A Thorny Issue
by Pastor Paul M. Sadler
We often hear from grace believers who have been told, by someone
who should know better, that those who belong to a denomination could
not possibly be saved because they have no understanding of the Grace
message. In their mind, they are entangled in a form of “religion” and
merely going through the ceremonial motions. To them their hearts are far
from God; therefore, those who attend a denominational assembly should be
called “anathema.”
Those who hold this extreme position have a short memory, seeing
that many of them are the fruits of one of these churches. According to
them I was not saved when I was a Baptist. With this I would take issue.
It is my firm conviction that it is not a prerequisite to fully understand
the Mystery to be saved. Anyone who believes the terms of salvation set
forth by the Apostle Paul—that Christ died for their sins and rose
again—is saved by the grace of God and is a member of the true Church,
the Body of Christ.
This means that anyone who has believed the gospel of salvation is
saved, no matter what their denominational affiliation. Even though they
may not have the understanding that we have of Paul’s gospel, we owe
them both honor and respect as members of Christ’s Body. In light of the
coming Judgment Seat of Christ, we are well served never to speak
disparagingly of them. Mark these words of the Apostle Paul, and mark them
well, “Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought
[despise] thy brother? for we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of
Christ…So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God”
(Rom. 14:10,12).
We most certainly acknowledge that Catholicism spiritually binds its
hearers with the need to earn their salvation through good works. This
false “religious system,” with all its unfounded traditions, must be
exposed as heresy. But even here we must give thanks that there are
Catholics who have believed the gospel and eventually recanted
Catholicism. Protestantism, on the other hand, with all its shortcomings
and denominational bias, does at least in varying degrees preach faith in
Christ. Even though they have many times opposed us for proclaiming the
gospel of the grace of God, we like Paul, are grateful that Christ is
preached (Phil. 1:15-18).
Rather than criticize those of the denominations who are saved, we have
a responsibility to share the Word rightly divided with them so that they
too might be delivered from the commandments of men. As Paul says, we are
to “speak the truth in love,” something that is oftentimes lacking in
the Grace movement.
Transformed By
Grace -
Kevin Sadler
Transformed By Grace
#1 - Unity in Christ
Transformed By Grace #2 - One Body in
Christ
Transformed By Grace #3 - The Apostle of
Grace
Transformed By Grace #4 - The Gifts of
Christ
Posted By Cecil and
Connie Spivey
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