| 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 |
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The Doctrine of Grace
by
Ronald R. Shea, Th.M., J.D.
THE ENEMIES OF GRACE
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GRACE: ARE WE "FREE" TO DO WHATEVER WE WANT?
Those hostile to Bible's teaching on grace will invariably try to misprepresent grace as licence. Although seldom stated outrightly, the underlying concern is almost always the question is human sexuality, and the underlying assumption of their question is that human sexuality is such a powerful force that the only way we can control it is by threatening men and women with eternal damnation.
And from this, we may infer, with reasonable accuracy, several different conclusions from their hostility:
1) They live in fear of losing control of their own sexuality (one need only think back on evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, who, while cavorting repeatedly with prostitutes, claimed from the pulpit that the doctrine of eternal security sent more people to hell than any other doctrine ever taught.)
2) Their understanding of the judgment seat, rewards and inheritance is either errant, seminal, or non-existant.
3) Though they may give great lip service to the person and work of the Holy Spirit, within their heart, they view Him as impotent to mold believes into godliness and empower them in their Christian walk.
Not surprisingly, charismatic and Pentacostal churches, which give such great lipservice to the Holy Spirit, almost universally teach that one can lose their salvation through sexual sin.)
It is usually easy to separate those hostile to the doctrine of grace from those who are genuinely seeking the truth in a few minutes of conversation. Those hostile to grace and unwilling to hear the truth will typically ask dishonest questions with terms that have multiple meanings. By this tack, no matter how you answer the question, the theology of grace can be shown false.
A typical question might be:
"Oh, so you're telling me that once someone is saved, the can do whatever they want, and they are still saved?"
Of course, the truth of the matter is that, apart from epilictic seizures, snoring, and other involuntary actions, each of does exactly what we want twenty four hours a day! The reason I pull my hand out of a hot stove is because I want to. The reason I eat is because I want to. The reason I sin is because I want to. And the reason I flee from sin is because I want to. In truth, the question is so trivial as to be meaningless. A "yes" answer does not even hint at a person's theology! It only shows their sense of personal responsibility over their own actions. |
FAITH: MAN'S RESPONSE TO CHRIST
A second variation of the usual parade of dishonest questions hinges on the meaning of the word "free."
"Oh, so if you're saved by grace, does that mean you are free to do whatever you want?"
Because there are an infinite number of objects from which one may or may not be "free," the question is meaningless. And so, the only proper response is to ask for a clarification: "Free from what?"
l Free from eternal condemnation?
l Free From God's Displeasure?
l Free from the natural consequences that so often follow sin?
l Free from the shame of sin when standing at the judgment seat?
l Free from the eternal consequences that follow the judgment seat?
Seeking such a clarification will usually separate the dishonest from those seeking truth. If a dishonest man were to answer that question, he would not be able to misrepresent your answer. So clarification will seldom be forthcoming.
And make no mistake about it, most opponents of grace are dishonest in the way they represent this Biblical doctrine. If that charge seems overly harsh, consider that they have, by their heresy, already called the Holy Spirit a liar as he convicts them of the truth of God's grace as taught in Scripture.
More to the point, are we "free" to jump over the moon if we please? We are free to try, though I doubt that many of us will overcome the physical constraints of gravity and perform such a feet. Are we "free" to jump off the roof of a ten story building? In this case, we are free to try, and gravity instead of preventing us would actually help us! We are however not free to jump off a building with impunity! Most of us would be killed. So are we free to do so? Yes and no! It depends on what one means by the word "free."
Yet a third variation of this question deals with the word "O.K."
"Oh, so your telling me that its O.K. to go out and have sex with whomever you want, or to kill someone?"
Although this question is intended in a dishonest manner nine out of ten times, it does not need clarification to be answered correctly. The answer to this question is, quite simply, "No." The word "O.K." is the most common word on the planet earth, and means basically the same thing everywhere it is used. It means "all right." God declares a sinner "all right" when a lost sinner trusts in Jesus. This is the fundamental meaning of Justification, to be declared "all right" in the eyes of God. A sinner who comes to Christ is declared one and for all to be O.K. in God's sight. Sin is never O.K.
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1. Because the focus of this work is on the integrity of the gospel message, many issues relating to spiritual life are not addressed in detail herein. Grace, however, is not just a doctrine of salvation, but a way of life. Paul makes it clear that a Christian is to govern themselves in regard to grace, with particular care to the pain or damage they might inflict on the brethren. In this regard, grace puts more constraints on personal behavior than most legal systems. There are many fine works on Grace Living available at most Christian Bookstores.
2. Even if one speaks of "freedom from the law," begs the question, "which law." In a systematic study of the doctrine of salvation on this web site, the discussions of "Dispensationalism" and "The Believer and the Law," (Both llisted under "Topics Touching the Message of Salvation) would naturally follow this chapter on grace.
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Chapter 8: The Enemies of Grace |
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