XXXX, I am well aware of your philosophy on life and I wish that it were only a matter of living a good life. But from my viewpoint and experience, I see the human race as having a duality of good verses evil, a never ending fight in the human mind. A person may appear to be something on the surface, but his mind may hide many evil thoughts of lust, jealousy, revenge and even the desire to murder.
A person who is not saved by depending on the grace of God alone, and acknowledging God's son, Jesus is only held back by the threat of law and what punishment he may have to undergo if he acts on the impulses of his mind
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As long as a Christian lives in his present form, he also is pressed from every side with temptation and negative, lusty thoughts and feelings. That is why it is important to acknowledge to ourselves that God and God only can deliver us through his grace alone. How many times does our ego tell us we accomplished this or deserve that until we completely push God out of the picture and actually believe that we are masters of our destiny and we are powerful and capable enough to handle life on life's terms?
Now XXXX, I honestly believe that you know all of this as well as I do but you have not accepted that there is a power who is completely sovereign to all mankind and who is creator of heaven and earth who sent his Son to earth to pay the price of sin once and for all for mankind.
We must not think that we have to earn that grace when God's Son has paid the price for us, freely given. No man could do that; only Christ.
I think that a teaching of works saves is the most pernicious, deadly thing that a Christian could be taught.We can't pay God back for what he did for us. Our efforts are not welcome to God. He can only acknowledge us through the one who justifies us. His Son.
Stir up a debate? It is worth a debate to me if only one person will turn from a work's doctrine? How can we ever please God with our puny efforts?
I am sending this to you but I believe that I also shall post it for edification of the Saints.
Thank you XXXX for writing.
Santiago
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