"--who is this me? Even I, wretched and damnable sinner, but loved so dearly by the Son of God that he gave Himself for me. .... these words ... are full of faith.
... Faith ... embraces and wraps in itself Christ Jesus the Son of God, delivered to death for us, as Paul here teaches, who being apprehended by faith, gives to us righteousness and life. Let us learn therefore to give a true definition of Christ; let us define Him as Paul does: namely, that He is the Son of God, who not for any righteousness of ours, but of His own free mercy and love, offered up Himself as a sacrifice for us sinners, that He might sanctify us forever. ...
He is nothing else but infinite mercy and goodness, freely given and bountifully giving to us. And thus shall you paint Christ in His right colors. If you suffer Him to be painted otherwise, when temptation and trouble come you shall soon be overthrown. ... For I myself have difficulty in holding this definition of Christ which Paul here gives: so deeply has the doctrine that Christ is a lawgiver entered like oil into my bones. ...
Let us learn therefore to put a difference between Christ and a lawgiver, not only in word but also in deed and practice; that when the devil comes under the shadow of Christ, and goes about to trouble us under His name, we may know him not to be Christ, but a very fiend indeed. For Christ when He comes is nothing else but joy and sweetness to a trembling and broken heart, as here Paul witnesses. ...
Do we then sin in keeping the law? No. But we despise grace when we observe the law that we may be justified through it. The law is good, holy, and profitable, and yet it justifies not." -Martin Luther
God loves me for His Son's sake. There's nothing in me to love. I would be able to show more love to a worm, then God to a rebellious sinner. There's no chance for those who hate God, and despise His grace and the Cross.
I thank Him for the Cross, and that He die for me personally. I came to believe this by His grace. And that grace can come upon any sinner, who then crys out for mercy, and sees the Cross of Christ as God's forgiveness for sin: And sees an empty tomb, where Jesus Christ of Nazerath walked out of 2000 years ago.
I hope these words from Luther are encouraging to those who love Christ, and convicting for those who need to come to Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.
2 comments:
Greetings Don
I wonder if this might interest you:
As St. Augustine wrote against the Pelagians, man is completely unable to avail himself in meriting the free grace of God, but his natural will can cooperate with this prevenient grace when it is quickened by the Holy Spirit.
And St. Augustine wrote against the Manichaeans, the mystery of election is in the hidden counsels of God and singularly unto salvation (not "double" unto reprobation); yet, anyone that enters hell does so by their unassisted "free" choice.
CALVINISM AND CATHOLICISM CONTRASTED
Calvin: God's sovereignty determines the will.
Catholic: God's sovereignty includes free will.
Calvin: Predestination as predetermination.
Catholic: Predestination as infallible foreknowledge.
Calvin: God desires only the salvation of the elect.
Catholic: God desires the salvation of all.
Calvin: God provides grace only to the elect.
Catholic: God provides grace to all, though not all accept it.
Calvin: Christ died only for the elect.
Catholic: Christ died for all men.
Calvin: God predetermines some for hell.
Catholic :Men merit hell by their own wickedness.
Calvin: The elect include all those born-again.
Catholic: The elect are those who persevere to the end.
Calvin: Grace co-opts human free will.
Catholic: Grace perfects the free will that cooperates.
Calvin: Those in grace (born-again) can't fall away.
Catholic: Those in grace can freely sin and lose grace.
Calvin: The elect will unfailingly persevere.
Catholic: The elect are those who have persevered.
Calvin: The elect are assured of their salvation.
Catholic: Yes, but only God knows who they are.
Calvin: Predestination eliminates merit and guilt.
Catholic: Predestination includes merit and guilt.
The Pelagian heretics held that man alone (apart from God's grace) is responsible for his salvation. Calvinists start with the opposite premise that God alone is responsible for man's salvation.
I understand more clearly the difference between Calvinism & Catholicism. I was saved, I am saved, and I am being saved. Yes, but only God knows who they are.
Peace Be With You
Micky
Thanks for stopping by Micky, and for sharing that.
My bottom line is always: "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, ... He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens." Rom. 9:15,18
God owes no one mercy. He elects to save according to His purpose, and according to His pleasure.
I thank Him every day for saving me. For washing me in His blood. For taking all my sins upon His perfect holy body, and being my substitute: My sin imputed to Him, and His righteousness imputed to me. 2 Cor.5:21
I shall boast only in the Cross. Gal. 6:14
"It is Finished"!
My salvation is complete!
To God be all, 100%, of the glory!
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