A gracEmail reader asks, "Since no one is justified by the law" (Gal. 3:11), how can Paul say that he was "blameless" according to the law? (Phil. 3:6)" * * * When Paul wrote that he had been "blameless" according to the Law, I believe he was stating the matter the way it had appeared to him before he came to know Jesus Christ. Many of us who grew up in what we considered "the true church" (and several different churches have claimed that distinction) can relate to Paul's experience. We knew we were sinners because the Bible said so, but our doctrine allowed us to ignore that fact and claim … [Read more...]
GOD’S LAW & GOD’S APPROVAL (1)
A gracEmail reader asks, "Since no one is justified by the law" (Gal. 3:11), how can Paul say that he was "blameless" according to the law? (Phil. 3:6)" * * * All God's commandments are "holy, just and good" (Rom. 7:12), but God never intended law to be a means of forgiveness or the means for obtaining divine approval. When he gave the Law to Israel at Sinai, after rescuing them from Egyptian slavery, God called Israel to love him with all their hearts, in response to his gracious acts of salvation, and to keep his Law, graciously-given as the Creator- Redeemer's loving guide and protection, … [Read more...]
GOD’S GIFT CONDITIONAL? (2)
Someone writes: "I believe that salvation is totally God's gift of grace, and that we do not merit or earn any of it. However, I think we may truly say that baptism is the condition on which a person receives salvation as a free gift." * * * If Christ accomplished salvation rather than merely made it a possibility, does that mean that every human being without exception will finally be saved. No, for Scripture and experience alike reveal that some individuals reject God's gift of salvation, although it is freely and genuinely offered to all. It is possible to love darkness rather than light … [Read more...]
GOD’S GIFT CONDITIONAL? (1)
Someone writes: "I believe that salvation is totally God's gift of grace, and that we do not merit or earn any of it. However, I think we may truly say that baptism is the condition on which a person receives salvation as a free gift." * * * When the New Testament writers wish to express the result of God's favor to us in Jesus Christ, they borrow metaphors and figures from "all over town" -- the courthouse and the cemetery, the baths and the birthing-place, the slave market and the orphanage and the homestead. God pronounces us "not guilty" and we are acquitted (Rom. 5:18). God resurrects … [Read more...]
FIVE STEPS OF SALVATION
A gracEmail subscriber from the Churches of Christ asks the origin of the teaching she has heard concerning "five steps" of salvation. * * * Walter Scott (1796-1861), a pioneer preacher in the Restoration Movement which produced the Churches of Christ, independent Christian Churches and the Disciples of Christ, is credited with inventing what he called "the five-finger exercise," a mnemonic device using the digits of his own hand. Scott earlier taught that man does three things (believe, repent, be baptized) and that God does three things (forgives sin, gives the Spirit, gives eternal life). … [Read more...]
WHY JESUS’ RIGHTEOUSNESS?
A gracEmail subscriber writes: "The substitutionary atonement seems very clear biblically, i.e., that Jesus paid the penalty (that we were required to pay) through his death. I understand the transfer of our sin to him. From my perspective, that seems sufficient for God to call us just. Why does there need to be a transfer the other way of Jesus' righteousness?" * * * Our primary and original obligation to the Father is a lifetime of faithful loving obedience. That is what sin prevents. The penalty for sin is secondary to the real issue. Even if we are forgiven, we still have not … [Read more...]
JESUS’ SACRIFICE AND OURS
Someone asks, "Although Jesus made the only sacrifice we need to atone for our sin, don't we have sacrifices which we are supposed to offer to God as well?" * * * The Law of Moses provided for sacrifices of many kinds (Lev. 1-5, 16). A person brought a "sin offering" to ask for divine forgiveness. The worshiper presented a "whole burnt offering" to say that he offered himself to God. A "grain offering" expressed homage and gratitude to God. A "peace offering" symbolized fellowship with God by one who had been forgiven. And the "guilt offering" acknowledged some specific offense committed … [Read more...]
JESUS PLEASED GOD FOR YOU (3)
Did you ever stop to think, if you are a believer, that Jesus' perfectly obedient life was lived for you? That when God views you through Jesus your representative, he sees you as perfectly pleasing to himself? That is the astounding message of Hebrews 10:4-14. * * * Above all else, in Hebrews (as in the Old Testament), a high priest is one who acts as a representative of all his people. God sees what the high priest does, and he regards it as done by all the people whom the high priest represents. The holy clothing or vestments of the Mosaic high priest from Aaron forward … [Read more...]
JESUS PLEASED GOD FOR YOU (2)
Did you ever stop to think, if you are a believer, that Jesus' perfectly obedient life was lived for you? That when God views you through Jesus your representative, he sees you as perfectly pleasing to himself? That is the astounding message of Hebrews 10:4-14. * * * Hebrews 10:10 is a gospel gem! The author has already told us that Jesus came to do God's will in a human body -- to offer God the living sacrifice of a sinless and obedient human life. Now he tells us that Jesus' obedience was for our benefit. "By this will" -- this life of perfect human obedience, this life lived … [Read more...]
JESUS PLEASED GOD FOR YOU (1)
Did you ever stop to think, if you are a believer, that Jesus' perfectly obedient life was lived for you? That when God views you through Jesus your representative, he sees you as perfectly pleasing to himself? That is the astounding message of Hebrews 10:4-14. * * * The New Testament author of Hebrews says it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin (10:4). "Why is that?" we ask. Because animals, being amoral creatures, are incapable of offering God what he most desires from his human creatures -- an obedient human life, lived in right relationship to the Creator from … [Read more...]