For instance, he believes that Jesus died to give him the right and the power to earn his salvation. If totally obedient, he well survive the last judgment. He also believes that Jesus is ‘a god’ and that belonging to the ‘congregation’ that he belongs to is imperative. Only that group has any chance of eternal life with God.
There is more, but just this reveals another version of salvation by works which the gospel totally denies. However, the flesh likes this idea because our sinful nature does not want to admit total spiritual helplessness. The teaching of this group claims that they now have overcome that helplessness but without realizing that redemption is not and never will be a DIY project apart from faith in what God says about Christ and about our sinfulness.
They have also added things to the Bible and created their own version to fit what they believe. This is forbidden:
“Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32)One glaring addition speaks of who Jesus is. The Bible calls Him the ‘logos’ or word of God:
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5–6)
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18–19)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)Their changed version says, “… the Word was a God” without realizing the original Greek language does not have an “a” in it. Also, to say Jesus was God made flesh (John 1:14) would deny their teaching and make them liars subject to judgment rather than witnesses of the truth.
Today’s reading points to the reality of what this amazing trinity does to save sinners:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3–14)PRAY: Lord Jesus, You are full of grace and truth, and Your identity is clear — yet revealed and not even clearly understood even by those who believe it. Even so, faith says and believes what You say even if we do not fully understand. I cannot deny or change the words You use to describe who You are, only trust You and know that I could never do what You have done for me and for all who have new life because of who You are and Your great grace toward us. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment