In this episode we talk about living in the freedom of God's grace versus the slavery of legalism. While this episode is lengthy, there is some much more that could have been said on the topic or even just regarding the book of Galatians. After listening to this episode, I would highly encourage you to go read Galatians start to finish keeping in mind what we discussed today.
Purchase The Grace Awakening (Chuck Swindoll).
View the definition of "justify".
View the definition of "righteousness".
Quotes used:
AMP Bible footnote: "Being justified is a legal or judicial declaration of righteousness. Justification has two parts: (1) Being declared free of blame, acquitted of sin—not guilty. Believers are justified because Jesus Christ personally assumed the guilt for our sin on the cross; (2) God declares the person righteous, that is, placed in a position of right-standing with Him. A person may not be made righteous by his personal behavior, no matter how good, or by the declaration of any other human being."
"There is a battle raging today throughout the world in the heads and hearts of multitudes of people, who just will not accept the fact that they can do absolutely nothing to justify themselves before God!" (Phil Newton)
"Paul did not deny that good works were significant. He just denied that they were the grounds of our acceptance. Ephesians 2:8-10 shows Paul's gospel clearly—God's initiating grace, through mankind's faith response, unto good works." (Dr. Bob Utley)
Scriptures referenced:
Matthew 7:28-29
Galatians 5:1
Acts 10
Acts 13:1-3
Acts 13:9
Acts 13:46
Acts 14:24-15:11
Genesis 17:14
Leviticus 12:3
Romans 3:20
James 2:10
Galatians 1:1-9
Galatians 2:11-14
Galatians 2:15-21
John 17:20-21
2 Corinthians 5:21
Romans 8:33-34
Romans 8:38-39
Ephesians 2:8-10
Galatians 3:1-3
Matthew 22:37-40
John 14:15
John 3:16
Romans 5:8
Matthew 3:17
Romans 5:3
Hebrews 13:5
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 4:6
Romans 8:1
Philippians 3:12-14
Hebrews 4:16
Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, 28
2 Corinthians 5:9
Colossians 1:9-10
Ephesians 5:10
John 1:12-13
1 John 5:3
Galatians 5:2-4
Revelation 12:10-11
Romans 6:1-2
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 8:14
**CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS**
I said that Paul lists his "credentials" so as to defend against the attacks of his opponents therefore defending against the diminishing of his message. Another reason he lists his credentials is to show how those things cannot save (e.g., Philippians 3:1-11).
When I said, "Is that not different than the whole distinction between identity and behavior," I didn't mean to say "not".
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Take care!