Saturday, September 7, 2013

Justification by Death?

“I'm afraid that in the United States of America today the prevailing doctrine of justification is not justification by faith alone. It is not even justification by good works or by a combination of faith and works. The prevailing notion of justification in our culture today is justification by death. All one has to do to be received into the everlasting arms of God is to die.”


6 comments:

Eddie Eddings said...

He hit the coffin nail on the head!

Gregg Metcalf said...

Eddie - Right on! He couldn't have nailed it or said it any better. People think they can live anyway they want and yet death is an automatic ticket in heaven and bliss. How horribly awful that thought process truly is!

Larri said...

Ain't it the truth!
Amazing how one becomes saintly just by dying.
Great quote, Gregg! Thanks for sharing. Happy Sunday :)

Anonymous said...

A good quote Gregg as always you come up with something to think about.

Yvonne.

Susan said...

That's interesting, Gregg, hadn't thought of it that way but I see what you mean.

Only the death of Christ (who is the only righteous one) was important. Our death is because sin entered the world. Jesus death was completely unjustified, just as the thief on the cross had also stated. Jesus will raise up those whom the Father has given Him, just as He raised up Himself.

What blasphemy to give honor and praise ("sainting" them) to mere mortals for their dying. Only God knows if they were truly His, and then He gets the honor and praise and glory.

Very powerful things to mull over.

Gregg Metcalf said...

Larri - Unfortunately it seems to be the truth. People think God will overlook anything. Thanks. You are welcome. Have a good Lord's Day yourself!

Yvonne - thanks.There are only two main views of justification, declared just by God or justification earned by effort. They both cannot and are not right.

Susan - the point I hope you see, is that R. C. was making is that it seems most people think that when they die they are going to be automatically accepted by God and welcomed into heaven. Pagans who deny God think they will go to heaven upon their death regardless of what they believed or how they lived.