About five years ago I first heard this phrase--living in the way of Jesus. It came from the pen (or keyboard) of an emerging church pastor. In the context of the article, the following conundrum was posed:
Following Jesus' example as a way of salvation is dangerous. It is the same thing as trying to earn salvation by keeping the Law of God. Let me put it to you in syllogistic fashion:
If the Law of God = Reflection of Christ's Character = Living in the way of Christ
And if not perfectly obeying the Law of God = condemnation
Then not perfectly living in the way of Christ = condemnation
Following the example of Christ or living in the way of Christ as a means of salvation is nothing other than Lawkeeping. That is pure Pharisaism or legalism. That is saying that the Law = Gospel or Law = Salvation. That is a false gospel and only leads to judgment from God. The emerging church leaders that claim that anyone who lives in the way of Jesus is saved, is sorely mistaken.
Salvation has taken place when a person obeys the gospel. That is, they turn from sin and turn to God for salvation through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ who perfectly kept the Law of God for you. Any person who simply attempts to live in the way of Christ and yet does not believe the truth of Christ and what He has done to bring us to God is not saved.
Please, please, please do not be undiscerning in what you read from others. Just because someone puts out a book and has a large following does not mean they are orthodox. False prophets and teachers have always existed. Let we be deceived by them, lest us examine the Scripture and then examine their writings by the Word. The point of being a pastor is not to bring contemporariness to the church. The point is to faithful administer the Word of God for His glory displayed in Jesus Christ our Savior.
If an atheist lives in the way of Jesus, why sould he go to hell? He followed in the way of Christ. He did the things Jesus commanded and modeled his life after Christ. Jesus didn't come to bring us facts about God. He came to help us live a way of life. And if an atheist lives in a way that displays Christ's character, how could God condemn him for not believing certain facts about Jesus?Ah, well, here's the problem with that sort of argument. If Jesus came only to be our model, our example, our example setter, then we are all damned. We are all doomed and condemned if that is only what Christ came to do for us. Why? Because we do not all perfectly follow the life of Jesus. We fall short of His glory.
Following Jesus' example as a way of salvation is dangerous. It is the same thing as trying to earn salvation by keeping the Law of God. Let me put it to you in syllogistic fashion:
If the Law of God = Reflection of Christ's Character = Living in the way of Christ
And if not perfectly obeying the Law of God = condemnation
Then not perfectly living in the way of Christ = condemnation
Following the example of Christ or living in the way of Christ as a means of salvation is nothing other than Lawkeeping. That is pure Pharisaism or legalism. That is saying that the Law = Gospel or Law = Salvation. That is a false gospel and only leads to judgment from God. The emerging church leaders that claim that anyone who lives in the way of Jesus is saved, is sorely mistaken.
Salvation has taken place when a person obeys the gospel. That is, they turn from sin and turn to God for salvation through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ who perfectly kept the Law of God for you. Any person who simply attempts to live in the way of Christ and yet does not believe the truth of Christ and what He has done to bring us to God is not saved.
Please, please, please do not be undiscerning in what you read from others. Just because someone puts out a book and has a large following does not mean they are orthodox. False prophets and teachers have always existed. Let we be deceived by them, lest us examine the Scripture and then examine their writings by the Word. The point of being a pastor is not to bring contemporariness to the church. The point is to faithful administer the Word of God for His glory displayed in Jesus Christ our Savior.
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