Judging Wisely (James 2:14-26)

The reality is that we desire to make the Lord’s standard something that will comply to our standard.  It is not an easy thing to realize that we are a sinful people in need of the Lord’s redemption.  His redemption has to cleanse us from the core of our being so that we see the fruit of His power.  So, how are these fruits manifested?  What figures in covenant history have demonstrated a life ordered by the principles of the Lord?

Imposed or Refundable Gift (Ephesians 2:8 (LD 16; COD Head 2 Art. 7)

All conservative Christians agree that the human race is divided between those who believe in Christ as their savior or those who do not believe in Christ.  The issue is how do we receive our faith or come to an understanding of the truths in Scripture?  Is faith a gift that we receive by reaching up our hand to the benevolent giver or does the benevolent giver impose this gift upon us?  So, is this a gift that the Lord imposes on us or is this a gift that we can return it?