Saturday 13 July 2013

The Myth of Merit

The fact that we cannot earn our salvation is admitted by most born again Christians...and yet we often still act as though our works mean something, and that we should get recognition for it or be elevated for superior service. Of course most won't come right out and say so, but will feign "humility" as they receive acknowledgment for their "goodness" etc, and I am no different. My flesh enjoys being stroked as well as any other mortal, and I recognize the evil in my flesh. That is why we are to mortify it:

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.


The following link speaks on the topic of "The Myth of Merit" by David Dykstra. He uses as his text:


Luk 17:7  But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
Luk 17:8  And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Luk 17:9  Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.


God alone is worthy of praise. If we encourage one another, we do it not by lifting each other's vanity and pride, but however we do it by encouraging each other in God's faithfulness to provide more than all our needs.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=616131510207

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