The doctrines of repentance, justification, regeneration, and sanctification are each a part of the ordo solutis, or the order of salvation. They are each a part of the journey toward the “restoration of God’s image in our lives” (Book of Discipline ¶102 50). They each speak of a salvation that is not a onetime event, but is marked by a lifetime of faithful response to God’s grace. That is another characteristic they each share: they are all preceded and facilitated by God’s grace. God’s loving action paves the way for each “stage” of the journey of salvation. Only divine grace can restore us God’s image in our lives and “renew our fallen nature” (Book of Discipline ¶102 50).
(a) Repentance: Repentance is a turn, a change. In the New Testament, …show more content…
“Through the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to increase in the knowledge and love of God and in love for our neighbor” (Book of Discipline ¶102 51). Repentance, justification, and regeneration are the beginning of God’s salvific work that continues as our faithful response to God’s sanctifying grace moves us ever closer to the image of Christ. Randy Maddox calls this the “gradual spiritual recovery of the likeness of God” (Maddox 177). As we remain obedient to Christ and practice the means of grace, we continue to grow in grace with the goal of “entire” sanctification or “Christian perfection.” Whereas justification releases us from the penalty of sin, God’s sanctifying grace saves us from the power of …show more content…
He called this “the great work which God does in us” (The New Birth 1). The new birth means that one has become a new creation in Christ, that she is living a life obedient to Christ. It is being born of the Spirit and living by the Spirit. In his sermon “The Marks of the New Birth,” Wesley said that the traits that evidence the new birth are “faith, hope, and love” (Outler and Heitzenrater 173). Therefore, those could be seen as the marks of a Christian life. One who trusts God (faith), who believes that, through Christ, life has defeated death (hope), and who demonstrates love of God and neighbor then shows the marks of a Christian life.
Wesley also gave a guide for the marks of a Christian life in the “General Rules of our United Societies.” These have since become the “General Rules” of the church. Bishop Rueben Job called them “three simple rules that have the power to change the world” (Job 7). They offer the marks of a Christian life. 1) Do no harm. Which is to avoid evil. 2) Do good. Be merciful and do “good of every possible sort.” 3) Attend upon the ordinances of God. Practice the spiritual disciplines that keep us in relationship with God (Book of Discipline ¶104
(a) Repentance: Repentance is a turn, a change. In the New Testament, …show more content…
“Through the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to increase in the knowledge and love of God and in love for our neighbor” (Book of Discipline ¶102 51). Repentance, justification, and regeneration are the beginning of God’s salvific work that continues as our faithful response to God’s sanctifying grace moves us ever closer to the image of Christ. Randy Maddox calls this the “gradual spiritual recovery of the likeness of God” (Maddox 177). As we remain obedient to Christ and practice the means of grace, we continue to grow in grace with the goal of “entire” sanctification or “Christian perfection.” Whereas justification releases us from the penalty of sin, God’s sanctifying grace saves us from the power of …show more content…
He called this “the great work which God does in us” (The New Birth 1). The new birth means that one has become a new creation in Christ, that she is living a life obedient to Christ. It is being born of the Spirit and living by the Spirit. In his sermon “The Marks of the New Birth,” Wesley said that the traits that evidence the new birth are “faith, hope, and love” (Outler and Heitzenrater 173). Therefore, those could be seen as the marks of a Christian life. One who trusts God (faith), who believes that, through Christ, life has defeated death (hope), and who demonstrates love of God and neighbor then shows the marks of a Christian life.
Wesley also gave a guide for the marks of a Christian life in the “General Rules of our United Societies.” These have since become the “General Rules” of the church. Bishop Rueben Job called them “three simple rules that have the power to change the world” (Job 7). They offer the marks of a Christian life. 1) Do no harm. Which is to avoid evil. 2) Do good. Be merciful and do “good of every possible sort.” 3) Attend upon the ordinances of God. Practice the spiritual disciplines that keep us in relationship with God (Book of Discipline ¶104