The good works we do, do nothing to save us. it also doesnt mean because they dont save us, thatthe work isnt helpful or beneficial to us. It is part of our sanctificstion and growing as christians. But not one good work we do saves us one iota. Our good works on their own are filthy rags in the sight of a holy, loving, and perfect God.
I did read the article and think I understand what he generally intended to mean. I won't go through it line by line, but starting from the top, this at first blush would appear accurate;
when it is framed as apposed or counterpoint to an over-simplified description narrowed to 'works', neither of the extremes as contrasted to one another are the more complete theological, and individual inwards understanding which those on either side of Protestant/Catholic divide can, or do hold.
What I would like to express, if I can find the right words, is a concept within Protestant teaching derived from Scripture and experience both that does leads to a particular sort of synergistic faith/works as the solution, yet also does leave it to be in final result utterly by God's grace and unmerited favor. one little-bittsy wrong-doing mistake if but in slightest degree can wipe out 10,000 attaboy's in comparison to and in light of the utter capital H Holiness of the Lord, rendering it still be a thing of Grace Alone even as love and relationship although not earning merit for additional grace, is not reliant upon earnings and meriting --- He loved us while we were yet sinners, the gifts of God being without repentance.. We cannot earn grace yet we may increase love. Does that make sense?
In attempt to make a long story short I'll put it this way;
It is useless to attempt to bring anything into the equation; of from man's part, and
then + the Lord's part to == "synergy" of those together
IF
in either integer (dear Lord please forgive me for momentarily seeming to reduce your spirit to being mere integer) there are element or aspect which is not from the Lord as initial point of origin in the first place.
The unawakened sleeper does not rise (although he and his sleepwalking fellows may terrorize neighborhoods like zombie apocalypse).
Light cannot have fellowship with darkness.2 Corithians 6 and 1 John 1
In those chapters it speaks of not being unequally yoked together with unbelievers, and not deceiving ourselves, mistaking darkness for light. Yet also in 1 John 1 telling us again "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
As I focused upon those chapters, rather than having it all to be on the outsides of ourselves, if we were to turn it all inwardly in as an honest appraisal as we'll allow the Lord to show of us of ourselves, allowing the Word to be as sword dividing even the very marrow of our being;
It does seem apparent that sin still can live within us does it not? It surely does seem to get underfoot.
For my own part I know the Lord is present within me, yet I must confess that not all within myself is yielded over to Him. I tend to think Stephen Freeman was making mention of such difficulties, although describing that in ways differing than as I do here in effort to describe the situation.
Synergizing what with what?
The unregenerate man cannot respond for he is dead.
At risk of putting too fine an edge upon it while also possibly opening door for confusion of mixed understanding --- unregenerated portions of a man cannot join together in synergy with Him, albeit those things within which are of Him are as naturally synergized within us as new creatures in Christ ---- to whichever extent there may be His presence stirred and alive & moving within a person at any given moment.
We ourselves can hardly war against that which is not Him without that living presence which is more than spirit of ourselves. When deep calls unto deep then they may join together... for in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Yeah, i know, that's bold talk for a one-eyed fatman, eh? [hurrah for the man from texas]
The Lord does seem to refrain from pushing the issue, although He will (and does) come to knock on our doors. If any man open then He will enter in with them and sup with them. Yet can the visitation be resisted? Not by the portions of what has already arrived within us from Him.
At the same time the spirit wars against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit. We must be able to identify what is of Him. Scripture can help very much show His immutable nature --- what He doesn't like is not Him.
Then within ourselves, if we try to bring in dirty feet...we should not attempt to synergize the dirt that gets on us, with Him.
The entire world seems to be against believing on Him who was sent, even to varying extent internally so for those whom have otherwise outwardly and inwardly also genuinely been baptized.
As Paul wrote;
And one more
And though we are called, and the spirit of the Lord birthed and present alive within, those portions within a man which are the sin still living within himself (even though he had indeed been stirred by God to new life) simply cannot join in synergy with the Lord. All attempts fail.We simply must first clean the inside of the cup, yet we cannot(!) on our own but simply have to take to Him even our cup holding that upright to Him (in the light, in confession to Him, to ourselves, and to those whom are brethren) regardless of how humiliating and shameful the inward "parts" of that cup may be or seem to become, if it's not just our stinky feet stinking up the joint...
Ok, I know I cited scripture and lot's of that, yet it can be very good for the Word to speak and work as it will to whom it may
although those not regenerated (yet think they are) will not understand or else not recall what they themselves look like in a mirror after having caught glimpses of themselves, and I am not immune myself from suffering degree of lapse in that way.
Yet still, come what may, abide until He returns, which is the perseverance of the saints.
There is no “work that saves” other than to believe in Jesus Christ, trusting HIM for forgiveness of ALL sins, just as “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness”. God did the work in Christ, and offers the free gift of eternal life to those who trust in Him.
Lots of mumbo jumbo about “synergy”, but faith is placed in a Person who is ABSOLUTELY TRUSTWORTHY AND ABLE TO SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST! Do you believe that or do you think he needs your help? You can’t be just a little bit justified. It’s PASS/FAIL. Are you going to lift up your eyes to the bronze serpent and LIVE, or mock at the absurdity and PERISH?
Remove works from justification and every dead religion on Earth is CLOSED FOR BUSINESS. The fact that they are doing gangbuster business is a tribute to the flesh of man, forever opposed to God and refusing to consider His STEADFAST LOVE!
Just read Psalm 107 a few times and the charge laid down at the end, then tell me God accepts works for salvation. What’s at issue is BELIEF in HIS CHARACTER. Abraham had that before he did anything resembling a work, before he received the sign of circumcision. It was counted to Him as righteousness.
Works religion pretends to honor God, but in truth it calls Him a liar everyday by undermining and circumventing His clear Word! Such do not live by faith but trust in themselves, and want to bring you into their bondage.
“Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.”—Galatians 2
James 2
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James was not saying we should work to show our faith he was just saying if we had the faith in God we would do what he said.
He was also not talking about religious ordinances he was talking about treating other people like human beings just as Jesus said.
Luke 6
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Mathew 25
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
On the other hand Paul was talking about those people who will try to make every one think they are so Godly by putting on a big show and with them it usually involves keeping religious laws.
1 John 3
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
Matthew 21
28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
The old saying is that a man is as good as his word and while we can think God for those few, we can also think God for those who ends up doing the right thing even though they may talk against it.
The only difference is that we can know what a man of his word will do but only God knows what the others will do.
Interesting piece.
Although I’m not convinced (yet?) that “the grounding of the Christian life is thanksgiving” (as opposed to other possibilities for “the grounding of the Christian life is _____”), thanksgiving is more important than many people’s words and deeds would make it seem.
Yes, the piece quotes 1 Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” How many people’s lives, even professing Christians’ lives, look even halfway like that?
Of course, I do not mean such externals as saying or writing “I’m rejoicing! I’m thankful for everything!” over and over and over; I do not mean forcing a constant facial expression to deceive others, or oneself, into thinking that one is perpetually joyful, prayerful, and thankful. I’m looking for a life, however quiet, that actually seems marked by joy, prayer, and thanksgiving.