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Gold Tried in the Fire - Robert J. Wieland

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The answer he gave was that he believed<br />

himself to be "justified by faith." "One" had died <strong>in</strong><br />

his place. The simple equation he reasoned out is<br />

valid for "all men." If it is true, <strong>the</strong>n "all men" have<br />

noth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>y can rightfully call <strong>the</strong>ir own, not even<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir next breath. All that <strong>the</strong>y enjoy is <strong>the</strong>irs by <strong>the</strong><br />

grace of a Saviour—cars, houses, careers, friends,<br />

money, love, a happy marriage, sex, reputation,<br />

what have you. And faith henceforth constra<strong>in</strong>s<br />

those who believe and appreciate His gift of grace<br />

to live not for <strong>the</strong>mselves but for Him who died for<br />

<strong>the</strong>m and rose aga<strong>in</strong>. This motivation becomes <strong>the</strong><br />

most powerful force at work <strong>in</strong> humanity.<br />

"The love of Christ" does <strong>the</strong> work, not Paul.<br />

He is no super-human, heroic soul made of sterner<br />

stuff than all <strong>the</strong> rest of us. He is simply an<br />

ord<strong>in</strong>ary weak s<strong>in</strong>ner who has exercised an<br />

extraord<strong>in</strong>ary faith <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> One who died for "all."<br />

He saw someth<strong>in</strong>g, that's all—someth<strong>in</strong>g that most<br />

of us have been too bl<strong>in</strong>d to see. He saw <strong>the</strong> truth<br />

of justification by faith which makes <strong>the</strong> s<strong>in</strong>ner to<br />

be obedient to <strong>the</strong> holy law of God and captivates<br />

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