D
Dave L
Guest
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.
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.