Being Nice
Good Morning,
Being nice is the culturally appropriate behavior for Christians. In light of helping everyone stay sharp, I bring another thought that is not all that nice.
The church at Galatia had been infiltrated by people bringing heretical doctrine; specifically, the matter of works and salvation. I will discuss the four categories of philosophies regarding this subject that most people believe, but ONLY ONE IS CORRECT.
1. Those who believe good works will get you saved.
2. Those who believe you must repent (turn from sin and do good works) and then put your faith in Christ.
3. Those who believe you get saved by putting your faith in Christ, without any works attached.
4. Those who believe you get saved by faith, but you must be good in order to stay saved, or to prove that you really did get saved.
Only number three is correct. Much of the book of Galatians is dedicated to correcting the improper thinking regarding salvation and good works. Paul made it clear repeatedly in Galatians that salvation had nothing to do with good works or keeping the law.
Galatians 2:16 “…for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Galatians 3:11 “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
In Galatians, Paul shows several other instances when the law is of no value when it comes to salvation. In fact, Paul refers to the law as “weak and beggarly elements.” Those words are a bit insulting, but when it comes to forgiveness of sin, we understand that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.
(Hebrews 9:22)
That which was purchased by the blood of God's Son needs no assistance from human elements, whether they be religious acts or simply good deeds. As the songwriter wrote, “ Jesus paid it all.”
As we consider these verses in Galatians, this is not the point this morning, but we need to decide what Paul’s attitude was toward the people who are bringing works into salvation.
Galatians 1:8 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
vs. 9 “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
You will notice that, twice, Paul wishes these people who bring works into salvation to be “accursed.” That’s not very nice, but when someone starts messing with the Gospel, it determines whether people will go to Heaven or to Hell. Paul was passionate about this. When he mentioned that he wanted them cursed, did he mean to go to hell? Did he want them cursed to have a miserable life? He revisited this thought a little later in the book.
Galatians 5:12 “I would they were even cut off which trouble you.”
Cut off? Cut off from salvation? Cut off from fellowship where they bring this heretical doctrine into the good churches? Whatever Paul means by, “cut off,” it is not nice.
Again, the thought this morning is being nice not the theology of works in salvation. Paul felt no compulsion to always be nice, kind, and warm and fuzzy.
Galatians 2:14 “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
This would be like a church picnic, a gathering of believers who were primarily Gentiles. When folks arrived from the big church in Jerusalem, Peter was a little intimidated; he slipped away from the Gentile’s fried chicken and potato salad in order to save his reputation in the eyes of important people. Paul scolded Peter publicly, calling him by name. In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, and we are all one; Paul made this a matter demanding a public scolding. This matter of salvation is vital. The matter of being nice is not vital. Disciplining a child is not nice. Firing an employee is not nice. Arresting a criminal in front of his family is not nice. Many instances in life are necessary but are not nice; the Scripture certainly supports this idea.
I am certainly in favor of being nice. Those who are around me often would probably say that most of the time, I am nice to people; but I will not be nice when it comes to sin, people messing with our Bible, or someone telling folks that they have to give up certain sins or be religious in order to be saved. There comes a point at which someone needs to say, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Pastor