I Believe in Christ. So what? Would a comment like that coming up in a conversation startle you? How would you respond?
So what!
In two of his books, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” and “Covenantal Apologetics,” K. Scott Oliphint recalls an incident involving discussing the gospel with someone. The man affirmed that Christ had come to die for sins and had risen. He affirmed that he couldn’t get to heaven on his own merit. Yet at the end of the discussion he said to Oliphint: “Yes, I believe all this, but so what?”
Have you come across such an example of this attitude? You might have had that discussion about Christ, sin and the cross with a close friend or relative. They’ll nod their heads and affirm everything you say. They’ll affirm belief in Christ, but nothing about their lives ever changes. They might willfully remain in sinful relationships or continue openly sinning in other ways.
We might now point out that salvation is by faith and not works – and this is true. We should also note that sanctification is a gradual and long process, and we ought to not judge anyone’s salvation on lack of visible fruit over a period of time.
Problem statements
All this considered I’ve seen statements I personally find problematic. For example one contributor to a paper on soteriology has written,
When key salvation verses in the book are interpreted contextually, coupled with a correct understanding of Greek grammar, the conclusion is clear that the requirement for everlasting life is a single moment of faith in Jesus Christ rather than continual belief…the condition of eternal salvation will simply be faith in Christ, rather than faithfulness to Christ. As a result, the focus of our message will be on the proper object of faith, Jesus Christ and His finished work, rather than a person’s subjective faithfulness and perseverance. (Bold mine)
Elsewhere, in the book “Freely By His Grace,” another person wrote,
No act of obedience, preceding or following faith in Jesus Christ, such as a promise to obey, repentance of sin, pledge of obedience or surrendering to the Lordship of Christ, may be added to, or considered part of, faith as a condition for receiving eternal life. (Underline mine)
So what again!
Discussions about salvation, faith and works invariably lead to James’ epistle and several other passages. But may I suggest that one reads the two statements above (which I consider to be problematic) and then carefully reads through 1 John?
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19 (See also 1 John 3:6-10, 2 Pet 1:10, Heb 3:12)
Paul Washer correctly observes,
There is something of a logical progression in the salvation of men. They must know that they are lost before they can be saved. However, they must know that they are sinners before they realize that they are truly lost. And finally, they must understand that God is holy before they can fully comprehend the grievous nature of their sin! (The Gospel’s Power and Message, Page 88)
The Apostle John and Paul Washer firmly answer the question of “So what?”
Maranatha!
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