True Piety
"Piety is thus a very common substitute for true religion and an impediment to salvation. The piety of Peter, James, and John was designed to forestall Christ's death and resurrection and the subsequent responsibility of the apostles to confront a hostile world with the gospel. Thus piety was to replace conflict, but, in so doing, it would have denied salvation."This attitude has been all too common in the church. To forestall the conflicts over faith and doctrine which might tear the church apart and cleanse it, the pious ones plead for a pious withdrawal instead, as though salvation means withdrawal rather than victory. Such piety moreover makes a great show of spirituality and reverence, and it presents itself as superior to the 'trouble-makers' who want a godly confrontation.
"True piety or growth in sanctification is a work of God's grace, whereby those whom God has chosen before the foundation of the world, are, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, renewed in their whole man after the image of God, so that now, in obedience to the law-word of God, they put His word into force in every area of life, serving God in joy and in thanksgiving. It is the application of Christ's victory, of His saving power, to every area of life in terms of His word." ~ R.J. Rushdoony, Salvation and Godly Rule, p.13
