Care To Preach The Gospel?

[Robert]

"only those who, in the 2nd dimension, prove themselves overcomers by their positive response to the leading of the Holy Spirit, will, in the third dimension, be rewarded with life eternal."

The above is anti-gospel....

[skyblue888]

"The merits of Christ's sacrifice are SUFFICIENT to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.

For "Christ in our propitiation through faith in His blood." Rom.3:25.

The blood that was shed for us upon Calvary's cross is of value beyond estimate because it was the life of God in His Son as it is written, "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself."

Therefore the merits of that sacrifice are all-sufficient to present before God in our behalf to receive the blessings of the Covenant of Grace.

"Present your case before God pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary's cross." F.W.106.

"Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits, we appropriate the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Testimonies, Vol.5,744.

And the Holy Spirit is imparted to keep us from sinning.

Thank God for the simplicity of the Gospel.

sky

[cheddar]

I guess according to Robert, James was anti-gospel because he said that we are justified by our works. And Jesus was anti-gospel too because he said that only the overcomers would be in heaven.

The NT has many opposing viewpoints about the gospel. We should never build our faith only on what Paul said. God’s part in the salvation equation is infinitely greater than ours but we do have a part to play. We need to believe the good news and that faith is more than just an intellectual ascent to truth. Even the devils believe and tremble.

True biblical faith has the intellectual part but more importantly has the change of heart and power of the Holy Spirit. Any atheist can quote scripture but only a Christian believes those same scriptures and is empowered by them.

[Robert]

I guess according to Robert, James was anti-gospel because he said that we are justified by our works.

No, James is not anti-gospel. Let's look:

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

Now let's go to Paul:

Rom 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found ? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

Rom 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

Paul is speaking of "works of the law". James is speaking of works of faith.

Let's go back to James:

22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected ; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way ?

What work of faith did Abraham do? He was willing to murder his son (which is against the law) because he believed that God would have to raise Issac from the dead because God promised Abraham that through his descendents Christ would be born. That was a faith that works.

Rahab, who was a prostitute at that time (which is against the law), was willing to put her life on the line to help the spies. That was faith in action.

[cheddar]

Oh, James is ok but any statement about overcoming is anti-gospel.

Have you read the book of Revelation? Every one of the seven churches is given a command by Jesus to overcome.

Let’s look at the last one:

Quote:

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev. 3:21

Sounds like Jesus is saying we are to have complete faith and trust in him just like he had complete faith and trust in the Father.

Are Jesus’ words in Revelation anti-gospel? Do you believe it’s possible to overcome sin in this life?