Faith and Works

After the last sermon I preached, someone that visited our church thought I was preaching a works-based salvation. Now, honestly, I don't believe in a works-based salvation.  But, after I thought about it, I have been accused of that before.  I'm telling you though, I believe that salvation comes by God's grace alone, and it is worked through God-gifted faith. (Eph. 2:8-9) I am not upset at all about the question, I am a school teacher... I love being questioned!  But I do want to mention this because there seems to be some confusion among many Christians that I know when it comes to the relationship between faith and works.

Another example of this happened a few weeks ago.  There was a prominent Pastor in the area that did some teaching on the topic of eternal security. He taught that you cannot lose your salvation, so to speak, but that you can walk away from the faith. Now, I don't want to put words in the mouth of this Pastor, and I believe him to be a godly man, who loves Jesus, but I would disagree with him.  At the same time, I would also disagree with many of the baptists in my town who believe in an eternal security that has no evidence except a person's declaration of belief.

Normally I would say that I fall somewhere between those two camps of thought, the eternal security camp and the no eternal security camp... In this case I won't say that I am between them, instead I am more off to one side, and I would classify both of those camps as basically the same error.

They have a weak view of God's salvation.

The Bible!

I've read through Ryrie's Basic Theology and most of Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology.  I have listened to the audio version of Doctrine by Mark Driscoll and reread through most of it.  I've enjoyed God Wrote a Book by James MacDonald and many other books about the Bible... But it doesn't matter how many times I study this amazing book that we call The Bible... I am always amazed.

I love how the Philadelphia Confession states it:

We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.

Amen to that.

Westminster Larger Catechism (Q2)

Q. 2. How doth it appear that there is a God?
A. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.

What does this mean?
Simply put: God reveals himself through nature and also through the awareness of man.  It is obvious and evident that He exists, but He does not reveal Himself fully through these avenues. It is only through the written word and the actions of the Spirit that God is revealed in a saving way.  In other words, a person may realize that there is a God, but apart from the Word of God and the quickening of the Spirit, that revelation will never be personal and will never lead to true spiritual regeneration (salvation).

What does this mean for me?
 There are great personal implications in this Q and A of the catechism.  The first is inward, if not for the work of the Spirit, I would not be saved.  If not for the Word of God, there would be no salvation.  Therefore, there should be a deep gratitude to God for His revealing word in the scripture and through the Spirit for my own Salvation.

Also, outwardly, this should drive us to spread the Word.  As it says in Romans 10:14-15 -

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

We must go and preach the word, without it and without the moving of the Spirit, none will come to salvation.

Westminster Larger Catechism (Q1)

Q. 1. What is the chief and highest end of man?

A. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.

Proof Texts: Romans 11:36, I Cor. 10:31, Ps. 73:24-28, John 17:21-23

What does this mean for me? 

I was not created for myself, therefore my purposes in life should not revolve around me.  I was not created for my comforts, my successes, my dreams, my aspirations, my career, my family, my friends, or even my ministry.  I was created for the Glory of God.  Since that is my chief purpose, I should submit all areas of my life to God and for that purpose.

Since God is the greatest good in the universe, living for His glory will also bring the greatest enjoyment of this life and the next.

Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe

Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe was a completely enjoyable book. After I finished listening to this book, I ordered a hard copy of the book so I could go back through it taking better notes. [Audio Version available here]

It is exactly what it sounds like: a book on Christian Doctrine. It is different than most theology books that I have read. Specifically regarding the format of the book and the breakdown of the topics. Everything is from the perspective of what God is doing. I loved this approach because it gives way for the bigger scope of the Bible.

Though there were a few points and conclusions that I did not agree with, most of those disagreements were left on the sidelines so I could enjoy the great agreements on the big-picture topics!

I highly recommend this book both in hardback and in audio! The Christian Audio version left me feeling like I had just sat down to listen to a direct personal interview with Driscoll and Breshears.