Microsoft Word - ChristianityNotReligionBkMSS.doc

(WallPaper) #1

appreciate that it is God's goodness expressed in our
behavior.
As Christians we are to continue to be available and
receptive in faith to the expression of God's goodness in
our behavior. "He who began a good work in you, will
perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6). The
"good work" that God intends will not be perfected by our
conforming to a "standard of goodness," nor by our
generating, manufacturing, mustering up good behavior
(were we able to do so), but only by the dynamic of divine
grace, and our receptivity of that activity in faith.
Jesus allows us the freedom to express His goodness in
our behavior. Such expression is not forced upon the
Christian. As Christians we still have freedom of choice.
We are still choosing creatures. Even though Eph. 2:10
states that "we are created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in
them," this does not necessarily imply that all our
behavioral expressions are predetermined in a rigid, closed-
system, thus denying freedom of choice.
In Jesus Christ we have freedom unto the intended
function of our humanity. We are free to be and do all that
God wants to be and do in us. The intention of the Creator

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