If the credit for salvation is not 100% attributed to God, then man has a certain credit. How much?
Once we say "God is part of salvation, and man also has to rely on his own response", we will make "the part of man's response" the decisive factor. On the surface, we say "glory to God", but in reality we are saying: "I am smarter than others, I chose God."
"I must have played a little role, a little bit must have played a role, right?" One billionth of a role must have played a role, right? Then it reaches one ten-thousandth, to one percent, to 50% cooperation between God and man, and then it is not "justification by faith", but "salvation by man's choice"; finally, it finally reaches 100% salvation by behavior.
If salvation cannot be 100% attributed to God, it will eventually gradually exalt man, deviate, fall into heresy, and be no different from paganism.
But if my own free choice is what saved me, then I can say: "I made the right decision at the beginning", instead of saying: "God had mercy on me".
The Bible clearly says: "So that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Once people have something to boast about, God's glory is taken away.
Let's deduce the whole process again:
· At the beginning: God saved me, but I need to respond.
· Later: I am willing to respond, I cooperate with God.
· Later: I have the ability to respond, I choose God.
· In the end: I can be saved because I am better than others.
· Further down: Man is the center of God, and even man can decide God.
"It will eventually be no different from paganism"
·Catholicism: Salvation depends on grace + behavior, and human cooperation is very important.
·Liberal theology: Emphasizes the goodness of human nature, and unbelievers are completely corrupt.
·New Age religion: Man is an extension of God, and the "right mind" of the human heart determines everything.
·Prosperity theology: If you have faith, you will succeed, and human faith becomes the dominant force.
On the surface, they all mentioned "God", but in reality they exalted people, gradually weakened God's sovereignty and grace, and gradually moved closer to heresy.
In summary, let's correct our faith: "What is the primary purpose of man? It is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
"We cannot and do not want to give even a little bit of glory to man; only God deserves all the glory."
If we do not give 100% of the credit to God, we will eventually exalt people instead of God; this will inevitably lead to heresy.
This is why we must insist on the uncompromising foundations of "grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, the Bible alone, and glory to God alone."
Grace alone You have been saved by grace through faith; and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one can boast. ——Ephesians 2:8–9
Faith Alone “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”——Romans 3:28
Christ Alone “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”——Acts 4:12
Scripture Alone “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”——2 Timothy 3:16–17
To God Alone “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen!”——Romans 11:36