If I may share some of my thoughts..
Some may see me as a deceived christian but I personally look to Jesus' death and resurrection as what our salvation is based upon. To me, this seems even to be a part of Selassie I's views as he said: "When He sacrificed himself at Golgotha for the atonement of our sin".
What Ark I mentioned about people not heeding Jesus' teaching and example.. reminds me of what some people call "cheap grace".
Here are some words by Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
"That is what we mean by cheap grace, the grace which amounts to the justification of sin without the justification of the repentant sinner who departs from sin and from whom sins departs.
Cheap grace is not the kind of forgiveness of sin which frees us from the toils of sin. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession.
Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must the asked for, the door at which a man must knock.
Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price, and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us."
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I read something last night which I found well-written. I encourage all to read chapter six and seven of this book.
Here is a part of the ending of chapter seven:
"We must never forget, as Jesus Himself said, that His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 26:28). Our gospel, above all else, offers people forgiveness for their sins. Therefore, we should not think that mentioning humanity's sinfulness, God's wrath, or the future judgment is incompatible with preaching the gospel. Yes, God has an inheritance for those who are saved, and we can receive more from God than forgiveness. Forgiveness, however, is the starting place. Only one who is forgiven can receive God's other blessings.
Of course, there are those who only preach about humanity's sins and God's judgment, never offering anyone the solution, which is the message of Jesus' death on the cross. That, too, is a terrible extreme. We should preach a balanced gospel, emphasizing certain aspects as the Holy Spirit directs us to tailor our message to certain audiences but never completely excluding any essential element.
So here is a summary of the gospel presented in Acts:
"Jesus was a man sent by God, attested by the many miracles He performed. Yet He was condemned and crucified by evil men, but in so doing, He fulfilled the preordained plan of God, because the ancient prophets predicted His sufferings and death. After three days, He rose from the dead and was seen by many witnesses; this, too, was predicted by the prophets. Now He has commanded us to preach that men everywhere should repent, because He will one day judge every person. He is offering to all the forgiveness of their sins. So repent, believe in Him, and be baptized in His name!"
How does your gospel square up with that?"
One might ask why Jesus didn't reveal all that His death would accomplish before He died..
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