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Study 10 of 18

Annihilating the Confusion of the Gospel

Believing the truth of the At-one-ment is the hardest task but produces true righteousness.

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

This session addresses the common confusion surrounding the gospel, specifically the phrase "just believe." Schofield argues that "only believing" the right thing—the truth of the "at-one-ment"—necessarily works righteousness. Drawing from the disappointment of 1844 and the writings of John Bunyan, he describes believing as the hardest task because it requires the heart to surrender its own ideas and stumblings. The gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. It is the gift of Christ's perfect life, lived as us and for us, which we must let be our own life. By focusing on Christ's victory and His current work as our Advocate, we move beyond the bitterness of disappointment into the joy of a life transformed by the indwelling Word. The session encourages believers to take God at His word, just as the centurion did, and experience the resulting righteousness.

Key points

  • Right believing produces right-doing; the two are inseparable.
  • Believing is described as 'labouring' because the heart naturally resists the truth.
  • The 'At-one-ment' means Christ's life is actually our life here and now.
  • Bitterness in the Christian experience often comes from a lack of true understanding.

Key texts

  • Romans 1:16
  • John 8:45
  • Hebrews 4:11

From the book

Chapter 10 · Romans 5 · Read this chapter

  • “Friends, if we 'only believe' the right thing, it will work righteousness.” (ch. 10)
  • “We must let His life be our life.” (ch. 10)
  • “He that undertakes to believe sets upon the hardest task that ever was proposed to man.” (ch. 10)

Put it into practice

  • Identify areas where 'just believing' feels like a struggle or a labor.
  • Replace the concept of a 'legal' righteousness with a 'living' one.
  • Trust God's word as the centurion did, without needing outward signs.
  1. Doctrinal Clarity

    1. Why is believing called the 'hardest task that ever was proposed to man'?

  2. Doctrinal Clarity

    2. What is the 'right thing' we must believe to produce righteousness?

  3. Scripture

    3. How does the author connect Revelation 10:9-10 to the Christian experience?

  4. Contrast

    4. What should we do when we are 'almost ready to yield to despair'?

  5. Scripture

    5. What was the significance of the centurion's faith?

  6. Doctrinal Clarity

    6. How is the gospel the 'power of God' according to Romans 1:16?

  7. Comprehension

    7. What does it mean to let Christ's life be our life 'day by day'?

  8. Application

    8. When you encounter a 'fork in the road,' how does believing Christ's victory change your choice?