Now, when most people think of being justified by works, they think of someone staying up late at night saying prayers, giving up all their money, or watching scrupulously over every action to make sure they are accepted by God. But where are such people? Maybe there are a few here and there, but we don't see many of them.Pastor White goes on to suggest that the usual form of practical error with respect to justification takes on a different form: (read his post to find out).
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Alternative to the Gospel of Justification by Faith Alone
"The Alternative to the Gospel of Justification by Faith Alone," is the title of a recent post by Pastor Wes White. The answer, of course, is justification by faith plus works. Pastor White suggests that:
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Romans 2:7-8 "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,"
How does this fit with faith only?
It fits with it via the metaphor: a good tree brings forth good fruit.
I read the article. It was very clean and clear. Pastor White is white on!, ah, right on! :)
As for responding to BEO,
that is a very clear distinction being made.
I will recount a personal story to underscore what I got out of what you answered, "a good tree brings forth good fruit".
I was traveling to Asia back in 1979. We were on one of the Islands of the Philippines for awhile ministering. I am not certain which one it was though it is not as important as the event experienced.
Over there you have some very dramatic demonic activity with people as you do in other countries that have a heavy Catholic religious influence.
Those I was traveling with and I were called upon to come to an old woman's house to pray for her grand daughter who was keeping herself scooped up in the attic of this old house. She had been up in this attic some months by then and was unwilling to come out except to do normal business after eating and drinking the sustenance Grandma was providing her. Grandma was desperate to see some deliverance come to her grand daughter.
We obliged and came immediately.
The attic was very dark inside, even at noon day.
We spent a great deal of time ministering to the girl and seeing her delivered.
What struck me most was after the deliverance she asked a simple request: "....can I go outside now into the light of day?"
For me then, when we agree with the Holy Spirit wholeheartedly receiving the Faith delivered, the fruit of the tree then is easily the work of the tree.
All men like sheep have gone astray.
There is none righteous, no not one.
It is from this group that the Righteous are delivered out of to now become one of the Household of the Faith through Christ Jesus Our Lord.
God makes the tree. When the tree is made, the tree will automatically bear the fruit after it's kind.
At some point, God will say enough is enough and put the axe to it:::>
Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mat 3:8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Mat 3:9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
Mat 3:10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Mat 3:12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
For me, it seems the bearing of the fruit is the easy part. It is the turning to God in a godless world I find troubling.
To me the fundamental error is in viewing faith as a personal reward/punishment system.
PMM:
Good point.
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