Relying on God’s Grace <Protestant/Evangelical/Lutheran Devotional & Caucus>

Ligonier.Org ^ | 1/11/2015

[Gamecock]

The irony of the theology of meritorious suffering is that it tends to produce the very opposite effect from its original intention. What began as a call to humble willingness to suffer became an insidious tool for self-righteousness. Perhaps the most difficult task for us to perform is to rely on God's grace and God's grace alone for our salvation. It is difficult for our pride to rest on grace. Grace is for other people-for beggars. We don't want to live by a heavenly welfare system. We want to earn our own way and atone for our own sins. We like to think that we will go to heaven because we deserve to be there.

All the suffering I could possibly endure could not earn me a place in heaven. Nor can I merit the merit of Christ through suffering. I am altogether an unprofitable servant who must rely on someone else's merit to be saved.

With Paul we can rejoice in our sufferings if they enhance the glory of Christ. We can rejoice in our persecutions and look forward to the promised blessing of Christ. But the blessing Christ promised, the blessing of great reward, is a reward of grace. The blessing is promised even though it is not earned.

Augustine said it this way: "Our rewards in heaven are a result of God's crowning His own gifts. Sola gratia."

Coram Deo

Give thanks to God for your heavenly rewards, which are the result of God’s crowning His own gifts.

Passages for Further Study

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

2 Corinthians 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self his being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

[Gamecock]

Back from my journeys, here is today’s offering.

Blessings to all!

[OrangeHoof]

Amen. I have many tell me that salvation is “too simple” as if it needed to be heard-won and earned. Grace is just the opposite. We must balance between not trying to “earn” our grace and simply allowing God’s Grace to be taken for granted. It’s a gift I am not worthy of but wholly accept. If we live a life of gratitude rather than a life of suffering, we will come closer to what God intends for us.

[left that other site]

I love the Book of Romans. Thanks for posting this...I missed you! :-)

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Unfortunately, there are teachers out there who are adamant that “cheap grace” cannot save us, and that an immersion in water with some sort of profession of faith is necessary.

Or better yet, we must become a five point Calvinist and make Christ “lord of all” in our lives (Lordship Salvation).

Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 10:9-10
Acts 16:31
John 6:29
John 14:6
Luke 18:17 (Saving faith of a child)

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

Meritorious suffering.... is not Redemptive suffering. Redemptive is accepting suffering, our cross, and joining it to Jesus’, is a way to atone, for ourselves, for others, for family or national sins, for graces toward the conversion of others. Does it earn us a way into heaven - of course not. Does it bring us closer to appreciating the suffering of Christ on the cross, absolutely, which helps us come closer to better appreciating all He truly has done for us. Walk in His shoes for a bit and see how much love He really feels - a token of it anyway. It is truly humbling, as we cannot take it. Gratitude.

[generally]

Thanks to all for posting.

I’m a believer in grace alone.

I don’t believe that we earn anything by suffering. I am pretty confident that God would prefer us to be happy. But I know that when I have suffered, I have learned from it. I do my best to alleviate suffering where I find it and maybe that is part of the lesson I’ve learned.

[kosciusko51]

I've not heard people equating Calvinism with Lordship Salvation before. Not to mention that John MacArthur (more dispensationalist than Calvinist) is usually noted as a leading proponent of Lordship Salvation.

The tension usually lies in between the teachings you mention, and the teaching of James, where "faith without works is dead".

What is interesting is Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB):

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (emphasis added)

Grace and Peace,
K51

[Roman_War_Criminal]

My response had Mac in mind actually.

You can read what he writes about Lordship Salvation. He can deny it’s Calvinistic, but most can read for themselves that it is exactly that.

Anybody that teaches “works based salvation” is suggesting that there is something more we must do besides a child-like faith in Christ alone and His atonement and repentance (Changing of one’s mind regarding Him).

The Bible uses the word “believe” over & over again regarding Salvation thru Christ. Mac is good on a lot of things, but he’s wrong on salvation. LS makes salvation unattainable to anybody (even their own).

A sinner giving up all sinful self-will must “clean up” to be saved or we aren’t worthy of Him?

Nobody is if that’s the case.

[kosciusko51]

No offense, but if you think Calvinism teaches works-based salvation, you are incorrect.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Lordship Salvation teaches works-based salvation.

If we disagree...we disagree.