Church of The Way Plano. Messages from CTW and Pastor Nitin Christopher. Please also see our website and facebook page for further news, updates and upcoming events!
ψευδαδέλφους (Greek: Pseu-da-delphous) False brothers, are out there who say praise the Lord and use Christian lingo, while actually perverting the truth of the gospel that sets people free from the clutches of the Devil. Their knowledge and piety is external and superficial. They are flesh controlled and not Holy Spirit led and they add more rules to the gospel. However, as a born again believer we all have struggles to yield to the Spirit in varying degrees, but the question is how open, enduring and flexible are we to exercise our freedom to truly enjoy the freedom to become Christ like (sanctification) in extending the gospel to others in their "As is" condition?
Legalism in this context was that Paul addresses the Galatian church in which certain Judaizers were enforcing circumcision to those who had believed in the gospel alone for their salvation. My Definition of Legalism in this context: Any act of fulfillment of a law (OT law or Human law) that is added to the work of Christ to receive and to maintain his or her personal salvation is legalism. This is not a thin line but a big fat distinction. In other words, if any other do's and dont's are added to the gospel (straight from 1 Corinthians 15:3-5: death of Jesus Christ for our sins, burial and resurrection for our new life) to secure our salvation then it is no gospel at all and it is a false Christian relationship, masquerading as a true Christ follower. Such was not the gospel that was revealed to apostle Paul (Gal. 1:11,12, 15). A true believer (baptized by the Spirit, upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ) is one who has the Spirit of God, and all that is done in the Spirit is done under no compulsion and for no personal gain but rather to bring glory to God. Of course there could be some personal gain but that is not the goal. May i say that today - speaking in tongues, baptism in the water, coming to church, giving, following man made rules, clean your act, stop this or stop that and then only, etc. are forced to the gospel. This legalism contaminates the gospel that Paul preached that was revealed by Jesus Christ himself. But yet these are legalistically being enforced in churches today and making slaves of ignorant people.
We are Justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This gives us the ticket to heaven. If you add works to it to attain or fear of loosing salvation, then we will be making a statement that Christ's work was not good enough to take you to heaven. When the believer responds to the grace of the Spirit, freely we open our lies to be healed by truth. We freely endure or fight to preserve truth, and we will freely accomodate avenues to promote truth. On the other hand when done by the flesh, i will reason before i confess my lies, thinking about the shame and letting go of the pride. We will not endure graciously but rather grudgingly and many times give up on others to suffer with lies. Finally we give a bunch of excuses for not helping others. Flesh driven works and responses brings guilt. Spirit driven work after justification by grace will endure by the power of the Spirit (Sanctification) and will endure till completion (glorification).
ψευδαδέλφους (Greek: Pseu-da-delphous) False brothers, are out there who say praise the Lord and use Christian lingo, while actually perverting the truth of the gospel that sets people free from the clutches of the Devil. Their knowledge and piety is external and superficial. They are flesh controlled and not Holy Spirit led and they add more rules to the gospel. However, as a born again believer we all have struggles to yield to the Spirit in varying degrees, but the question is how open, enduring and flexible are we to exercise our freedom to truly enjoy the freedom to become Christ like (sanctification) in extending the gospel to others in their "As is" condition?
ReplyDeleteLegalism in this context was that Paul addresses the Galatian church in which certain Judaizers were enforcing circumcision to those who had believed in the gospel alone for their salvation. My Definition of Legalism in this context: Any act of fulfillment of a law (OT law or Human law) that is added to the work of Christ to receive and to maintain his or her personal salvation is legalism. This is not a thin line but a big fat distinction. In other words, if any other do's and dont's are added to the gospel (straight from 1 Corinthians 15:3-5: death of Jesus Christ for our sins, burial and resurrection for our new life) to secure our salvation then it is no gospel at all and it is a false Christian relationship, masquerading as a true Christ follower. Such was not the gospel that was revealed to apostle Paul (Gal. 1:11,12, 15). A true believer (baptized by the Spirit, upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ) is one who has the Spirit of God, and all that is done in the Spirit is done under no compulsion and for no personal gain but rather to bring glory to God. Of course there could be some personal gain but that is not the goal. May i say that today - speaking in tongues, baptism in the water, coming to church, giving, following man made rules, clean your act, stop this or stop that and then only, etc. are forced to the gospel. This legalism contaminates the gospel that Paul preached that was revealed by Jesus Christ himself. But yet these are legalistically being enforced in churches today and making slaves of ignorant people.
ReplyDeleteWe are Justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This gives us the ticket to heaven. If you add works to it to attain or fear of loosing salvation, then we will be making a statement that Christ's work was not good enough to take you to heaven. When the believer responds to the grace of the Spirit, freely we open our lies to be healed by truth. We freely endure or fight to preserve truth, and we will freely accomodate avenues to promote truth. On the other hand when done by the flesh, i will reason before i confess my lies, thinking about the shame and letting go of the pride. We will not endure graciously but rather grudgingly and many times give up on others to suffer with lies. Finally we give a bunch of excuses for not helping others. Flesh driven works and responses brings guilt. Spirit driven work after justification by grace will endure by the power of the Spirit (Sanctification) and will endure till completion (glorification).
ReplyDelete