Mary Mary quite to the Contrary

Opinions, Everyone Has Them

There are many interpretations involving the Virgin birth of Christ. These challenges have had profound impacts on the deity of Christ. If we get the deity of Christ wrong, we get the Gospel wrong. Creedal orthodox Christianity and modernism engulfed our country. Denominations tried to use science and materialism to deny biblical miracles yet tried to affirm Christ could be the savior without them. One in particular that was attacked viciously was the virgin birth. Many denominations get the miracle wrong.

Born of the Virgin

If one rejects the virgin birth and says Jesus was born some other way, they create another Jesus. One who I would say was unable to save the world from sin. J. Gresham Machen and other biblical writers of the time agreed with this idea. Virginal conception was essential in creating a sinless Savior. Had Christ been born of man, the failure of Adam would have passed on to Jesus the same way it transfers to us. Because the Holy Spirit facilitated the virgin birth of Jesus, Christ remained 100% man and 100% God without having been tainted in sin by the blood of Adam. He was sinless. John Calvin wrote, "Christ must not be borne by ordinary generation, that he may be holy, and that he may be the Son of God; that is, that in holiness and glory, he may be High above all creatures and may not hold an ordinary rank among men." Those who believe Mary was sinless, and born of a virgin, including special promises, are mistaken. We do not see this in scripture. As a matter of fact, little is heard of from Mary until the Passion.

Elevated, Why?

Today's idea is to remember that Mary had no part in the planning of bearing Jesus. She was not conceived in a virgin birth, nor did angels tell her parents that God had chosen her before she was born. Mary herself was confronted by the Angel Gabriel, who told Mary she had found favor in God. For whatever reason, God had found favor in Mary. Was it because Mary's cousin was chosen to bear John the Baptist? We may never know. But Gabriel explained to Mary she was selected as a virgin and would remain a virgin as the Holy Spirit would continue the work in delivering the Christ child into her womb. The result of the Holy Spirit and the faith of Mary allowed the Son of God to manifest Himself on earth.

Some pray to Mary for intercession and forgiveness. They pray rituals in her name. But nowhere in scripture does Christ or God tell us this is correct. Mary was holy because she bore Christ from a virgin birth for no other reason. When we elevate Mary or martyrs on man's decision, we oppose Him. Jesus made it clear He was the only mediator between man and God. The writer of Hebrew 9:15 ESV tells us, "Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant." Jesus also told us, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 ESV)

Who to Pray to...

In Matthew 6:7-15 Jesus taught the disciples how to pray to God; Jesus did not mention praying to Moses, David, or Mary. Many of these issues contrary to scripture were identified by Martin Luther in his 95 Thesis. The Roman Catholic church convened the Council of Trent, called the Counter-reformation. Here, the Roman Catholic church declared an anathema against all who believed they could be saved by Faith alone in Christ. These beliefs, faith alone, in Christ alone, by Grace alone, through scripture alone, all for the glory of God alone, are the foundation of the Reformation. Roughly 506 years ago, The Roman Catholic church took this stance, and all those believing in the five Solas were anathema or cursed, more specifically, excommunicated for their sin.

No Extra Baggage, Please

We are saved by Faith in Christ when we profess with our mouths that He is the Christ, the Son of God. He suffered and died for our sins, rising on the third day in a bodily resurrection. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God to judge the living in the dead. We demonstrate this Faith with a water baptism displaying outwardly our inner Faith and rebirth in Christ.

Plus nothing

Any time anyone tells you you can be saved by something other than Christ alone, they are wrong. Anytime we add anything to Christ as a modifier for salvation, we distort Christ's work and erase it. Religions based on results are plus religions. We are not saved by Christ plus other mediators, Grace plus merit, Faith plus works, scripture plus tradition, and to the glory of God, Mary, and other Saints. The plus additions to each of these statements erase the work of Christ. He alone saves the world from sin and death; nothing can change that. Luther, Wesley, Edwards, Machin, Spurgeon, and the Puritans knew it, and they preached it, and those like Huss died for it. It is unfortunate the control that denominations try to place over their people using heretical doctrines that confuse and hide the truth, a truth that plainly frees those from sin by Faith in Christ.

My Sins

A greater love counters my love of sin. You see, I'm a Christian, and I am not perfect. I make mistakes, and I mess up. But God's Grace is bigger than my sins. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26 ESV)