JMP@VMS.BRIGHTON.AC.UK (pharmacy John Pickett) (01/16/90)
>From: Chuck Yoke <U1E31@EARN.WVNVM> >Subject: Grace vs. Works >The grace only proponents of salvation have - as far as I am concerned - missed >the boat when it comes to what it meants to accept Christ. To accept Christ, >means not just to recognize him as the savior, the Son of God, the Messiah. >It means to accept the living Lord INTO YOUR HEART, to let HIM rule your >life. To be a follower of Christ means to live your life as Christ lived >his, to continue in his path, to reflect him in your daily life. I have been overwhelmed with work, weakness and mail! Maybe I've missed some mailings and even failed to get the point of some mail shots that I have managed to read. However - I feel that there might be a misunderstanding in Chuck's mailing here. I guess I agree wholeheartedly with him for Jesus said "by their fruit you will recognise them." (Matthew 7:20) and Paul lists this fruit (NB singular) which is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control." (Galatians 5:22,23) BUT - this is the result of our being saved - not the cause; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not of works, so that no-one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9) That's why I am a "grace only proponent of salvation." Jesus sought me, not the other way round... mind you He worked in me by His Spirit so that I did seek Him - but not until He first sought me, for I was "like sheep going astray, but now... have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of my soul." (1 Peter 2:25) "We love Him because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) In His love, John Pickett