sola or solo?

-by Dan Barnes

Let me begin with some definitions, so we are all on the same page. Today I want to look at the doctrines of sola Scriptura and solo Scriptura. That one little vowel change makes a huge difference. Sola=Scripture is the only inerrant truth and is to be used above and to correct and test all other things. Solo means that we reject everything but scripture. We throw out all creeds, confessions, books, writings and materials, and just study God’s word. At first read, this sounds like a pretty good plan, after all, we don’t need anything other than scripture, right?

I think many times we are tempted to retreat to an isolated place with just us and a Bible and see what God has for us. Many times, this can be a great thing and a great time, as we pray and let the Holy Spirit guide us. God will open His word for us, but sometimes we need the wisdom of others.

We need the help of great men and women of faith to really help us learn and grow. This is why God puts us in and commands us to be part of a community. We are to learn from others and discuss with others and grow in relationship with Christ and other believers.

Sometimes the thing we need to learn is from a believer who is far away, or who lived before us. That is why we read books. We read Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Edwards and Owens. We read and learn from and study these and other great thinkers and theologians.

We have seen the consequences of those who have taken the Bible and ignored the wisdom of others. All sorts of heresies have arisen. We have seen those reject the divinity of Christ, reject the reality of hell, reject salvation by faith. Little subtleties of the Christian Doctrines change, and suddenly man is chief and not God. False Doctrines have elevated man, idolized self and created false-religion in the name of Christ. So many have Westernized Christ right out of Christianity.

To protect Orthodoxy, we hold to teachings that protect the Bible. We use non-Biblical support to protect Biblical truth. We use words like inerrant to view scripture. We have systems such as Calvinism that protects us from the heresy that exists inside of the free will doctrine (that will be another post, I assure you). We create confessions, creeds, documents that support our faith and support the reading of scripture without abuse, twisting and manipulation. We read the writings of dead men to protect us from those who would seek to distort the truth.

This community of faith that protects Biblical truth from the onslaught of the heretic, they stand at the gate. They are appointed and ordained by God to help, support and strengthen this gathering called the church. We join it when we stand up and say “there is inerrant truth found in scripture” and we look at verses in context, through exegesis and consistent interpretation and application. For this, we must come into community with strong and wise mentors. For that reason, we have sola Scriptura, first the scripture and second material to help us teach, learn and protect scripture.

Why I Need Jesus

-By Dan Barnes

As I think about my life, and the things I have do and have done, I am left with one conclusion. I know I NEED JESUS! Left to my own, I know what kind of person I am. I wish I could say I am a good person, after all, I try to do good things. In a conversation recently, I realized how many good things I do for wrong reasons. Let me make some examples before I share about me.

If a man knows his neighbor has gone oversees with the military, if he goes out of his way to be nice to the wife left at home, we would say that’s a good thing. If he helped her with repairs around the house, carried her groceries for her, and was there to listen when she was sad, we would say “what a good guy”. How would it change if we knew his motivation was to have an affair with this woman, and he was trying to manipulate her for sex. Is he still a good guy?

A young girl goes over every day to spend time with an elderly lady who is a shut in. They talk and visit, they look at pictures and enjoy tea together. The young girl asks for advice and listens to the wisdom of the older lady. Sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it. What if you found out that every time the girl comes over, she is stealing the jewelry from this old woman. Is she still a good person?

I am more subtle than that. I haven’t tried to take a man’s wife or a woman’s belongings, but I have my own selfish reasons. Things like approval, recognition, my own pride and the desire to be better than you. The deeper you go, the more selfish the reasons. I end up being a Pharisee.

The Pharisees were the religious leaders and teachers of the law in Jesus’ day. They thought they were good people. They thought they were the best. They didn’t think they needed to be forgiven, because they did everything right. The problem was their motivation. They didn’t do it because they loved God, they did it to make themselves happy. In the end, they took advantage of people, they hurt people and they killed Jesus.

In Luke 18, Jesus tells the example of a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee looks toward Heaven and said “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get”. The tax collector simply prays for mercy because he is a sinner.

I need Jesus because I’m a sinner. I have moments where I feel like I should be able to stand proud and say “I am not like all the common sinners to drink, smoke, chew and go with those who do.” Then I remember what the book of James says. “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” James 2:10

Why? Simple, God’s standard is to be perfect, and I’m not. I am so far from perfect that I can’t even imagine what perfection would be like, expect for one thing. I know that Jesus was perfect. I know that He lived a perfect live, he took the test and passed with the perfect score. I get to claim his test result, I get to live by His score. That is why I need Jesus.

I need Jesus because on my own, I am selfish, cruel, self-seeking and have little to no compassion for anyone unless that compassion would directly benefit me. I would take advantage of people, manipulate people and seek my own agenda, all the while claiming to be a good person.

Here is my admission. I am not a good person, but I trust in Jesus. I trust in Jesus to do in me what I can’t do in myself. I trust Jesus to bring life to my dead spirit, to grant me forgiveness of my sins, to restore my relationship to a Holy God. I trust Jesus to do in me what I have failed to do on my own. I trust Jesus to make me into the person He wants me to be. I know that it will only be complete after I leave this life and begin my life in Heaven. I know I fail and I know I am lacking, but I trust Jesus.

I wish I could just end there, but even in trust I struggle. I so bad what to take it back, do it myself, fix it on my own. I can be a better person, a better man, a better husband and father. I can study more, believe and teach the right things, have all the answers and be a better person. If I can just get my sin problem under control, if I can stop being selfish, stop being greedy, some being envious and prideful. The problem is, the more I do, the harder I work, the more pride I take and the farther behind I get. The more I work, the less I trust and the more like the Pharisee I become. I need Jesus, he is the only answer for this cycle of self-destruction I find myself in. So I am learning to trust, and together, He can make me the man I want to be.

Theological Throwdown

-By Dan Barnes

I am offering you a challenge, a Theological throw-down.

There are verses in scripture that SAY we have been predestined.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined* to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined* he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:29-30 (ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined* us [2] for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will*, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Eph 1:3-6 (ESV)

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined*according to the purpose of him* who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
Eph 1:11-12 (ESV)

There are also verses that speak about the elect

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect* and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior
Titus 1:1-3 (ESV)

To those who are elect* exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
1 Peter 1:1-2 (ESV)

and election

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election* sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
2 Peter 1:10 (ESV)

*All emphasis mine

These are stated emphatically in scripture, no inference needed. It says we are predestined. Find me the verse that STATES we have free will. No inference. What I mean is:

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Tim 2:3-4 (ESV)

From this verse, you can make an assumption there is free will, but this verse does not say there is free will. You can argue from this verse that God is letting humans have free will and has a desire that man choose Him. You can also say that from the context, this verse is talking about the responsibility of the believer to be involved in the work of the Gospel, and the focus is not on the lost, but that’s another blog.

So, all my theological minds, find me the verses that speak DIRECTLY of free will. No inference. Find a verse that supports free will with the same sort of language that support predestination. Ready? GO!

Dan’s thoughts on Evangelism

-By Dan Barnes

I want to try to put down my thoughts systematically on what I believe about Evangelism. I know that there is some confusion by some of you about where I stand on outreach, and I want to try to put everything down. Many of you know I take the title Calvinist, and therefore don’t think I believe in Evangelism. That is not the case, I do believe in Evangelism, and I believe all Biblical Calvinists believe in Evangelism. I think that if you really wrestle with what seems to be a paradox, you come to come conclusion. It’s a paradox. The Bible is full of paradoxical statements. Christ is 100% man and 100% God. One person can’t be 100% of two things, yet Christ is. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are 3 people, yet one person. That can’t work, yet it does, because it’s God. I believe that man cannot come to God on his own, he must be drawn by God, yet is completely and 100% responsible for his actions, including what he does with Jesus.

There you go, it’s a paradox. You cannot seek God on your own, yet you are required to place your faith in Christ. Your will, you placing your trust in Jesus is your responsibility, 100%, that is Biblical. Confess, repent, turn from your sins and embrace salvation. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord of your life and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead.

At the same time, you will not seek God on your own. The Bible is clear, no one seeks God, we are totally depraved and incapable of seeking God on our own. Our only hope is that God will have mercy on us and reach down and call us, bring us to Him and send His Holy Spirit to work in our heart. Somehow, our will and the sovereign glory of God work together, in a paradoxical relationship to bring man and God together as work of God and a duty of man.

Are you confused? It’s confusing. I think part of the issue is that we put God in our time frame. We view time from past to present and future. God doesn’t not exist inside our time frame, and He works out salvation throughout time at the same time. I believe that predestination works partially through foreknowledge. God knows you, know what you will do, what you won’t do, and what you need. Some people have been created by God, and God understands that person will spend eternity in Hell, and that person is 100% responsible for their actions, their choice and their decisions. Man is 100% responsible for rejection of Christ. It would make logical sense that man is 100% responsible for accepting Christ, and I would agree . . . sort of.

I don’t believe in free-will. Free will would mean that you can use your will to choose God or choose to reject God. The book of Romans is clear that you are slaves to sin, and you are incapable of choosing God, so your will is not free. Once you are saved, you are a slave to Christ, you are then again still not free, you are not your own, you are purchased by the blood of Christ. If this is the case, the will is first in bondage to sin, and then in submission to Christ. The scripture is clear, the will is not free.

When we accept Christ, it is not through a process of will. The acceptance of Christ is not an intellectual decision. When you hear the Gospel preached, then God comes into your heart and convicts you of sin and reveals Grace. This is the part it gets tricky. Can man reject this salvation, this act of God in your heart. I am torn, because I believe that you can, but you won’t. God has all knowledge present and future, I don’t believe that God calls someone who is going to reject the call. I totally believe that when God opens your eyes and your heart, you accept the gift of salvation with joy and excitement.

Now, what that being said, I believe Salvation is God’s work. This works into some of my previous blogs about comments by others about pleading souls into the kingdom. I don’t think that is Biblical, I think it’s a man-centered approach. I believe we pray people to the kingdom, and we pray that God opens their hearts and then we preach the word. I believe that we are responsible to tell the truth, I believe that God works with us and through us. God moves through His people preaching and teaching the word, Romans 10:14. We partner with God for lack of a better term, and God moves and speaks through His word as it is preached.

I hope it doesn’t seem as confusing and convoluted as it feels. I believe that Salvation is God’s work alone, but as humans, we are responsible for our actions. My convictions as of late are two fold. First, we have taken God out of the equation too far and put man into the glory too much. I think we have minimized the role of God as Savior and maximized the role of man. I believe in the work of the preacher, but not without the power of God. Preaching and Divine convection brings salvation. Divine conviction can bring salvation. Preaching alone can not. We need to make sure we give God the glory for the work of Salvation. It is His moving, doing His work for His glory for our benefit. Make sense?

Eulogy 4 – Simon at The Cross

The Cross

 

I have seen crucifixions before; I come to them all the time.  I don’t think it’s a morbid thing; I just want to see justice done.  I thought I was going to miss this one since I was coming in from the country for another reason.

 

I heard they beat him mercilessly to the point that he was unrecognizable… He looked more like a worm pulled from the ground than like a man.  He trudged the road to Golgotha all the while people were mocking Him, hurling insults at Him, and shaking their heads in disgust.  Some of these, like me had welcomed Him as a Savior only 7 days ago.

I was there when He fell and would not get up again.  The soldiers were worried that He had died before He could be put on the cross, but he had only collapsed under His suffering.  They pulled me from the crowd and made me carry His cross to the hilltop.  Though He was exhausted and half dead already, He was determined to make it to the cross as though it was His determination and not that of the Pharisees and the people.

 

The Romans were as efficient as ever in their duty; they surrounded the bruised and disjointed Jesus like a pack of wild dogs: they pierced His hands and feet and raised Him up.  And as he was dying upon the cross, the divided His garments and cast lots for His seamless robe.

 

The Priests arrived after he was nailed to the cross and complained about the sign that said “King of the Jews,” but the soldiers would not remove it.  They surrounded Him like a heard of bulls from Bashan, they roared like lions in their mockery: “He trusts the Lord; let the Lord rescue Him.”

 

            After some time, His mouth had become dry and He was offered the vinegar wine that numbs the pain, but He refused; instead He cried out: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  And I thought it strange that he would be quoting the Psalms.  And then it made sense.  It was about Him, my observations were all written out, there in a prophesy from the hand of David.  And true to the words, the soldiers never broke the bones of Jesus for he was already dead.  Instead they pierced His side with a spear.  When the water and blood came rushing out, it was as though His heart had melted like wax.

 

            The rest of the Psalm speaks of triumphant praise for the Lord.  I do not pretend to understand what has happened or in what we should have hope; but if what we saw yesterday was written about by David 800 years ago, then maybe there is more to God’s Word than we know.  This psalm says that He will be delivered from the sword…  If it is not too late, then let us pray that David’s hand was always in obedience to God’s will.

 

Written by Dan Barnes & Greg Buchanan for Real Life, 2006.

Eulogy 3 – A Man from the Garden

The Garden

 

I remember it was a dark night…  I was in Gethsemane that night, gathering some wild olives.  I saw a small group of men come in, and four went on.  Then three stopped and sat down and one moved on alone.  I recognized Him, it was Jesus.  I had heard of this man, but I had never thought about Him much.  I was a poor man, and it didn’t matter to me if Rome was in charge or is Israel, I was still going to be poor.

            I moved closer and I could hear the words of Jesus.  He sounded in anguish.  It looked like blood was on his forehead like sweat.  He was praying.  He was asking God “let this cup pass from me”.  I understood what He was saying.  I watched my oldest son die, and I prayed the same thing.  Did this man feel the same pain I felt?  I heard Him continue to pray.  He asked God to help the men who followed Him.  I looked over at the three who had come with Him.  They were sleeping; So much for faithful followers.  I looked back at the man.  He seemed to find strength and to find resolve in His prayer.

            Why had I never had this kind of power in my prayer?  Why didn’t I find the answers?  I realized that Jesus didn’t get what He wanted, but He understood that God was with Him.  In that moment, it became clear who I was looking at.  I had heard that this man would save us.  I never would have believed it before.  Now, looking at Him, I believe in Him.

            All of the sudden, He looked right at me.  How did He see me, I was in the shadows.  I stood up, knowing I was discovered.  The look He gave me was one of peace and understanding.  I could hear a sound in the distance, I saw men with torches come closer.  Jesus walked back to his followers and they confronted the men.  One man kissed him.  The big fellow pulled out a sword and cut a man.  I saw Jesus touch the man, and in the midst of the rabble of men with swords and clubs, there was a quiet calm.  It vanished as they took Jesus by the arm and began to leave.  His followers ran in every direction.

            I stood until it was dark and quiet.  Part out of fear and part out of wonder.  I believed that this man, this Jesus would save me from the despair I have felt.  The next day, I heard about His death sentence.  I went to the place and I saw a thief.  He had that same look of despair and desperation.  He pleaded with Jesus.  Jesus answered “this day you will be with me in paradise.”  Jesus looked at me, and I swear I heard Him say “you’ll be there too.”  Jesus maybe in the grave, but I’ll see Him again.

 

Written by Dan Barnes & Greg Buchanan for Real Life, 2006.

Eulogy 2 – The Host of the Upper Room

The Last Supper

 

I was cleaning up one day when I heard a knock on the door.  It was two of the Disciples of Jesus.  They told me that He was going to eat the Passover at my house in my upper room.  I got to work right away.  I prepared the lamb, the herbs, the bread and the wine.  There were 12 men with Jesus.  Peter and Andrew, James and John, they stayed close to Jesus.  Philip and Thomas, they helped.  Judas stood off a little, with a strange look in his eye.  I don’t trust him.  The 13 of them reclined at the table, and I did my best to make it a nice celebration. 

 

Before dinner, Jesus got up and took off his outer cloak and put a towel around His waist.  He went to his disciples one by one and began to wash their feet.  I felt shamed.  I was the host; I should be washing the feet of the master.  As if He heard my heart speak, He looked at me and said “no servant is greater than his master.”  He looked back to His disciples and told them they are now to serve one another as He has served them.  It was a moment I would not forget.

 

They continued the ritual, and I looked on from the corner.  It was an honor to have someone like Jesus eating in my house.  Maybe He would bless my house.  I listened, I and heard something I couldn’t believe.  He told his followers that someone would betray Him.  I couldn’t imagine.  Why would anyone betray Jesus?  I saw Judas get up from the table and head for the door.  I guess if anyone of the 12 were crooked, it would be him.  The others didn’t seem to notice.

 

Jesus took the bread and did something I’ve never seen in a Passover meal.  He took it and He broke it.  He gave it to each person at the table and He told them “this is my body”.  It looked like bread to me.  I didn’t understand; His body wasn’t broken…  I would understand later what He meant.  He then took the cup and told them “this is my blood”.  Again, I didn’t understand.  Looking at the faces of His disciples, they didn’t understand either.

 

Towards the end of the meal, Jesus began to talk with Peter.  Peter began to speak loudly.  I heard him say “I am ready to die with you.”  Jesus told Peter that he would betray Him before the rooster crowed.  I couldn’t imagine Peter denying Jesus.  I couldn’t imagine Jesus dying.  It all seemed so strange.  They sang a hymn and they left.  I stood in the upper room and looked at the empty table.  It seemed strange to think about Jesus dying.  He was so young, so full of life.  I couldn’t imagine things with Him gone.  The next day, things began to unfold.  I don’t know what to expect next, but I know enough not to count Jesus out. 

Written by Dan Barnes & Greg Buchanan for Real Life, 2006

Eulogy 1 – The Owner of the Colt

The Triumphal Entry

 

The thing I remember most about Jesus is how the people responded to Him.  He loved the people, and they couldn’t get enough of Him, at least not until the end.  I was there when Jesus came back to Jerusalem.  I was outside a shop, and two guys ran up and untied my colt.  I said “hey, what do you think you are doing” they told us “The Lord needs it, we’ll bring it back.”  It took us a minute for it to sink in.  Jesus was coming to town, and people were talking about Him. 

 

They say that He is the one we have been waiting for, The Messiah, The Anointed One of God.  We all dropped what we were doing and ran to see Him.  There was a big crowd.  They were shouting and yelling hosanna, save us!  We got so caught up in the moment that we threw our cloaks in the road for Him to ride on.  We believed He would be the one to save us, to free us from the oppression of Rome.  We all believed He would sit on the throne and restore the glory of Israel to the time of King David. 

 

I never would have believed what would happen to Him in just a week.  Now, He’s in the grave.  People have told me that He said He would rise again.  They say He will rise tomorrow.  I guess we will wait and see what happens tomorrow.

 

Written by Dan Barnes & Greg Buchanan for Real Life, 2006.

Knock, Knock

Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  Rev 3:20 (ESV)

My friend Dan and I have discussed the verse many times regarding it’s common use in evangelistic invitations.  I just heard it used on the radio in this same fashion: a man was saying his favorite verse is Rev 3:20 and if we just “open the door” and let him come in, THEN he can save us and make us new, etc, etc. 

Sorry for the emPHasis, but I don’t want anyone to miss this: I, You, Whomever gets to OPEN THE DOOR so Jesus can save us…  isn’t that a work?  This verse, used in this manner, implys that Jesus is passively standing at the door of our hearts and hoping, pleading, praying even, “Please open up, I want to help you, it won’t hurt…”  I shudder to think that I used to understand this verse in this same way, that Jesus is waiting for us to respond to him. 

If Jesus is passively waiting for me, then I get to save myself by opening the door and availing myself of his universal offer.  If that is the case, I don’t want it.  I want a God who wants ME.  I want a God who is in control and who is on a mission and who actively seeking His Glory by choosing to include me in it!  I don’t want a God who sits around passively waiting for glory to show up when we DECIDE to accept him. 

Doesn’t that make us the benefactor and Jesus the beneficiary in His receiving glory?  Isn’t that blasphemy to assume that we can give Him something that He can’t otherwise get?

CONTEXT – In context, the verse is written to the CHURCH of Laodecia, which I think could be applicable to the United States.  (Notice I didn’t say could be prophecy about the US… this was written to a real place at a real time, but the lesson is applicable.)  The church ( a group of professing believers) was playing at the Christian life all the while boasting of their riches, prosperity, and lifestyle.  Jesus message was that they were all wearing the Emperors clothes: they did not “realize that (they) are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Rv 3:17, ESV).  Jesus was standing at the door of the church, at the door to the hearts of BELIEVERS, saying that they needed to focus on Him, not themselves.  If they turn from their self-reliance and rely soley on Jesus, then they would reap the benefits of the Joy that is to be found only in God, rather than reveling in the fleeting treasures of this life.

This verse is about restoring fellowship with Jesus, not salvation.  I pray that we quit using this verse out of context and that we church people begin to accurately apply it to ourselves and become hot or cold before we find ourselves lying in a pool of vomit.

Why can’t we be sinless???

I’m totally serious… This is not a joke!

Why is it assumed that we can NOT live without sin?  Where is it written that we MUST continue to sin?

Last night at the youth group, the study material had a section asking what qualities are necessary to be a Christian, right or wrong; i.e. you have to  dress the right way, must go to church every Sunday, must believe the bible is true, etc.  One of these options was that one must be sinless or live a sinless life.  When the youth pastor was going over this at the end, everyone said “NO!” and he echoed them in saying “NO” and added this: “It is impossible for us not to sin.”

I was appalled because everyone, youth and adult alike, were agreeing with that statement.  I was forced in my mind to ask:  If we have accepted Jesus in Faith, and have died with Him, and His blood covers our sins… then TO WHICH SINS AM I STILL A SLAVE?????????

There are passages where Jesus tells people to “go and sin no more” (Jn 8:14, Jn 8:11).   Paul encourages the recipients of his letters (which includes us) to cease their former ways and to not “go on sinning” as in our former lives (Rom 6:1-4, 1 Cor 15:24,  ).  Peter reminds us to be holy in everything we do (1 Pet 1:15-16).  John also preaches this truth: that no one who is born of God will keep on sinning (1 Jn 3:9, 1 Jon 5:18).

I’m not about to say that I do not have sin in my life (1 Jn 1:8), but that I, none of us who are bound to Christ, do not HAVE  to commit sin.  As fallen people, we are slaves to sin and it is a terrible task master ( Rom 7).  However, Romans chapter 8 reveals to us that precious freedom we have in Christ; freedom from sin and fear and death; that we have a present hope for a glory-filled future; that we are part of God’s soverign work; that He will not forsake us.

Follow this line fo thought for a moment: If it is impossible to NOT sin then -

• we are still slaves to sin
• we have not been covered by the blood of Christ
• OR we have, but it is insufficent to cleanse me of all unrighteousness
• AND if that is so, then God is a sadist for sending His Son to die a death that did not acheive it’s goals
• OR God is not there, and the bible is a lie (1 Cor 15:16-19)

If we are teaching everyone that Jesus will save you, but you will continue to live a life of sin, becasue we can’t help it, then there should be no wailing and moaning and despising the rampant immorality in this country.  We Christians give ourselves an out, that we will at least be saved by God at the end, but in the mean time we can’t help but continue to sin.  And we have the audacity to look down on the sins of people who are without Christ????

I lay claim to the truth of John Newton’s dying words: I (know) two things –  I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour.  I am not perfect; I struggle with sin of all sorts.  I know what I should do, and I still choose the wrong that I should not.  The great tragedy is that I know I don’t have to continue, as though I were yet a slave, but that I choose to do what I do.  I don’t want to ham-string myself or those around me with false doctrine of perpetual sinfulness of those who are ostensibly saved.  I’d rather teach the perpetual virginity of Mary than give the youth an excuse to go on sinning.

Thank God for His great mercy in Jesus Christ.