the gospel is not advanced through human innovation and effort, but through a broken heart, a contrite spirit, and a lifestyle of repentance, and to associate results with validity is a fallacy. the premise for this can be drawn from the understanding that "just because God is getting glory out of you does not mean that you are glorifying God." He desires obedience (an inward context in reference to the condition of the heart) rather than sacrifice (an outward context in reference to works and mere superficiality), because you could hypothetically be the most "righteous" humanist and still remain as unregenerate as a child molester without the sanctifying and redeeming work of Christ: for the Word says our righteousness is as filthy rags. therefore, any presumed work and apparent fruits that manifest apart from that of Christ will be to no one's credit, even if it was "for Christ." it will be burned up in the fire of persecution and hardship and become like bitter gall in light of the holiness of God.
15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..." Isaiah 30:15
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