Only through grace
Submitted by Forgiven on November 11 2000 06:19:41
In reply to How can we rise to perfection? submitted by Once a Boy on November 10 2000 17:07:58
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It is one of the tensions in the New Testament that Jesus and the apostles preach the need for repentance, but then go on to teach that 'For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest anyone should boast.' Eph 2v8. This theme is similarly picked up the parable of the pharisee and the publican (Luke 18 v10f). The issue appears to be that if we think we are doing all right, and will earn our entry to heaven then there is a problem(!) but if we are trusting in God's mercy because we know we've messed up, then God will show us mercy. But if we continue to do what we know to be wrong and show no sign of recognising it is wrong, then we are in effect rejecting the grace of God, and can't expect to benefit from it. It can be one of the benefits(!) of being a BL that we are less prone to self-deception that we have done all right and don't need God's grace for our forgiveness - certainly that's my experience, and what I'm hearing from you as well. Which is a good place to be in some ways!! I hope that's helpful.... |
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