| Author | Message | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 15 Registered: 2-2006 |
The two threads, about what makes a Cult and sanctification, prompted this thread. I went to the link on issuesetc.org., which Ric_b posted, and read the wonderful article. The first paragraph grabbed me and I read it over and over. Especially, the statement, "...no one raises themselves from the dead..." Also, "One cause". Like God is the One Cause Creator of this universe and he is the One Cause Creator of our New Birth, new creation-living soul in Christ. I have posted the paragraph below my post. As I'm sure all of us have, I have heard all of my life and have said it myself, this person, that person, is a "good Christian", but it was always over something they were doing, externals. This paragraph made me stop and think; yes, we see fruits, but in our beliefs from scripture, what made them a Christian to begin with, themselves or Christ, through his Holy Spirit? Unbelievers do good, wonderful acts, too. BTW, I am not promoting the Lutheran church alone. I believe the Body of Christ is like salt, sprinkled everywhere. 'Sanctification: By Grace Alone By Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer Luther placed justification, the doctrine of God's free grace in Jesus Christ, at the heart of his theology. Man is saved not by anything he does or could hope to do, but by what God has done once and for all in Jesus Christ. Since the Reformation, God's accepting the death of Christ in place of the sinner's death has been the hallmark of Protestantism and more specifically of Lutheran churches. Salvationis sola gratia and sola fide. God justifies the sinner purely out of His grace through faith without works. Just as no one raises himself from the dead, so no one makes himself a Christian. God, who brought Jesus back from the dead, alone brings believers to Christ and declares them righteous. Lutherans hold that justification is monergistic, a Greek derivative, which means that a thing has only one cause. God alone converts Christians. He alone justifies believers. This principle also applies to sanctification. He alone makes us holy. God is the cause and content of our sanctification...' http://www.issuesetc.org/resource/archives/scaer.htm | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 215 Registered: 3-2005 |
Cathy: I just saw on another thread that you're from Colorado. I didn't go to Campion, but I went to Mile High... We live in the south Denver area, Castle Rock proper, but very close to south Highlands Ranch. If you'd like to email me my address is patriar@yahoo.com We just officially left SDAism in April last year, though have been studying for 4 years or so. I know...we're slow learners; but so thankful for His precious Sabbath rest in Christ! Patria | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 216 Registered: 3-2005 |
Cathy: It's interesting that this discussion about Luther is going on. My husband and I are studying Galatians (again)  and he has forwarded to me, some of Luther's commentaries on Galatians 2 and 3. I was surprised to find that Luther advocated salvation apart from the law completely. And then he also defines that the law cannot be only 'ceremonial', but also includes the moral aspects including the Decalogue. I find it bittersweet. Bitter that Christianity is fighting the same battles, but sweet that Jesus is still the answer! Great stuff... Patria | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 17 Registered: 2-2006 |
Bless you, Patria! Yeah, Mile High. Our city rival at Campion. LOL! I recall a soul stunning moment in Galations, when I 'got it' about something on no works, in 1995. I just sat there in awe. I think it was about me truly being a wretched sinner and that I had absolutely no way to save myself by what I could do. It was just one of the puzzle pieces God gradually put togther in my mind, through the decades of seeking. As I wrote, 'Sabbotismos' was the final 'piece' and the Gospel 'picture' became absolutely clear, "once for all". You are not slow! You are right on time, his time! God worked on me since I was 17, leaving the attendance of church for the 'world'! Perhaps, longer because I recall having deep questions, reading my older sib's college-level (in the early 70's) Insight magazines. At that time, it was writing about righteousness by faith (and SDA doctrine, too) and I was all confused at ages 10-13. But I never let Jesus go, even though I didn't understand who he was and what he really did. Perhaps, that is what gets us all 'out' and into him compltely. I have found ordinary stories about Luther are interesting, too. Once an angry rival wrote Luther an ugly list of all his faults and what a sinner he was. Luther sighed and wrote him back, telling him that he had left out a few faults. Luther was not ashamed of being a sinner because he was secure in his Lord's grace and the *Lord's* work in him. I will email you. Thank you! Cathy choosier1@msn.com | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 217 Registered: 3-2005 |
Cathy: Hehe. I love the story about Luther. The fact that Christ is my righteousness is so profound. When I am tempted to think 'less' of another person because of some terrible sin, the Holy Spirit gently reminds me that sin is sin and it still separates me from God without Christ's covering. How precious is that gift! Patria | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1359 Registered: 3-2005 |
Cathy2, I think I missed this thread somehow. But your lead post says it very well. Martin Luther believed salvation is by grace in every aspect. This includes regeneration, justification, adoption, and sanctification. It is all of God's work from start to finish! Soli Deo Gloria, Stan |
