Friday: Further Thought – The Faith of Abraham
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Christ the Center of the Message”, p. 388, in Selected Messages, book 1; “The Call of Abraham”, pages 125-127; “The Law and the Covenants,” pages 363, 364, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Sermon on the Mount,” pages 307, 308; “Controversy,” p. 608; “ ‘It Is Finished,’ ” pages 762, 763, in The Desire of Ages.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt (Romans 4:4). The Apostle here explains the quoted passage (Gen. 15:4-6) to conclude and prove from it that justification is by faith and not by works. This he does first of all by explaining the meaning of the words ‘it was counted unto him for righteousness.’ These words explain that God receives (sinners) by grace and not because of their works.” – Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans, p. 82.
“If Satan can succeed in leading man to place value upon his own works as works of merit and righteousness, he knows that he can overcome him by his temptations, and make him his victim and prey. . . . Strike the door-posts with the blood of Calvary’s Lamb, and you are safe.” – Ellen G. White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Sept. 3, 1889.
Discussion Questions:
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Works. To me, today's key text is that of Paul (Romans 4:4)! Works have to be the result of gratitude! Thanksgiving for the grace that God Himself has freely given us! Especially because He loved us first! Once we truly understand the love of God for us we will be full of this love too, and works of gratitude can be simply the result of the acceptance of His grace in our lives!
Well stated JC. If our works earned us anything toward salvation, then God would "owe" us. How could God owe us anything when He has already given us everything for free as a gift (Romans 6:23)?
There isn't anything more God can give us that isn't already ours by faith.
The meaning of salvation is "to become like Jesus", to be recreated in his likeness, to be in a loving covenant relationship with Jesus. If this is my desire that he provides the power that we may be partakers of the divine nature.
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 As his divine power has given to us all things which relate to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us by glory and virtue, 4 through which he has given to us the greatest and precious promises, that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
1 John 3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
I think it is important to remember, though, that God requires repentance and sorrow for sin as a condition for forgiveness. He can't forgive those who are't the least bit sorry for their actions. If He did, everyone would end up in Heaven, as some religions teach. He can offer forgiveness, but it is not a completed transaction without repentance on the part of the sinner. Likewise, it is sometimes impossible for the transaction to be completed on the human level when the guilty party is unrepentant.
M, I used to believe that too - but I have since learned differently.
Repentance and sorrow is not a condition for forgiveness - but as you correctly state, it is a condition for reconciliation/salvation.
God offers forgiveness to everyone (hence Jesus could genuinely say "Father forgive them for the know no what they do.") - but not everyone will benefit from that forgiveness. So your second last and last sentences are correct.
I believe forgiveness is a gift, not a transaction. God unilaterally forgives every sinner - even those who don't repent because "they know not what they do." Christ's prayer on the cross covered every sinner.
But a gift has to be accepted/received to benefit the intended recipient. Those who do not acknowledge their sin and need of a Savior do not benefit from the forgiveness so dearly bought because do not accept it.
It is the same with human forgiveness. It is not necessary for someone to ask for forgiveness and to repent before we can forgive. We can and must forgive before being asked so that we may be like our Father in heaven. Forgiveness sets our own souls free. Lack of forgiveness results in bitterness that corrodes our own souls. But whoever needs forgiveness and does not acknowledge the need does not benefit from the gift of forgiveness. And no relationship is restored if the offense is not acknowledged. (But there can be imagined offenses, and that's another story. The bottom line is that *we* benefit from the forgiveness we extend - whether the offense is imagined or real.)
AMEN, Sister Inge!