You Tube Theology

You know, this was actually exactly what the great Augustine I mentioned earlier perceived in the arch heretic Pelagius. So Pelagius was. He was famous for teaching salvation by works. Pelagius argued, basically, our problem is we've done bad things, the solution is start doing good things, right? It's just pure salvation by works. And Augustine looked at that and he saw, actually, Pelagius, your fundamental problem is with God. It's not your view of salvation, it's your view of God that's the real problem here. Because Pelagius had failed to perceive the loving and compassionate character of God, that God is therefore the glory and treasure of believers. And so, as a result, Pelagius, he didn't think you even could enjoy God. He did not enjoy God, he sought to buy God off. He sought to use God as the gatekeeper who will give him entrance to heaven for the price of a few good works. In other words, you don't love God at all. You're using him to get what you really want. And loving the glory of men more than the glory of God is an itch we all know, isn't it? We all feel that draw. So I want to ask, we see this temptation inside us, all around us. What's the cure? The last Reformation was marked by men and women who loved God, found his glory was their inspiration, their lodestar. And it gave them a joy and a boldness. How do we be like that? There is one answer for us. First Timothy 1 verse 11, "The gospel of the glory of the blessed God." That's the answer. "The gospel is the means by which you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Thessalonians. And the gospel is so because the gospel is the deepest revelation of the glory of God.