comfort doctrines (4)

Comfort Doctrines

(4)

Comfort Doctrine A teaching that gives false spiritual comfort to one who does not want to be held accountable for sinful activity.

Comfort Doctrines

(4)Are we

saved by works?

Salvation by works Good works outweigh evil works – enough

Works based religions Minimalism Picking and choosing Do some Christians have a problem with this?

Understanding Grace God’s grace the PRIME factor in our salvation!

Our Salvation

Understanding Grace What is grace? xa/ri$,(charis) “that which affords joy, pleasure delight…” (Thayer)

“God’s forgiving mercy, as gratuitous and opposed to merit.” (McClintock and Strong)

Our Salvation

Understanding Grace What is grace?“particularly that which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude…

Our Salvation

Understanding Grace What is grace?“… A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.” (Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament)

Our Salvation

Understanding Grace The importance of grace

Eph. 2:8-9 Rom. 3:23-24 Titus 2:11-13

Our Salvation

Understanding GraceA gift offered but not forced upon us

Jericho – Josh. 6:1-20, vs. 2 – “I have given…” (grace)Vs. 3 – “You shall march” (obedient works)Heb. 11:30 – “By faith”

Our Salvation

Understanding GraceA gift offered but not forced upon us

Gideon – Judges 7:1-22, vs. 9 – “I have delivered”see also vs. 2 (grace)Vs. 3 – 300 men followed instructions (obedient works)Heb. 11:32, 34 – “By faith”

Our Salvation

To give conditions to receive God’s grace

does NOT negate that it is His gift.

Understanding GraceWhat does His grace consist of?

Sending Jesus to dieAccepting His sacrificeHis message revealed to usHis plan of salvationSpiritual blessingsWillingness to keep forgiving us

Our Salvation

Understanding WorksThere are works that do not save

Ephesians 2:9 Romans 3:20 Romans 4:2-4

Our Salvation

Understanding WorksBUT there are commands that MUST be obeyed

Gal. 6:2 – fulfill the law of Christ, Rom. 3:27, 8:7

Gal. 5:6 – “faith working though love” Jas. 1:22, 25, 2:24

Our Salvation

Understanding Works Commands that MUST be obeyed

1 John 5:3-4 – keep His commandments, 1 Jn. 2:3

Rom. 8:17,18 – “obeyed from the heart…” Heb. 5:9, 1 Pet. 1:22, Matt. 7:21-23

Our Salvation

Understanding WorksHow do we reconcile these texts?

We must identify the types of works addressed!

Our Salvation

Will you obey God’s will

today?