Dan,
My Texan friend, I agree indeed, the Bible is the finest tapestry ever woven as directed by the Holy Spirit who gave it's authors utterance and it's books compliment one another.
Perhaps splitting hairs, but in answer to your question regarding confession being a work....
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
What is this drawing that Jesus spoke of? The conviction of the Holy Spirit resting upon the individual that they are condemned under the weight of sin and the realization that they need a saviour for their good works are without merit as they will not save them?
Is not confession of this stating a belief in the facts that have convicted the repentant person... "for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
So without the act, the "work" of confessing with the mouth, we then have the mute individual, paralyzed and unable to communicate in anyway being condemned to hell for he cannot verbalize his belief in Christ nor slip below the waters in baptism to achieve salvation? Condemned because of his inability to perform these works?
See my point Dan? Aren't we imposing works beyond the simplicity that is in Christ for salvation?
What of the individuals death bed confession of Christ as Saviour by the ill or wounded which many have born witness to? Are they burning because they are not baptized by water required in obedience?
We know the thief is with the Lord....
There are so many variables that could prohibit an individual from the work of baptism such as seen by Charles Wesley locking himself in with death row inmates leading many to Christ before their date with the gallows, I doubt the baptismal was involved. (talk about incentive!)
Do these "last hour" recipients of God's grace perish? Murderers they may or may not have been but we are all just as guilty by God's word.
Isn't His work enough?
Speaking of works of faith as in Joshua....[no need to be sorry for hollering Joshua did so in obedience too :O) ]
He shouted in faith indeed, and he is one of my favourites in scripture,(my son's name sake). But what of faith? What does scripture say of it as God's grace applies, is it a work?
I Corinthians 12
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit;....
Wow, even faith is included amongst the gifts given by God.
Confessing, (I'll work with you here) I am reminded of Abraham's faith being counted for righteousness for he believed God nor do I understand yet all that is implied with faith being a gift.
By God's grace I trust He gives knowledge in His word as He sees fit as well.
James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
I have to ask daily.
Dan, I do not negate your loving obedience to your Saviour and all Christians are to follow His ordinances as I surely see an all important theme in scripture of being called to complete obedience without exception.
"I guess the moral of that story is that God is the I AM and does His good pleasure." Amen!
God bless,
John |
