1.The man who has heard of Christ's sacrifice and believes it, then tries the rest of his life to please God and make Him happy in order to maintain his right standing with God. This man goes to a church building every Sunday and Wednesday, gives 10% of his income to the offering plate, doesn't say a naughty word ever, never enjoys a beer, wouldn't dare look at a woman and admire the sight, and if he catches himself starts begging God for forgiveness for he is afraid of what God might do to him. He spends the rest of his life avoiding anything that could potentially be a sin because if he messes up God will not be happy with Him.
2. The man who hasn't even HEARD of God but believes in his heart that God loves everyone just the way they are. He ENJOYS his life not being afraid of what God may do to him if he doesn't live up to a certain expectation. This man LOVES others because he believes that whatever God we all come from loves everyone just the same. This man also happens to get drunk every once in awhile, he may even watch pornography. But he isn't afraid of what God will do to him because he knows that God loves him no matter what he does.
I believe that Man 2 has stronger faith. He BELIEVES that God loves him no matter what. Man 1 believes in a god with conditional love whereas Man 2 sees God's love as unconditional. I don't condone sinful activity but if it came down to two choices, one being to believe that Christ did literally EVERYTHING needed to save you, thereby FREEING you to ENJOY life without worry of condemnation (no matter what you do). The second being to believe that Christ paid for your sins but you must make an effort to stop sinning the rest of your life or His sacrifice was in vain. I would choose to rest in what Christ did and enjoy my life.
Galatians 5
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
5 In the freedom, then, with which Christ did make you free -- stand ye, and be not held fast again by a yoke of servitude;
2 lo, I Paul do say to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing;
3 and I testify again to every man circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law;
4 ye were freed from the Christ, ye who in law are declared righteous; from the grace ye fell away;
Christ freed us, not to enslave us under fear of condemnation, no. He freed us to be FREE! So if you must sin, sin boldy. In the words of Martin Luther, "Sin boldy! But let your trust in Christ be bolder."
Christ freed us, not to enslave us under fear of condemnation, no. He freed us to be FREE! So if you must sin, sin boldy. In the words of Martin Luther, "Sin boldy! But let your trust in Christ be bolder."
