Ascetic Moralism 2

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Ascetic/ Hellenistic Moralism II

Paul prophesied about how in the end times, there will be a prevalence of Ascetic Moralism. I believe you can define what Ascetic Moralism is. Any teaching that demeans the sufficiency of the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary for our salvation is in great and damnable error.

Apostle Paul sir, I have a strong question for you. He says in 1 Cor. 9:24-27:

Do you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the price? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Is Paul too not advocating punishing the body in order not to miss heaven? No! Paul is talking in terms of his ministry and the effectiveness/ impact of his ministry. Those who run in a race runs for a price but however, only one receives the price. Those who do not meet up and could not win are at loss because they have run in vain. If the text is taken in context, then it would be better understood. The putting of the body under subjection is not a qualification to be saved. Why would a believer put his body under subjection and not yield to the dictates and desires of the flesh? The association with the sufferings of Christ. Jesus said, If any one will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24. It is in association or union with Christ that we have our sanctification, nothing less and no more motivation.

Implications of the Gospel of Moralism

1. It produces pried due to self righteousness or despair for failures. Christians must know that our reason of acceptance before God is Christ and it is His righteousness that makes the difference and sets us apart as God’s people. Christian sanctification (holiness) implies first and foremost that we are chosen and elect in Christ first of all. He sees us as holy and pleasing before Him not on account of anything we have done but because of our position and who we are in CHRIST. It is then our acts and actions conform and align with whom we have become in Christ.

2. Grumbling and murmuring

3. A loss of compassion and feelings for the straying and lost since there is superiority complex of belonging to a higher spiritual class.

In conclusion, the Gospel of Moralism is a doctrine of demons, just as Paul puts it to hinder and blind the hearts of men to the riches that God has made available through the death of Christ. It is an overflow of the wickedness of man’s heart and the deceitfulness of his sinful nature to think he can save himself.

For further studies on Moralism

http://www.thegospelcoalition.org Why Moralism is not the Gospel by Albert Mohler (Sept. 9, 2009)

http://www.efca.org The Gospel & Moralism by Greg Strand (April 9, 2014)

http://www.christpres.org. The Gospel Versus Moralism by Scott Sauls (Sept. 8, 2014)

http://www.austingentry.com Moralism Vs Gospel by Austin Gentry (April 20, 2015)

http://www.wordofhisgrace.org Christianity or Moralism. Can You Tell the Difference by Peter Ditzel (© 2010)

http://www.monergism.com Christ Vs. Moralism by John Hendryx

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