A Conversation Between a New Calvinist and a Biblicist
NC: We are all just sinners saved by grace.
B: I am not a sinner.
NC: Did you sin today?
B: In regard to what? My justification or my sanctification?
NC: Uh, Uh, your justification.
B: Well then no, I didn’t sin today.
NC: So you are perfect?
B: In regard to justification or sanctification?
NC: Justification.
B: Yes, I am perfect.
NC: How does being declared justified make you perfect?
B: Because the apostle Paul said that where there is no law, there is no sin, and I am justified apart from the law. Paul also said that the law has nothing to say to us for justification.
NC: But James 2:10 says that if you break the law at one point, you are guilty of breaking the whole law.
B: And the Bible also states that I fulfill the whole law by loving my neighbor.
NC: So you’re an antinomian.
B: In justification or sanctification?
NC: Uh, uh, what’s the difference?
B: Sinning apart from justification has to do with condemnation, sinning in sanctification makes us subject to the Father’s discipline. There is no condemnation for those who are under grace because there is no law to judge us, the old us that was under law is dead and cannot be brought under indictment. Our sin is a family matter and not sin that condemns us. Family = under grace; under law = condemnation. The Lord’s discipline versus condemnation; justification as a finished work that ended the law versus sanctification.
Jesus Christ our Lord is the end of the law for those who believe. The standard for justification is the new birth, not perfect law-keeping (1John 3:9).
Other related passages: Romans 3:19, 20, 4:15, 5:13, 7:6,8, 10:4, 1Timothy 1:9, Galaians 2:19.
paul
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