Friday: Further Thought – Old Testament Faith
Further Thought: “Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father’s mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father’s reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 753.
“Luther now entered boldly upon his work as a champion of the truth. His voice was heard from the pulpit in earnest, solemn warning. He set before the people the offensive character of sin, and taught them that it is impossible for man, by his own works, to lessen its guilt or evade its punishment. Nothing but repentance toward God and faith in Christ can save the sinner. The grace of Christ cannot be purchased; it is a free gift. He counseled the people not to buy indulgences, but to look in faith to a crucified Redeemer.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 129.
Discussion Questions:
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Summary: From start to finish in the Christian life, the basis of our salvation is faith in Christ alone. It was because of Abraham’s faith in God’s promises that he was counted as righteous, and that same gift of righteousness is available for anyone today who shares Abraham’s faith. The only reason we are not condemned for our mistakes is that Jesus paid the price for our sins by dying in our place.
I had a few questions to ponder on this week….
Is it easy for others to judge me based on my works and not my faith? [Of course we shouldn’t judge as there is only one lawgiver and judge – Jesus Christ. As no man knows the heart except God].
Would my actions (works) be a strong outward reflection of my faith to others who don’t know Jesus?
Whilst my works do not earn my salvation, does it help someone else who doesn’t know Jesus come to know how to receive salvation by Faith in Him?
Even if I repent from my fall, would my “fall” be a blemish to my Christian character to others?
Stephanie I think this is what James meant when he said I will show you my faith by my works.
Christ said Stephanie “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them”.[Matt 7:16-20]
Let Jesus be seen in me by my actions, deeds and character. You become a new creature, old things are pass away; you become a new person in Jesus.