Is salvation by denomination or by grace? Come to think about it. :) Some have essentially implied and worst, have literally implied that salvation is denominational. Unfortunately, those who implied it are caught unaware of the implications from what they tried to proclaim. SDA lang ba ang maliligtas? INC lang ba ang may kaligtasan? Ang Roman Catholic ba hindi maliligtas? Pag Baptist ka ba di ka maliligtas? Pag Born-again Christian ka ba di ka rin maliligtas? Pag Pentecostal ka ba di rin maliligtas? etc. etc. etc. Ganyan ba ang sinabi sa Biblia? Ganyan ba ang implication ng Ebanghelyo? I doubt it is. Of course, those implications are far from the truth of gospel ministry. According to the implication of what these fellows say, it is the truth (their idea of truth) we need to be preaching and not the gospel of Gods great love manifested in Christ. Quite frankly, it seems these fellows fail to fathom the simplicity of truth according to Gods idea of truth as presented in gospel ministry. It seems these fellows are afraid that proclaiming the love of God will not make people feel obligated enough to overcome sin and keep His Law. And Im afraid too many people share their misconception. The fact is, every doctrinal prophetic, and lifestyle truth of the Bible finds its real value and crucial meaning only in the light of divine love that shines from the cross. Only the truth as it is in Jesus has power to truly save and sanctify. This is why Paul said, I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). The apostle Paul did not mean that he would never address any other topic, but that he would present every other topic in the illuminating context of the cross. He would maintain Gods great sacrificial love as the central theme of his ministry. Every other truth of Scripture is invested with power only when kept in vital relation to the knowledge of Gods true character as revealed at Calvary. SO HOW COME FELLOWS IN THIS FORUM IMPLY THAT IF YOU ARE NOT SDA YOU WILL NOT BE SAVED, OR IF YOU ARE NOT INC YOU HAVE NO HOPE FOR SALVATION, OR IF YOU DO NOT BELONG TO THE CIRCLE WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE TRUTH, IT IS MOSTLIKELY THAT YOU HAVE NO CHANCE OF RECEIVING SALVATION. People should be careful about what they are talking less the implications of their talk bring a message to other people that is repulsive to the message of the gospel which in effect create false impressions. When doctrinal truths, prophetic truths, or lifestyle truths are presented OUTSIDE THE CONTEXT OF THE GOSPEL, the effect is not salvation but rather SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS for some and DESPAIR for others. Doctrine is irrelevant apart from Christs love. Prophecy is scary apart from His love. Lifestyle standards are oppressive apart from His love. When we point out the difference between right and wrong, individual guilt is accentuated. this is why Paul said, By the Law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). We are awakened in conscience to our true condition when the Law is presented. And this is just as it should be. The Law is intended to occupy that role, and we ought to preach it to accomplish that purpose. But if at this point we fail to magnify Gods great love in Christ for the pardon of sin, we risk communicating one of two false impressions with equally devastating results. FALSE IMPRESSION #1: I need to keep the Law in order to gain the favor and salvation of God. With this subtle misuse of the Law, obedience, standard holiness, preparation for the close of probation are all perceived as HUMAN RESPONSIBILITIES to be borne faithfully in order to secure salvation. Those who tend to be strong-willed and self-confident fall prey to this kind of thinking most easily. SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE RESULT. FALSE IMPRESSION #2: I am utterly hopeless and may as well give up. Obedience to the Law and Christian standards are perceived as obstacles in the way of salvation. The WEAK and SELF-CONSCIOUS fall here. DESPAIR IS THE RESULT. But now, fellows, consider with me the vital part God intends that His love should occupy in the plan of salvation. I think you will see that it is NOT RISKY TO FOCUS ON THE CROSS. An emphasis on Gods love does not give license to sin or cause people to lower standards. According to the apostle Paul, The message of the cross is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). He enlarges the thought by informing us that the message of the cross is Gods love: God demonstrated His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US (Romans 5:8). But do not misunderstand Pauls intent. He speaks of Gods love not as a sentimental feeling that makes sinners feel comfortable in their sins, but as a motivating power that enables us to truly be free from sin. In Pauls understanding the love of Christ is the empowering factor in Christian experience. SO WHAT ARE THESE TALKS THAT CONTAIN IMPLICATIONS WHICH TELL US HERE THAT SALVATION IS BY THE NAME OF THE CHURCH INSTEAD OF THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST? WHERE DOES THIS IMPLICATION OF SALVATION BEING DENOMINATIONAL, ORIGINATE? I doubt it comes from the Word of God. Surely it is coming from misconceptions of well meaning but misguided minds. Notice Pauls words: The love of Christ constraineth us... (2 Corinthians 5:14). Christs love compels us... (NIV). The idea conveyed in this Scripture is MOTIVATIONAL POWER. The love of Christ moves our sin-weakened wills to do things we would never be able to do apart from its animating influence. This is just the kind of power we need, because the Christian life involves various actions of the will that require more than human strength: REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, REFORMATION... All these aspects of Christian experience are summarized in the penetrating words of Jesus, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Mark 8:34). Every movement toward God is a movement away from self. The victories to which God calls us and all the changes He requires are, at foundation level, a denial of the old carnal self. SOME UNDERTAKE THIS BATTLE IN THEIR OWN STRENGTH, SUPPOSING THAT VICTORY OVER SIN AND OBEDIENCE TO GODS LAW WILL COME BY TRYING HARD ENOUGH. SO THEY TRY, AND THEY TELL THEMSELVES THEYRE DOING PRETTY GOOD. OTHERS VIEW THE TASK AS AN INSURMOUNTABLE HURDLE BEYOND THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY. EVENTUALLY THEY GIVE UP IN DISCOURAGEMENT. IN BOTH CASES THE VITAL MISSING ELEMENT IS THE MOTIVATING, EMPOWERING, COMPELLING INFLUENCE OF DIVINE LOVE. What electricity is to a lamp, what fuel is to a car, GODS LOVE is to the Christian life. The love of Christ constrains those who receive it, Paul said. To do what? He continues his thought: to live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15). In other words, the love of Christ is so powerful, so attractive, so absolutely captivating that it moves the one who receives it to cease living for self and to begin living for the ONE whose love compelled Him to die for us. FELLOWS, DONT YOU SEE HOW THE POINT OF SALVATION IS SIMPLE YET IS OFTEN MISTAKEN BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED IN THE PLACE OF OTHER THEORIES. When we truly understand and embrace the love of God as illuminated by Calvary, a responsive love awakens deep within our hearts. New desires are stimulated. PERSONAL SALVATION BECOMES SECONDARY TO HIS GLORY. The passion to live for God is made true and deep and strong. SELF IS FORGOTTEN. Christian standards ARE SEEN TO BE CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGES. And I might add, for the sake of those fellows who may be worried about all this emphasis on Gods love, the very last thing well want to do is look lightly on sin. EVERYTHING APPEARS NEW AND BEAUTIFUL IN THE LIGHT OF GODS LOVE. _______________________________________________________ (thoughts are adapted and paraphrased from the Ty Gibsons In the light of Gods Love) SALVATION IS NEVER DENOMINATIONAL, RATHER, SALVATION IS ONLY BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE WE CALLED GODS GRACE
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 08:26:39 +0000