfection of Christ, the more sinful you will appear to yourself. The solution? Stop looking at yourself. Look only to Jesus Christ. His grace is sufficient. He came to save hopeless sinners, like you, like me. Rejoice, because only one who feels his/her great lack of holiness will feel his/her greater need of the mercy of our Lord. God is faithful. He will save those who trust in Him to the uttermost. Not because of their righteous works, their prayers, their Bible study, their proselytizing, or even because of their faith. But only because of the grace (mercy) of God. Denise, God regards you as perfectly righteous and holy in Jesus Christ. He regards you that way no matter how you feel! Thank God our salvation is not based upon feelings! Our feelings are fickle and flighty and unstable. You may not always feel saved, but you can still know that you are. Not because of anything you are or do, but because Jesus Christ is worthy. Has He or has He not promised to save those who trust in Him? Is He or is He not trustworthy? Trust (believe, depend, have confidence in) in His faithfulness. Trust that His grace is sufficient for you. He doesn't merely take up the slack where we leave off; He has accomplished it all for us. "Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, I will give you rest." Rest in Jesus, Denise. Look to His merits and know that He is totally sufficient for you. It is only when we have this kind of surefooted assurance that our salvation has been won for us completely that we can find the initiative to live as joyful and confident Christians. Don't beat yourself about the things that you have done wrong or left undone; Jesus forgives you; He doesn't just forgive individual sins, He forgives sinners. Rest in Him and find the strength to do the tasks set before you. The law is ever before us, berating us, telling us we are not good enough. But salvation is not about law; it is about forgiveness. Be joyful; your sins have been forgiven and cast into the depths of the sea. You stand spotless, clad in the dazzling white garment of the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Rest, Denise. We no longer have to try to work our way to God; God has condescended to us and has saved us. Rest; trust. He is faithful. Denise: Jesus died for something and I tend to believe that He died for me because I'm a sinner of the first degree in my thoughts alone! Then you are indeed blessed. Because Christ came to save sinners! "The one who is forgiven the most, loves the most." God is blessing you greatly today. His Spirit is working mightily in you. His job is to convict and convince. When we are convicted of our own hopelessness, then we are ready to hear the Gospel. Praise God for the saving work of Jesus Christ! May God lead you (and me) ever closer to the complete assurance that His grace is sufficient for even the chief of sinners, even you, even me. Patti | ||
| Valm |
That was wonderful Patti. Valerie | ||
| Patti |
Thank you, Valerie, from the depths of my heart. | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Dear Valerie, I love you too and I thank you for your words that not only once has saved my life now. Jesus tells me He loves me too! Yet, I stand. God Bless you, Denise, your sister in Christ Jesus |
