Freak
February 21st 2003, 08:54 PM
Reformation or Redemption?
We have a quite few believers here who insist that reformation is more important then redemption. This is completely insane.
Consider what one poster once said:
"It is more important for society to stop capital criminals from committing their crimes than it is to save them from hell.
Passing laws that reduce murder, rape, child molestation, homosexuality, adultery and habitual criminals should be a higher priority than converting those criminals to Christianity."
Redemption was Jesus' primary concern:
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Simply put-Jesus came to redeem not reform. Can we go wrong following Jesus?
The Apostle Paul puts it this way:
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Let's break this down.
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Note: Grace was poured upon the wicked (in this case Paul).
The reason? Because Jesus desire was to redeem not to reform man. See what Paul writes: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
Note: Jesus came into the world to not reform but to redeem.-He came to "save sinners!"
Repeatedly, Jesus instructed His followers to preach the Gospel of redemption not to preach the message of reformation (see Matthew 10:1-2, Luke 9:1, Mark 16:16-17).
Reformation can go so far. It is limited. But redemption can totally change a man's heart thereby changing his evil behavior.
We have a quite few believers here who insist that reformation is more important then redemption. This is completely insane.
Consider what one poster once said:
"It is more important for society to stop capital criminals from committing their crimes than it is to save them from hell.
Passing laws that reduce murder, rape, child molestation, homosexuality, adultery and habitual criminals should be a higher priority than converting those criminals to Christianity."
Redemption was Jesus' primary concern:
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Simply put-Jesus came to redeem not reform. Can we go wrong following Jesus?
The Apostle Paul puts it this way:
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Let's break this down.
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Note: Grace was poured upon the wicked (in this case Paul).
The reason? Because Jesus desire was to redeem not to reform man. See what Paul writes: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
Note: Jesus came into the world to not reform but to redeem.-He came to "save sinners!"
Repeatedly, Jesus instructed His followers to preach the Gospel of redemption not to preach the message of reformation (see Matthew 10:1-2, Luke 9:1, Mark 16:16-17).
Reformation can go so far. It is limited. But redemption can totally change a man's heart thereby changing his evil behavior.