Yikes. This is antithetical to the gospel which is given freely because our obedience could never put us in alignment with God.I understand that we are given grace following regeneration to resist our sinful nature and walk in obedience to God, but Gal 3:3makes it clear this is still the free and gracious working of God in us.The concept of us meriting or earning this before or after salvation does not IMO align with the gospel.
Okay. I may have misunderstood you then. But even after salvation, don’t we continue to live only and solely because of the gospel working in us?My obedience to God is an expectation of one who has been raised to new life, but how can I merit blessing for doing something that is only possible because of Christ working in me?It seems that God blesses us in Christ, period, and part of that blessing is our new ability in Him to be obedient from the heart to the commandments of God.We HAVE been blessed with
Why? I’m not suggesting that works or obedience are not required of us.What I’m saying is that our obedience to God in Christ gives us no reason to boast, or expect that we will merit blessings as a result. He is our all in all, He gives us the ability to obey, we obey in Him, and so on what basis can we say, God, now you will bless me because I have obeyed, when it is only His grace that makes it possible for us to obey?
Where does Scripture establish the doctrine of meriting financial blessing through our obedience in the new covenant?Read through 2 Cor 8-9. Scripture does not support this.8:5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel
Okay, fair enough. We may be talking past each other as a result of the glorious lack of context internet forums provide. I’d argue that the blessings of God are all still freely given in Christ, though, right? Isn’t that what Ephesians 1-3is all about? Which of them are earned?
Yikes. This is antithetical to the gospel which is given freely because our obedience could never put us in alignment with God.I understand that we are given grace following regeneration to resist our sinful nature and walk in obedience to God, but Gal 3:3makes it clear this is still the free and gracious working of God in us.The concept of us meriting or earning this before or after salvation does not IMO align with the gospel.
Okay. I may have misunderstood you then. But even after salvation, don’t we continue to live only and solely because of the gospel working in us?My obedience to God is an expectation of one who has been raised to new life, but how can I merit blessing for doing something that is only possible because of Christ working in me?It seems that God blesses us in Christ, period, and part of that blessing is our new ability in Him to be obedient from the heart to the commandments of God.We HAVE been blessed with
Might want to read James chapter 2 again.Then Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.†— Luke 11:28
Why? I’m not suggesting that works or obedience are not required of us.What I’m saying is that our obedience to God in Christ gives us no reason to boast, or expect that we will merit blessings as a result. He is our all in all, He gives us the ability to obey, we obey in Him, and so on what basis can we say, God, now you will bless me because I have obeyed, when it is only His grace that makes it possible for us to obey?
I’m saying that obeying God in Christ’s strength does not give us reason to boast.
But to your question, does this not occur? Does the wicked man not get his full while the righteous go hungry?
Where does Scripture establish the doctrine of meriting financial blessing through our obedience in the new covenant?Read through 2 Cor 8-9. Scripture does not support this.8:5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel
Okay, fair enough. We may be talking past each other as a result of the glorious lack of context internet forums provide. I’d argue that the blessings of God are all still freely given in Christ, though, right? Isn’t that what Ephesians 1-3is all about? Which of them are earned?
Jesus paid my tithes________________Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church
I get to________________
If y’all spend any more time talking about Christians having to observe the Law, you’re going to summon Isa 58:12back. Think of the children.