E-Mail to jdbutler@cableone.net
INTRODUCTION:
In order to speak of the faith of anyone or any group, it
is important that we define the group; that is, what do we mean when we
speak of "Christendom"? The dictionaries are essentially the same in
definition; namely: "1. Christians collectively. 2. The Christian
world. 3. Christianity, etc." For the purpose of what follows, it
might be well to add that CHRISTENDOM IS COMPOSED OF THOSE WHO PROFESS
TO BE A CHRISTIAN OR DISCIPLE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
There are THREE DISTINCT DOCTRINAL GROUPS IN CHRISTENDOM. Two reach their conclusions from the same MAJOR PREMISE, but EACH use a different MINOR PREMISE. The THIRD GROUP utilizes an opposite MAJOR PREMISE! Which group is truly Christian?
It is an evident principle or axiom that TWO PEOPLE CAN BE DISAGREED AND BOTH BE WRONG, BUT BOTH CANNOT BE RIGHT. However, there is only ONE STANDARD BY WHICH WE CAN JUDGE THE TRUTH; namely: GOD'S INSPIRED WORD!
2 Timothy 3: 16-17, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Isaiah 8:20, To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
In the light of the above, EXAMINE, WITH THE WRITER, THE THREE VIEWS OF CHRISTENDOM:
I. THE FIRST GROUP TO EXAMINE IN CHRISTENDOM BELIEVES THE FOLLOWING:
A. "MAN IS CAPABLE OF, IN AND OF HIMSELF, TO DO WHATEVER GOD
REQUIRES WITHOUT BEING MADE ALIVE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD"
It is incumbent upon the writer that the examination of the above conclusion be presented in a manner that the one holding that belief will agree; otherwise, it is a wrongful accusation.
B. The Major and Minor Premise (i.e., "In logic, a proposition or
assumption to support or help support a conclusion") from which the
conclusion, or belief, is drawn, is revealed in the following SYLLOGISM
(i.e., "An argument whose conclusion is supported by two premises, a
major and minor"):
C. It must be observed that the conclusion can be no more true than
the Major and Minor Premise from which it is drawn. Therefore, let us
examine the Minor premise (i.e, "2. God requires that man be as Holy as
He is Holy, and that the sinner believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.")
It must be admitted that God commands that man be as Holy as He is Holy and that the sinner believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
I Peter 1: 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
D. The MINOR PREMISE IS EVIDENTLY TRUE, but IS THE CONCLUSION (i.e., Man is capable, in and of himself, of performing what God requires) CONSISTENT WITH THE WORD OF GOD?
Many scriptures can be quoted to establish that the unregenerate sinner is INCAPABLE of doing anything which is pleasing or acceptable to THE INFINITELY HOLY GOD, but a few will suffice TO THE HONEST READER. For example:
Romans 3: 10-18, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Romans 8:7-8, Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Ephesians 2:1, 8-10, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
UNLESS SPIRITUALLY BLINDED, THE READER of the above scriptures MUST RECOGNIZE that, before one is quickened by the Holy Spirit, "HE CANNOT PLEASE GOD." That is, he is INCAPABLE of doing so. Therefore, the conclusion in the above syllogism is wrong and heretical.
Since the minor premise (2.) above is true and the conclusion (3.) is false, THE MAJOR PREMISE ( i.e., " 1. God cannot require of man anything which man cannot perform") MUST BE FALSE ALSO.
CAUTION: Declaring that man by nature is NOT CAPABLE OF PLEASING GOD is not saying that he cannot do anything that is right in the light of CIVIL LAW. He can abstain from murder, observe the traffic laws, support his family, etc. However, all of this is still sin if he is not a true believer in, and lover of, the Lord Jesus.
Proverbs 21:4, An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
How can this be true? What can be wrong with honest labor? Because it is done from a self-serving motive, not in love for the Lord and His glory contrary to the clear commands of God's Word. This is true of every UNBELIEVER.
Ephesians 2:1, 8-10, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Romans 14:23, And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
John 14:21, He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
1 Corinthians 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Before one is quickened--made alive spiritually--by the Holy Spirit, everything the unbeliever does is TOTALLY SIN since it has the wrong motivation and wrong objective; namely: SELF, NOT love for the Lord and His Glory.
Therefore, we must be convinced, if we trust the testimony of God's Word, THE CONCLUSION (3.) ABOVE IN THE SYLLOGISM IS WRONG Consequently, it follows since the MINOR PREMISE IS TRUE AND THE CONCLUSION IS WRONG, THE MAJOR PREMISE MUST BE FALSE!
Can it be that the Major Premise could be true if a different MINOR PREMISE is used which results in a DIFFERENT CONCLUSION?
II. THE SECOND GROUP TO EXAMINE IN CHRISTENDOM BELIEVES THE FOLLOWING.
B. It is evident that the MINOR PREMISE (2.) IS TRUE, from the above scriptures, MAN in his natural state IS TOTALLY INCAPABLE OF "PLEASING GOD." BUT DOES IT FOLLOW THAT GOD CANNOT SO REQUIRE?
C. From the above references, we learned, CONTRARY TO THE LAST CONCLUSION, God does require that the descendants of Adam believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, be AS HOLY AS GOD, Love God, and have His Glory as our objective in every thought and deed. WE ARE FURTHER COMMANDED:
Luke 10: 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew 5:43-44, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
WHAT IS LOVE? Forgive the writer, but he coined a definition of love a number of years ago; namely: Love is a living principle ("God is Love") which finds its fulfillment in bestowing the best it can on the object of its affection, and it cannot be happy except to the extent it can satisfy that desire. CAN ANYONE HONESTLY OR REASONABLY OBJECT TO THIS DEFINITION?
Having digressed with the above definition of love, let us observe what we have learned concerning the last syllogism: The MINOR PREMISE (2. Man is totally incapable of doing anything pleasing to God) IS TRUE. However, the Word of God clearly reveals that THE CONCLUSION (3. Man, in his state of nature, cannot be required to be obedient to God) IS FALSE. THEREFORE, THE MAJOR PREMISE (1. God cannot require what man cannot perform) IS FALSE.
Since the MAJOR PREMISE (God cannot require what man cannot perform) HAS PROVED TO BE FALSE IN BOTH OF THE ABOVE SYLLOGISMS, let us CONSIDER the last possible group in CHRISTENDOM.
III. THE THIRD GROUP IN CHRISTENDOM BELIEVES THE FOLLOWING:
A. The persuasion and confidence of the writer, and what be believes the Inspired Word of God reveals and teaches, is expressed in the following SYLLOGISM:
ANSWER: Be assured that you do not want what is fair, for this will result in eternal death--separation from God--in a Devil's Hell where the smoke of your torment will ascend up forever and ever!
Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Revelation 14:11, And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
C. It must be observed that GOD CANNOT REQUIRE A HOLINESS, ON MAN'S PART, LESS THAN HIS HOLINESS WITHOUT GIVING APPROVAL, OR LICENSE, TO SIN!
Habakkuk 1:12-13, Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
D. This presents a great problem for man! Since man is, by nature, incapable of pleasing God, and God cannot accept anyone who is not as righteous as the INFINITELY HOLY GOD IS, HOW CAN SINFUL MAN BE RIGHTEOUS OR JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD????
The question just presented is not original, but it certainly establishes the SCRIPTURAL CONCLUSION WHICH HAS BEEN REACHED; namely:
Job 25:4-6, How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?
E. THIS IS THE GREATEST QUESTION EVER ASKED, in the passage above. IT IS CLEARLY ANSWERED IN GOD'S HOLY WORD, AND THE ANSWER IS THE KEY TO DELIVERANCE FROM SIN AND THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE WITH THE LORD! How can you not be interested???
Romans 3:21-28, But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
NOTE: While the word 'FREELY" ABOVE IS A VERY APPROPRIATE TRANSLATION, it may prove helpful to observe that the same word in the original Greek was translated, and that appropriately, "WITHOUT A CAUSE." in John 15:25, But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
That is, the hatred those had for the Lord Jesus Christ was "WITHOUT A CAUSE" IN HIM, for HE WAS, AND IS, THE SINLESS AND HOLY SON OF GOD, GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH. (Please read: John 1:1-5; I Timothy 3:16; John 5:17-18 "equal with God").
BY WAY OF APPLICATION: The cause of the hatred of the Lord Jesus Christ was because of the unregenerate and depraved natures in and of those who hated Him.
EVEN SO, God's justification of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is performed for the believer "FREELY"--WITHOUT A CAUSE IN SUCH A ONE; THE CAUSE IS TOTALLY OF GOD'S FREE AND SOVEREIGN GRACE BECAUSE OF THE SATISFACTION ACCOMPLISHED BY GOD'S DEAR SON!
THIS IS BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED in the following:
Romans 9: 8-16, That is, They which are the children of theflesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then
PLEASE READ FURTHER: Romans 9: 17-24, For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
F. IF GOD COULD save, or JUSTIFY, a Hell deserving sinner, WITHOUT SATISFACTION TO HIS INFINITELY HOLY JUSTICE, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR HIS PEOPLE IN VAIN UNDER THE WRATH OF GOD!!
Galatians 2:19-21, For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
NOTE: "If righteousness come by THE (not in the original) law, then Christ is dead in vain." The INSPIRED WRITER is declaring that IF A RIGHT STANDING, OR JUSTIFICATION, IS ACHIEVED BEFORE GOD BECAUSE OF ANY STANDARD OF HUMAN OBEDIENCE BY THE UNREGENERATE SINNER, CHRIST DIED IN VAIN. Thereby, the GRACE OF GOD WOULD BE MADE VOID, OR FRUSTRATED!!!
G. Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The ONLY WAY BOTH DECLARATIONS in the above verse CAN BE TRUE, AND GOD BE JUST IN JUSTIFYING the BELIEVER in the Lord Jesus Christ, is for THE SON OF GOD--"God manifest in the flesh"--to be condemned under the WRATH OF GOD'S INFINITE HOLINESS AND JUSTICE.
John 3:14-15, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Romans 5:17-21, For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
NOTE: The word "THAT" reflects the purpose and design OF CHRIST BEING 'LIFTED UP' AND CRUCIFIED UNDER THE WRATH OF GOD. His purpose was THAT ALL FOR WHOM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST LIVED AND DIED---THE ELECT---SHOULD NEVER DIE ETERNALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM. Well did Isaiah declare:
Isaiah 61:10, I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
OBSERVATION: Unless you can find fault with the satisfication and perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ, YOU MUST CONCLUDE THAT NOT ONE FOR WHOM HE LIVED AND DIED CAN EVER BE LOST. Whether YOU AGREE OR NOT, God declares that NOT ONE SHALL BE LOST. This is evidenced by HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD AND EXALTATION AT HIS RIGHT HAND--THE PLACE OF EVIDENT APPROVAL.
Romans 8:28-39, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It must be observed that the "us all" and "us" above includes those to whom the book of Romans was written, and all like them; namely: those who are "called to be saints." (Romans 1:7)
This truly agrees with HIS NAME: Matthew 1:21, And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
BUT WHO ARE HIS PEOPLE?
John 6:37-40, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
NOTE: A person who believes that God the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit tries to do anything, and can fail, is A PRACTICAL ATHEIST.
An Atheist denies the being of God, but A PRACTICAL ATHEIST DENIES THE PERFECTION OF GOD; that is, His Sovereignty, Infinite Holiness, Justice, Omnipotence, etc. GOD CANNOT FAIL!!
NOTE: The test of all that man is, or professes to believe, must be tested by THE TRUTH! " God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. " (John 4:24)
BUT WHAT IS TRUTH? The writer's definition is: TRUTH IS THAT WHICH AGREES WITH WHO GOD IS.
Is it agreeable or consistent with who God is to suggest that OMNIPOTENT GOD is trying to do that which He cannot accomplish? OR TO DECLARE THAT THE LORD JESUS IS TRYING TO SAVE SOME WHOM HE CANNOT SAVE? BANISH THE THOUGHT!! THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE!
PLEASE READ: John 10:11, 26-30, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
CONCLUSION: THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE OBJECTIONS WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN
PROVOKED IN THE READER AS THE RESULT OF WHAT HAS BEEN DECLARED ABOVE
BECAUSE OF THE READERS PRECONCEIVED BIAS; NAMELY:
A. THE FIRST POSSIBLE OBJECTION CONSIDERED: "Since, as the scriptures reveal, only a believer is justified before God, and the unregenerate sinner can do nothing to please God, how can he possibly become a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ?"
ANSWER: Faith is the result of the ETERNAL AND SOVEREIGN PURPOSE OF GOD BY THE REGENERATING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Acts 13:37-39, But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Ephesians 2:1, 8-10, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18, 30-31, For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 2:14, But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
NOTE: SALVATION IS CLEARLY REVEALED TO BE OF THE LORD FROM START TO FINISH!
1. It is PURPOSED BY GOD,
2. It is PURCHASED BY THE SON OF GOD, and
3. It is applied by the PERSUADING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
AN APPLICATION OF THE DEFINITION OF TRUTH WHICH DECLARES THAT ONLY THAT CAN BE THE TRUTH WHICH AGREES WITH WHO GOD IS: It must be admitted that IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR INFINITE PERFECTION TO CHANGE, Infinite Perfection can not be less and still be perfect, and it cannot be more and have already been perfect.
MOREOVER, every intelligent act presupposes a purpose. God's INTELLIGENCE IS INFINITE. In fact, His Wisdom is so perfect, He is "God ONLY wise".
Romans 16:27, To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
APPLICATION: With what we have learned so far under the conclusion, please observe THREE SYLLOGISMS:
1. God had the purpose before He saves.
2. God is IMMUTABLE, or perfectly unchangeable
3. Therefore, His purpose to save is as eternal as He is.
1. God eternally purposed to save His elect from sin by GRACE
ALONE.
2. God cannot be merciful without upholding His Holiness and
Justice.
3. Therefore, if sin is punished and a sinner is saved, the sinner
was chosen "in Christ Jesus the Lord before the world as the One
who must die as his substitute.
Ephesians 1: 3-12, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
John 3:14, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: FOR IN NO OTHER WAY CAN THE FOLLOWING BE TRUE:
"Mercy" for the miserable, hell deserving, sinner which reveals "he that liveth and believeth shall never die" and the "truth" of God which declares that the "wages of sin is death," "are met together;" AND THE "righteousness" of God which is of "purer eyes" than to look with approval upon a single sin, "and peace", for the poor sin cursed sinner whose just wages is eternal condemnation, "have kissed each other" in perfect agreement.
Psalms 85:10, Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
B. A SECOND POSSIBLE OBJECTION: " Notwithstanding "FAITH" OR TRUSTING, BY WHICH ONE IS JUSTIFIED IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, being effectually caused by being "QUICKENED" (i.e., "Made Alive Spiritually) BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, God does not do the believing or trusting for him. It is the quickened sinner who believes or trusts. Therefore, since the believer DOES SOMETHING, this gives room for boasting in some degree!!"
ANSWER: This objection gives evidence of a LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRUE NATURE OF FAITH, or TRUST.
FAITH IS NOT AN ACT, IT IS AN ATTITUDE--CONVICTION, CONFIDENCE or PERSUASION. IT IS THE OPPOSITE OF A WORK. Consequently, Faith, believing or trusting the Lord leaves no room for boasting or "glorying" before God.
2 Timothy 1:12, For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
"FAITH" IS REFLECTED IN GOD'S WORD AS A "LAW", OR PRINCIPLE, WHICH IS THE OPPOSITE OF "LAW", OR PRINCIPLE, " OF WORK". READ CAREFULLY:
Romans 3:26-27, To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
COMPARE:
John 6:28-29, Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
While it is true that TRUE FAITH is the work and gift of God (Eph. 2:8-10), this is not the teaching in the above verse. The Lord is refuting their legalistic views in John 6:28-29.
To ILLUSTRATE: A father is doing a very dangerous work which only a mature adult male is able to perform, but his very young and immature son asks: "Daddy what can I do to help?" His father, knowing the impossibility for his son to perform the task and possible deadly danger, wisely declares: "Son, this is what you can do: stay out of the way, don't do anything and don't get in my way; just trust me to do the job!"
By way of ENLARGEMENT OF THE ABOVE ILLUSTRATION and thereby to further ILLUSTRATE SOME MAJOR TRUTHS, let it be observed:
1. If the incapable and helpless youngster believes, or trusts, his father by doing nothing, it is still proper to say he OBEYED the father's command.
Since we are helpless and incapable of doing anything to please God, He has commanded that we "believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ." (READ: Romans 3:10-12; 1 John 3:23).
THEREFORE, when an unrighteous and helpless sinner is enabled to see his inability and just condemnation before God and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all else as the ONLY WAY FOR GOD TO BE JUST IN PUNISHING SIN AND GRACIOUS IN SAVING FROM SIN, it can be truly said that he has "OBEYED THE GOSPEL" (Romans 10:16).
2. The youngster's trust, or not acting to help his father, justifies the wisdom of the father's direction; EVEN SO, when we are convinced of our inability to please God, and TRUST THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ALONE AS THE ONLY WAY TO BE SAVED FROM SIN and its damning power, CONSISTENT with "mercy and truth meeting together, righteousness and peace kissing each other"(Psalm 85:10), WE THEREBY JUSTIFY THE WISDOM OF GOD! (Luke 7:35. "Wisdom is justified of all her children").
3. The work which only the father is capable of performing is accomplished to the complete approval of the father and the lasting happiness of the child who lives without injury or possible death; EVEN SO, it is with each one who does nothing to justify himself before God, but trusts HIM ONLY, "who is able to present you faultless before" THE INFINITELY HOLY GOD. (Jude 24-25, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
OBSERVATIONS RELATIVE TO THE NATURE OF FAITH:
1. FAITH IS NOT AN ACT, IT IS AN ATTITUDE. Faith is a confidence, conviction, trust or persuasion (Hebrews 11:1; II Tim. 1:12). Moreover, the FAITH or TRUST which looks to the Lord Jesus Christ as THE WAY, whereby "mercy" for the miserable sinner and the "truth" of God which declares the "soul that sinneth shall surely die" can MEET TOGETHER without contradiction, is a "gift" of God, and it is the opposite of "works". PLEASE READ: Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:11-13; Romans 4:5).
2. THE FAITH OF GOD'S ELECT, TRUSTING IN OR BELIEVING ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, like loving God and doing righteousness, IS THE RESULT OF BEING "BORN FROM ABOVE", "QUICKENED" (i.e., made alive spiritually), or "BORN OF GOD" (John 3:3; Ephesians 2:1; 1 John 5:1; 2:29; 4:7). The believing, loving, and doing righteousness are all the result of and fruit of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing".
3. If you are NOT NOW A BELIEVER, the writer's prayer for you is that the Holy Spirit will give you spiritual sight to see the Glory of God in the Lord Jesus Christ. If so, you cannot but trust Him. Until then, you are NOT JUSTIFIED; you are NOW UNDER THE WRATH OF GOD!
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: Is the reader in that class of CHRISTENDOM which is confident THE HOLINESS OF GOD, OF NECESSITY, MUST REQUIRE A HOLINESS OF YOU EQUAL TO HIS WHICH YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF PERFORMING? Has God's Honor become more important to you than not being eternally and righteously damned for eternity? Has sin become so hateful to you that you cry out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?" HAVE YOU BEEN ENABLED TO SEE THE "WISDOM OF GOD" IN AND BY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BEING DEALT WITH AS IF HE WERE THE SINNER THAT GOD MIGHT BE JUST IN THE PUNISHMENT OF SIN AND MERCIFUL TO A HELL DESERVING SINNER, LIKE YOU? IF SO, YOU MAY HAVE REASON TO HAVE HOPE!
1 Corinthians 1:30-31, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:3-6, But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
MAY THE DEAR LORD BE PLEASED TO BLESS THE READER, AND MAY HE SHINE INTO YOUR HEART AND MAKE CHRIST JESUS THE LORD WISDOM TO YOU IF HE IS NOT ALREADY SO!
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