If we are saved by faith why do good?

If 'all have sinned' (Romans 3v23) but Jesus has paid the price of our sin for us then does it matter how we live?

As mentioned in a previous post over 70% of the UK population would class themselves as Christian. [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=293] However if you compared the morality of our modern western culture with that laid out in the Bible you would see a growing difference. As one example while Biblically sex outside marriage (Hebrews 13v4) and getting drunk are both wrong (Ephesians 5v18) these things seem to be a 'cultural norm' in modern Britain.

Is this the result of hundreds of years of Christianity? Perhaps Christianitys theology of Christ paying for our sin means that we can act how we like with no thought of any judgement or consequences. In fact couldn't you argue that the more we sin the more Gods love is shown in that he forgives us?

“Shall we go on sinning so that grace [Gods undeserved loving forgiveness] may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Romans 6v1-2

Gods word clearly denies such an idea. So in the light of Gods forgiveness for the sinner how does that mean Christians should live and if we already have our 'ticket to heaven' what's the motivation to live for God?

1. We are saved through faith alone in Christ NOT by the good we do

“This righteousness [Right relationship with God] from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3v22-24

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him” John 3v36

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no-one will boast” Ephesians 2v8-9

“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteousness” Romans 5v19

As we can see from the above the Bibles message is clear that we are saved through faith alone in Christ. Righteousness [a right relationship with God] comes as a gift from God – not earned by the good we do.

Through faith in Christ we are redeemed – the price of our sin paid for by Christ in our place on the cross. Through faith in Christ we are imputed [given] his righteousness gained by him obeying every part of Gods law fully.

To underline then we are saved through faith alone in Christ and......

2. A true Christian can never go to hell – once saved nothing he does will ever lose his salvation – he is guaranteed a place in heaven.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1v13-14

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 5v1

Above we read that through faith we are justified. Being justified is to be 'declared righteous' – having peace with God with no sin to separate us from God. 'Justified' is past tense - it happens when a true Christian is converted. Once it has happened we have peace with God which we cannot lose.

All true Christians receive the Holy Spirit once they are saved which is a guarantee of our inheritance – eternal life with God. A true Christian cannot lose his salvation.

3. The Holy Spirit indwelling in all true Christians will change them – giving them a hatred of sin and love for holiness.

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” Philippians 2v13

“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Romans 8v9

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2v19,20

“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matthew 8v18-23

Over the 70% of the UK would call themselves Christian. Someone can believe in God, can believe academically in all the truths of Christianity but if it has no affect on their life it is a dead, useless faith. Faith without works is a dead faith.

We are saved through faith alone, not what we do. But all true Christians who are justified by faith receive Gods Holy Spirit which will affect how they live. They will bear Good fruit, showing a hatred towards sin and growing in Godliness. If someone is converted to Christianity yet consistently shows no outward change in there behaviour then it is a strong indication that they have not truly accepted Christ into there hearts and fully submitted to him in repentance.

4. True Christians with the Holy spirit will still battle with sin in their lives.

“For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing” Romans 7v19

“For in my inner being I delight in Gods law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 7v24-25

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1v8-9

Once we are saved the Holy Spirit does not make us morally perfect robots. Christians will still battle with sin and will constantly fail. Through the Holy Spirit we have the power to fight sin. Through the Holy Spirit we have a desire to do good. Through the Holy spirit we will mourn when we do sin. The indwelling Holy Spirit will cause a change in someone's life as mentioned above but on this earth we will still battle with Sin in our lives. However for all who faith in Christ he has already paid for all our sin on the cross so that by confessing them to God in prayer he has promised to forgive us.

We will be rescued from this battle against sin – which as Christians we will mourn over – when Christ returns and we are given new sinless resurrection bodies and spend the rest of eternity in a new heaven and a new earth free from all sin, death and suffering getting to know more of our loving creator each day.

The God who is three and one.

How can Christianity believe in 'One' God in 'Three' persons?
Do Christians worship one God or three Gods?

Firstly what does God as the trinity actually mean?

1. God is three persons
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” 2 Corinthians 13v14
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28v19

We see in these verses and many others throughout scripture that God has three distinct persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2. Each person is equal and all are fully God
Firstly from the above section where all three of the persons of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – are mentioned we get a picture of equality. If for example Jesus was only a man then it would be an abhorrent Blasphemy to group him in verses with God the father.

“Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."”
John 20v28-29
After Jesus resurrection he affirms the disciple Thomas declaration that he[Jesus] is God.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3v16
Jesus is speaking here about how God (the father) sent his son [himself] into the world. God the father is clearly divine.

“The Peter said “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit......You have no lied to men but to God”” Acts 5v3-4
God the Holy spirit is fully equal in the Godhead.

3. There is one God
“Hear, O Israel:The LORD is God, the LORD is one.” Deuteronomy 6v4
“There is only one God” Romans 3v30

Despite the Bible clearly defining 3 persons in the Godhead it also describes God as being one.

How can God be both three and yet still one?

Understanding the nature of God is hard. There have been thousands of books trying to understand the nature of the trinity and personally I still struggle to get my head round a God who is both three and one. But I understand that in a number of ways a relational Godhead is the only kind of God that makes sense:-

1. Humans were created relational beings
'No man [or women] is an island' goes the well known cliché and its true. As human beings we live and seek out relationships whether in family, friendship groups or more intimate 1-1 relationships. (almost every film has a romantic sub-plot!)

“So God created man in his own image” Genesis 1v27

We were created in the image of God. If God is just One with no relationship within the Godhead then why are we created as relational beings? How could God create human beings, which revolve there lifes around relationships, unless he too is relational in nature.

2. Gods Character does not make sense unless God is relational.
"God is love” 1 John 4v8

One part of Gods character is love. We believe in an eternal unchanging God who has no beginning and no end. He existed before anything was created. So how can God be 'love' unless he is relational. The triune God is three persons held together in perfect unity in love as one. If God is just one then how can God be love, a Godhead with no relationship cannot be loving in character.

3. The Gospel – Gods rescue plan - revolves around relationships.
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3)

Jesus Christ died on the cross to take away our sin that separates us from God. Through Jesus sacrifice we have a way open to us – eternal life.

What is eternal life?
What is the point of the Gospel?
To Know God.

Gods plan for salvation is focused around opening a way to an eternal relationship personally between each of his people and God himself. Only a relational God could have a great rescue plan which revolves around his desire to know us and to allow us to get to know him for all eternity.

4. God is a trinity because it is hard to understand!
What kind of crackpot would make up a religion about a God who is three and yet one? He'd be laughed and ridiculed. That is why Christianity must be true.

If I could understand everything about God with no questions then it would be a God dreamt up in someone's imagination. I worship the infinite God who is there, who is infinitely greater than I can imagine. If I could understand the whole character of God then the God I imagine is too small to be my creator.

Why the resurrection?

A core belief of Christianity is that Jesus died on the cross and then three days later rose again.
If Jesus was God then how could he die in the first place?
How is it significant that he rose to life again?

Firstly how can God die? Previously we've discussed Gods holiness and just anger against sin which is deserving of death. (“For the wages of Sin is death” Romans 3v23) We discussed that the only way for God to reconcile his holiness and just anger against sin and his love that desires that no-one should perish was to punish a perfect, sinless, sacrifice in our place.

“For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3v16

“He [Jesus] humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” Philippians 2v8

Jesus Christ, part of the Godhead (I'll look at the trinity in a few days), humbled himself to take on human form and became obedient to death on the cross to pay the price of sin for all who believe.

“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” 1 Corinthians 15v14

As you can see above the fact of Jesus resurrection from the death is a fundamental belief in Christianity. Below are a few of its most important implications.

1. Christ's resurrection gives a certain hope to the resurrection of his followers

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1v3

Through his resurrection those who have faith have a 'living hope.' The Greek word which has been translated 'hope' here is a certainty. (not in the colloquial sense of 'I hope I'll get good grades') So we know as follows of Christ that we will be raised to life after our death on this earth as a certainty just as Jesus Christ was risen from the dead.

2. Christ resurrection proves that God has forgiven the sins of believers

“He [Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” Romans 4v25

'Justification' is a term which describes God declaring people righteous - blameless before him. Jesus paid the price of the sin for all who believe in him (John 3v18) and his resurrection from the dead was Gods sign that he had accepted Christ sacrifice paying the penalty of sin in our place.

3. Christ resurrection proves his claims to be the Messiah

“Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” Matthew 16v21
Christ speaking to his disciples before his death.

“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Luke 24v36-47
Christ speaking to his disciples after his resurrection.

Jesus disciples presumed the Messiah would free Israel from Roman rule – they were looking for an earthly kingdom. Yet Jesus taught them how he must suffer and die to bring about a heavenly kingdom freeing people from the power of sin.

After Jesus death the disciples grand idea of freedom from Rome seemed dashed. Jesus bodily resurrection proved to them he was the Messiah, he was the Christ the son of God, and he sent them out to be witnesses to the world of this good news, the Gospel.

Jesus death - more than a ticket to heaven?

As discussed yesterday Jesus died on the cross to pay the price of sin. So what does this mean for us today? Was the cross just a ticket to heaven or does it offer the Christian other privileges? What is Heaven?

“At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a load voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” - which means “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15v33-34

“With a load cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Mark 15v37-38

In Mark 15 we read about the death of Jesus. The spiritual death he suffered during the hours of darkness as the Son of God was separated from his father because of the sin he bore in our place. As he finally physical died the action suddenly transfers to a temple curtain – why?

“Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testament behind the curtain. The curtain will separate The Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.” Exodus 26v33

In Exodus, the book which tells of the Israelites journey after escaping from Egypt, God gives instructions for the creation of a place of worship which would represent his dwelling place among his people. The ark of the testament contained the law and represented Gods throne room with his people.

“The high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without the shedding of Blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The holy spirit was showing us by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper” Hebrews 9v7-9

In the new testament in the book of Hebrews we read that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing. What does this mean?

“Therefore none will be declared righteous by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin” Romans 3v20

God had made a covenant with Israel that he would dwell with them if they obeyed his law perfectly. However this 'first tabernacle' (see Hebrews reference above) could not stand as the people could not live perfectly by the law.
Part of the purpose of the old testament narrative of the people of Israel repeatedly failing to keep Gods law is to show us that we cannot be saved by obeying the law – we 'all have sinned' (Romans 3v23) and our best efforts fail to reach Gods standard.

When Jesus came on the scene the Jewish leaders of the day had made up there own traditions around the law to try and make it manageable. Jesus exposes the real meaning of the law that God did not just look at outward appearance but at the heart:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement” Matthew 5v21-22

“You have heard that it was said 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a women lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” Matthew 5v27-28

When Jesus opened up the full implications of the law the Jewish leaders saw that no-one could really obey it – even themselves – so they challenged Jesus accusing him of trying to abolish the law.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.” Matthew 5v17

Jesus declared that he had come to fulfil the law. Looking back at the temple curtain.....

“When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of his creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9v12

The Most Holy Place represents God throne room. In the temple the high priest entered each year after offering sacrifices for his and the peoples sins. These sacrifices were symbols pointing towards the one perfect sacrifice for sin, that is Gods son Jesus Christ.

So.....Why was the temple curtain torn in two when Jesus died?

Jesus obeyed the law perfectly on earth and when he died in our place on the cross he suffered the penalty our sin deserves. After his death, with the price of sin paid for, the temple curtain – which represented division between God and ourselves because of sin - was ripped in two.

The heart of Christianity is that through Jesus Christ we can have a relationship with God, no longer divided by sin, starting when we believe and are born again and lasting for all eternity.

What does Jesus Resurrection from the dead mean ?
If Jesus paid for our sin on the cross then does that mean Christians can sin as much as they like and still go to heaven?

I'll look at these questions in the coming days......

Heaven or Hell?

Is there a Heaven and how do you get there?
Is there a Hell and how do you avoid it?

These are some of the most pressing questions we face. Our time on this earth is nothing compared to where we spend eternity.
Who has the authority to answer these questions? Looking at the Bible, the words of the God who is there I've been thinking.......

Over the previous few days we've looked at how the God who is there is a God of love and holiness. In his holiness he has a just wrath against our sin, and as 'all have sinned' (Romans 3v23) we all stand condemned under Gods wrath.

However yesterday we looked at Gods love manifesting itself in a rescue plan – a saviour predicted throughout the old testament. This saviour would be God himself.

“Then God [singular] said, “Let us[plural] make man in our[plural] image...”” Genesis 1v26

From the creation account and throughout the bible we have a picture of one God yet in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit – a trinity. I'm not going to look at this doctrine in detail here but think on the fact that for God to have character attributes such as love he must be relational.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son”
John 16v16-18

“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6v23

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” 2 Corinthians 5v21

Gods rescue plan was to send his son Jesus Christ into the world. As both man and God he lived a perfect life without sin. As a sinless being he had not earned the wages of sin, he deserved not the physical death nor the spiritual death of God pouring out his wrath on sin.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” 1 John 3v16

Jesus chose to suffer death on the cross in our place. He cried out 'My God, My God why have you forsaken me' (Mark 15v34) as he hung dying to show us that his death went beyond the physical to the spiritual death of suffering Gods wrath against the sin of his people.

To satisfy Gods justice he sent his son who willingly gave up his life as the perfect sacrifice. Gods holy wrath against the sin of his people was bore by Jesus Christ in our place.

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for Gods wrath remains on him” John 3v36

The God who is there is justly angry against sin. Jesus while on earth spent more time warning people of hell, suffering Gods wrath for sin after our death, than heaven.

By faith in Jesus Christ as the son of God and through trusting in his sacrifice that forgives us our sin we are saved for an eternal life with God.
If we reject Jesus then Gods wrath remains on us, no amount of DIY religion will save us from suffering Gods wrath for all eternity.

God has given us a rescue plan – will you take it?

A God of Love and Wrath?

“God is love” 1 John 4v8

If a key part of Gods character is 'love' then, as discussed in yesterdays post, how can God be angry with us because of the wrong we do. If God is love shouldn't he just forgive our sin?

Love is an important part of Gods character, but is not the only attribute. God is also holy – morally good and pure. As a holy God he has an intense hatred and wrath against all sin.
“Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming” Colossians 3v5-6

Since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden of Eden sin has separated us from God, leaving us facing his coming wrath. God cannot deny his own character - in justice he will punish all sin. And if 'all have sinned' (Romans 3v23) all stand condemned with no way to save themselves.

But God is love and desires that no-one should perish in sin.
“He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish” 2 Peter 3v9

The God who is there, the God of love, has a rescue plan. In passages of scripture written hundreds of years before Jesus would come God inspired men to write predictions of a coming saviour.

“And I will put enmity between you and the women, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” Genesis 3v15
In the Garden of Eden after the fall of man God warns the serpent, the devil who tempted Adam and Eve to sin, that a male descendent of Eve will crush his power ('he' is singular)

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5v2
He would come from Bethlehem.

“Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Psalms 41:9
He would be betrayed by a friend

“All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."” Psalm 22:7-8
He would be mocked

“Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.” Psalms 22:16
He would be crucified - pierced hands and feet.

“He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” Isaiah 53:9
He would be sinless.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9v6
He would be God

Somehow the Sinless God himself would come, born in Bethlehem as a male descendent of Eve (God and human). Over his life he would be betrayed, mocked and crucified.

Are you puzzled by Gods rescue plan to save people from sin? We'll look into greater detail at how the Saviour fulfilled these prophesies and in doing so broke the power of sin in the coming days.

Who defines the afterlife?

In the most recent census of the UK in 2001 76.8% of the population would define themselves as religious, predominantly Christian. (71.6%) [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=293]

I have no doubt that those who group themselves as 'Christians' will have a huge difference of opinion of what being a Christian really means. From bible believing regular church goers to 'cultural Christians' something the renowned atheist Richard Dawkins claims to be. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7136682.stm] However I think its fair to say that most of these people would believe in some kind of afterlife.

The idea of God and an afterlife is inextricable linked. If we know that there can only be one true idea of God rather than everyones own different ideas somehow all being correct then likewise there can only be one afterlife. If there is a real place where people go at death then it cannot be defined from our own imaginations or ideas just as God cannot be. There must be one true definition of an afterlife. One true place people people go at death.

Where do we go to find out about this afterlife? We can listen to the ideas and imaginations of each person – but is this a reliable source? Truth – whether God exists or not, whether there is an afterlife or not is not revealed by a vote. There can only be one truth.

As a Christian I believe in the Bible as my anchor for truth in which we read :

“For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” Romans 3v23
“For the wages of sin is death...” Romans 6v23a
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for Gods wrath remains on him” John 3v36

All have sinned and the wages, our payment – what our sins deserves, is death. Biblical Christianity is not a DIY religion. If all have sinned and the wages of this sin is death then there is no amount of 'Good deeds' we can do to escape this eternal death. This 'death' is linked to being under Gods wrath for our sin.

If God is love how can he be angry with us?
Why or how does some simple belief in his son take away this anger?
What does it mean to 'believe' in Gods son?

These are the questions we'll be looking at in the days to come – post comments if you want to add more to the list.