The topic I shall discuss now is by far the most debated topic I have come across. It has many convincing viewpoints which come from many competent Bible scholars. I will try to present mine in the next few paragraphs but before I do so, let me remind you of what the Bible says in Acts 17:11, "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Hence, I urge you to search the scriptures, do a good Bible study, listen to what Bible scholars have to say about it and come to your own conclusions.
Paul writing to the Ephesians says in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Before he came to faith, Paul was Saul of Tarsus, a pharisee who was at the front-line of christian persecution during that time. But one day he comes face to face with Jesus. Acts 9:1-19 details this encounter and his conversion from Saul to Paul. It was the grace of our Lord that had brought about this change. Paul had been saved by grace. If the Lord was to look at his deeds, i don't think we would know him as Paul today. Many a times we think that doing good will get us to heaven even if we don't believe and accept Jesus as our saviour.
Paul writing to the Ephesians says in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Before he came to faith, Paul was Saul of Tarsus, a pharisee who was at the front-line of christian persecution during that time. But one day he comes face to face with Jesus. Acts 9:1-19 details this encounter and his conversion from Saul to Paul. It was the grace of our Lord that had brought about this change. Paul had been saved by grace. If the Lord was to look at his deeds, i don't think we would know him as Paul today. Many a times we think that doing good will get us to heaven even if we don't believe and accept Jesus as our saviour.
Let's have a look at what Matthew 7:22-23 has to say on this matter. Jesus says, "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" Well, what happened ? They cast out demons in His name yet He din't know them ? what does that mean ? Well, it means they din't have His grace upon their lives. Why ? Because they din't know Him intimately/personally. Then one has to ask the question, how did they prophesy and cast out demons? Aah ! Jesus already answered that! The demons din't come out because of these false prophets but because of His name. Philippians 2:9-11 tells us how the name of Jesus was given dominion by the father above all other names. My dear brothers and sisters, you and I have salvation only because Jesus shed his blood as the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be cleansed of our sins and we may be made righteous.
So what about the law ? God gave the ten commandments through Moses to the Israelite people and Jesus ADDED two more! Read Matthew 5:17 where Jesus himself says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." People often advocate that since the law giver himself came to Earth to redeem us, the law is terminated. Really ? If we read verses 18-20 of the same chapter, Jesus hammers away at the importance of the law. By saying that Jesus abolished the law, you run the risk of doing two thing; one, calling God a liar and two, blaspheming. Oops! not good !
Oh well ! that means salvation comes by obeying the law right ? Hold that thought and let's have a look at Romans 3:21-31 has to tell us. Paul in writing to the Romans asserts once again that just because we are saved by grace does not mean we do away with the law. On the other hand, it means that we should uphold the law. So finally what conclusion do we come to ? faith or works ? The answer is BOTH! We often tend to look at grace and the law as two sides of the same coin What that does is makes them mutually exclusive. It becomes either the law or grace just like you can see only one side of the coin at a time. They should be rather illustrated two oars of the same boat. If you use only one of the oars, you end up moving in circles and not reaching the destination. Only when you use both the oars equally will you reach the proper destination. I like the way my pastor puts it. Your work should come as a fruit to the salvation you receive through grace. If you don't give fruit, it only shows that you haven't been saved.
As i end(which I should by now) I would like to give you a small piece of advice that has been of great help to me. Whenever you find yourself surrounded by the darkness of doubt, remember Psalm 119:105 and you will never stumble.
God bless you.
So what about the law ? God gave the ten commandments through Moses to the Israelite people and Jesus ADDED two more! Read Matthew 5:17 where Jesus himself says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." People often advocate that since the law giver himself came to Earth to redeem us, the law is terminated. Really ? If we read verses 18-20 of the same chapter, Jesus hammers away at the importance of the law. By saying that Jesus abolished the law, you run the risk of doing two thing; one, calling God a liar and two, blaspheming. Oops! not good !
Oh well ! that means salvation comes by obeying the law right ? Hold that thought and let's have a look at Romans 3:21-31 has to tell us. Paul in writing to the Romans asserts once again that just because we are saved by grace does not mean we do away with the law. On the other hand, it means that we should uphold the law. So finally what conclusion do we come to ? faith or works ? The answer is BOTH! We often tend to look at grace and the law as two sides of the same coin What that does is makes them mutually exclusive. It becomes either the law or grace just like you can see only one side of the coin at a time. They should be rather illustrated two oars of the same boat. If you use only one of the oars, you end up moving in circles and not reaching the destination. Only when you use both the oars equally will you reach the proper destination. I like the way my pastor puts it. Your work should come as a fruit to the salvation you receive through grace. If you don't give fruit, it only shows that you haven't been saved.
As i end(which I should by now) I would like to give you a small piece of advice that has been of great help to me. Whenever you find yourself surrounded by the darkness of doubt, remember Psalm 119:105 and you will never stumble.
God bless you.
Awesome
ReplyDeleteThank you Vernica :-)
Delete