Replies

Your righteousness crucifying Christ?

I'd like to take a shot at this one...

If one is a churchgoer but not a believer, then one's righteousness is but that of the Pharisees...useless and barren. Upon one's conversion, one is given to understand one's utter dependance on the grace of God (and not your own works); hence a former churchgoer sees their former "righteousness" as the sin that it is. And, of course, sin is the reason for Christ's sacrifice! (How'd I do, f.C?)

If that is what he ment then I understand completely what he was saying.

The part I am trying to understand is if there is anything that God requires of us that is considered a work.

Or for someone to maybe define what a work is.

Where the two examples I gave works?

I think where people sometimes have a bit of confusion regarding works and grace is with mans tendency to think he is righteous or that he has the ability to make himself acceptable to God.

There is absolutely nothing man can do of his own invention that would make him right in the sight of God. So in that sense works do not save. Only the grace of God can save man.

On the other hand we are commanded to obey the will of God in order to be right in his sight.

To obey the will of God requires man to do or not do certain things. In this regard, obedience to God is often seen as a work.

So, to a repentent sinner grace is sufficent to an unrepentent sinner grace is of no help.

I know that some like to separate grace and good works but that's impossible. Oh sure, grace is what gets us to heaven, grace is what merits, grace comes from God, etc. but we all have a role in it. Otherwise the following is wrong and we can't say that because it also is the word of God.

"Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing. If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." [James 1:19-27]

To: PFKEY; f.Christian

Your righteousness crucifying Christ?

I'd like to take a shot at this one...

If one is a churchgoer but not a believer (( christian )) , then one's righteousness is but that of the Pharisees...useless and barren. Upon one's conversion, one is given to understand one's utter dependance on the grace of God (and not your own works); hence a former churchgoer sees their former "righteousness" (( pounding the nails )) * * as the sin (( works )) that it is. And, of course, sin is the reason for Christ's sacrifice (( grace )) ! (How'd I do, f.C?)

8 posted on 11/16/2002 6:59 PM PST by Bat_Chemist

... * * ... Do it all in a millisecond and you got it right on !