Facts of Bible Grace
Biblical
fact: GRACE is from the Greek charis. Thayer
comments thus on charis: "..the New Testament writers used charis
pre-eminently of that kindness by which God bestows favors even upon the
ill-deserving, and grants to sinners the pardon of their offences, and bids
them accept of eternal salvation through Christ.." (Greek-English
Lexicon, pg. 666).
Biblical facts regarding God's GRACE. The
gospel (good news) is a result of God's GRACE (Gal. 1: 6-9). Christians
are called by GRACE (2 Cor. 12: 7-10, Gal. 1: 15). Man is saved by GRACE, the heart is established by GRACE,
and we are justified by GRACE (Eph. 2: 5, 8, Heb. 13: 9, Tit. 3: 7). Moreover,
we render acceptable service by GRACE and GRACE imparts everlasting consolation
(Heb. 12:
28, 29, 2 Thes. 2: 16). God's GRACE also makes us better people and helps
us in time of need (I Cor. 15: 9, 10, Heb. 4: 16)
Biblical fact: The origin of this GRACE. Paul wrote, "GRACE be unto you, and peace from God the Father, and from the
Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 1: 3). GRACE is associated with Jesus in the
New Testament (Jn. 1: 17).
"The GRACE of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen" (2 Cor. 13: 14). "Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above" (Jas. 1: 17).
Biblical
fact: Recipients of God's GRACE. Noah
"found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen. 6: 8). The lowly are said
to be favored (Prov. 3: 34,
I Pet. 5: 5). Jesus is said to have
experienced God's GRACE (Lk. 2: 40,
Jn. 4: 34); Paul experienced God's grace (I Cor. 15: 10, I Cor. 9: 26,
27, 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8). All who love the
Lord have God's GRACE bestowed upon them (Eph. 6: 24; I Jn. 5: 3; ). All
Bible persons who have God's grace are obedient personalities (Tit.2:11; Matt.
7:13,14).
Biblical fact: God's GRACE is abused.
Some turned "the GRACE of our God into lasciviousness.." (Jude 4). One
way in which this was done is seen in Paul's Epistle to the Romans. "What
shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that GRACE may abound?" (Rom.
6: 1). Paul immediately answered his own question: "God forbid" (vs.
2). GRACE continues to be preached on TV, in
denominations, etc., as to actually encourage the commission of sin. Instead of
teaching man's responsibility to live right we hear statements similar to:
"..the way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or
his attitude toward other people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation
of his soul.." (Sam Morris, Baptist Preacher, A
Discussion which Involves a Subject Pertinent to All Men, pgs. 1, 2).
Biblical
fact: God's
GRACE is abused when it is presented that God
is the only operative force and agent. Consider: "Salvation is a
free gift from God to certain individuals. We exercise faith in order to be
saved, but even our faith is also a gift of God.." (William Cox, Amillennialism
Today, pg. 33). "We believe that salvation of sinners is wholly of GRACE,"
one reads in the Baptist Manual (Art. 4, pg. 47).
Biblical fact: GRACE versus merit. I found the word "merit" in at
least two translations: Re 22:12 Behold,
I come quickly; and my reward is with me, To give to
each man what his actions merit. (MNT)
Lu
17:10 So you also, when you have
obeyed all the orders given you, must say, "`There is no merit in our
service: what we have done is only what we were in duty bound to do.'"
Ro 3:27
Where then is there room for your boasting? It is for ever shut out. On what principle? On the ground of merit?
No, but on the ground of faith.
Ro 9:32
And why? Because they were pursuing a righteousness
which should arise not from faith, but from what they regarded as merit. They
stuck their foot against the stone which lay in their way;
Eph 2:8 For it is by
grace that you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is
God's gift, and is not on the ground of merit--
(WNT) The
word "merit" in these passages is a substitute or synonym for
"works" (ergon, i.e., what
a person does). If merit was
"non-coexistent with GRACE" and "salvation cannot simultaneously
be by GRACE and merit" then all of man's activities (works; merits) would
be outside of "grace". Man
could never please God and man could not do anything to receive God's
salvation. We know this cannot be true;
therefore, we have to identify what works or merit are
contrary to the works receiving "grace". The contexts of the passages tell us what
works are under consideration. They are
works outside of the faith as delivered to the saints (Jude 3). GRACE
is God's part, faith is man's responsibility. However, faith or belief itself
is a work (Jn. 6: 29). Faith is an
authorized "work of God." Faith, saving faith, is always active and
obedient (Jas. 2: 19-26).
Biblical fact: GRACE reigns through righteousness. An
excellent verse regarding God's GRACE and which also addresses man's role is
Romans 5: 21: "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might GRACE
reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
The expression "GRACE reign though righteousness" (charis
basileuon dia dikaiosunes) reveals the presence of God's commandments
and man's humble acquiescence to all that God had required of him (Ps. 119:
172, Acts 10:
34, 35).
Biblical
facts: Man's sins cancel out God's GRACE (Rom. 6: 1, 2-23). GRACE can be received in vain (2 Cor. 6: 1), we
can be removed from GRACE
(Gal. 1: 6), and GRACE
can be frustrated by man (Gal. 2: 21).
We are to stand in GRACE,
grow in GRACE, and be strong in GRACE (I
Pet. 5:
12, 2 Pet. 3: 18, 2 Tim. 2: 1). Moreover, the Christian can "fall
from GRACE"
(Gal. 5: 4).
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Biblical
fact: Without GRACE, salvation is impossible (cf. Lk. 17: 10). The Scriptures
do not mention "UNMERITED GRACE", "GRACE only," or
"salvation wholly of GRACE." GRACE is from the Greek charis and suggests favor.
Without GRACE, man would be facing
attempting to achieve justification simply by works of flawless law keeping and
such is not feasible (Eph. 2: 8-10, Tit. 3: 5).
Biblical
facts: The gospel (good news) is a result of God's GRACE (Gal. 1: 6-9). Christians are called by GRACE (2 Cor. 12: 7-10,
Gal. 1:
15). Man is saved by GRACE, the heart is established by GRACE, and we are
justified by GRACE (Eph.
2: 5, 8, Heb. 13: 9, Tit. 3: 7). Moreover, we render acceptable service by GRACE and GRACE imparts everlasting
consolation (Heb. 12: 28,
29, 2 Thes. 2:
16). God's GRACE also makes us
better people and helps us in time of need (I Cor. 15: 9, 10, Heb. 4: 16).
----------------
Biblical
fact: The doctrine of "GRACE is UNMERITED FAVOR
" is patently false, just as is "GRACE ALONE". Stated very simply, "UNMERITED GRACE"
is false because it excuses man from any real spiritual responsibility (Heb. 5:
8, 9). When consistently applied, "UNMERITED GRACE" results in
universalism or the doctrine that all men will be unconditionally and
universally saved.
"The plan of
salvation then is seen as an all-embracing divine plan which gives the credit
for man's salvation to God alone. No glory, not even a reflected glory, may
accrue to man in the matter of salvation. He brings nothing, not even the will
to be saved, to God" - Jay Green (Five Points of Calvinism, pgs. 2,
pg. 28).
"Salvation
is a free gift from God to certain individuals. We exercise faith in order to
be saved, but even our faith is also a gift of God. Faith is the result of
regeneration. Unless the Holy Spirit energizes the sinner, that sinner cannot
exercise saving faith. Unregenerate man is not capable of turning to God"
- William Cox (Amillennialism Today, pg. 33).
"We
believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of GRACE..Justification, the
pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life..are solely though faith" - Baptist
Church Manual, Art. 4, pg. 47, Art. 5, pg. 48).
Such a
concept of GRACE only results in the lost sinner having no incentive to obey.
When the people in Acts 2 realized that they were sinners in need of salvation,
they cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2: 37, see 23). Peter did not rebuke them by telling them,
"Shame on you, God has done it all for you and you are saved by "UNMERITED
GRACE," as many modern day GRACE charismatic preachers would have told them. In
fact, Peter told them what they had to do to be saved (Acts 2: 40, 38, 42-47).
Biblical
fact: The teaching of "UNMERITED" GRACE offers no
provision for personal growth. The scriptures abound with
teaching regarding how the Christian is not to remain a babe in Christ, but,
rather, is to spiritually grow (Col. 1: 10, 2 Pet. 3: 18). In fact, it is a sin
to fail to grow (cp. I Cor. 3: 1-3). Notice, also, how the scriptures point out
that growth involves the will and participation of the Christian (Heb. 5: 11-14).
Biblical fact: The
teaching of "UNMERITED" GRACE De-emphasizes teaching the lost. If salvation is by "UNMERITED" GRACE, then
what need is there to teach the lost the gospel of Christ? Yet, the gospel is
presented as God's power unto salvation (Rom. 1: 16). Throughout the book of Acts, people were taught the
gospel in order that they might believe (cp. Acts 16: 30-34). If salvation is the product of "UNMERITED"
GRACE, then man does not need the gospel. I say this because to suggest as Paul
did that man must "obey the gospel," means man has responsibility in
his salvation and that salvation is not wholly of GRACE (Rom. 10: 9-18).
Biblical fact: The
concept of "UNMERITED" GRACE plays down the need to restore the
fallen. One can fall from GRACE,
says Paul (Gal. 5: 4). In fact, one must take heed lest one fall (I Cor. 10: 12). Consider the teaching of the Spirit led James:
"Brethren,
if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he
which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from
death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (Jas. 5: 19, 20).
Again, if salvation is by "UNMERITED" GRACE, how can James' teaching
be explained and what duty would others have to attempt to restore the fallen?
Biblical
fact: There are two irreconcilable camps explaining salvation: salvation is wholly of God or GRACE and man
saves himself by his own meritorious works.
GRACE is operative in that it "teaches man" (Tit.
2: 11).
GRACE can be received in vain (cp. 2 Cor. 6: 11).
Consequently, any doctrine that excludes man in the matter of his salvation is
fallacious and any theology that eliminates God and has man earning his own
salvation is spurious to the utmost! Moreover, the truth lies between these extremes.
Biblical fact:
The Scriptures constitute "the word of his GRACE," Acts 20: 32, teach us that we are responsible for doing certain
things, things that are requisite to our salvation. Jesus said to, "..lay
up for yourselves treasures in heaven," "..judge ye yourselves what is
right," and, "..take heed to yourselves" (Matt. 6: 20; Luke 12: 57,
Luke 21:
24).
Biblical
Question: Why did Peter make "Save Yourselves" a requirement of God's "grace"
(Acts 2:40.) IF GOD OFFERS "UNMERITED FAVOR"?:
Some answer that the Greek grammarian Robertson (who in my judgment has a practice of adding his bias comments) points out that the verb
"save" is "passive"; hence, God does it all:
"Save
yourselves (σωθητε)." First aorist passive of sozoG4982.
Literally, Be ye saved. " If the passive is to be emphasized, please
notice,
"Allow yourselves to be
saved..." "Let yourselves." It is also an imperative. That means it is a command. The real question then becomes how does one "allow [be; yield]
oneself" to be saved? In other
words, if the verb is passive it still has an intended action on part of the
recipient of "allowing"! There
is freedom of will inferred! You can accept what is offered or refuse it.
They, thus, on Pentecost in Jerusalem allowed
themselves to be saved by receiving the
gospel, the word of God's GRACE, which commanded their believing the message, repentance from their sins, and
baptism unto the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2: 36, 38, cp. I Cor. 15: 1, 2)
God's grace is simply His favor of giving salvation to those that obey the Faith delivered in the gospel. Jesus is coming to take vengeance on those that know not God and obey not this gospel. (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10). Salvation is not accessible by any other means.
These facts and arguments are suggested online
(with the quoted references) at
the following: http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR394.htm; http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR286.htm;
http://www.bibletruths.net/great truths/GT09.htm 9/23/2010
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