Neither Moralism Nor License

Any church which teaches that we can trust in our own righteousness; that God favors us, and not others, because we are somehow better ... and/or teaches that Jesus' main mission was to be a moral example that we are to follow, can no longer be considered remotely Christian. On other other hand, those churches which adopt the culture's sexual ethic and teach that any call to obedience to God's commands is needlessly injuring people, has also completely abandoned the faith. The gospel is neither moralism nor license, nor is it some balance between the two but something entirely different ... something new. Sin comes in many forms but moralism and antinomianism are the most prominent temptations in the church. That is one reason the author of Hebrews declares, "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb 3:13)

If God has redeemed a person in Christ, he has been sealed by the Holy Spirit for the Day of redemption, who is the guarantee of our inheritance (Eph. 1:13,14). No part of our salvation further depends on the believers act(s) of obedience. No person can attain or maintain their own just standing before God. We cannot become MORE JUSTIFIED than we already are. That was/is the work of Christ alone. But because, by the mercy of God, we are born again, God has renewed us and changed the disposition and affections of our heart that we might love God and His commands. Something not even possible for the natural man. Indifference or continued resistance to God's commands is the sign of an unrenewed heart:

"No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s SEED abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been BORN of God." 1 John 3:9 (emphasis mine)

"...this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone BORN of God overcomes the world." 1 John 5:3, 4 (emphasis mine)

We obey God's commands not in order to be saved but because we are born again. God has changed the disposition of our hearts that we might love God and his law. Something not possible for the natural man.

 

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 17:25 -- john_hendryx

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