The Image of God in the Gospel

[Dave L]

We have two versions of the gospel today. One is a gospel of works and the other the gospel of grace. Grace tells you God saved you if you find yourself passively believing the message. But works tells you God will save you if you actively choose to believe the message.

Many argue that believing is not a work since scripture contrasts the two, pitting faith and works against each other. But when we make believing a condition, we turn the gospel into law and believing becomes a work of that law.

But how do we view God when belief is a work and salvation depends on it? If so, we view God as a bully figure that threatens everlasting suffering unless we say “uncle”. Or we view him as soliciting our love and obedience in trade for heaven.

But this is not the God of the bible. Where he mercifully paid for our sins on the cross. Taking the wrath, meant for us in Jesus. And announcing the good news to whoever believes. And then telling us to repent from our sins which before we could not do.

 

[Enoch111]

But works tells you God will save you if you actively choose to believe the message.

This is incorrect. Those who believe that they can be justified by the works of the Law (when the Old Covenant was in force) or by grace + the sacraments (while the New Covenant is in force) preach a Gospel of works.

The Gospel of Grace demands a response to the Gospel by the sinner, which is OBEDIENCE to the Gospel. That would be actively choosing to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is very clear from Scripture:

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent (Acts 17:30)

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:37,28)

But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (Rom 10:16)

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess 1:8)

To suggest or teach that sinners must not actively respond to the Gospel is FALSE DOCTRINE. And Calvinism is a False Gospel.

 

[Dave L]

This is incorrect. Those who believe that they can be justified by the works of the Law (when the Old Covenant was in force) or by grace + the sacraments (while the New Covenant is in force) preach a Gospel of works.

The Gospel of Grace demands a response to the Gospel by the sinner, which is OBEDIENCE to the Gospel. That would be actively choosing to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is very clear from Scripture:

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent (Acts 17:30)

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:37,28)

But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (Rom 10:16)

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess 1:8)

To suggest or teach that sinners must not actively respond to the Gospel is FALSE DOCTRINE. And Calvinism is a False Gospel.

But we turn grace into works when it becomes conditional.