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Monday, April 16, 2007
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Slaying The Dragon of Legalism. Because Grace Didn't End With Salvation.
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- What's Wrong With Legalism?
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6 comments:
Man I loved that. I came home from work and my wife had Gracewalk on and I heard you. That was so good brother. Hey my wife is listening and we love you guys. A miracle of grace is happening in our home that was once bound with Satans grip brother. He is unlocking so much and I just wish I could hug you guys because the Lord ladeled out some water into your vessels that helped heal us brother.
Great message, Terry.
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works
Would you apply Ro. 11:6 to sanctification as well as justification? Is our walk in Christ a "synergistic work in which we cooperate with God's Spirit to progress in holiness of life?"
Thanks, dec.
Yes, I would apply Ro. 11:6 to sanctification, but sanctification is much-misunderstood.
It's usually understood as some form of growing in sinlessness. Yet old-aged Christians will often testify that they not only still sin, but that they are more aware than ever of how pervasive sin is in their flesh.
Sinning less comes from walking in the Spirit, and "works" (following laws) doesn't accomplish that.
If you do a word study on "sanctification" ("sanctified", "sanctify", "set apart", etc.), you will see that the primary meaning of "sanctified" refers to what is already done. In other words, we are already sanctified. We might say that's the "already" sanctification.
The "not yet" sanctification (or progressive sanctification) is not so much growth in sinlessness, but growth in believing/appropriating eternal truths, those that must be believed by faith and not by sight, because they don't *appear* to be true.
For example, is God *really* working all things together for good to those of us who love Him? We say, "Of course," if we believe the Scriptures. But to "appropriate" that truth goes beyond mental agreement to actually living as though it were true (to never complain, for example, or to always rejoice in our trials).
Another example of an eternal truth asks the question, "Are you righteous?" You may say, "Well... I guess so, in God's eyes." Wrong answer, or at least a deficient one. The true answer according to the Scriptures is, "Yes! God gave me His righteousness as a gift through Jesus Christ, Who became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God. Praise Him! I may not *look* righteous to you, or even to me, but when I "appropriate" that truth, I am more conformed to the image of Christ. That's progressive sanctification.
A final example asks the question, "Are you dead to sin?" Correct answer for the believer: "Yes! Even when I don't look like it." Again, appropriating that truth will revolutionize your life.
Now that appropriation of eternal unseen truth may *result* in less sin, since it directs us to walk in the Spirit (and thus not fulfill the lust of the flesh). But the "less sinning" is not the sanctification itself.
Hope that helps. Blessings,
Terry
Thanks, Barnabas Brian. Likewise, brother.
progressive sanctification is ...growth in believing/ appropriating eternal truths, those that must be believed by faith and not by sight, because they don't *appear* to be true.
But to "appropriate" that truth goes beyond mental agreement to actually living as though it were true
Good stuff. Lots to think about.
My focus needs to be redirected from trying to progress in holiness to truly believing what Christ has done and promises to do.
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