Bruce, you seem to forget that Bishop J. C. Ryle dedicated his entire ministry to preaching the Gospel and refuting the false gospel of the Tractarians and the Anglo-Catholics. You seem to think that Anglo-Catholics may quote Ryle for their side. The quotes from Ryle below are meant to contradict the teaching which confuses our objective justification in Christ with the subjective sanctification of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer. The two are absolutely distinct and to confuse the two is not merely "semantics" but the very heart of the Gospel itself. To deny the objective justification we receive by faith is to deny the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Even the worst sinner can receive a pardon, forgiveness, and justification before God solely on the basis of Jesus' sinless life and His substitutionary death on the cross. The believer is completely and absolutely justifified and saved from the moment he or she is regenerated by the Holy Spirit and effectually drawn to saving faith (John 6:39-44).
Yes and spiritual pride is the only thing that can explain how a Roman Catholic or an Anglo-Catholic or an Eastern Orthodox person could possibly believe that their good works contribute anything at all toward their justification--even regarding sins committed after baptism. Semi-pelagianism is rooted in self-righteousness and the lie that following Jesus' example is what justifies the sinner before God.
Sorry, but the Bible clearly says that the ONLY justification we have before God is the active obedience of Jesus Christ, who NEVER sinned even ONCE (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).
There can be no compromise with pelagians and semi-pelagians precisely because they preach a FALSE gospel of works righteousness. Unless you forsake that doctrine you cannot be saved. Those who wish to walk with Baal on one side and Jesus on the other are not Christians. Choose you this day whom you will serve. Making yourself into a "good" person will only earn yourself a deeper place in hell. (Romans 6:23) There is none good enough to justify themselves by their own good works. (Romans 3:10-12; Romans 3:23) ONLY the good works of Christ can justify anyone and ONLY the passive obedience of Christ who went to the cross to bear in our place our sins can pay the penalty due to unworthy, miserable sinners.
The Pharisees thought they were "good" and "righteous" as well. And what did Jesus call them? A brood of vipers and hypocrites.
You are a hypocrite and a sinner, Bruce (1 John 1:8-10). You can't have it both ways. You cannot endorse two completely different gospels. There is only ONE Gospel and it certainly is not the same gospel of works that the Anglo-Catholics, Pharisees, and the hypocrites teach.
Even the most pure Christian sins daily in thought, word and deed and falls short of the mark of absolute holiness and perfection. God commands ABSOLUTE holiness and ABSOLUTE obedience (Matthew 5:17-20; 5:48). If you fall short of that mark of perfection, then you're going to hell (Romans 10:1-4)--unless of course you accept the active obedience of Christ as your ONLY righteous standing before God (Philippians 3:9). Choose. Will it be YOUR righteousness you will plead before God on the judgment day? Or will it be the righteousness of Christ? (Romans 10:6-10).
Charlie
For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; (Romans 4:3-7 ESV)
Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19-20 ESV)
"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31-32 ESV)
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 10:19 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: [Reasonable Christian] J. C. Ryle: Know Yourself
Excellent Ryle quote.
"Pride is the worst of sins, not only because it was Lucifer's original sin, but because it keeps human beings from repentance and faith. Humility is simply honesty about our true state. Spiritual pride is based on a lie, and when it enters into the life of a believer, it can be devastating. Self-righteousness ("I know better than you") is a form of blindness that, at best, keeps us from growing and at worst can send us to hell."
- Joe Heartland
On Wed, May 12, 2010 at 10:46 AM, Charlie J. Ray
<cranmer1959@hotmail.com> wrote:
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 7:59 AM
Subject: [Reasonable Christian] J. C. Ryle: Know Yourself
Be very sure that self–knowledge is the first step towards heaven. To know God's unspeakable perfection, and our own immense imperfection, to see our own unspeakable defectiveness and corruption, is the ABC in saving religion. The more real inward light we have, the more humble and lowly–minded we shall be, and the more we shall understand the value of that despised thing, the gospel of Christ. He that thinks worst of himself and his own doings is perhaps the best Christian before God. Well would it be for many if they would pray, night and day, this simple prayer: "Lord, show me myself."
~ J.C. Ryle
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
--
Posted By Charlie J. Ray to Reasonable Christian at 5/12/2010 07:59:00 AM
Posts
1 comment:
Anglo-Catholics claim to know "better than you" because they deny that the Bible is sufficient in and of itself. They have all the "inside" knowledge that the plowboy can't read for himself in the Holy Scriptures. J. C. Ryle is most certainly referring to Anglo-Catholic when he says they are proud and know something no one else can know. If you want to "know" what God says, just open your Bible. Even a child can understand it! 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
Post a Comment