Originally published on 12/29/2013 (Blogger's note: This argument is not yet finished. I do profess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead; make no mistake.)
Reference article (PDF): http://pastormattrichard.webs.com/How%20Do%20We%20View%20Christianity.pdf
State of Mankind’s Heart and Sinful Actions (Jeremiah 17:9 & Mark 7:23):
Plan A: My heart is good; therefore, the evil actions that I do make me a sinner.
Plan B: My heart is evil; therefore, the evil actions that I do are because I am a sinner.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9
"All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." Mark 7:23
Truly, the scriptures don't lie. The heart is desperately wicked. The things that proceed from an evil heart (that which he thinks, speaks, and does) do defile a man. As it is written, "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10
If given the choice between Plan A and Plan B, you would be wise to go with Plan C, which is "Even though I have a good heart, when I do evil, then I become evil." Romans 3:10 should be viewed as in comparison to God, and his righteousness. Compared to him, "...all our righteousnesses (that is, good works) are as filthy rags,..." Isaiah 64:6
State of Mankind and Jesus’ Actions (Ephesians 2:1-10 & Ezekiel 37:1-14):
Plan A: I am infected with sin; therefore I ascend to Jesus so that I can get a hold of forgiveness and be healed.
Plan B: I am dead in sin; therefore Jesus descends to me so that I can receive forgiveness and be made alive.
Sin is a choice, not a disease, although it does work death in the body like a disease. While it is true that sin works in our members (our body) "to bring forth fruit unto death"(Rom(ans) 7:5), sin first and foremost is a choice, a violation of God's law (see 2 Chron. 25:4, Rom. 7:7, 1 John 3:4).
The passage in Ezekiel 37 has nothing to do with sin as it relates to the above "plans." While it is true that we are dead in our sins, and Jesus Christ did descend from Heaven to pay the price of our sins, Plan B is vaguely worded, and could give rise to the possibility that Jesus is just a man that descended from Heaven, which denies his deity. So choose Plan C which is "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8
Cause of Salvation (Rom. 8:29-30; 2 Thess. 2:13-15; 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 1:3-6)
Plan A: God saves me in view of my faith; therefore I am saved on account of my faith.
Plan B: God saves me in view of His mercy & the work of Christ; therefore, I am saved insofar as I receive by faith.
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
I choose Plan C, which is that "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Eph. 2:8). Plan A is rightfully not chosen in that salvation is not of works, even though faith in Jesus Christ is absolutely necessary for salvation. Remember, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19) Faith in Jesus Christ is the active seeking on the part of the believer to do his will.
Plan B is also not to be chosen. Part A of Plan B is true "God saves me in view of His mercy & the work of Christ." However, Part B of Plan B is grossly open-ended. It does not tell what the person is to receive by faith. Muslims receive Allah by faith, Buddhists Buddha, Hindus Krishna, and others. None of these can get you into Heaven. You must make an active choice to follow Jesus daily if you want the hope of salvation.
The Main Force of the Law (See Romans 3:20 & Galatians 3:5, 10-11):
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."
Plan A: The main force of the Law is to empower me in living a victorious life.
Plan B: The main force of the Law is to reveal to me original sin and its fruits in my life.
Again, I choose Plan C. Both Plans A and B are false. The main force of the law is to reveal sin and condemn, not to empower a man, nor to reveal original sin only. For if the law revealed original sin only, then Christ died in vain.
The original sin is rebellion and exaltation against God. However, all sin is rebellion against God, not just original sin. The law serves to reveal many sins, and in doing so invalidates both plans. The above scriptures invalidate Plan A and make no mention of original sin, therefore neither plan is supported by the scriptures.
The Gospel Proclamation (See Acts 8:35; Romans 10:13-17 & 1 Peter 1:12):
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."
Plan A: Gospel proclamation is an announcement of good advice to be applied.
Plan B: Gospel proclamation is an announcement of good news to be believed.
The choice to be made is Plan C: The gospel of Jesus Christ is to be both believed and applied. Devils believe and tremble.(James 2:19) Faith, that is, belief, without works is dead.(James 2:17) Works must accompany faith.(James 2:18, 24)
Reference article (PDF): http://pastormattrichard.webs.com/How%20Do%20We%20View%20Christianity.pdf
State of Mankind’s Heart and Sinful Actions (Jeremiah 17:9 & Mark 7:23):
Plan A: My heart is good; therefore, the evil actions that I do make me a sinner.
Plan B: My heart is evil; therefore, the evil actions that I do are because I am a sinner.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9
"All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." Mark 7:23
Truly, the scriptures don't lie. The heart is desperately wicked. The things that proceed from an evil heart (that which he thinks, speaks, and does) do defile a man. As it is written, "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10
If given the choice between Plan A and Plan B, you would be wise to go with Plan C, which is "Even though I have a good heart, when I do evil, then I become evil." Romans 3:10 should be viewed as in comparison to God, and his righteousness. Compared to him, "...all our righteousnesses (that is, good works) are as filthy rags,..." Isaiah 64:6
State of Mankind and Jesus’ Actions (Ephesians 2:1-10 & Ezekiel 37:1-14):
Plan A: I am infected with sin; therefore I ascend to Jesus so that I can get a hold of forgiveness and be healed.
Plan B: I am dead in sin; therefore Jesus descends to me so that I can receive forgiveness and be made alive.
Sin is a choice, not a disease, although it does work death in the body like a disease. While it is true that sin works in our members (our body) "to bring forth fruit unto death"(Rom(ans) 7:5), sin first and foremost is a choice, a violation of God's law (see 2 Chron. 25:4, Rom. 7:7, 1 John 3:4).
The passage in Ezekiel 37 has nothing to do with sin as it relates to the above "plans." While it is true that we are dead in our sins, and Jesus Christ did descend from Heaven to pay the price of our sins, Plan B is vaguely worded, and could give rise to the possibility that Jesus is just a man that descended from Heaven, which denies his deity. So choose Plan C which is "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8
Cause of Salvation (Rom. 8:29-30; 2 Thess. 2:13-15; 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 1:3-6)
Plan A: God saves me in view of my faith; therefore I am saved on account of my faith.
Plan B: God saves me in view of His mercy & the work of Christ; therefore, I am saved insofar as I receive by faith.
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
I choose Plan C, which is that "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Eph. 2:8). Plan A is rightfully not chosen in that salvation is not of works, even though faith in Jesus Christ is absolutely necessary for salvation. Remember, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19) Faith in Jesus Christ is the active seeking on the part of the believer to do his will.
Plan B is also not to be chosen. Part A of Plan B is true "God saves me in view of His mercy & the work of Christ." However, Part B of Plan B is grossly open-ended. It does not tell what the person is to receive by faith. Muslims receive Allah by faith, Buddhists Buddha, Hindus Krishna, and others. None of these can get you into Heaven. You must make an active choice to follow Jesus daily if you want the hope of salvation.
The Main Force of the Law (See Romans 3:20 & Galatians 3:5, 10-11):
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."
Plan A: The main force of the Law is to empower me in living a victorious life.
Plan B: The main force of the Law is to reveal to me original sin and its fruits in my life.
Again, I choose Plan C. Both Plans A and B are false. The main force of the law is to reveal sin and condemn, not to empower a man, nor to reveal original sin only. For if the law revealed original sin only, then Christ died in vain.
The original sin is rebellion and exaltation against God. However, all sin is rebellion against God, not just original sin. The law serves to reveal many sins, and in doing so invalidates both plans. The above scriptures invalidate Plan A and make no mention of original sin, therefore neither plan is supported by the scriptures.
The Gospel Proclamation (See Acts 8:35; Romans 10:13-17 & 1 Peter 1:12):
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."
Plan A: Gospel proclamation is an announcement of good advice to be applied.
Plan B: Gospel proclamation is an announcement of good news to be believed.
The choice to be made is Plan C: The gospel of Jesus Christ is to be both believed and applied. Devils believe and tremble.(James 2:19) Faith, that is, belief, without works is dead.(James 2:17) Works must accompany faith.(James 2:18, 24)
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