Ever since the very beginnings of the Church, there have been wolves amongst the sheep, spreading dissension and false teachings. Some of the major false teachings in the New Testament include sects known as Judaized Christianity, legalistic Christianity, and lawless Christianity, all of which fall short of the message of Christ. While Judaized Christianity isn't such a big deal in the United States, legalistic Christianity and lawless Christianity are. It is especially the latter which is beginning to thrive and grow in many churches.
A false gospel known as cheap grace is emerging. It basically says, "Since we're saved by grace, we can do whatever we want. No life-change is needed. No obedience is needed." This doctrine develops because of a faulty understanding of the New Testament and is no doubt also driven by the desire to do whatever we want. It misses entirely the gospel message of Christ, especially the gospels, where Christ demands us to become His disciples and follow Him in His Way. Cheap grace says discipleship is for the super-Christian; Jesus says there's no salvation outside discipleship!
Anyone who spread false gospels, such as cheap grace, is cursed. He or she is cursed because not only is he or she distorting the message of God, but he or she is leading others astray, pointing them down dead-end avenues and turning their eyes from the real and living God.
A false gospel known as cheap grace is emerging. It basically says, "Since we're saved by grace, we can do whatever we want. No life-change is needed. No obedience is needed." This doctrine develops because of a faulty understanding of the New Testament and is no doubt also driven by the desire to do whatever we want. It misses entirely the gospel message of Christ, especially the gospels, where Christ demands us to become His disciples and follow Him in His Way. Cheap grace says discipleship is for the super-Christian; Jesus says there's no salvation outside discipleship!
Anyone who spread false gospels, such as cheap grace, is cursed. He or she is cursed because not only is he or she distorting the message of God, but he or she is leading others astray, pointing them down dead-end avenues and turning their eyes from the real and living God.
3 comments:
Discipleship is vitally important in the Christian life. Discipleship is not an option. Christians who refuse to repent and walk in obediance will face God's chastening and may die a premature death. On the postive side, believers who are faithful will be be rewarded and received into heavenly privilege.
However, the offer of eternal life is never attached to any demand for obediance. The only condition for receiving eternal life is through faith.
It is vital not to confuse eternal life and justification with discipleship.
God Bless
Matthew
It is likewise vital not to divorce justification from sanctification. The offer of eternal life most certainly is attached to a demand for obedience, unless we consider the blatant command to 'believe' to be optional. The only condition to receive eternal life is that there be faith through which the justification may be granted, but we shouldn't conclude that because this aspect only has one condition, that this is the only condition of every other aspect of salvation.
incredibly insightful for someone so young... thanks! look forward to following future blogs...feel free to follow my blog at http://jerryfromphilly.blogspot.com
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