DustinsDad:
And I would just hasten to say that a Sacrament is not something we do for God. It’s something God does for us
WELL, THE O.T. PROPHECIES THE DEATH OF JESUS; THE N.T. FULFILLS IT, AND THAT’S WHAT JOHN 3:16 SAYS *THAT’S *
WHAT GOD DID FOR US. THE OTHER THINGS ARE TRULY WHAT WE DO IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD (SANCTIFICATION).
Okay, but justification without complete sanctification is an
incomplete justification. Scripture tells us nothing unclean will enter heaven (Rev 21:27) so sanctification is also a key part of Salvation - being with the Lord forever in heaven…so the sanctification is also what God does for us, not what we do for God. I see sanctification as the
infinite grace Christ won for us once and for all on Calvary continually being poured out on us.
Also, we don’t do anything in obedience to God
apart from God - that is on our own…it’s all God’s grace, loving us, pushing us, nudging us, (sometimes smacking us upside the head ;-)) toward a closer relationship with Himself.
That’s why I say the Sacraments are God’s gifts to us, something He does for us - not the other way around.
Peace in Christ!
DustinsDad