The Christian Message: Christ dying for the sins of the world is different than a faith that justifies one before God:
Christ dying for the sins of the world is different than a faith that justifies one before God
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| When Christ comes to claim His own and to judge the living and the dead, The Bible doesn't say: " .... will He find acknowledgement of His atonement redemption?" No. It (rather) says:"...shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8 |
Gospel of John Question:
Did Christ wipe the sinful slate clean for every person; or, did He bear the sins of the world upon the Cross?
Scripture: John 1:29-34
<<<<<< The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” >>>>>> [NKJV]
Answer:
The Bible says that the Christian "walks by faith" and not "by sight." [2 Corinthians 5:7] The Christian's vital breath is faith; it is not looking back (continually reminiscing) over some fixed point in history in which Christ died and bore the sins of the whole world. John 1:29 ; Isaiah 53:1f
The Bible says that the Christian is to look to Jesus the "author and finisher" ("pioneer and perfecter" - RSV) of one's faith. Hebrews 12:2 ; Hebrews 5:9. Disciples of Christ are to fixate (focus - consider attentively) upon Christ, the captain of their faith. Philippians 3:7;8;9
Yesterday I was on the road for a considerable distance. The only thing that seemed to come in clearly on my auto's radio, was a popular Christian radio station. I was amazed how many songs dealt with the re-occurring theme that Christians were God's redeemed and that they were His children. Now, that is not an untruth; except that these songs never once mentioned "faith." When I was thinking of this, I asked myself: "What a poor witness to those unbelievers who are listening to this music and its lyrics! It gives the incorrect message that all one has to do, is appreciate God's love for giving His all." That is (somewhat) like our present White House occupier (unconstitutional "president") saying: "I believe in the 2nd Amendment (the personal right to bear firearms)." The Bible also says that devils give assent (acknowledgement) to God's person - but, don't genuinely believe in Him.James 2:19
Believing in a fixed point in history isn't the same as actually believing in Christ. Believing that Christ died for the sins of the whole world does not justify one's own soul. Believing in an event that made provision for every soul's sins to be forgiven; does not translate into
a person actually possessing the personal forgiveness of his sins. The Scripture no where states that believing (deciding for oneself) that Christ's atonement for human sin, forgives a person's sins.
The crucifiction event of God dying for the sins of the whole world and an individual believing in that event, does not take the place of the Holy Spirit's working of cleansing and sanctifying that individual's soul. Following (contained in the topical message link below) are Luther's words in explanation to the Holy Spirit's work.
Please note:
Part 2: How does the false teaching of universal objective justification molest Christians’ faith? - thechristianmessage.org/2012/09/
In short, believing in the visible historical presence of a cookie jar on Grandma's kitchen counter, does not automatically translate into cookies occupying that cookie jar. The Bible says that "....but without faith it is impossible to please him [God]....." Hebrews 11:6. It also states:
"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." Hebrews 4:2
".....Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them......" Galatians 3:6-12
Finally, does the Scripture say: "Examine yourselves whether you acknowledge Christ's atonement suffering and death?" No! Rather, the Scripture says:
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5
Related:
What is the Gospel? How is it perverted? - thechristianmessage.org/2012/05/
Cheap Grace is a Worthless Substitute for a Faith That Saves - thechristianmessage.org/2012/06/
The Righteous - A Summer Snippet Of The Christian Message - thechristianmessage.org/2012/07/
Did Christ wipe the sinful slate clean for every person; or, did He bear the sins of the world upon the Cross?
Scripture: John 1:29-34
<<<<<< The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” >>>>>> [NKJV]
Answer:
The Bible says that the Christian "walks by faith" and not "by sight." [2 Corinthians 5:7] The Christian's vital breath is faith; it is not looking back (continually reminiscing) over some fixed point in history in which Christ died and bore the sins of the whole world. John 1:29 ; Isaiah 53:1f
The Bible says that the Christian is to look to Jesus the "author and finisher" ("pioneer and perfecter" - RSV) of one's faith. Hebrews 12:2 ; Hebrews 5:9. Disciples of Christ are to fixate (focus - consider attentively) upon Christ, the captain of their faith. Philippians 3:7;8;9
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| The Scripture never says that by grace through the mental assent (acknowledgment) of Christ dying for the world's sins, that a person is made right with God. No! It rather says: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8;9 |
Believing in a fixed point in history isn't the same as actually believing in Christ. Believing that Christ died for the sins of the whole world does not justify one's own soul. Believing in an event that made provision for every soul's sins to be forgiven; does not translate into
a person actually possessing the personal forgiveness of his sins. The Scripture no where states that believing (deciding for oneself) that Christ's atonement for human sin, forgives a person's sins.
The crucifiction event of God dying for the sins of the whole world and an individual believing in that event, does not take the place of the Holy Spirit's working of cleansing and sanctifying that individual's soul. Following (contained in the topical message link below) are Luther's words in explanation to the Holy Spirit's work.
Please note:
Part 2: How does the false teaching of universal objective justification molest Christians’ faith? - thechristianmessage.org/2012/09/
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| The divine revelation states that faith in the individual soul is a gift of God. It cannot be drummed up on one's own. The Bible also states that this individual faith comes through the instrument (by way of) of God's divine revelation: Romans 1:16 ; Romans 10:17 ; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 ; Acts 8:26-29 ; 1 Peter 1:23 ; James 1:18 |
"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." Hebrews 4:2
Finally, does the Scripture say: "Examine yourselves whether you acknowledge Christ's atonement suffering and death?" No! Rather, the Scripture says:
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5
Related:
Cheap Grace is a Worthless Substitute for a Faith That Saves - thechristianmessage.org/2012/06/
The Righteous - A Summer Snippet Of The Christian Message - thechristianmessage.org/2012/07/
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