WHAT DOES "PREACHING TO THE CHOIR" MEAN?
Hint: Nehemiah 12:38,43
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
CAN WE BE JUST LIKE JESUS?
Are we really expected to be just like Jesus? To do all the works He did?
No one should ever think that a Christian can be all that Christ is, but yet He is are one and only "perfect" role model to faithfully and obediently follow.
“But we must not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but rather think of ourselves with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given us” (Romans 12:3-3).
Christians have different levels of maturity and spiritual gifts thus they do not all have the same function. Scripture is clear in explaining and instructing us what “being like Christ” means and what is involved in salvation and being His follower.
The twelve disciples asked Jesus a similar question,
“Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"
Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent" (John 6:28,29).
His Word also tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9).
Jesus’ role modeling for us is all about grace and faithfulness and not about earning salvation through good works.
All Jesus ever asked anyone to do is to love. To love God and to love others. These are the two greatest of all commandments (Matthew 22:37,39). Jesus the God Man modeled perfect love and it is His people’s desire to follow His example and learn to do the same. The good news is that we learn to love not by our own efforts or achievements, but by and through the redemptive work of God. We can do nothing on our own, it is only through His loving power working in and through us that we can.
What does it mean to be like Jesus?
Humans were created in God’s image. Image meaning our souls mind, emotion, and will. He created us in likeness to His invisible spirit nature for the purpose of communicating with us. But when Adam sinned, the human spirit became spiritually dead toward the Lord and cut off from Him because of disobedience. Adam’s undoing was that Satan tempted him in thinking that he could become equal to God.
No longer were humans capable of being God’s people for their image (moral character), was stained with sin. In order for God’s people to be saved a Savior was predestined and ultimately sent to earth to rescue them from Satan and their sinful image and lifestyle. Thus the old Adam was an imperfect ungodly role model and thus Christ was sent to be the new Adam, a perfect sinless role model in moral character for us to witness and follow. God demonstrated His love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). And once a person receives and accepts Christ as their personal Savior they are born again and begin the transformation process to become like Him in “moral character”.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Because of what Christ promised to do in the OT and fulfilled at the Cross, He tells us that God’s people would be made holy, pure and perfect just like Him. This isn’t referring to Jesus' omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent power. We should never think that we are going to become God just like Him. It is only in perfect moral character that we one Day will be.
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29).
Christians are sinners who sin and there is no way we are or will ever be morally perfect during this lifetime, but we do have the perfect example (role model), to follow in Jesus Christ who is leading us out of this evil earthly wilderness by His Word so that we will be fully transformed and made perfect in moral character when our spirit leaves our body to be with Him in our heavenly eternal afterlife.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Once saved a person is a new spiritual person in Christ-that is, the Holy Spirit dwells and protects our spirit so that He can complete a good work of sanctification in and through us. Meaning that gradually over a lifetime we will continue to lose the desire to sin in character likeness to Christ. More and more as we mature in our faith we resemble and are representative of Jesus in what we say and do in likeness to Him. Again, we are not perfect, yet people see a glimpse of Jesus’ character working in and through us. A character we are incapable of developing on or own. People then know that we are of Christ by the “good fruit” we produce, the very godliness of our faith and the love which we demonstrate and share with others.God is Love and our new image is being made by Christ alone through our faith alone so that we too, can and will willingly love Him and others.
Christians are given special callings and the gift of skill and power to accomplish God’s will such as prophecy, preaching, teaching, serving, encouraging, contributing, leadership,showing mercy (Romans 12:6-8). But God doesn't expect us to possess all of His gifts that only Christ can claim being the Great "I Am" that He is (John 8:58:14:6).
Just My Thoughts. What say you?
God Bless
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Does (2 Chronicles 7:14)indicate or promise that if we pray God will heal the problems we as a nation face in the USA?
"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Charles Spurgeon "Be Bold"
The following excerpt is from "Christ’s People—Imitators of Him," a sermon delivered Sunday morning, 29 April 1855, at Exeter Hall, in the Strand.
A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. This is a virtue nowadays called impudence, but the grace is equally valuable by whatever name it may be called. I suppose if the Scribes had given a definition of Peter and John, they would have called them impudent fellows.
Jesus Christ and his disciples were noted for their courage. "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Jesus Christ never fawned upon the rich; he stooped not to the great and noble, he stood erect, a man before men,—the prophet of the people, speaking out boldly and freely what he thought.
Have you never admired that mighty deed of his, when going to the city where he had lived and been brought up; knowing that a prophet had no honor in his own country, the book was put into his hands; he had but then commenced his ministry; yet without tremor he unrolled the sacred volume and what did he take for his text?
Most men, coming to their own neighborhood would have chosen a subject adapted to the taste, in order to earn fame. But what doctrine did Jesus preach that morning? One which in our age is scorned and hated—the doctrine of election. He opened the Scriptures, and began to read thus: "Many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land, but unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none off them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian."
Then he began to tell, how God saveth whom he pleases, and rescues whom he chooses. Ah! how they gnashed their teeth upon him, dragged him out, and would have cast him from the brow of the hill.
Do you not admire his intrepidity? He saw their teeth gnashing; he knew their hearts were hot with enmity, while their mouths foamed with revenge and malice: still he stood like the angel who shut the lion's mouths; he feared them not; faithfully he proclaimed what he knew to be the truth of God, and still read on despite them all.
So in his discourses. If he saw a Scribe or a Pharisee in the congregation, he did not keep back part of the price, but pointing his finger, he said, "Woe Unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites;" and when a lawyer came, saying, "Master, in speaking thus, thou condemnest us also;" he turned round and said, "Woe unto you, lawyers, for ye bind heavy burdens upon men, while ye yourselves will not touch them with so much as one of your fingers."
He dealt out honest truth, he never knew the fear of man; he trembled at none; he stood as God's chosen, whom he had anointed above his fellows, careless of man's esteem. My friends, be like Christ in this. Have none of the time-serving religion of the present day, which is merely exhibited in evangelical drawing rooms—a religion which only flourishes in a hot-bed atmosphere, a religion which is only to be perceived in good company.
No, if ye are the servants of God, be like Jesus Christ, bold for your Master; never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you; take care you never disgrace that. Your love to Christ will never dishonor you, it may bring some temporary slight from your friends, or slanders from your enemies: but live on, and you shall; live down their calumnies; live on and ye shall stand amongst the glorified, honored even by those who hissed you when he shall come to be glorified by his angels, and admired by them that love him.
Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God; so that when they shall see your boldness, they may say, "He has been with Jesus."
A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. This is a virtue nowadays called impudence, but the grace is equally valuable by whatever name it may be called. I suppose if the Scribes had given a definition of Peter and John, they would have called them impudent fellows.
Jesus Christ and his disciples were noted for their courage. "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Jesus Christ never fawned upon the rich; he stooped not to the great and noble, he stood erect, a man before men,—the prophet of the people, speaking out boldly and freely what he thought.
Have you never admired that mighty deed of his, when going to the city where he had lived and been brought up; knowing that a prophet had no honor in his own country, the book was put into his hands; he had but then commenced his ministry; yet without tremor he unrolled the sacred volume and what did he take for his text?
Most men, coming to their own neighborhood would have chosen a subject adapted to the taste, in order to earn fame. But what doctrine did Jesus preach that morning? One which in our age is scorned and hated—the doctrine of election. He opened the Scriptures, and began to read thus: "Many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land, but unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none off them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian."
Then he began to tell, how God saveth whom he pleases, and rescues whom he chooses. Ah! how they gnashed their teeth upon him, dragged him out, and would have cast him from the brow of the hill.
Do you not admire his intrepidity? He saw their teeth gnashing; he knew their hearts were hot with enmity, while their mouths foamed with revenge and malice: still he stood like the angel who shut the lion's mouths; he feared them not; faithfully he proclaimed what he knew to be the truth of God, and still read on despite them all.
So in his discourses. If he saw a Scribe or a Pharisee in the congregation, he did not keep back part of the price, but pointing his finger, he said, "Woe Unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites;" and when a lawyer came, saying, "Master, in speaking thus, thou condemnest us also;" he turned round and said, "Woe unto you, lawyers, for ye bind heavy burdens upon men, while ye yourselves will not touch them with so much as one of your fingers."
He dealt out honest truth, he never knew the fear of man; he trembled at none; he stood as God's chosen, whom he had anointed above his fellows, careless of man's esteem. My friends, be like Christ in this. Have none of the time-serving religion of the present day, which is merely exhibited in evangelical drawing rooms—a religion which only flourishes in a hot-bed atmosphere, a religion which is only to be perceived in good company.
No, if ye are the servants of God, be like Jesus Christ, bold for your Master; never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you; take care you never disgrace that. Your love to Christ will never dishonor you, it may bring some temporary slight from your friends, or slanders from your enemies: but live on, and you shall; live down their calumnies; live on and ye shall stand amongst the glorified, honored even by those who hissed you when he shall come to be glorified by his angels, and admired by them that love him.
Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God; so that when they shall see your boldness, they may say, "He has been with Jesus."
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Is it Possible for God to Sin
These are my thoughts.
1. Is a lie a sin? Yes, a lie is a sin. If God cannot lie (Tts 1:2), then it is not a stretch to say He cannot sin.
2. If you adhere to Reformed Theology, we know that we can only choose according to our nature. So God is free to choose only according to His nature.
Some other thoughts to consider. God is such a holy and loving God, and for Him to be able to sin would mean that He would fall under his own wrath. His justice then would not preclude Him from such a disastrous end. Since "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 Jo 1:5), this strongly suggests that there is not so much as a quark, a small seed of sin in Him, if there were, He would be sin Himself. For sin is expressed in its full blown hatred and evil contemptuousness, in JUST ONE lonely violation of the law, that's all it takes.
All sin is in rebellion against a holy and righteous God, why would God be at odds with His own nature, it would be self-defeating, and cancel out His very nature? God could then not be LOVE, for He would have to hate Himself. Also, if God were able to sin, what would prevent Him from somewhere in eternity turning evil? On what grounds or basis would I be able to put my trust if this were the case? The Anti-Christ has this ability, appearing to be an angel of light then turning on his foes to seek, kill and destroy.
Also, Adam was born is a state of moral equipoise, he had no particular bias as to sin or not to sin. His nature was NOT in a fixed state of holiness, so therefore his ability to sin existed. Adam was created in a state of innocency, and not in a state of holiness.
Remember A&E did not fall after eating the apple, there was sin present in their heart to begin with, in order for them to WANT to disobey God.
1. Is a lie a sin? Yes, a lie is a sin. If God cannot lie (Tts 1:2), then it is not a stretch to say He cannot sin.
2. If you adhere to Reformed Theology, we know that we can only choose according to our nature. So God is free to choose only according to His nature.
Some other thoughts to consider. God is such a holy and loving God, and for Him to be able to sin would mean that He would fall under his own wrath. His justice then would not preclude Him from such a disastrous end. Since "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 Jo 1:5), this strongly suggests that there is not so much as a quark, a small seed of sin in Him, if there were, He would be sin Himself. For sin is expressed in its full blown hatred and evil contemptuousness, in JUST ONE lonely violation of the law, that's all it takes.
All sin is in rebellion against a holy and righteous God, why would God be at odds with His own nature, it would be self-defeating, and cancel out His very nature? God could then not be LOVE, for He would have to hate Himself. Also, if God were able to sin, what would prevent Him from somewhere in eternity turning evil? On what grounds or basis would I be able to put my trust if this were the case? The Anti-Christ has this ability, appearing to be an angel of light then turning on his foes to seek, kill and destroy.
Also, Adam was born is a state of moral equipoise, he had no particular bias as to sin or not to sin. His nature was NOT in a fixed state of holiness, so therefore his ability to sin existed. Adam was created in a state of innocency, and not in a state of holiness.
Remember A&E did not fall after eating the apple, there was sin present in their heart to begin with, in order for them to WANT to disobey God.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Saved by Grace Alone
I hope to address two specific areas where the RCC FALLS from grace; one being adding good works to faith in Christ to help secure their salvation, AND the practice of worshipping idols and having other gods before the one true, Triune God. Both of these practices and beliefs are anathema to God. Mind you, I can only touch rather lightly on these subjects, but these doctrines and practices supported and believed by faithful, practicing Catholics, leave them antithetical to and far outside the standard orthodox practices of true Christianity, also antithetical to the distinctly clear word of God, and helps further define them as a cult.
The five solas which defined the Reformation all use the word ALONE; Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (by faith alone), Sola Gratia (by grace alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), and Soli Deo gloria (Glory to God alone). Martin Luther used the word (ALONE), which became the impetus for the great Reformation, he used it solely to define, distinguish and compare the beliefs and practices of the RCC from the true word of God. This word ALONE, which the Catholic Church HIGHLY objected to (and still does to this day) helped clearly set the parameters for the ALL SUFFICIENCY of Christ. Nothing added such as our good works, otherwise we pollute grace.
“ 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 (Eph. 2:8-9).” If we add the meritorious works of man to supplement the work of Christ, it becomes anathema to God, and then becomes ANOTHER GOSPEL or a DIFFERENT GOSPEL. Paul declares in Galatians; “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but {I received it} through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal 1: 6-12).”
Let me unpack all of this verse. The different gospel, on which God places this severe curse, was the gospel Paul was warning the foolish Galatians to be aware of (a works based gospel), also if you notice, God places a curse, not once, but twice, in these passages. The new Christians whom Paul is addressing in Galatians, were converts from paganism (Gal 4:8-9) who were now being enticed by other missionaries to ADD the observances of the Jewish law, including the rite of circumcision, to the cross of Christ as a means of salvation. These interlopers insisted on the necessity of following certain precepts of the Mosaic law ALONG with faith in Christ. They were undermining Paul's authority also, asserting that he had not been trained by Jesus himself, that his gospel did not agree with that of the original and true apostles in Jerusalem, that he had kept from his converts in Galatia the necessity of accepting circumcision and other key obligations of the Jewish law, in order more easily to win them to Christ, and that his gospel was thus not the full and authentic one held by "those of repute" in Jerusalem (Gal 2:2).
When Paul learned of the situation, he wrote this defense of his apostolic authority and of the correct understanding of the faith. He set forth the unique importance of Christ and his redemptive sacrifice on the cross, the freedom that Christians enjoy from the old burdens of the law, the total sufficiency of Christ and of faith in Christ as the way to God and to eternal life. Galatians is thus a summary of basic Pauline theology. Its themes were more fully and less polemically developed in the Letter to the Romans. In his vigorous emphasis on the absolute preeminence of Christ and his cross as God's way to salvation and holiness, Paul stresses Christian freedom and the ineffectiveness of the Mosaic law for gaining divine favor and blessings (Gal 3:19-29). The pious Jew saw in the law a way established by God to win divine approval by a life of meticulous observance of ritual, social, and moral regulations. But Paul's profound insight into the higher designs of God in Christ led him to understand and welcome the priority of promise and faith (shown in the experience of Abraham, Gal 3:6-18) and the supernatural gifts of the Spirit (Gal 3:2-5; 5:16-6:10). His enthusiasm for this new vision of the life of grace in Christ and of the uniquely salvific role of Christ's redemptive death on the cross shines through this whole letter.
The curse given by God to the foolish Galatians applies to anyone now-days, who adds good works to the ALL SUFFICIENT work of Christ on the cross. “Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the WORKS of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Gal 2:6).”
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a DEBTOR TO THE WHOLE LAW. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are FALLEN FROM GRACE. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith (Gal 5:1-5).”
Notice particularly the words in Galatians 5:4, “Christ is become of NO EFFECT unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are FALLEN FROM GRACE.” FALLEN FROM GRACE, there it is! When the Catholic Church adds to the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross, by their good works, they have fallen from grace, and are cursed by God. The RCC’s Council of Trent condemned the Reformed doctrine of Justified by faith alone. They declared it anathema, and in so doing they have brought God’s wrath and condemnation upon the church. This IS the GOSPEL… (by FAITH and nothing added to the sufficiency of Christ), the very article on which a church stands or falls from grace.
Now back to Gal 1:6-10 to see our culpability in PLEASING MEN by calling them our brothers and sisters in Christ, PROVIDING they cling to this doctrine AND, also, the idolatry of their Mother Church.
“As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ (Gal 1:9-10).”
The word of God says plainly, if we are trying to please men, who promote another gospel, we are NOT a bond-servant of Christ. PERIOD! We think too highly of the praises of men and not of pleasing God. This shows God our TRUE allegiance to Him.
“For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God (Rom 10:2-3).”
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (2 Cor 6:14-18).”
more later on idolatry...
The five solas which defined the Reformation all use the word ALONE; Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (by faith alone), Sola Gratia (by grace alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), and Soli Deo gloria (Glory to God alone). Martin Luther used the word (ALONE), which became the impetus for the great Reformation, he used it solely to define, distinguish and compare the beliefs and practices of the RCC from the true word of God. This word ALONE, which the Catholic Church HIGHLY objected to (and still does to this day) helped clearly set the parameters for the ALL SUFFICIENCY of Christ. Nothing added such as our good works, otherwise we pollute grace.
“ 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 (Eph. 2:8-9).” If we add the meritorious works of man to supplement the work of Christ, it becomes anathema to God, and then becomes ANOTHER GOSPEL or a DIFFERENT GOSPEL. Paul declares in Galatians; “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but {I received it} through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal 1: 6-12).”
Let me unpack all of this verse. The different gospel, on which God places this severe curse, was the gospel Paul was warning the foolish Galatians to be aware of (a works based gospel), also if you notice, God places a curse, not once, but twice, in these passages. The new Christians whom Paul is addressing in Galatians, were converts from paganism (Gal 4:8-9) who were now being enticed by other missionaries to ADD the observances of the Jewish law, including the rite of circumcision, to the cross of Christ as a means of salvation. These interlopers insisted on the necessity of following certain precepts of the Mosaic law ALONG with faith in Christ. They were undermining Paul's authority also, asserting that he had not been trained by Jesus himself, that his gospel did not agree with that of the original and true apostles in Jerusalem, that he had kept from his converts in Galatia the necessity of accepting circumcision and other key obligations of the Jewish law, in order more easily to win them to Christ, and that his gospel was thus not the full and authentic one held by "those of repute" in Jerusalem (Gal 2:2).
When Paul learned of the situation, he wrote this defense of his apostolic authority and of the correct understanding of the faith. He set forth the unique importance of Christ and his redemptive sacrifice on the cross, the freedom that Christians enjoy from the old burdens of the law, the total sufficiency of Christ and of faith in Christ as the way to God and to eternal life. Galatians is thus a summary of basic Pauline theology. Its themes were more fully and less polemically developed in the Letter to the Romans. In his vigorous emphasis on the absolute preeminence of Christ and his cross as God's way to salvation and holiness, Paul stresses Christian freedom and the ineffectiveness of the Mosaic law for gaining divine favor and blessings (Gal 3:19-29). The pious Jew saw in the law a way established by God to win divine approval by a life of meticulous observance of ritual, social, and moral regulations. But Paul's profound insight into the higher designs of God in Christ led him to understand and welcome the priority of promise and faith (shown in the experience of Abraham, Gal 3:6-18) and the supernatural gifts of the Spirit (Gal 3:2-5; 5:16-6:10). His enthusiasm for this new vision of the life of grace in Christ and of the uniquely salvific role of Christ's redemptive death on the cross shines through this whole letter.
The curse given by God to the foolish Galatians applies to anyone now-days, who adds good works to the ALL SUFFICIENT work of Christ on the cross. “Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the WORKS of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Gal 2:6).”
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a DEBTOR TO THE WHOLE LAW. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are FALLEN FROM GRACE. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith (Gal 5:1-5).”
Notice particularly the words in Galatians 5:4, “Christ is become of NO EFFECT unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are FALLEN FROM GRACE.” FALLEN FROM GRACE, there it is! When the Catholic Church adds to the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross, by their good works, they have fallen from grace, and are cursed by God. The RCC’s Council of Trent condemned the Reformed doctrine of Justified by faith alone. They declared it anathema, and in so doing they have brought God’s wrath and condemnation upon the church. This IS the GOSPEL… (by FAITH and nothing added to the sufficiency of Christ), the very article on which a church stands or falls from grace.
Now back to Gal 1:6-10 to see our culpability in PLEASING MEN by calling them our brothers and sisters in Christ, PROVIDING they cling to this doctrine AND, also, the idolatry of their Mother Church.
“As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ (Gal 1:9-10).”
The word of God says plainly, if we are trying to please men, who promote another gospel, we are NOT a bond-servant of Christ. PERIOD! We think too highly of the praises of men and not of pleasing God. This shows God our TRUE allegiance to Him.
“For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God (Rom 10:2-3).”
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (2 Cor 6:14-18).”
more later on idolatry...
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