• Home
  • I'm New!
    • About Us
    • Location
    • Our Team
    • Connect Card
  • Ministries
    • Outreach >
      • PB&J Ministry
      • Pinellas Hope - Tent City Outreach
    • Prayer
    • Vineyard Kid City
    • Small Groups
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Euclid Heights Community Garden
  • Events
  • Giving
St. Pete Vineyard Church
  • Home
  • I'm New!
    • About Us
    • Location
    • Our Team
    • Connect Card
  • Ministries
    • Outreach >
      • PB&J Ministry
      • Pinellas Hope - Tent City Outreach
    • Prayer
    • Vineyard Kid City
    • Small Groups
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Euclid Heights Community Garden
  • Events
  • Giving

Justification by Faith

2/9/2022

Comments

 

Happy February SPV Fam! 
We’ve been working our way through the book of Galatians the last several weeks and the subject of “Justification by Faith”   has come up as it is definitely “a theme” of this epistle. And I put “a theme” in quotes because in certain theological traditions it is more regarded as “THE theme” and not just of Galatians but even for the Bible as a whole. While I believe justification is an important and rich concept, I would definitely push back against those who would place all of their proverbial theological eggs in that basket. 
For many, what they are saying and how they are defining Justification by Faith is this: we are all born sinners and therefore separated from God’s life. They are also saying that we  are even actual enemies of God UNTIL…we place our faith in the saving work of Jesus and once we do that, at that very specific moment in time, we go from being an enemy of God to becoming a child of God and our name written in the lamb’s book of life. 
I can see that, there are definitely some truths sprinkled about in that breakdown and even specific Bible verses to justify (wink, wink) each point but for me, some of those verses are taken just a tad bit out of context and the concept of God’s work of salvation is FAR more nuanced than this (which is very good news for us all). 
I won’t get into all of the details right here with this, you’ll need to actually listen to the entire sermon series if you want the full breakdown, but I came across this quote the other day that really spoke to me and I hope you find it useful/helpful as well: 
“He (Christ Jesus my Savior) is not only my final destination but the inn at which I rest each evening. He is the one who awaits me at my journey’s end, but equally he is the inseparable companion who walks by my side at every step in my pilgrimage.”
-St Nicolas Cabasilas, 14th Century 
And I would add to that, the Christ is also the very author of our life as a whole, even before we were born if your brain can allow you to go there/fathom that. Each one of us has the Imago Dei, the mark and imprint of God.  God is very much with us and has been intricately involved with us from the beginning. Therefore I categorically reject the notion that we are born as Godless creatures and enemies of our creator, that’s just really bad theology in my humble opinion. 
That’s why I state with confidence each and every week to ALL of you, whether you consider yourself a Christian/Christ follower or not (yet): “you are loved, you are loved, you are loved.” And I stand by that with all that’s within me.
Much love (& faith) to you all, Pastor Chris. 
--
Christopher Cahall
[email protected]
www.spv.org

Comments

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    August 2014
    June 2013
    March 2013
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Heaven
    Identity
    Jesus Goggles
    Robby Dawkins

    RSS Feed

St. Pete Vineyard Church
Sunday Morning Services at 11:05 a.m.  •  5000 10th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL  33703  
•  [email protected]
  • Home
  • I'm New!
    • About Us
    • Location
    • Our Team
    • Connect Card
  • Ministries
    • Outreach >
      • PB&J Ministry
      • Pinellas Hope - Tent City Outreach
    • Prayer
    • Vineyard Kid City
    • Small Groups
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Euclid Heights Community Garden
  • Events
  • Giving