Saving Faith
This quote from Spurgeon's sermon, seen in the previous post, sums up the Reformed definition of saving faith. Here it is...
"It is not by personal holiness that a man shall enter heaven, but yet without holiness shall no man see the Lord. It is not by good works that we are justified, but if a man shall continue to live an ungodly life, his "faith" will not justify him; for it is not the faith of God's elect; since that faith is wrought by the Holy Spirit, and conforms men to the image of Christ."
This is the very place where the Reformed and those of the GES disagree, and strongly so. If one's "faith" hasn't brought them into a life changing union with our Triune God then it is no faith at all, but merely mental assent.
Labels: Free Grace Theology
posted by mark pierson at 12:05 PM
8 Comments:
As I have listened to Antonio, and looked at Hodges, I think I understand where they stumble.
They simply think free will is sovereign, not God's Sprirt.
I remember talking with my daughter a while back, and we talked about how well her mother-in-law plays the piano. Steph said, "Dad, why didn't you make me play the piano, why did you let me have my own way?"
FG people are like me, in that I wouldn't force her, though she looks back now and wanted me to.
God sees the future, and he knows how to force His own children to become piano players.
He's a magnificient Father, who loves us, and wants the best for us, so that He is glorified in His children.
He is able to make us holy, and and we are "His workmanship", by grace, and always through faith alone.
God is sovereign in our lives, not our free wills.
June 21, 2008 12:30 PM
I love the way Spurgeon communicated. The report of Scripture backs this up over and over again......
June 21, 2008 3:12 PM
>This is the very place where the Reformed and those of the GES disagree, and strongly so.
I find it astonishing that an omnipotent omniscient heavenly father would create a world in which there was disagreement (and consequent hatred) between those who npurport to worship him.
June 24, 2008 3:56 AM
I find it astonishing that fools go on in their hatred of their Creator - right on to their rightfully being thrown into the lake of fire.
June 24, 2008 6:38 AM
>fools go on in their hatred of their Creator
No, mark, there is no hatred involved. Science is dispassionate, there is no emotion, yes raw evidence.
You cannot hate something that you do not believe exists. Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.
June 24, 2008 1:04 PM
Romans 1:18-32 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[a] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[b] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
The above is where you come from. Standing out in the above is this:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
Deep down you know that God exists. You hasten to grab anything that might discount His existence in order to maintain your sinful life-style. You do not wish to answer to His Lordship. If you don't repent and come to Christ you shall burn eternally in the lake of fire.
June 24, 2008 1:14 PM
>Deep down you know that God exists
No, that is not true Mark, you are being ridiculous now. I cannot actually know whether he exists or not. Nor can you. All I know is that there is no need to invoke a divine creator to explain the way things are.
Out of curiosity, you speak as it this lake of fire is something tangible that I will have to swim around in. Is there any suggestion as to where it might be located, and how we will get there?
June 24, 2008 4:16 PM
Maalie,
Actually I've begun to pray for your salvation, that you would come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Mark
June 25, 2008 11:36 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home