The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Who can be pardoned?

Well, then it appears we will have to disagree! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> One cannot find comfort in Christ until one sees oneself as God sees us; sinners first, who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and had His righteousness IMPUTED to them. Roman Catholicism says that God sees Christ's actual righteousness "INFUSED" into them; i.e., a righteousness that is their own.

Perhaps Paul erred or perhaps he was indeed one born out of time in that he didn't have the advantage of being able to read Jerry Bridges' article? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/evilgrin.gif" alt="" /> For as I mentioned in my first reply to you, it was at the very end of his life that he proclaimed himself to be the "chief of sinners". He extolled the riches of knowing Christ. He spoke of being seated with Christ in the heavenlies. But this is relational and not actual. The more Paul lived with the knowledge of having been redeemed, he ALSO, by the Spirit, was given to see himself as God saw him in his sinfulness. And it was because of this knowledge of self that he was able to proclaim GRACE upon GRACE.

I would ask you, how does the biblical record describe the attitude and manner of those who were given special insights, visions and knowledge of God? Were they not first shown, as believers, their sinfulness as they beheld God's holiness? (cf. Is 6:1-5; Dan 10:16, 17; Job 42:5, 6; Matt 8:8; Lk 5:8; et al). I would also offer you another of Paul's exhortations which speaks to Christians specifically, where he wrote:


Although the following passage is often used to evidence the deity of Christ, it's original purpose was given as an example of how a Christian should conduct himself:


And one last bit of wisdom from the pen of the Apostle Paul:


In His Grace,