Can you imagine a just born again Christian comparing themselves to his list of what it takes to be “holy” or “righteous” to determine if they are indeed saved? I surely wouldn’t want them to. I can’t look into his heart and determine what he “meant” but can only hear the tone of his words.
Scripture tells us “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” and that’s good enough for me. After someone “professes with their mouth and believes in their heart” I’ll leave it to the Holy Spirit to write into their heart unless I see direct contradiction to what scripture teaches at which time we are to “exhort, rebuke or correct”.
The external examination simply smacks of legalism. The external can too easily be faked and then self glory expecting salvation on one’s own merit.
Did he make up his own list? Will have to look at it again. I only caught the Bible references. Will check again.
I will post part 2 tomorrow.
The other problem with depending too much on the external is those who think they are saved because they prayed a prayer some time and added works to it.
There’s a lot of thinking out there that works added to *faith* saves someone and can end up giving a false sense of security.
Some of the most committed believers I know, who loved the Lord deeply, still occasionally swear, drink on occasion, and have even been known to go to bars on occasion!
*gasp*
Turns out some of the best witnessing I’ve done was in a bar with some friends. It’s an unbelievably relaxed, non-judgmental atmosphere. Better than many churches I’ve been in, sad to say. And both those people ended up eventually accepting Christ and are genuinely saved.
Do You bake a cake with only one ingredient?
The external examination simply smacks of legalism. The external can too easily be faked and then self glory expecting salvation on one’s own merit.
So God's Word mercifully applied is legalism? I come boldly to the throne of grace, and thank the Lord for having mercy on me a sinner saved by grace. NEVER, EVER, will I defend my right to sin, which put Christ on the cross before the foundation of the world.