Posts tagged sacraments

Why Forgiveness Is Not the Same as Reconciliation

The summons to forgive is an intrinsic part of the Christian life. But recently it occurred to me that there is an important difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. If we don't account for this difference, then the practice of forgiving "seventy times seven times" becomes onerous rather than life-giving, and at worst it can even lead someone to dangerously ignore the need for healthy boundaries. The fundamental difference between forgiveness and reconciliation is that it takes one to forgive, but two to reconcile.

Revival CultureJim SchusterOctober 21, 2016barry byrne, confession, conversion, forgiveness, nothing hidden ministries, reconciliation, sacraments, page 3 Comment

Faith: The Pledge of Salvation

When we consider justification (being made right with God), there are two agents involved - God and man. And there are two actions involved, one proper to each of these. On the part of man, there is the act of faith. But faith in itself is incapable of producing justification for it is an act of man* (albeit one that is made possible by grace). Justification requires an action on God's part, an action that actually produces the change in man. Justification happens when the faith of man is met by the justifying action of God. (Post 2/8 on "Inviting the Act of Faith")

Evangelization, TheologyJim SchusterDecember 21, 2013baptism, conversion, evangelicals, faith, justification, protestants, sacraments, salvation, page 1Comment