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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
How well we understand the truths of the gospel will ultimately determine how well we live our lives; the sometimes antagonistic approach some people take regarding grace and works highlighting this point. As Paul, the great expositor or grace said, there is an “…obedience that comes from faith.” Romans 1:5; further encouraging us to, “Aim for perfection,… in living out our calling to follow Jesus. (2 Corinthians 13:11 & 2 Peter 1:10,11) Jesus having challenged us to, “Be perfect,…” Matthew 5:48; something we are incapable of doing. (Hebrews 7:11) Yet, even as we admit to our imperfections, we can fulfill the requirements of holiness; through Christ’s sacrifice and our response to his merciful grace. (I don’t know how “theologically” sound that is, but my point is that we can never be perfect, but we can achieve “holiness” in allowing Christ to change us from the inside out.) Our desire to be like Jesus compelling us to overcome our inconsistencies by submitting our wills to His; becoming pure in thought and heart, if not always in deed. (Matthew 5:8)
Peter exhorts us to, “…not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do…” 1 Peter 1:14,15 (Echoing Paul’s call for us to “…not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,…” Romans 12:2) Peter then asking and explaining, “…what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives…” 2 Peter 3:11 Which is done primarily by living out the “law of love” Paul speaks of in Galatians 5:14 where we, “…carry each other’s burdens, and in that way… follow the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (See also James 2:8) Always minimizing the efficacy of “external” proofs of righteousness (as did Jesus – see Matthew 6:1-8), Paul – the champion of, “…a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,…” Romans 1:17, never-the-less insisted that, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6
Paul then encourages us, “…to live a life worthy of the calling you received.” Ephesians 4:1 Reminding us that, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Eph. 4:22-24That means we may very well need to clean up our act, behaving in a way we might not otherwise; in response to our salvation, not in an attempt to gain it. As it doesn’t take a genius to see that it’s not enough to merely profess love for Jesus and those around us, we must authenticate that profession with deeds expressing our love in practical ways as well. (As enumerated by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-45 & James 2:1-18) Jesus himself insisting that, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.” John 14:21 John citing Jesus as the ultimate example when he noted that, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…” Hebrews 5:9 (See also 1 John 3:7, where John equates righteousness with, “He who does what is right…”)
Indeed, we are part of, “…a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,…”; with a purpose! “…that you may declare the praises of him how called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (See also 2 Corinthians 5:20) And though admittedly we will never be a mirror image of Christ’s ideal, we can at least reflect the attributes of His character in our daily lives.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive… But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” 2 Peter 1:5-9
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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