Paul was so adamant that our salvation came by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, that when the Jews attempted to bring circumcision to Galatia to add to grace (grace plus works), when brethren from Jerusalem came down to Antioch and Peter and Barnabas were drawn to them, Paul rebuked Peter openly because Peter's association with them after all the ruckus over circumcision may give cause for the Galatians to think that grace plus works was acceptable and appropriate for the gospel. Moral issues are good. Moral issues are important. But morality is a work that must flow from grace through faith in Christ's sufficient sacrifice. Good works that do not flow from grace is sin. I truly desire to see this kind of moral justice in the country and community that I live in. The moral points expounded in this latest ecumenical paper did not begin in the Manhattan Declaration, however. They began with God in His holy Word:
THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE. -God declared that in His Word, Exodus 20:13, "You shall not murder" (ESV).
THE DIGNITY OF MARRIAGE AS THE CONJUGAL UNION OF HUSBAND AND WIFE. -God declared that in His Word, "Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4).
THE RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. -God declared that in His Word, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).
Yet, as good and wonderful as these works are, if they flow not from faith in Christ and Him crucified, they are nothing.
If I align myself with those who believe these truths, yet they believe them apart from the saving grace that comes by faith in Christ alone according to Scripture alone, I make the gospel subordinate to the works. By aligning myself with those who preach another gospel suggests that the precious blood spilled upon Calvary's tree is less than supremely and infinitely glorious; and that, my friends, cannot be. "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).
I realize that this may cause some controversy, which I don't desire at all. I don't go out seeking a fight, nor do I desire conflict, controversy, or to be offensive. But let's face it folks, the gospel offends; it's contrary to the world; it is at enmity with the flesh.
When the declaration came out, a dear friend and co-laborer in Christ asked for my thoughts on it. My comments above were essentially my reply to my ministry friend. I must also add that although I did not sign the Manhattan Declaration, nor will I sign it, I do understand some of the reasons why those who have professed the same passion for the Christ crucified that I have, have signed the declaration. Most of them, if not all, have labored more diligently in service to the Lord and for the kingdom of Christ than I could ever hope to offer; nevertheless, I must, as the apostle Paul did so to Peter in Galatia, withstand them to the face concerning this matter. I love them far too much to remain silent.
A "partial round-up" of those who have signed, or not signed, was put together by Turretinfan here (this one will have summaries of James White, John MacArthur, Alistair Begg, Steve Camp &etc).
Some other articles concerning this matter may be found from my friends Mike Ratliff here, Ken Silva here, and John Chisham here.
