A continuation from:
The Exchanged Life Movement - Part 1 - Christian Forums
THE "EXCHANGED LIFE'S" VIEW OF SANCTIFICATION
The "Exchanged Life" teaches perfectionism which is a "second blessing" without tongues. This goes right to the doctrine of Wesley. Wesley drew his views from mysticism which is also linked with Gnosticism. This teaching is also seen in Pentecostal and Nazarene circles. The "Exchanged Life" teaches that Christians can reach a point in their Christian Life where there is no more struggle with sin and that Christians can obey God perfectly in this life. Perfectionism removes the work of Christ now as our mediator and High Priest. Christ's Priestly work did not cease at the cross. He is at the right hand of God now interceding for us (Rom. 8: 34). Our prayers and good works are offered to God through Christ (1 Peter 2:5). This means that the Father accepts our prayers and good works because of Christ's perfection. You see even our good works are tainted by sin and imperfection. Isaiah says that our righteousness is as filthy rags (Is. 64:6). Isaiah includes himself in this statement as well as the redeemed people of God (Israel). The Psalmist said that there is no one living that is righteous before God (Ps. 143:2). The Psalmist includes himself in this statement as well. According to the "Exchanged Life" poor, suffering, ignorant Christians need to have this "special knowledge" from God, ( I guess poor Isaiah and David didn't have this "special knowledge" or the "victory").
Watchman Nee calls it an inner revelation. This is dangerous language because revelation from God ceased with Jesus Christ and the New Testament (see Hebrews 1). What we get now is illumination from the Holy Spirit through the written Word. God never, never, bypasses our mind. Have you ever had a thought without words? Be assured that we do not reach perfection in this life and every time you and I sin, we sin with our whole being. The real you and me is involved in the act of sin every time we commit sin. We sin daily in thought, word, and deed. Galatians 5:16-17, clearly teach that there is a warfare inside the believer and Romans 7:7-25 teach the same. This warfare, struggle with sin is normal and remains until we die physically and raised up in perfection (perfect body and soul).
In Romans 7:25, Paul is talking about the normal struggle in the life of the believer. This must be understood in the light of Galatians 5:17, the struggle between the flesh and Spirit. The whole man is involved in both. As a Christian we now have the Spirit of God, we now love the Law of God, we agree with the Law of God that it is holy, righteous, and good (Rom. 7:12). The problem is with our soul; it has been affected by sin and sin still remains. The soul (mind, will, emotions), controls the body. Adam before the fall, was perfect. His mind was in submission to God, his will was in submission to his mind, and his body was in submission to his will. In salvation God regenerates our soul and begins the process of conforming us to the image of Christ. Christ is the "new man",(Eph. 4:24, Col. 3:10), the" last" Adam (1 Cor. 15:45). The Bible teaches that sanctification is a process where the renewal to the new man is now taking place in us (Rom. 8:29). We must not confuse imputed righteousness with infused righteousness.
I remember during the "Exchanged Life" seminar in Atlanta Tom Grady saying that we are made righteous, that we possess righteousness right now. This is right out of Roman Catholicism. This is the reason Luther and Calvin broke with Rome. This leads to all kind of doctrinal error and the very heart of the Gospel is at stake. In Romans 3:21-25, Paul is dealing with doctrine of salvation and explains it in 3 different terms. First, the word for righteousness and justification are the same Greek word. Justification is forensic in nature which simply means it is a legal term . The meaning of the word is not guilty or acquittal. Justification is an act of God whereby He pardons and forgives the sinner of his/her sin.
It is an objective act which means it takes place outside of the believer. What took place the moment we were saved is that God pardoned our sins and imputed them to Christ and then imputed Christ's righteousness to us. We stand before God now in the perfect obedience and righteousness of Christ. God did not make us righteous. He sees us as righteous because of Christ. Sanctification is a work of God in us whereby He drives out the remaining sin in us by enabling us to die more and more to sin and live more and more to righteousness. This is a life long process and is never perfected in this life. I will deal more with sanctification later on. Paul continues in Romans 3 to deal with salvation by talking about redemption. Redemption is a slave market term meaning to buy back and release. Through the work of Christ on the cross, the price for sin was paid. We have been bought out of our sins, made free from the curse of the law, and our minds and will have been released in order that we may for the first time truly serve God with the right heart motivation. Before we were saved the Scriptures tell us that were in bondage. Our minds and will were in bondage and we were under the curse of the Law. We have been made free from the slavery and dominion of sin but we still have remaining sin in us (presence and influence of sin). In sanctification the Holy Spirit is moving upon our minds and wills through the Word of God to convict us and drive out the remaining sin. We were regenerated, not made perfect. When Paul says we are free from the Law he does not set the Law aside but means we are free from the curse of the Law (the Moral Law and the practice of the Ceremonial and Judicial Law). The Moral Law of God is still in force today and is very much a part of the process of sanctification. I will explain the three usage's of the Law of God and apply the Law of God in a Biblical sense now to the believer.
THE USAGE'S OF THE LAW OF GOD
First of all in Romans 2:14-15, Paul is explaining that all men have the Law of God (Moral Law) within them. This is part of natural creation. When God created Adam and Eve he created them with this innate knowledge of God and His Law. After the fall all men continue to have this Law in them. This is why pagan governments without the Word of God still have laws against murder, adultery, etc.. The pagans all through the Old Testament had laws against crimes and enforced those laws (Hittite Treaties; Hummaradi book of laws). Where did they get the idea that it is wrong to murder, steal, or take another man's wife? Paul tells us right here, it is written upon their hearts. It is natural creation and God will judge them accordingly. The second use of the Law we find in Galatians 4 and Romans 7: 7-13. It is to drive the person to Christ. It is through the Law of God that we know the nature of God and our sinfulness. We must not forget that God requires absolute perfection from all men. It is the Law of God that shows us our need of a Savior. We either stand before God in our righteousness or Christ's righteousness. The third use of the Law is what I want to deal with now. The Law now consists of the Old Testament commands and the New Testament Commands. The Law is now a guide to believers on how to live as the Redeemed people of God and how to please our God.
I know many Evangelicals today of the Dispensational/antinomian persuasion say that the Law is done away with in the New Testament. However as we carefully read the New Testament we find different. The Law is actually restated and extended in the New Testament. What about Jesus' statements concerning murder and adultery? He says if you even hate someone you have committed murder in your heart. He says if you lust you have committed the sin of adultery (Matt 5: 21ff). In Romans 13: 8-10, Paul restates 4 of the 10 Commandments and in Ephesians 5:3-14 we find the same. These are only 2 instances where this takes place. The New Testament is filled with them. We hear from these antinomians that all we have to do is love. Well the Bible tells us how we love God and our neighbor; by not breaking these commandments. In other words we don't have a warm, fuzzy, emotional feeling of love to our neighbor as we are committing adultery against him or stealing his car. No, true love for our neighbor will not do these against him. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, "do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them". He came to obey and fulfill them for us so that when we sin (as Christians) by breaking His commands we are still loved and accepted by the Father because of His Righteousness. Jesus also said in John 14:14 "If you love me, you will obey what I command". What did Jesus command? Full obedience to the Law. (see above scriptures and the entire Epistles that interpret and apply the Gospels).
How then are we to interpret and apply the Law in the life of the believer? It might be helpful to understand how the Law applied in the Old Testament to the people of God. First of all God gave the Moral Law (10 Commandments) and the Ceremonial Law side by side. These Laws were given to the nation after they were redeemed. So the Law already assumes a relationship with God through a Covenant and by redemption. The Moral Law was given to the nation to show them what the newly redeemed people of God are to look like and how they are to reflect Him in a fallen world. However we all know that they too were still sinners and broke the Law constantly (even after they were redeemed). Therefore, God gave them the Ceremonial Law, which was a picture of Christ, as a means of Grace. When they sinned they went to the Ceremonial Law. The Old Testament contained Law and Gospel (Grace) side by side.
The same principle applies in the New Testament. As we read the whole Scripture (Old and New) we still see what God requires! His standards have not changed. He is still holy and requires us to be holy too. As we read and study the Word we still see our remaining sin, weakness, and moral depravity and we are driven back to Christ for repentance, forgiveness, and strength to obey. The Holy Spirit does not bypass our mind to communicate some "special knowledge" in our spirit. He uses the Word of God to convict us of where we are at in our life and to drive us to repentance and confession.
As I said before, this is the process of sanctification that will continue the rest of our lives. Anyone who claims that they have ceased from sinning or ceased from all struggles is either unregenerate or a liar. I John 1:8-10 is clear on this "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and His Word has no place in our lives." We must not focus only on our inner self, we must focus on the objective work of Christ outside of us. The work He accomplished 2,000 years ago and understand that sanctification is something that God is doing to us.
According to the "Exchanged Life", we just let go, quit striving we are told, and let God take control. This is teaching Christians that they do not have responsibility. It is true that God is the One who is sanctifying us. However, he moves upon our mind (as we read the Word of God and see the commands of God) , our will, and changes our desires. Philippians 2:12b says "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling". Why are we to do this? Philippians 2:13 tells us why: "for it is God who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose. Ezekiel 36: 27 tells us the same: "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws". Ezekiel is talking about the New Covenant here. These verses alone are enough Biblical evidence to destroy the "carnal Christian theory.
The Bible teaches that sanctification will be evident in the life of a true regenerate person (James 2:14-25). God is Sovereign over the total process of salvation including sanctification. Our responsibility is to use the means of grace that He has given us: Word of God (public worship where the Word is preached, private reading and study), prayer, and the Sacraments. We are to obey the Spirit of God as He works to reveal our sin. You see God has revealed Himself in ink, paper, water, bread, and wine. These are the manifestations we are to be seeking and looking for, not mystical manifestations of the Holy Spirit. We preach Christ crucified for sinners and Christians and we further teach as the Scriptures teach and the Reformers taught that Christians are saints and sinners at the same time. God has graciously pardoned us for all our sins while we still sin because of the objective work of Christ for us. We will be made righteous when we die and when we are raised up in our new glorified bodies/souls. In the glorified state we will not want to sin and will not sin.
Continued...here.
The Exchanged Life Movement - Part 1 - Christian Forums
THE "EXCHANGED LIFE'S" VIEW OF SANCTIFICATION
The "Exchanged Life" teaches perfectionism which is a "second blessing" without tongues. This goes right to the doctrine of Wesley. Wesley drew his views from mysticism which is also linked with Gnosticism. This teaching is also seen in Pentecostal and Nazarene circles. The "Exchanged Life" teaches that Christians can reach a point in their Christian Life where there is no more struggle with sin and that Christians can obey God perfectly in this life. Perfectionism removes the work of Christ now as our mediator and High Priest. Christ's Priestly work did not cease at the cross. He is at the right hand of God now interceding for us (Rom. 8: 34). Our prayers and good works are offered to God through Christ (1 Peter 2:5). This means that the Father accepts our prayers and good works because of Christ's perfection. You see even our good works are tainted by sin and imperfection. Isaiah says that our righteousness is as filthy rags (Is. 64:6). Isaiah includes himself in this statement as well as the redeemed people of God (Israel). The Psalmist said that there is no one living that is righteous before God (Ps. 143:2). The Psalmist includes himself in this statement as well. According to the "Exchanged Life" poor, suffering, ignorant Christians need to have this "special knowledge" from God, ( I guess poor Isaiah and David didn't have this "special knowledge" or the "victory").
Watchman Nee calls it an inner revelation. This is dangerous language because revelation from God ceased with Jesus Christ and the New Testament (see Hebrews 1). What we get now is illumination from the Holy Spirit through the written Word. God never, never, bypasses our mind. Have you ever had a thought without words? Be assured that we do not reach perfection in this life and every time you and I sin, we sin with our whole being. The real you and me is involved in the act of sin every time we commit sin. We sin daily in thought, word, and deed. Galatians 5:16-17, clearly teach that there is a warfare inside the believer and Romans 7:7-25 teach the same. This warfare, struggle with sin is normal and remains until we die physically and raised up in perfection (perfect body and soul).
In Romans 7:25, Paul is talking about the normal struggle in the life of the believer. This must be understood in the light of Galatians 5:17, the struggle between the flesh and Spirit. The whole man is involved in both. As a Christian we now have the Spirit of God, we now love the Law of God, we agree with the Law of God that it is holy, righteous, and good (Rom. 7:12). The problem is with our soul; it has been affected by sin and sin still remains. The soul (mind, will, emotions), controls the body. Adam before the fall, was perfect. His mind was in submission to God, his will was in submission to his mind, and his body was in submission to his will. In salvation God regenerates our soul and begins the process of conforming us to the image of Christ. Christ is the "new man",(Eph. 4:24, Col. 3:10), the" last" Adam (1 Cor. 15:45). The Bible teaches that sanctification is a process where the renewal to the new man is now taking place in us (Rom. 8:29). We must not confuse imputed righteousness with infused righteousness.
I remember during the "Exchanged Life" seminar in Atlanta Tom Grady saying that we are made righteous, that we possess righteousness right now. This is right out of Roman Catholicism. This is the reason Luther and Calvin broke with Rome. This leads to all kind of doctrinal error and the very heart of the Gospel is at stake. In Romans 3:21-25, Paul is dealing with doctrine of salvation and explains it in 3 different terms. First, the word for righteousness and justification are the same Greek word. Justification is forensic in nature which simply means it is a legal term . The meaning of the word is not guilty or acquittal. Justification is an act of God whereby He pardons and forgives the sinner of his/her sin.
It is an objective act which means it takes place outside of the believer. What took place the moment we were saved is that God pardoned our sins and imputed them to Christ and then imputed Christ's righteousness to us. We stand before God now in the perfect obedience and righteousness of Christ. God did not make us righteous. He sees us as righteous because of Christ. Sanctification is a work of God in us whereby He drives out the remaining sin in us by enabling us to die more and more to sin and live more and more to righteousness. This is a life long process and is never perfected in this life. I will deal more with sanctification later on. Paul continues in Romans 3 to deal with salvation by talking about redemption. Redemption is a slave market term meaning to buy back and release. Through the work of Christ on the cross, the price for sin was paid. We have been bought out of our sins, made free from the curse of the law, and our minds and will have been released in order that we may for the first time truly serve God with the right heart motivation. Before we were saved the Scriptures tell us that were in bondage. Our minds and will were in bondage and we were under the curse of the Law. We have been made free from the slavery and dominion of sin but we still have remaining sin in us (presence and influence of sin). In sanctification the Holy Spirit is moving upon our minds and wills through the Word of God to convict us and drive out the remaining sin. We were regenerated, not made perfect. When Paul says we are free from the Law he does not set the Law aside but means we are free from the curse of the Law (the Moral Law and the practice of the Ceremonial and Judicial Law). The Moral Law of God is still in force today and is very much a part of the process of sanctification. I will explain the three usage's of the Law of God and apply the Law of God in a Biblical sense now to the believer.
THE USAGE'S OF THE LAW OF GOD
First of all in Romans 2:14-15, Paul is explaining that all men have the Law of God (Moral Law) within them. This is part of natural creation. When God created Adam and Eve he created them with this innate knowledge of God and His Law. After the fall all men continue to have this Law in them. This is why pagan governments without the Word of God still have laws against murder, adultery, etc.. The pagans all through the Old Testament had laws against crimes and enforced those laws (Hittite Treaties; Hummaradi book of laws). Where did they get the idea that it is wrong to murder, steal, or take another man's wife? Paul tells us right here, it is written upon their hearts. It is natural creation and God will judge them accordingly. The second use of the Law we find in Galatians 4 and Romans 7: 7-13. It is to drive the person to Christ. It is through the Law of God that we know the nature of God and our sinfulness. We must not forget that God requires absolute perfection from all men. It is the Law of God that shows us our need of a Savior. We either stand before God in our righteousness or Christ's righteousness. The third use of the Law is what I want to deal with now. The Law now consists of the Old Testament commands and the New Testament Commands. The Law is now a guide to believers on how to live as the Redeemed people of God and how to please our God.
I know many Evangelicals today of the Dispensational/antinomian persuasion say that the Law is done away with in the New Testament. However as we carefully read the New Testament we find different. The Law is actually restated and extended in the New Testament. What about Jesus' statements concerning murder and adultery? He says if you even hate someone you have committed murder in your heart. He says if you lust you have committed the sin of adultery (Matt 5: 21ff). In Romans 13: 8-10, Paul restates 4 of the 10 Commandments and in Ephesians 5:3-14 we find the same. These are only 2 instances where this takes place. The New Testament is filled with them. We hear from these antinomians that all we have to do is love. Well the Bible tells us how we love God and our neighbor; by not breaking these commandments. In other words we don't have a warm, fuzzy, emotional feeling of love to our neighbor as we are committing adultery against him or stealing his car. No, true love for our neighbor will not do these against him. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, "do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them". He came to obey and fulfill them for us so that when we sin (as Christians) by breaking His commands we are still loved and accepted by the Father because of His Righteousness. Jesus also said in John 14:14 "If you love me, you will obey what I command". What did Jesus command? Full obedience to the Law. (see above scriptures and the entire Epistles that interpret and apply the Gospels).
How then are we to interpret and apply the Law in the life of the believer? It might be helpful to understand how the Law applied in the Old Testament to the people of God. First of all God gave the Moral Law (10 Commandments) and the Ceremonial Law side by side. These Laws were given to the nation after they were redeemed. So the Law already assumes a relationship with God through a Covenant and by redemption. The Moral Law was given to the nation to show them what the newly redeemed people of God are to look like and how they are to reflect Him in a fallen world. However we all know that they too were still sinners and broke the Law constantly (even after they were redeemed). Therefore, God gave them the Ceremonial Law, which was a picture of Christ, as a means of Grace. When they sinned they went to the Ceremonial Law. The Old Testament contained Law and Gospel (Grace) side by side.
The same principle applies in the New Testament. As we read the whole Scripture (Old and New) we still see what God requires! His standards have not changed. He is still holy and requires us to be holy too. As we read and study the Word we still see our remaining sin, weakness, and moral depravity and we are driven back to Christ for repentance, forgiveness, and strength to obey. The Holy Spirit does not bypass our mind to communicate some "special knowledge" in our spirit. He uses the Word of God to convict us of where we are at in our life and to drive us to repentance and confession.
As I said before, this is the process of sanctification that will continue the rest of our lives. Anyone who claims that they have ceased from sinning or ceased from all struggles is either unregenerate or a liar. I John 1:8-10 is clear on this "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and His Word has no place in our lives." We must not focus only on our inner self, we must focus on the objective work of Christ outside of us. The work He accomplished 2,000 years ago and understand that sanctification is something that God is doing to us.
According to the "Exchanged Life", we just let go, quit striving we are told, and let God take control. This is teaching Christians that they do not have responsibility. It is true that God is the One who is sanctifying us. However, he moves upon our mind (as we read the Word of God and see the commands of God) , our will, and changes our desires. Philippians 2:12b says "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling". Why are we to do this? Philippians 2:13 tells us why: "for it is God who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose. Ezekiel 36: 27 tells us the same: "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws". Ezekiel is talking about the New Covenant here. These verses alone are enough Biblical evidence to destroy the "carnal Christian theory.
The Bible teaches that sanctification will be evident in the life of a true regenerate person (James 2:14-25). God is Sovereign over the total process of salvation including sanctification. Our responsibility is to use the means of grace that He has given us: Word of God (public worship where the Word is preached, private reading and study), prayer, and the Sacraments. We are to obey the Spirit of God as He works to reveal our sin. You see God has revealed Himself in ink, paper, water, bread, and wine. These are the manifestations we are to be seeking and looking for, not mystical manifestations of the Holy Spirit. We preach Christ crucified for sinners and Christians and we further teach as the Scriptures teach and the Reformers taught that Christians are saints and sinners at the same time. God has graciously pardoned us for all our sins while we still sin because of the objective work of Christ for us. We will be made righteous when we die and when we are raised up in our new glorified bodies/souls. In the glorified state we will not want to sin and will not sin.
Continued...here.
