God’s Approval of Us

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There is much confusion in American Christianity these days. Most of that is due to years upon years of humanistic preaching and teaching. Humanistic pollution of the Church is nothing new. Pelagianism, semi-Pelagiansim, and Arminianism are all tainted, if not based in, a man-based orientation. If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that our natural state causes us to view God and Christianity from a humanistic viewpoint. At salvation God regenerates new believer’s hearts. This new birth is very dramatic. In it, the new believer’s heart is completly remade as God places His Word there. Unbelief is eroded. It may take many years for some Christians to completly let go of their humanistic “faith” while others grow in grace very quickly to become the Spirit-led believers who live for God’s glory alone.

Follow this link to a devotional by Martin Luther which contrasts the natural man’s view of God and His ways with that of a regenerate believer’s. Of course this contrast will by from God’s viewpoint not Man’s.

In Christ

Mike Ratliff

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6 thoughts on “God’s Approval of Us”

  1. Thought-provoking post, Mike…
    My heart’s desire is to live for God’s glory alone, but sadly, my human nature poses a constant interruption. A high view of God must be nurtured daily through prayer and study…and it is the only effective antidote to my humanistic tendencies. I would be in complete despair if the battle over self were being fought in the strength of my own will. But instead, I rejoice in the unfailing promise of our immutable God that “we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18)
    May the Lord curb our natural bent towards humanism, heighten our view of His glory and minimize our preoccupation with self…In Christ.

  2. Jessica,

    Your method or formula or whatever it would be called :-) that you stated in your comment is exactly right. How else can we put ourselves in position to have God change us so radically? We must get into the Word and get the Word in us with prayer as the engine that makes it all work by God’s grace. Yes, despair awaits all who try to do this in their own strength. I think that is why so many of us burn out or taper off.

    I really like how you structured your comment Jessica. Have you ever thought about writing?

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

  5. What a reminder this is to me. Faith without works is dead. Those works are not of ourselves anymore than the faith is of ourselves! We can praise God that this! “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. We aren’t told this to give us the energy we need to follow God’s commands. We aren’t “the little train that can”. We are told this to remind us that we can do nothing without Christ. God has favor upon us because He choose us…this is much more comforting than me trying to get favor from Him by trying to please Him. Thanks, Mike!

  6. Sarah,

    What a relief huh? It sure takes a lot of the load off of us about “works” doesn’t it? We work but we are already accepted into the beloved. Amen!

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

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