“This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us” (1 John 3:23).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that we are “commanded” to “believe.” However, this turns faith into a work, which is a standard Pelagian mistake.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that faith is a resting, relaxing, and reposing in the finished work of Christ. In no way is faith a work. In no way is faith obeying a commandment.
If we ever view belief or faith as a commandment, then we are going to turn faith into obedience, which is a work. Faith is in no sense a work. Faith occasionally performs works, but faith is not a work itself.
Those who claim that faith is a commandment to be obeyed are preaching a different gospel, which is no gospel at all.
Showing posts with label NT - 1 John. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NT - 1 John. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that there is a link between confessing our sins and being forgiven for our sins. Obviously, this is a re-hashing of the Roman Catholic doctrine of penance.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that we are forgiven for our sins in justification, which is obtained by faith alone. In no way is the forgiveness of our sins dependent upon confessing our sins.
Faith in the act of justification must be alone. Once justified, we are free to “confess our sins” or “repent” or “pursue holiness” or “deny ourselves” or “love our brothers” or “love God,” but these are all post-justification works that are entirely optional. In fact, there is no way to demand post-justification works without compromising sola fide. That what makes sola fide so antinomianly wonderful!
In this verse, John is probably speaking about fellowship with God. If we confess our sins, then we will have a more fulfilling relationship with God, but that’s up to you (by the way, don’t let this be a motive, either; we obey out of gratitude, not the prospect of a so-called “more fulfilling relationship with God”).
Thus, only by protecting justification from works such as “confession” can we ensure that forgiveness is absolutely free!
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that there is a link between confessing our sins and being forgiven for our sins. Obviously, this is a re-hashing of the Roman Catholic doctrine of penance.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that we are forgiven for our sins in justification, which is obtained by faith alone. In no way is the forgiveness of our sins dependent upon confessing our sins.
Faith in the act of justification must be alone. Once justified, we are free to “confess our sins” or “repent” or “pursue holiness” or “deny ourselves” or “love our brothers” or “love God,” but these are all post-justification works that are entirely optional. In fact, there is no way to demand post-justification works without compromising sola fide. That what makes sola fide so antinomianly wonderful!
In this verse, John is probably speaking about fellowship with God. If we confess our sins, then we will have a more fulfilling relationship with God, but that’s up to you (by the way, don’t let this be a motive, either; we obey out of gratitude, not the prospect of a so-called “more fulfilling relationship with God”).
Thus, only by protecting justification from works such as “confession” can we ensure that forgiveness is absolutely free!
Friday, March 7, 2008
1 John 3:10
“By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:10).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that the difference between children of God and the children of the devil is that the children of God practice righteousness and love their brother. Obviously, this is works-salvation, making assurance based upon one’s lifestyle, which is a denial of solus Christus.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that salvation is through Christ alone (solus Christus), which means that we are saved not by our works, but by the works of Christ alone.
Solus Christus also means that assurance of salvation comes from meditating on the works of Christ, not examining our own works. In no way is assurance linked to anything we do. In no way is assurance dependent upon our works, our life, our “righteousness,” or our love for the brethren.
The children of God and the children of the devil are obvious, indeed. The children of God look only to the works of Christ for assurance. The children of the devil look at their own works for assurance.
In fact, those who ask you to look at your own works for assurance prove that they, themselves, are children of the devil. Such can be assured of one thing, that they are damned.
The need of the hour is for rogue bloggers to scour the internet for Federal Visionists, pronounce the NAPARCian judgments against them, and assure them of their damnation. Additionally, we must pray that all Federal Visionists would receive a full and robust assurance of damnation. May God have mercy on their souls.
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that the difference between children of God and the children of the devil is that the children of God practice righteousness and love their brother. Obviously, this is works-salvation, making assurance based upon one’s lifestyle, which is a denial of solus Christus.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that salvation is through Christ alone (solus Christus), which means that we are saved not by our works, but by the works of Christ alone.
Solus Christus also means that assurance of salvation comes from meditating on the works of Christ, not examining our own works. In no way is assurance linked to anything we do. In no way is assurance dependent upon our works, our life, our “righteousness,” or our love for the brethren.
The children of God and the children of the devil are obvious, indeed. The children of God look only to the works of Christ for assurance. The children of the devil look at their own works for assurance.
In fact, those who ask you to look at your own works for assurance prove that they, themselves, are children of the devil. Such can be assured of one thing, that they are damned.
The need of the hour is for rogue bloggers to scour the internet for Federal Visionists, pronounce the NAPARCian judgments against them, and assure them of their damnation. Additionally, we must pray that all Federal Visionists would receive a full and robust assurance of damnation. May God have mercy on their souls.
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