Committed to the Scriptures
Committed to the Scriptures
C. S. Lewis on the Sermon on the Mount
C. S. Lewis was once criticized for not caring for the Sermon on the Mount. He replied, “As to ‘caring for’ the Sermon on the Mount, if ‘caring for’ here means ‘liking’ or enjoying, I suppose no one ‘cares for’ it. Who can like being knocked flat on his face by a sledgehammer? I can hardly imagine a more deadly spiritual condition than that of a man who can read that passage with tranquil pleasure.”
(Mat 5:17-20 NNAS) "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. {18} "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. {19} "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. {20} "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Why did Jesus stress that he did not come to abolish the Law?
(2 Pet 3:11-18 NNAS) Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, {12} looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! {13} But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
{14} Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, {15} and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, {16} as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. {17} You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, {18} but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Word to Live By
(2 Tim 2:15 NNAS) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Three Biblical Ideas of John Wesley
Universal Atonement: (John 3:16-17 NNAS) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. {17} "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Free Agency: (Rom 2:6-8 NNAS) who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: {7} to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; {8} but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
Entire Sanctification: (Acts 15:8-9 NNAS) "And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; {9} and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.