Romans Video 2009, Part 2
At first glance, it may seem that there are a number of contradictions in the Bible with regards to faith and actions. On the one hand, Paul says, "God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ" (Romans 3:22) and then he points to Abraham as being put right with God by his faith. But then Paul would say, "For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands" (Romans 2:13), and in the book of James we read, "How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions...." (James 2:21). Is this emphasis on actions what led Luther to say that James was "A letter written in straw"? How do we reconcile these verses?
Much of the Bible study was spent discussing Paul's description of the Gentiles who know nothing of the law, but yet, "Whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law....Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts." (Romans 2:14,15). Is there a way to salvation other than through Jesus Christ? Can the "heathen" be saved?
Recently, I was involved in an intense conversation with some individuals who insisted that Gandhi will not be in the kingdom because "he did not accept Jesus as his personal Savior." The Bible does make it clear that "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV) But are these the words of someone who was not responding to Jesus Christ?
“Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.”
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong”
“Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected”
“An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
“Hate the sin, love the sinner.”
“I worship God as Truth only. I have not yet found Him, but I am seeking after Him.”
“A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.”
[Note: my apologies to William Tyndale for mistakenly referring to Wycliffe when describing Tyndale's death!]