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NASB | Matthew 22:32 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 22:32 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living." [Ex 3:6] |
Subject: purgatory is it true? |
Bible Note: Emmaus: You wrote: "As for Romans 4. Paul NEVER said "faith alone," only Luther's isogesis reads that into the text. Paul preached a faith that was faithful and active in obedience that was received by grace. If there is anything we are saved by alone it is grace." Yes, grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Let's take a look at Paul ourselves if Luther was so wrong. 'What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness' --Romans 4:1-5 Was Abraham justified before God by works, according to verse 2? We may be talking about works of the law, which you correctly state as being not given at Sinai at this point, but it is apparent that Paul is not advocating a "different kind of works" here. In any case, can you name a single work required of God which is not included in the law? The law not only covers ceremonial cleanliness and sacrifices, but how to conduct oneself. The Ten Commandments are a part of the law. So are Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, which taken together are the summation of the law, according to Christ. We still see that Abraham's faith ALONE was credited as righteousness. In verse 5, Paul makes the distinction crystal clear. Abraham was justified by faith apart from works -- period. In case there would still be misunderstanding, Paul goes on in the chapter to reiterate the word "believe," distinguishing it from works. This belief does result in works (a point on which you and I agree), but it was the belief itself which God reckoned to Abraham as righteousness (before he was even circumcised). He also uses David as an example as well: "just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works" --Romans 4:6 Apart from works...That is in keeping with what we see in the previous chapter as well: "But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" Again, apart from the law, righteousness has been revealed, through faith (nothing else mentioned at all) for all those who believe (nothing else mentioned at all). All fall short, but justification is a GIFT (i.e. not something that is earned, which Paul elaborates upon in Romans 4 when he speaks of wages versus justification by faith apart from works). The Jews in Paul's day did not hold the dietary laws and circumcision alone to be the key to attaining righteousness from God. The law was taken together as a whole, with the moral law definitely included as the key element to "earning righteousness." You wrote: "Abraham's faith was an active responsive faith." Agreed, the only faith that is true, saving faith. "Note that Abraham's works could not be works of the law because they were done in faith and before the law was given." They were works in keeping with the moral law of God, even if the Ten Commandments had not been given in written form. According to Romans 2:13-15,the moral will of God is written on the hearts of all human beings. I do not argue with the fact that Abraham's works were rooted in faith. I stand with you in saying that true faith produces God-honoring works. However, it is far from reading into the text to say that Abraham's BELIEF in God was credited to him as righteousness. Jesus said so in no uncertain terms: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." --John 5:24 He who believes has eternal life. He who believes will not be judged. He who believes has passed out of death into life. Just like Abraham, who was credited with righteousness from God before he was even circumcised and began to work, so God's children are credited with Christ's righteousness before we even lift a finger to live out our true belief. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God." --Romans 5:1-2 Yeah, really seems like Luther (and Augustine before him) was really stretching it. :) --Joe! |