For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that repentance without regret leads to salvation. However, this reverses the ordo salutis.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification is by faith alone, apart from works such as repentance. Repentance is part of sanctification. In no way does sanctification lead to justification. Thus, repentance can never “lead” to salvation. This is backwards. Rather, salvation leads to repentance.
Showing posts with label NT - 2 Corinthians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NT - 2 Corinthians. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
2 Corinthians 5:10
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).
This is one of the favorite passages of the Federal Visionists because at face value, this seems as if Paul is saying that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be recompensed for our deeds, according to what we have done, whether good or bad. However, there is no reason to fall for this kind of clumsy exegesis.
First of all, no one does good (Romans 3:12), so half of this verse cannot apply to anyone except Jesus. Only Jesus can be recompensed for the good that he has done.
Second, the word "deeds" is not in the Greek manuscripts! This would be better translated as "things." Unfortunately, this does not help us that much because it still sounds like Paul is saying that we will be judged for what we do. However, we know that we are saved by faith alone (sola fide) through grace alone (sola gratia) in Christ alone (solus christus), so Paul cannot really mean that a person will be judged by any other standard. Thus, the elect will not be judged according to what they have done.
So, to sum up, we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ where
1) Christ will be recompensed for the good things that he has done.
2) The reprobate will be recompensed for the bad things they have done.
3) The elect will have the best seat in the house.
This is one of the favorite passages of the Federal Visionists because at face value, this seems as if Paul is saying that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be recompensed for our deeds, according to what we have done, whether good or bad. However, there is no reason to fall for this kind of clumsy exegesis.
First of all, no one does good (Romans 3:12), so half of this verse cannot apply to anyone except Jesus. Only Jesus can be recompensed for the good that he has done.
Second, the word "deeds" is not in the Greek manuscripts! This would be better translated as "things." Unfortunately, this does not help us that much because it still sounds like Paul is saying that we will be judged for what we do. However, we know that we are saved by faith alone (sola fide) through grace alone (sola gratia) in Christ alone (solus christus), so Paul cannot really mean that a person will be judged by any other standard. Thus, the elect will not be judged according to what they have done.
So, to sum up, we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ where
1) Christ will be recompensed for the good things that he has done.
2) The reprobate will be recompensed for the bad things they have done.
3) The elect will have the best seat in the house.
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