God’s justification of works Vs. justifying oneself to gain rewards (crowns) in heaven on his own merit.
Lk 16:15: But he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Is it as catholics say that God justifies our works (faith and works), or is it as protestants say that God does not justify by works (faith alone), therefore the only option left is man justifying his own works, relying on his own merits?
In man justifying his own works he does not acknowledge God as the origin of those works
Eph 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Phil 2:12: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13: for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
This goes against self justification and personal merit. It denies Gods works and instead is the man trying to justify his own works in order to get some gain in heaven. There is no acknowledgement of God working through the man nor giving glory to God for those works. It is the man doing works for personal gain in the sight of God, i.e. crowns in heaven. Is this any different than the mormons who seeks riches in heaven?
Rom 2:6: For he will render to every man according to his works:
7: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
1 Pet 1:17: And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.
Revelation is very poingant with regards to those who rely on their own merits and righteousness for self gain (crowns) instead of relying and acknowleding God as their origin. (The same mistake scripture continually corrects)
Rev 3:1: "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead.
2: Awake, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God.
Rev 2:4: But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
5: Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Evangelicals say you will want to do works, this is true, but they were already prepared for us (Eph 2:10). But they deny that God is the justifier of those works ergo they are their own works justified unto themselves in hopes of some gain before God on their own merit and not from the merits of Christ.
Denying to do Gods works rejects that they are Gods works justified. This rejects Gods grace.
Evangelicals preach health and wealth. Promises of wealth on earth and in heaven (crowns) but back to Luke:
Lk 16:13: No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
14: The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they scoffed at him.
15: But he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
So what they preach is true, their works are not justified, nor will they be as they are works of men to justify before men… Crowns theology relies on mans merits instead of the merits of Christ
27: For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done.
According to evangelical doctrine they will not be judged. This is a false premise. It considers everything they do to be perfect without Gods grace and that they do not sin. As noted above in Revelation, and attested to by the apostles, “every man” will be repayed for what he has done. This includes those who rely on their own merits for crowns, not acknowledging God as the source and justification for those works.
Peace and God Bless
Nicene
We were just talking about it in bible study yesterday. I dont personally know any evangelical/born again christian that thinks they would never sin again or that it is impossible for them to grieve the Holy Spirit. We believe that inside of us is a constant life long struggle between our flesh(sinful nature/old nature) and the Holy Spirit. Sadly we do choose to side with the sinful nature thus confession. Thank God He gave us a way out:thumbsup:
I will not be on tonight! You’ll have to rescehedule. 