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Clear Gospel Campaign
by Ronald R. Shea, Th.M., J.D
 
Topics Touching the Message of Salvation
— Grace —
Curriculum Outline and Study Guide | Resurrection | Assurance | Baptism | The Bema | Calvinism | The Gospel Message & Content of Saving Faith | The Creator | Dispensationalism | Eternal Security | Evangelism & Discipleship | Expiation, Propitiation and Redemption | Faith | Fruit . .. Don't you need it? | Grace | Hebrews 10 | Hebrews 6:1-15 | Heirship and Rewards | James 2:14-26 | Jesus is God | 1st John | John MacArthur | Justification | Bilateral Contract Salvation or "Lordship Salvation" | The Market Driven Church | Perseverance of the Saints | Predestination and Free Will | Public Confession of Christ | Regeneration | Repentance | Roman Catholicism | Salvation | Sanctification | The Sheep and Goats Judgment | Silly Gospel Substitutes | "Sovereign" (Irresistible) Grace | Stewardship of the Gospel Message | The Modern "Testimony" | The Ten Commandments: Their Relationship to the Believer | Theology and Doctrine | Total Depravity and `The Bondage of the Will` | Worship Music | Appendix I: Church History from a Free Grace perspective
Chapter 1: The Gift, and the Giver
Chapter 2: The Receipt of the Gift by Faith
Chapter 3: The Relationship of Honor and Grace
Chapter 4: Honor The Son By Honoring His Grace
Chapter 5: Common Approaches to Salvation by Works
Chapter 6: Common Approaches to Salvation by Works
Chapter 7: The Purpose of the Law.
Chapter 8: The Enemies of Grace
Chapter 9: Grace - The Eve of the Battle
Chapter 10: Grace--The Battle Begins
Chapter 11: Grace - The Debate Goes Public
Chapter 12: The Jerusalem Counsel
Chapter 13: Guerrilla Tactics in the War On Grace
Chapter 14: The Four Perversions of Grace-- 1 & 2

 

The Doctrine of Grace

by

Ronald R. Shea, Th.M., J.D.

 

 

GRACE:  IT MUST BE RECEIVED AS A GIFT

 

The word "grace" means something which is given freely . . . without cost or obligation.  This involves five separate concepts.  As we have seen, there is a an object (the gift), a giver possessing personality, and the free-will disposition of the giver to bestow the object without cost or obligation.  The final two elements are the subject (or recipient) to whom the gift is directed, and the free will disposition of the subject to receive the object from the giver in the manner in which it is offered without cost or obligation.  If only the first four elements exist, there is only an offer of a gift.  But there only exists a gift when the subject is willing to receive the object from the giver under the terms of the offer . . . that is, as a gift.

 

In view of this, giving of a gift can only occur in the context of a relationship between the giver and a receiver.  The giver and the receiver must both possess personality and free will.  This giver must be disposed to offer an object freely, and the recipient must mirror the disposition of the giver, willing to receive the object freely.  For example, if your best friend offered you a gift and you tried to pay him for it, could you still call it a gift?  Of course not.  It becomes a debt which he owes you the moment he accepts your money!  Your friend would probably be insulted, withdraw the gift and say:  "I'm not giving this to you because I have to.  It is a gift.  Do you accept my gift or not?"

 

A GIFT:  THE MOMENT YOU OFFER SOMETHING IN EXCHANGE FOR IT, IT IS NO LONGER A GIFT.  IT BECOMES A DEBT!

 

"No deal!  It's a gift!  Accept it on that basis, or not at all!"

 

Now to him who works, his wages are not counted as grace, but as a debt. 

     Romans 4:4

 

Only when you put your money back in your pocket and stretched forth your empty hand would he renew his offer and extend the gift to you.

 

The same is true with God's offer of eternal life.  People try to purchase eternal life by obeying the Ten Commandments, living a good life, going to church, or some other religious work.  But God will not make Himself a debtor to any man!  He does not "owe" eternal life to anyone.  He will offer it only as a gift!

 

 

FAITH:  MAN'S RESPONSE TO CHRIST

 

Because eternal life is the gift of God, anything man did to "earn" eternal life would nullify the reality of the gift.  There is only one way by which men might receive the gift of eternal life through a free will act which did not involve work.  That free will act is called faith.  On the previous page, we noted that the recipient must "mirror" the intent of the giver for an offer to become a gift.  When we mirror in our mind the motives of God to offer eternal life freely, we are believing Him on His Word.  Receiving a gift requires mirroring the offerer's thoughts, and this requires believing the offer is true.  This is why faith is not contrary to grace, but rather, is an essential part of grace. 

 

"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace."  

 

Romans 4:16

 

Why is faith the only act of man that does not violate grace by becoming a work?  Just as the eyes are a seeing organ, the brain is a thinking organ.  It may involve work to look from one object to another.  One may even shut their eyelids, or open their eyelids.  These acts are also a work.  But the act of seeing is not a work, because this is what the eyes do.  Unless one is blind, the eyes cannot be made to not see.  Similarly, the brain is a thinking organ.  And thinking involves belief.  One may choose what they will or will not believe, but as long as the mind is conscious, the mind will believe something.  Unless one is in a coma or under anesthesia, it is impossible not to believe something.  Therefore, faith is not a work.

 

28.    Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

29.    Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

 

John 6:28-29

 

 

FAITH (TRUST) IS THE HAND BY WHICH WE REACH OUT AND ACCEPT THE ETERNAL LIFE OFFERED FREELY IN JESUS CHRIST.

 

 


Chapter 2: The Receipt of the Gift by Faith

 

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