| Author | Message | ||
| Patti |
George, Just curious; How do you think this text would fit into that schema: Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. | ||
| George |
Patti, Bruce said June 15: "But George we do have a work to do John 6:28-29 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on him whom he hath sent. SO THE ONLY WORK THAT WE ARE TO DO IS BELIEVE!!!!" Do you believe that there are two kinds of WORK? If you believe that there are two kinds of work, what are they? And if you don't believe there are two kinds of work, why? George | ||
| Patti |
George, You have me totally confused. Sorry. The only work we have to do is believe. I don't know what you mean by "two kinds of work." We are saved by the work of Christ and not by our own in any way, shape, or form. Even our faith is imperfect and, therefore, sinful. Our only hope is the righteousness of Christ which is imputed to all who believe in Him. I am not sure where my confusion is coming in. But I don't know exactly what you are driving at. I could agree with you in this way. There are 2 kinds of works: 1. Those that are sinful, and 2. those that are righteous. Number one is anything that we do, think, feel, want, etc. etc. Number two is the perfect holiness of Jesus Christ. One is unto death; Two is unto life eternal. We should not focus on what we DO but upon what Christ HAS DONE. That is the Gospel. Nothing more, nothing less. I guess I have said enough for now. I still don't think we are communicating.... Grace and peace always, Patti | ||
| Max |
Hi Patti, What do you think Paul means when he writes the following (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)? ^^ God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ^^ Grace alone, Max | ||
| Maryann |
Hi Patti and Max, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Max said: "(2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)? ^^ God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ^^" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THESE ARE THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT! THESE ARE THE WORKS THAT WE DO "BECAUSE" WE ARE SAVED. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Patti said: "Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THESE ARE THE LEGALISTIC WORKS, THAT DAMN US TO HELL, THAT ONE ATTEMPTS "TO BE SAVED" BY. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bruce said: 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on him whom he hath sent. SO THE ONLY WORK THAT WE ARE TO DO IS BELIEVE!!!!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ George is so right when he obsevered that there are different BIBLICAL definitions of "work(s)". There are three definitions listed above! :-)) We MUST be on the same page as the other person so as not to confuse which work we are talking about. Has this helped? Maryann | ||
| Max |
Maryann, I have to laugh because you work so hard to conciliate! Bless you! Your heart is soooo right! Real grace alone, Max | ||
| Max |
Maryann again, To avoid shortchanging your excellent post above, I have to add that I don't think the lack of agreement you refer to is about "works" and the different definitions thereof. I think it is about "grace alone" and the different definitions thereof. This is not going to be resolved by anything but hard Bible study and hard prayer. And agape. Real grace alone, Max | ||
| George |
Patti, What is Christ talking about here: 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on him whom he hath sent. In answer to your queston: If "our" righteousness is just an ACT, then we will go to hell. This is to all, About ten years ago I went to many A.A. meetings with my second wife. While there, I heard them talking about dry drunks, and asked what they were. I was told that they were people that stopped drinking but didn't learn how to live sober, they continued to think and act as if they were still drinking. I say this with all possible kindness; many of you are "dry" sda's. You still think and, well maybe not act, like full fledged SDA's. SDA's are told what to believe, how to act etc. and if they don't they are told they are going to hell, so they are afraid of new thoughts and new ideas. I am not trying to convert anyone, I am not really wanting to change anyones mind about anything, I just want you understand what I am saying, if you like it fine, if you don't that is fine too. I just want to be understood, that's all. When it comes to my new thoughts on the soul, faith, and works, you are scared silly. This is O.K. as it is the way people that were abused act. Somewhere down the line you will see that it is perfectly alright to look at new ideas with the intention adding then to your beliefs if they are correct. | ||
| Patti |
George wrote: If "our" righteousness is just an ACT, then we will go to hell. Patti: Our righteousness is not even righteousness. It is filthy rags. We are saved by an obedience totally outside of us, a righteousness that we can claim by FAITH. I am going to present a multitude of texts. Feel free to take your time in responding, because I think that this issue is vital to our assurance in Jesus Christ. "Filthy" rags are not my words, btw; that text is in Isaiah 64: 4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. 5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved? 6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. 7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins. There are also many New Testament texts that tell us that we remain sinners until this "corruptible puts on incorruption." Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. We are sinful from birth. David said: Psalm 51:5 "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." He also said Psalms 58:3 "Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies." What about Isaiah 18:8? :Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb." Or Job 14? 1 "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. 2 He comes forth like a flower, and withers; he flees like a shadow, and continues not. 3 And dost thou open thy eyes upon such a one and bring him into judgment with thee? 4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one." Job 15:12 Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash, 13 so that you vent your rage against God and pour out such words from your mouth? 14 "What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous? 15 If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, 16 how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water! Job 25:4 How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure? 5 If even the moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in his eyes, 6 how much less man, who is but a maggot-- a son of man, who is only a worm!" > And then there is the book of Romans which uses nothing but OT texts to show the innate sinfulness of man: Romans 3:9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." 13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." 14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery mark their ways, 17 and the way of peace they do not know." 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes." Then there is Paul's own after-the-Damascus-road-experience testimony as a converted, Gospel defender: Romans 7:7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. These texts do not present the "born-again" man as doing works that are pleasing to God. In fact, if one were only looking at the product of the believer, the outcome is quite dismal. All of our righteousnesses, our good works, are as filthy rags. So is this "bad news"? It would be if it were not for our Savior. Our only, but very certain, hope is in the perfect sinlessness of the Lamb, our Substitute in life and in death. His blood covers our sins perfectly, but then we only stand neutral before God. God requires a life of perfect obedience to all of His commands. This is where the SDAs totally miss the boat: There is no emphasis on the imputed righteousness of Christ. This is the difference between SDA and RCC soteriology (the study of salvation) and the reformers. SDAs and RCCs both acknowledge Christ's substitutionary work in His death, but they fail to see the significance of His life. They think He was primarily our example, that He came to show us that we could, with the help of the Holy Spirit, make ourselves pleasing to God with our good works. Luther claimed that the righteousness that is unto salvation is totally alien to us; it is the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ; that Jesus was our Substitute and Surety; that He came to earth to do what fallen man could never do; that the righteousness that is of faith, as Rayna posted below, is in Jesus Christ alone and NEVER in ourselves. If it were indeed intrinsic to us, it would be tainted with sin. You cannot get pure drinking water from a sewer hose; neither can you get righteousness from a human nature permeated with sin. (Rayna, I appreciate your points on Righteousness by Faith. Anything you can add would be greatly appreciated.) So what is the "Gospel," the "good news" of our salvation? Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness FROM GOD is revealed, a RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT IS BY FAITH FROM FIRST TO LAST, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Romans 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, WE WERE RECONCILED TO HIM THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS SON, HOW MUCH MORE, having been reconciled, SHALL WE BE SAVED THROUGH HIS LIFE! 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, HOW MUCH MORE WILL THOSE WHO RECEIVE GOD'S ABUNDANT PROVISION OF GRACE AND OF THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS REIGN IN LIFE THROUGH THE ONE MAN, JESUS CHRIST. 18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of ONE ACT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WAS JUSTIFICATION THAT BRINGS LIFE FOR ALL MEN. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through THROUGH THE OBEDIENCE OF THE ONE WILL MANY BE MADE RIGHTEOUS. 20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Faith (belief) in Jesus Christ means recognizing that He has done all that is necessary for our salvation. His blood cleanses us from sin, His life is accounted to us as if we had fulfilled God's commands perfectly. We stand perfectly whole and righteous *by faith* when we trust that the Lamb is worthy and that He will save us to the uttermost. This is the Gospel. This is the single most important issue in the Reformation, and indeed in every individual life. The crux of the matter is: Are we saved by the perfect, unrepeatable, once-for-all work of our Lord Jesus Christ, or are we saved (at least in part) by something that happens in us? The first is perfect, complete, and we know what the outcome is. The second, at best, is faulty and unfinished. Which leads to assurance and confidence with which we can approach the throne of grace boldly? Which leads to doubt and insecurity? Which one does the SDA (and RC) church promote? | ||
| Max |
Patti, Thank you for all the texts. They are so true. The challenge, though, remains: 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV: ^^ God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ^^ Yes, even though "every good work" of which Paul speaks here, is still a "filthy rag," it is still a fruit of the Spirit working in us. And if that work -- "filthy rag" though it is -- is not produced in the life of the Christian, then that "Christian's" faith is still bogus. Real grace produces real "filthy rags," and if those "filthy rags" do not show up in one's life, one does not belong to Christ. Do you think that God's grace cannot produce a changed life? The RCC/SDA argument-by-anology is irrelevant. Suppose I say the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Suppose my friend says, "No, you're wrong! Because then Catholics and the Adventists believe that. So it can't be true!" My friend's argument is fallacious. It doesn't matter what the Catholics/Adventists say about grace. It does matter what Scripture says about grace. And Scripture says this: 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV: ^^ God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ^^ Do you disagree with Paul here? Blessings under real grace alone, Max | ||
| Patti |
I never thought I would be discussing this on this forum. I never thought I would have to face the same arguments as on the other SDA boards. I do not understand your argument. If you agree that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, you are saying that "filthy rags" are a necessary product for our salvation? It doesn't add up. Our salvation comes of faith in the work of Jesus Christ alone. It is a "rightoeusness FROM GOD that is OF FAITH FROM START TO FINISH." The SDA/RCC statement was one of relevance and not as "proof." I am speaking to former SDAs, so it had its place. I have been truly taken aback at your insistence on the necessity of (filthy rags) works for our salvation because this is exactly what I get on the SDA forums. And it puts us right back "under law." Our faith focuses on the completed work of Jesus Christ for fallen humanity alone. Anytime you say, "Yes, but..." and try to refocus the believer on himself, you are putting him back on the sifting sands of legalism. You cannot have it both ways. We are either saved by the work of Christ for us ALONE, or we are saved by something in ourselves. And, yes, you can find many texts that exhort us to good works. But that is not the source of our salvation--it is the RESULT thereof. It is an imperfect work and it differs from person to person. We are told many times, you are saved, therefore do this or do that. But the "this and that" is not our salvation. Our salvation is based upon a complete and perfect work that is imputed to all who believe. Our works have as little to do with reality of our salvation as a wedding ring has to do with the reality of marriage. Can God produce a changed life? God CAN do anything. But the Gospel is not our changed life. Those who make it a part of our salvation are touting an imitation gospel, like Paul speaks of in Galatians. Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? 6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." The Gospel is the perfect life of Jesus Christ that we accept as our own by faith. This fallacy--that our hope is based somehow upon our own efforts--is the basis for all legalistic religions. This leads to a host of problems, including elitism and opening people up to being manipulated by GUILT. Our salvation is in Jesus Christ, not in us, because of His life and His death for us. This is our blessed Hope. This is the only way we can boldly approach the throne of grace. Many are afraid of allowing others to be saved by "faith only." They seem to think that if we believe in salvation only by the vicarious work of Jesus Christ that we would intentionally spit in His face by ignoring His commands and doing exactly what we want. Have you ever heard the text, He who has been forgiven most, loves most? If we see how much He has forgiven us, will we not be more grateful than those who think that they are doing OK spiritually? Another fear is that some may actually be saved who do not deserve the grace of God. WHO DOES? If we were deserving of it, it would no longer be grace. If we become righteous, then again we no longer need the great mercy of our Lord. There is so much time spent in Christendom on describing exactly how a "born again" Christian will act. This is a lot like trying to cure someone sick with pneumonia by reading to him from a medical journal describing how someone feels, acts, etc, when the disease has been cured. The only thing that can help is the ingesting of the antibiotic. Then, the person will manifest the signs of being cured. But, unlike pneumonia, our sinful condition will never be cured in this life. In order to have eternal life, we must take the cure; we must believe in the sufficiency of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things will be added unto you." We must keep the horse ahead of the cart. Jesus Christ and His salvation is the horse. If people do not believe that His grace is sufficient for them, there is no point in talking about any regeneration or character change. Again, it is like giving someone a wedding ring try to make them married. It is just not in the least bit effective. "The work of God is this: to believe in Him Whom He has sent." There is no greater, higher, more meaningful spiritual experience we can have than to understand and believe that our full salvation has been wrought out by Jesus Christ and to rest assured in His infinite mercy. Grace and peace, Patti | ||
| Max |
Dear Patti, Thank you for posting, ^^ You can find many texts that exhort us to good works. But that is not the source of our salvation--it is the RESULT thereof. It is an imperfect work and it differs from person to person. We are told many times, you are saved, therefore do this or do that. ^^ That is exactly what I've been saying! Good works (changed lives) are the RESULT of real grace. What's the difference between "imperfect work" and "filthy rags"? Are they not the same in God's sight? 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV: ^^ God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ^^ Under real grace alone, Max | ||
| Patti |
"That is exactly what I've been saying! Good works (changed lives) are the RESULT of real grace. What's the difference between "imperfect work" and "filthy rags"? Are they not the same in God's sight?" I still don't understand what you are saying. "Changed lives" are still filthy rags. Sorry, I still don't follow you. I guess I need to take a break. | ||
| Max |
Dear Patti, Yes, "changed lives" are still "filthy rags." That is precisely what I'm saying. Case in point: My own life. As I said before on this website, I KNOW what it is to have to crucify my sinful nature as a result of the Holy Spirit acting in my life to convict me of my sin. But even after I produce the "good work" of real grace, my good work is STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH. It is STILL "filthy rags." And therefore God does not count that toward my salvation and sinlessness. That was already secure in Christ Jesus 1970 years ago on the cross. Man looks on the outward appearance and sees my filthy rags righteousness. But God looks on my heart and sees Christ there. And he judges Christ, not me. Does that make any sense to you? Under real grace alone, Max | ||
| Bruce H |
HAY You guys are missing the Boat. Salvation is the Holy Spirit that indwells and seals you. Period............................................ .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .... You guys can argue about if it is works or not, but the real question is do you allow the Spirit to work in you or not, remember Jesus took no credit for any of his work.. So the real question George is WHO'S WORKS. George, the works that you do are the works of the Spirit of God that dwells in you. Bruce Heinrich B | ||
| Max |
Bruce, How do you interpret the following text? 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV: ^^ God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ^^ Under real grace alone, Max | ||
| Maryann |
Hi Max, You asked: "How do you interpret the following text? 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV: ^^ God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ^^" Piece uh cake: These are the works of the believer! These are the works that have been filtered though the Holy Spirit! These are the works that are evident "because we are saved"! In fact 'ol Paul was rather proud of the Corinthians. He boasted to the Macedonians of their eagerness and zeal. They must have been "doing" something?! Doing is work? BUT again, all they did was because they were saved NOT to be saved. Do you agree? Maryann | ||
| Maryann |
Hey, If I have to keep re-peting this stuff all the time, I will eventually understand the gospel. ;-))))) Maryann | ||
| Patti |
Bruce, I am not trying to be argumentative, but we are not saved by the work of the Holy Spirit IN US. We are saved by the objective and historical work of Jesus Christ FOR US. The Holy Spirit seals us to God, but we only receive the Holy Spirit by believing in Jesus, by trusting in the work of Christ on our behalf. Hair-splitting? I don't think so. It was what the entire Reformation was about. Grace and peace to all, Patti | ||
| Patti |
Sometimes I think it is easy to forget our purpose and mission as Christians when we get involved in dialog over details. I hate to write in the negative, but sometimes it helps us clarify our own thoughts if we eliminate certain possibilities in our own minds. The purpose of this post is to help us all home in on that single great kernel of Truth known as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What the Gospel is Not: The Gospel is not the sabbath. The Gospel is not that sabbath-keeping is not required of Gentile believers. The Gospel is not that the dead know not anything. The Gospel is not that the soul returns to God at death. The Gospel is not that one should abstain from eating unclean foods. The Gospel is not that Christ cleansed all foods. The Gospel is not that hell consists of sinners and sin being totally consumed. The Gospel is not that hell is eternally burning. The Gospel is not that Ellen White was inspired by God. The Gospel is not that Ellen White was not inspired by God. The Gospel is not that 1844 was the beginning of the end of time. The Gospel is not that 1844 was not the beginning of the end of time. The Gospel is not that the believer can reject salvation in Christ. The Gospel is not that the elect cannot resist the grace of God. The Gospel is not that God calls all to salvation, allowing each to choose. The Gospel is not that God has chosen some, and not others, to be saved. The Gospel is not that the believer can honor God by his good works. The Gospel is not that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Although each of the above is affected by the Gospel, I think it is extremely important that we take a moment to look at the kernel of Truth, the reason for our existence as Christians. What the Gospel IS: The Gospel is the salvation secured for us by the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faith comes of hearing. How are people to believe if we do not tell them, very plainly, the kernel of Truth vital to belief? We can do no better than Paul himself who "determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." |
