Christian--Have you heard this quote before? What do you think of it?

Question

“To suppose that whatever God requireth of us that we have the power of ourselves to do, is to make the Cross and Grace of Jesus Christ of none effect.”

It's a bit older, which makes for the strange grammar. What do you think this guy was getting at? Thank you all in advance for your thoughts, and Happy Friday!!!

Dharmana--you're right. Reliance on the cross of Christ is the foundation of the true Gospel, not anything you can do.

THANK YOU ALL! This quote is by John Owen, a saint of God in my opinion. It seems the modern church gets caught up(me too, guys--I'm not throwing stones here) in all the non-essential bull and doesn't focus on the foundation of Christianity! You can read more about his life and more of his sermons, etc. @ monergism.com Thanks again, you'ins!

Dharmana-- where does it say "God helps those who help themselves"? I'm not sure I know where.

ACID_ZEBRA: Yes, you're learning about Biblical Christianity. Go check out monergism.com immediately!!! (or whenever you get a chance) :D

Answer 1

Assuming that we have the power within ourselves to do the things God asks of us diminishes the power of what Jesus did for us on the cross. So basically, if we think we can be perfect (which is God's standard of holiness), then we don't need Christ and his sacrifice for his sins. But obviously, since no one is perfect, we depend on Christ's death and resurrection to work as the sacrifice for our sins.

Answer 2

Part of your question comes from the last part of a verse in 1 Corinthians 1:17: "For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."

Galatians 5:4: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

2 Corinthians 4:7: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

I believe your quote is a combination of two ideas that the Bible states. We cannot do what God wants us to do without power from Him to do it. If we could do it by ourselves without His help, then Jesus Christ died for nothing. By dying, however, he made grace available to us and for us.

It's a message God has tried to have us hear since Genesis 1. We need Him. No one in the old testament lived without sin because they couldn't do it. We needed a savior. Jesus was the only one to walk the earth without sin. In Acts 2 the holy spirit was sent to give us the power to do God's will on earth as Jesus did. Because we're not perfect, Jesus made grace available so sin can't hold us anymore. We'll still do it, but it will be forgiven--which is grace. We don't deserve it because we're not perfect. Grace is unmerited favor. Jesus paid to price.

Answer 3

The real point is that we cannot be made righteous or be justified before God by our own works under the law of Moses except through grace by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Gal 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

Gal 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace.

In terms of our ministry in the name of Jesus Christ it is not by our own power nor by our own might but by the Spirit of God. We have God's unction to function.

Answer 4

To me it means that if we believe we can follow the teachings of Christ successfully, then Jesus died on the Cross for nothing. Basicly, we are humans and will never be perfect like Jesus was and that is why by His Grace and His sacrifice of His life that we might live was for the benefit of all mankind. Jesus came to teach us by word and example how we should live. He died so our sin debt will be forgiven. The resurrection proved that He was the Son of God.

Answer 5

Some context would be a little helpful I would think, but it sounds like it is saying "If what God requires of us is something we could have done all along, what is the point of the life and death of Jesus?"

Having said that, I don't believe that what God requires of us is attainable on our own. It is only through Him that we are able to live the life that He desires for us to live.

Hope this helps some.

:0)

Answer 6

I think that he is trying to say the what if God gave power of saving ones own soul the that person, then the cross and saving grace would not have any affect on anyone.

Answer 7

What scripture is that?

Anyway it works and definately should shaow us that

you cna not build your own religion. It is Scripture that

put Christ on the cross and therefore we must follow

scripture. If we could get to heaven by our feelings

then Christ or His Word has none effect

Answer 8

Because we are saved by His grace, not by our works as Ephesians 2:8 says.
If we were saved by being good, or our works than the death and resurrection of Christ would of been in vain.

Answer 9

It's saying that if we had the ability to live our lives as your God intended there would be no need for Jesus' supposed sacrifice since none are worthy of their own accord.

Answer 10

It is all about what Jesus did on the cross....
It is what the OT and NT points to.
Our faith is not in something that is yet to happen...
"It is finished" - His work is done.
What can we do to deserve forgiveness?
It is totally dependent on God - His mercy and grace.