Chapter 2 -

On what do the converts base their hope?  

 

 

 

 

When studying what converts base their hope upon, we must note that they generally do not base it upon Christ and His atonement. Even though they may respect Christ and His work in theory, in practice they put their trust on something else to calm their restless conscience. Below, we are going to take a look at this.

 

Not AS bad AS other people

 

One of converts’ comforting thoughts is that they are not as bad as other people. They may compare themselves to other people and be at ease before God. In the same way, they may think that nothing bad can happen to them because they are "much better" than many other people.

  A good example is the well-known preacher John Wesley before he became a Christian. In those days, he believed that he would be saved because

1. He was not as bad as other people.

2. He did not have anything against religion.
3. He read the Bible, went to church and said his prayers; he put his trust mostly in what he did and in not being as bad as other people.

 

A second good example is the Pharisee mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. He was a "typical" convert: he spoke expressly about his actions, what he had or had not done. He compared his life to the life of the tax collector and was thus content with his condition, for which he, however, thanked God.

   The fact is that the tax collector was the more righteous one out of these two men, however. This was because he did not talk to God about his own actions but placed his whole trust on the grace of God. As a result, he went home being more righteous than the Pharisee:

 

 - (Luke 18:10-14) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote on his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

 

We can wonder whether there is any advantage in not being as bad as other people before God. Will it help us before God in any way or help us to enter Heaven?

   It does not help in any way because the Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. There are sinners great and small, but all of them are sinners just the same and do not measure by God's yardstick:

 

- (Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

 

- (Rom 3:9) What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin

 

- (Gal 3:22) But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

 

So from eternity's point of view, us being better than other people does not make any difference. It is like a bus driving off the road into a gorge. There would be great and small sinners in the bus, but their fate would still be the same and none of them could change the situation.

   Or if a ship were to sink – such as the Titanic – there would be different kinds of sinners, great and small ones, but in any case their final fate would be the same. Only if they managed to get on a lifeboat, might they avoid sure devastation.

    Being saved can also be described by a deep bottomless abyss that we must cross. Some of us can jump perhaps 3 meters, others 6 and some even almost 9 meters. However, as the abyss is hundreds of times wider, there is not much point in comparing how far each one of us can jump. We would have to conclude that "Yet not one of you keeps the law." Furthermore, we would all be "under a curse" with our comparisons and actions:

 

- (John 7:19) Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law?  Why go you about to kill me?

 

- (Gal 3:10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

 

ActIONs

 

The most common foundation of converts’ hope is in what they do, in the actions by which they try to affect their salvation. Converts may constantly talk about how they do not smoke or drink, go to church, pray, give alms, do compensative deeds and other spiritual practices. They may also talk a lot about the grace of God and say that everything comes from grace but in practice speak more about their actions and own life than about the grace of God. The next lines describe well their foundation of hope:

 

I had already begun to know the monk a little, and so I turned to him and asked, "Dear sir, do you believe that you are going to Heaven?”

   His answer was like that of Thanus, "I surely hope so!”

   So I used the opportunity to ask him another question,

"Let us assume that you are standing at the Gates of Heaven and the Lord asks you, 'What makes you believe that you will get into Heaven?' What would you answer Him?”

   His answer was quite typical, "I tried to do my best to be good!”

   "Why did Yeshua have to die as an offering then if it is enough that a man 'is good' to enter the kingdom of God?” Now I was really pushing him.

   Just like Thanus, he had never asked himself these questions. (…)

I showed again the verse to him, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..." It seemed like the monk was surprised, as if he had seen the verse for the first time in his life. (…)

   A businessman from Israel following my conversation with the monk seemed amused. The monk, however, was rather confused. (10)

 

However, if we take a look at the Bible, we read its clear message that our foundation for salvation is not in what we are and what we do, but in what Jesus was and did for us 2,000 years ago:

 

- (John 19:30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

 

- (Luke 14:17) And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

 

Jesus, did not come to Earth only to provide us with a good example or to teach as converts often think. He specifically came to die a substitute death for us so that we could be saved. Being the substitute, He also took away the curse from us, carried our sins, and took away the punishment.

   Therefore, when everything has already been done for us, our actions no longer play any part in our salvation. None of us can save ourselves but everyone can trust in what Jesus has already done for us:

 

- (Rom 5:6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

- (Rom 5:8) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

- (Rom 8:32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

 

- (Gal 2:20)  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

- (Gal 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree

 

- (1 Thess 5:10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

 

- (Tit 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

- (1 John 3:16) Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

 

- (1 Tim 2:6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 

- (1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

 

- (Hebr 6:20) Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

 

- (Isa 53:5-6) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

- (Rom 4:25) Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

 

What is the purpose of the law?

 

At this point, it is good to take a look at the purpose of the law. Converts often use the law and their actions as their way to salvation. We must learn that the law has quite another meaning for us. Trying desperately to completely fulfill the law – because no one of us gets even close to that – is not the way to salvation, it is meant to show us that we are not able to fulfill the demands of God. The purpose of the law is thus "to silence every man," and to show us that we are guilty and under the judgment of God, and also to show us that we cannot save ourselves. If we do not understand this, our understanding is not yet complete:

 

 - (Rom 3:19-20) Now we know that what things soever the law said, it said to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

- (Rom 5:20) Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound

 

- (Rom 7:7-14) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.

8  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, worked in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

9  For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be to death.

11  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

12  Why the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

13  Was then that which is good made death to me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

 

- (Gal 3:19- 22) Why then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

20  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

21  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness should have been by the law.

22  But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

 

Therefore, we must understand that trying desperately to obey the law cannot take anyone closer to God; but it does indicate that everyone is imperfect in front of God. We are all guilty, as many Bible verses say.

   A solution to this problem can be found in another way. As we are not able to be perfect in the eyes of God, the Bible very clearly shows how Jesus came to live under the law and fulfilled the law for us: He was a substitute for us and fulfilled all the demands of the law before God. He was able to fulfill the law because He Himself lived a sinless and pure life. This important issue – that Jesus fulfilled the law for us – is the whole foundation of our salvation:

 

 - (Gal 4:4- 5) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 

- (Rom 8:3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh

 

- (Matt 5:17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

 

- (Hebr 7:26) For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens

 

So what is the purpose of the law then if a man cannot be saved by it?

   This can be answered simply by saying that it has been given to us only as a guiding principle on how to live but it does not have anything to do with salvation. In the same way the law has been given to lead us to Christ, so that we might be justified by faith (Gal 3:24-25: Why the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.)

   Salvation never takes place through the law or our actions, but these can be the results of salvation. God does not want anyone to stop doing good deeds, He only wants us not to trust in them. Naturally, we should obey the law and do good deeds after salvation. Paul (who was the one who most strongly taught that salvation comes by grace alone and through faith), also wrote a lot about our actions. He encouraged people to do good deeds so that they would not live unfruitful lives. Not to be saved by them, but because they were saved:

 

 - (Tit 3:14) And let our’s also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

 

- (Tit 3:8) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

 

- (Tit 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

- (Eph 2:8-10) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

Becoming better

 

To proceed with issues in which converts may put their trust and hope, we find one of these to be "becoming better in the future." They may think that perhaps today they do not measure up to the yardstick of God, but maybe one day in the future they will be so good that they can receive salvation and the grace of God; they see salvation as a process.

   But as we previously noted, we cannot become acceptable before God by ourselves (Eph 2:8: For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God); not now or in the future, even if we tried. This is because all our actions are so insufficient and imperfect. God is only satisfied with His Son Jesus who was obedient on our behalf and in every aspect fulfilled the will of God. Through Him, grace has already been given to us so that we can receive it:

 

 - (Matt 3:17) And see a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 

- (Rom 5:19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

 

- (John 1:16-17) And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

- (1 Cor 1:4) I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ

 

Therefore, as grace has already been given in Jesus Christ, we must receive it and not refuse to accept it. Right now is "the time of God's favor" and "the day of salvation":

 

 - (2 Cor 6:1) We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.

 

- (Hebr 4:7) Again, he limits a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

 

- (2 Cor 6:2) For he said, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

 

Repentance, humility and silence

 

Some converts may find solace in grieving about their sins and repentance. They may regard this as a good state in which to be. They may also pray to God for grace by saying, "Holy God, have mercy on us!” They may practice "humility" and "silence" (maybe retreats into silence are a part of this kind of behavior) seeing such activity as good.

   But we can question whether we will gain salvation by repenting, humility, or silence. Will they help us in any way in being saved?

   They most certainly will not help if we are not ready to receive salvation. The purpose of repentance is not that God would be persuaded to give His grace in response to our grief, but that we would be persuaded to receive it. Salvation and the grace of God are made ready for us by Christ; we need to receive them so that they would not have been for nothing. It is our hard-heartedness that prevents our salvation:

 

- (Luke 7:30) But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

 

- (Rom 2:5) But after your hardness and impenitent heart treasure up to yourself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God

 

Let's take an example of a person in the middle of a desert shouting for help and mercy (compare to "Holy God, have mercy on us!”) because he is dying of thirst. Neither his screams, tears, nor repentance can save him; they will not help him in the least if he does not receive the help offered to him. The person must accept help; only then will he be saved.

   If someone is drowning and a lifeboat is offered to him, it is not his crying and grieving that deliver him, but only his accepting help offered. When a person stops turning his back on his helper, he will be saved from certain death.

  Repentance, humility, and silence cannot save anybody; they can lead us to damnation just like anything else. Only when we stop fighting God and receive the help and salvation He offers – when we receive Jesus Christ into our life – then we be saved:

 

- (Rev 3:20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

- (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name 

 

Denying assurance of salvation is one of the most common features of a convert. Is a person who prays for mercy and salvation while simultaneously rejecting them a hypocrite? If we think logically, that is what it is all about. The Bible talks about these people in the following way:

 

 - (Matt 15:8-9) This people draws near to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 

- (2 Tim 3:5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

- (Col 2:18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

 

- (Matt 23:25-28) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

26  You blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

27  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like to white washed sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

28  Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.