#2 Subversion: Deranged Dichotomy
Saints are sinners, saved by Grace ..
Wait What?! That’s not in the Bible!
The gnostic delusion is an inverted view of God’s righteous redemption. It is the vilifying of God and the setting up of Satan as the hero and savior of man. Sin becomes Life, Grace becomes license, and Salvation becomes freedom from judgment; freedom to do what thou wilt and be your own God. Is it any wonder that the majority of the church today has a soft view on Sin and doctrine and no fear of the LORD? They are, at the core subversives from the inside out. You see it all starts with opposing the authority of God’s revealed Word. They are friends of ‘the World’ and enemies of God. They are in affinity with the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, at war with the the Most High, and despisers of the righteous.
It is however a slow fade. This disease of subversion and spirit of lawlessness and apostasy erodes hearts and minds by degree; here a little, there a little. As in, we know the scripture says emphatically – “Go and Sin no more” (Jn. 5:14-15; 8:11; 1 Jn. 2:1-6; 3:7-8) and this great Salvation in Christ is for the purpose of destroying sin (works of the devil), conquering death, and bringing life to man. So then, this great Salvation entails Sanctification — it is after all, both a RESCUE from our captivity in sin and a RESTORATION to righteousness, holiness, and life in Him who is LIFE. (Heb. 12:22-23; 2 Pet. 1:1-4; Rom. 6:5-7; 16:25-27; Eph. 4:20-24) — but, hey nobody’s perfect! What?!
The gnostics held a dualistic belief that the highest God did not create this world of flesh and matter but a lesser God did (the demiurge). For the gnostic, Spirit is good and Matter is evil. It is from this understanding that the incarnation of the eternal logos; Christ come in the flesh, is flatly denied by them. They hold a view called docetism that affirms that it ‘only appeared’ that Christ came in the flesh BUT not actually or in reality.. it was an illusion, a magic trick.
This heretical teaching stands opposed to the revelation of scripture that God created all things good, BUT more than that, the end result of this gnostic teaching recuses the creator himself as being evil and disqualified as the righteous judge of all. (1 Jn. 1:5; Isa. 40:25) The gnostics also affirmed that some may sin as they do in debauchery and evil concupiscence ‘in the Flesh’ while their inward Spirit remains pure and undefiled. Their ‘salvation’ so called, then is an inevitable and static metaphysical reality based on the substance of their ‘Spirit’ and their knowledge or gnosis. This is a deranged dichotomy and contrary to scripture and the nature of reality itself.
The picture of salvation according to the scriptures is one of both rescue from the bondage of condemnation and corruption and restoration to righteousness and life. It is freedom from the bondage of the fear of death. It is seeing in the light of Truth the cunning deceitfulness, hardening, blindness, and estrangement that is the fruit of sin. Revealing sin as utterly sinful; something to be wholly abhorred. The obedience to death of Christ is the demonstration of God’s righteousness. That mankind, by covenantal consent and commitment may concede to God’s righteous judgment of sin in judging it in themselves. It is in identification and participation in Christ, the Son of Man that we are all of one — both He that sanctifies and them that are sanctified. It is of repentance and faith and by means of the operation of God that we are reborn of water and the Spirit and become children of the Kingdom. We receive remission of sin and cleansing and are set on the path of righteousness that leads to Life eternal. We are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. We are made members of Christ’s body. We are no longer sinners, but saints… Called to abide in Him and bear much fruit. (Rom. 6:1-8; 2 Tim. 2:11-13; Gal. 6:7-9; Heb. 3:12-14; Jn. 15)
As dear children, we are to grow in Him and conquer every thought and affection bringing them into subjection to Christ. This is the fellowship of Christ’s cross that is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. Each day we press into Him, embracing the cross and are being transformed through the renewing of our minds, from faith to faith and glory to glory Christ is being formed within us.
This great salvation is our planting together in the likeness of Christ’s death that His life may be revealed in us. This is the manifold wisdom of God; that Christ is become to us wisdom, righteousness, power, sanctification, and redemption. (1 Cor. 1:18-31; Rom. 1:16-17) This is His will our sanctification, that each of us know how to keep their bodies in sanctification and honor. That we be sanctified wholly spirit, soul, and body; a bride with out spot or blemish clothed with fine linen pure and white – which is the righteousness of the saints. It is the whole person — spirit, soul, and body that is to be sanctified. As kingdom citizens and faithful stewards walking as he walked, pleasing the Lord God Most High; who we call upon as Father. (1 Pet. 1:17)
So then, the egregious error of this teaching is that it disregards our deliverance and rescue entirely. It denies our responsibility in our acceptance or rejection of this great salvation, our allegiance to Him and His royal pronouncement and plan of redemption, and instead of abiding in fellowship of the Word, the Cross, and the Spirit we rest in the darkness pointing our finger at Him who loved us and saved us as the cause of our continued bondage.
This is wickedness to attribute our captivity in sin to Christ himself. No, Christ set us free — we must lay hold on our freedom and fight the good fight of faith, enduring temptation , so that after we are tried we may receive the crown of life which the Lord the Righteous judge shall give to those who have overcome on that day, and to all those who love His appearing. (Eph. 3:4-21; 4:20-24; Jas. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:8; Jn. 3:19)
Here are some closing witnesses from scripture.
Prov. 9:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Rom. 1:16-17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Tit. 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Ps. 24:3-5 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
1 Jn. 2:1-6 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Jas. 4:7-10 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Be blessed and be a blessing; Children of the Kingdom united.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.