Note: This message may be sensitive to some because it radically challenge the status quo of believers on the issues of grace. It is known as the 'Grace Only' (GO) or 'Once Saved Always Saved' (OSAS) doctrine. Nonetheless, the purpose of this message is not meant for theological debate but rather to present grace more explicitly and biblical wholesome in lieu of this doctrine which I find misleading, inadequate and lacking a broad-based support from scripture. I'm well aware that the few points presented here are inadequate to address every single issue arising from this controversial subject. However, I believe the major concerns have been sufficiently addressed. I'm also aware that it may drawn criticism from those who theologically inclined. Nevertheless, my aim is to encourage them to explore further through Scripture in order to understand the wider meaning of grace.
My concern
I believe the divisions among the members of the Body of Christ could be reduced should we put aside those unending controversial subject for the common good. For a long time I felt that the 'Grace Only' doctrine was just such a division and should be ignored. However, the more I encounter this doctrine the more it concerns me. My conviction is that if a disagreement in doctrine does not affect salvation or the truth in the Scripture such as rapture predictions or speaking in tongues etc then it's a minor issue and best left alone. However, in recent years, this doctrine has taken to the extreme by some mega-preachers and I believe it does concern salvation and therefore should be addressed and should not be ignored.
The doctrine of 'Grace Only' often goes hand in hand with the doctrine of 'Saved by Faith Alone'. It claims that to deny eternal security is to endorse a “faith plus works” salvation system. My concern with this doctrine is that it uses biblical truth to do away with another biblical truth. Many have fell for it because it appealed to their self esteem and that they do not need to repent and get holy before a Holy God!
My personal encounter
Back in 1987, I was helping a pastor friend of mine to organize a miracle crusade in Miri, Sarawak, East Malaysia. The crusade was a huge success. Each night, thousands of people came from all over the state by the busloads, and hundreds of them had responded to the call for salvation. Many that came were healed of their diseases, and demons were driven out from possessed men and women. During the crusade, I had the opportunity to pray for a demon possessed man. Even though, I was afraid but yet excited at the same time to see Jesus working through me. The demons were eventually subdued and cast out from the man. This was my first spiritual encounter, awesome but scary experience. After the crusade ended, we followed up with the people on the decision cards that were collected during the altar call. They were subsequently invited to our Sunday service on the following week. Much to our dismay, only one who actually came to the service. We have no clue, why they wouldn't come to our service, since these people had given their lives to the Lord and have said the sinners prayer. They had witnessed the miraculous power of God, yet they would not want to integrate into the fellowship.
I can still remember the disappointment on the pastors' face. All the efforts seemed in vain. The moment of jubilant had turned into absolute disappointment. We were puzzled by the flippant attitudes and we did not know what exactly went wrong? This question has always lingered at the back of my mind while I seek to understand the reason behind this experience.
Why are those who responded to the gospel so flippant?
After years of seeking and observation, I came to realize that it is a common phenomenon among the churches across the world. Then, I came across the writing of Ray Comfort. In his book, Bride of Heaven, Pride of Hell he quoted the statistics of a major denomination in the United States which disclosed that it has obtained an incredible 294,784 decisions for Christ in 1990. Yet, in 1991, it could only find 14,337 in a Christian fellowship. There were about 280,447 decisions that couldn't be accounted for. The leadership had no clue as to why this has happened but could only conclude, "Something is wrong!” The trend continued.
In August 1996 a leading US denomination revealed that during 1995 it secured 384,057 decisions, but retained only 22,983 in the fellowship. It couldn't account for 361,074 supposed conversions. Ray told of another crusade in which 600 decisions were obtained, no doubt with much rejoicing. But 90 days later, follow-up workers couldn't even find one person who was going on in his or her faith. In 1991 in Cleveland, Ohio, 400 decisions were obtained in an Inner City Outreach, but, again later not one person could be found to continue in the faith.
This phenomenon is not unique to the US or my experience in Miri crusade. According to Ray, a pastor in Boulder, Colorado sent a team to Russia in 1991 and secured 2,500 decisions. The next year they found only 30 persevering in their faith. In Leeds, England, a visiting U.S. speaker acquired 400 decisions for a local church. However, six weeks later only two continued on and eventually they too fell away. A pastor who traveled to India every year since 1980 told Ray he saw 80,000 decision cards stacked in a hut in the city of Rajamundry which were the "results" of past evangelistic crusades. But he maintained that one would be fortunate to find even 80 Christians in the entire city. That is 1/10 of 1%.
Ray quotes Charles E. Hackett, the Division of Home Missions National Director for the Assemblies of God in the US: "A soul at the altar does not generate much excitement in some circles because we realize approximately 95 out of every 100 will not become integrated into the church. In fact, most of them will not return for a second visit." Ray's emphasis is that we don't tell the truth - again fraud and deceit - when bringing people to Christ. As a result, the seed is scattered on stony ground and though received with rejoicing the person falls away quickly in times of difficulty and/or persecution.
What has gone wrong?
Why is the gospel no longer effective to our generation? Or is there something wrong with the manner in which the gospel is presented?
Richard Owens Roberts, President of Awakening Ministries says, the hindrance to revival is equally as great when over-confidence is placed in overt responses. That the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to totally and permanently transform a person in an immediate response to a partial truth is not questioned. That this is the normal way the Spirit works is certainly not the case. In the ministry of Jesus, the bulk of the permanent responses, came as a result of years of discipling. The records of those who had a one time exposure to a tidbit of truth and were eternally saved are scarce.
What he tried to point out is on partial truth sermons. Most of today's sermons are so brief and so shallow that almost any truth conveyed is incomplete. Some preachers even focus on miracles and external experiences rather than inner convictions from the word. Surely there is wisdom we found in the practice of the founding fathers who preached for days, even weeks, before issuing any call for overt (open) responses.
In Jeremiah the Lord laments, "For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. And they have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, 'Peace, peace,' but there is no peace“ - Jeremiah 6:13,14.
These words are certainly true today and their application perfectly clear. Because of greed for gain, whether it be the love of money, the love of power, the love of acclaim, the love of crowds, the love of success everyone deals falsely. We have witnessed this across the globe in some of the most successful ministries. Their focus is on abundance living, prosperity, numbers and kingdom now. In these ministries sin is not a matter to be dealt with, often they claim this has been taken care of at the cross. Many that have been pronounced healed are superficial and still dying from the cancer of sin. In recent history (20 years) many of these preachers have been exposed publicly of the sins they embraced.
Is the modern day gospel preached and taught strictly according to the gospel of the LORD JESUS CHRIST? Or has it been presented on partial or selective truth from the word of God?
We often hear the “Grace Only” doctrine that says salvation is by belief alone, therefore, it requires no work or responsibility on the part of the believer and once saved always saved as the only doctrinal truth. Any opponents of this doctrine are considered as heretics by its supporters.
Is this the whole counsel of the gospel of Jesus and the Apostles, that is my question?
Before I continue to elaborate further, let me qualify my above statement. I've not been anyway influenced by any specific theological beliefs. I have no theological background in that I mean I've not attended any seminary or bible school that adopt the theology of Calvinism or Arminianism, though I'm from a Pentecostal background. To me, I'm just a simple bible believing Christian who believes everything that the Bible says. Even so, in my 38 years of walking with the Lord and being taught by the Holy Spirit, I find this doctrine defective, leaving a major portion of the Scripture unattended in supporting of its view.
For example in James 2:18-24-26, it says that faith without works is worthless: but someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith from my works. You believe that there is one God, you do well; even the demons believe and tremble. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Do you see how faith worked with his works, and from the works faith was made complete? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God." You see then how a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
In view of the above scripture, it is clear that we cannot show salvation by faith alone without the evidence of a working faith. Works are the byproduct or the consequences of faith. It is the evidence of our belief that results in action. James 2:15-17, if a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. True faith demonstrates itself by works of love.
Yet, we also read in Romans 4:2-5, For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. So how then is someone justified, by faith or by works? Abraham was justified before men by his works but justified before God by his faith. Faith does result in works if it is indeed the true and justifying kind.
The works mentioned in the above passage cannot be in reference to "works of the law" as the law of Moses did not even exist as yet during Abraham's time. Therefore, we are not saved by works at all of any kind except by the work of Jesus Christ Himself through the Spirit of God! Titus 3:5, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Hebrews 9:14, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Read Hebrews 11 about faith that produces works.
What about Grace?
In Eph 2:8-10 (KJV) For by grace (kindness) are ye saved (deliver or protect) through faith (persuasion); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift (present) of God: Not of works (man's deed), lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works (benefit deed), which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We cannot be justified by a faith that doesn't work. But yet, neither can we be justified by faith and works. Romans 11:6, And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. Once we attempt to add works to grace we have denied God's grace that is received by faith. Then how are we justified? By faith which works! James 2:22, Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? Faith did the works through Abraham. We are saved only by faith. However, that faith is a fruitfully productive one which is spurred by love.
Rom 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (to have faith or entrust one's spiritual well being to Christ); to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (persuasion: moral conviction).
Belief does not result only in knowledge but conviction. Having faith alone in Jesus Christ for our salvation means that we are believing only Jesus can save us. It also means we are not placing our faith in anyone or anything else, not even in our own works, for salvation. Our so call good works that initiated by the self are filthy rags in the eyes of God (Isaiah 64:6). The only work that is acceptable to God is to have faith in Jesus to save us, thereafter, produces good works that ordained by Him through the inner working of His Spirit that motivates by His love (1 Corinthians 13).
How do we receive GRACE?
By repentance, believing the gospel and be baptized and followed Him. Mark 1:15, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent, and believe the gospel. Be Baptized - Matthew 3:11, I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. But He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Follow Him - Matthew 8:22, But Jesus said to him, follow Me.
Let me put this to you, how do we receive grace, if we don’t really understand the gospel? If we don’t receive the whole counsel of the gospel? If we don’t know the requirement of salvation?
In order to qualify the four steps of salvation we need to truly understand the testaments of the Old and New. We must not believe that the entire Old Testament is obsolete, it is the covenant that abides by the law that is obsolete. The OT explains why the NT is needed in order to fulfill the eternal purpose of God. The moral law, attributes of God and prophecy are still intact, only the covenant has been changed.
Why I say this is because the way we present God is utmost important: what we hear and perceive made out of what we know. What we know depends on what is being presented to us. The presentation has to depend on how much we understand about God. A W Tozer has this to say, a local church will only be as great as its conception of God. An individual Christian will be a success or a failure depending upon what he or she thinks of God. It is critically important that we have knowledge of the Holy One, that we know what God is like. The Attributes of God, 41,42.
I'm fully convinced that God is not the author of confusion. There is no contradiction in the scripture against another scripture. Most of the erroneous doctrine come from men due to their preconceived ideas about God in their hearts and that is what they belief. Jer 17:9-10The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins (mind), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Conditions of the heart
Jesus warn us in this parable: Some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. It means that not all who received the gospel would be successful in their faith it depends very much on the conditions of their hearts. Unless the rock and thorns are removed from the heart the seeds (word) have no chance of surviving - Read Mat 13:18-23 for the explanation of this parable.
Good or corrupt tree is know by the fruit because the fruit is the result of the natural process
Matthew 7:16-18, Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. By their fruits you shall know them! 1 Titus 6:5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness (bad fruit): from such withdraw thyself. 2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God (bad fruit)…
How do we remove the stones and thorns from the heart?
What was the first sermon that Jesus preached? From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand - Mat 4:17. I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish - Luke 13:3 Apostle Paul says in Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness (grace), and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness (graciousness) of God leads you to repentance? Repentance is the key for the removal of the stones and thorn in the heart.
How do we repent?
Repentance in Greek: metanoia means compunction – feeling of shame and regret about doing something wrong (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision.
First, it involves feeling of guilt
A feeling of regret or contrition for having done something wrong.
Secondly, it involves emotion – a strong sentiment
Contrition, regret, remorse, penitence, feels sorry, shame, compunction.
Thirdly, it requires actions to correct the wrong
Atonement, admission of guilt, be apologetic, make right from wrong, recompense, reparation, amends.
Reformation means: The act of reforming, or the state of being reformed; change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt; as, the reformation of manners; reformation of the age; reformation of abuses. This requires work to make it right from wrong.
Many has stopped short at the third requirement
The 'Grace Only' doctrine says repentance simply means a change of mind, no work is required on the part of the believers for salvation! Does this means the believers need not to obey the commandments of Jesus for salvation? Read this,
Matthew 3:8 (ALT) "Therefore, bears fruit worthy [fig., as evidence] of repentance." Act 26:20 (KJV) .... that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. The word meet means: axios - deserving, comparable or suitable, worthy.
Bearing fruit worthy of repentance is a life long process it does not mean just once during salvation by repeating a prayer or a change of mind at some point. We need to correct the wrong like Zaccheus. Luke 19:8-9 And Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor. And in anything I accused anyone falsely, I restore it fourfold. And Jesus said to him, This day salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness because of his faith shown by his works - James 2.
We do need the Law
I put it to you: Do we need grace when there is no law? How could we understand grace without the law? Without the law how could we know and recognize our trespasses?
Jesus came to fulfill the law not to abolish the law. Matthew 5:17-20, Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled. Therefore whoever shall relax one of these commandments, the least, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven. But whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
This is one of the most important scripture in the gospel that repel the notion that Law is no longer valid for the NT believers. The word fulfill in Greek means: pleroo - to make replete that is abundantly supplied. The word commandments entole means injunction that is an authoritative prescription of an act or order. The Moral Law in the OT was never meant to be destroyed but to be complete by Jesus. The following verses explain further:
Mat 5:21-24 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Mat 5:27-29 You have heard that it was said to the ancients: "Do not commit adultery." But I say to you, Everyone looking at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. But if your right eye offends you, take it out and throw it from you, for it is profitable to you that one of your members should perish and all your body not be thrown into Hell.
"The commandment of Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law"
Luke 6:46 And why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him. John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My Words, and the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.
The second scripture is found in Romans 3:23-28,31 (MKJV) which is written by the Apostle Paul, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified (to render just or innoncent) freely by His grace (kindness) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God has set forth to be a propitiation (an atoning victim) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness through the passing by of the sins that had taken place before, in the forbearance of God; for the display of His righteousness at this time, for Him to be just and, forgiving the one being of the faith of Jesus. Then where is the boasting? It is excluded. Through what law? Of works? No, but through the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law. Do we then make the Law void through faith? Let it not be! But we establish (stand, hold up, abide, continue) the Law.
Law and Grace are related to the Flesh and Spirit.
Romans 8:1-7, there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally (flesh, human nature) minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity (hostile or hatred) against God: for it is not subject (obey or submit) to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Galatians 5:16-25; 6:7-8, But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (for the works of the flesh are lawless). And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (grace requires the flesh to be crucified) If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sow, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Ephesians 4:22 For you ought to put off the old man (according to your way of living before) who is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
Matthew Henry says, how may we know whether we are after the flesh or after the Spirit? By examining what we mind, the things of the flesh or the things of the spirit. Carnal pleasure, worldly profit and honor, the things of sense and time, are the things of the flesh, which unregenerate people mind. The favor of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. The man is as the mind is. The mind is the forge of thoughts. As he thinketh in his heart, so is he, Proverbs 23:7.
Grace and Predestination
Grace comes with a heavy price not of the recipient but of the donor. Since He is the donor He has every right to grant grace to whomever He delights. Eph 1:4-6 according as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined (predetermine) us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which He has made us accepted in the One having been loved.
However, predestination does not mean the will of man become obsolete. The infinite and timeless God knows the ways of man and He knows who will eventually belongs to Him. Though, we may be chosen by Him due to His kindness, but the choice belongs to us either to accept or reject His grace. Grace is bestow to everyone who entrust their lives to Christ and serve Him - John 3:16-21, Joshua 24:15.
Views on the Usage of Law by the Founding Fathers of Faith
“Evermore the law must prepare the way for the gospel. To overlook this in instructing souls, is almost certain to result in a false hope, the introduction of a false standard of Christian experience, and to fill the Church with false converts…. Time will make this plain.” - Charles Finney
“They will never accept grace until they tremble before a just and holy law” - Charles Spurgeon
“The man who does not know the nature of the law, cannot know the nature of sin.” “And he who does not know the nature of sin, cannot know the nature of the Savior.’ - John Bunyan
“The correct understanding of the harmony between Law and Grace, is to preserve oneself from being entangled by errors on the right hand and on the left.” - John Newton
When speaking of those who did not use the law as a schoolmaster…..
“All this proceeds from the deepest ignorance of the natures, properties, and use of the law. And proves that those that act thus, either know not Christ, or are stranger to living faith, or at least, are but babes in Christ and as such unskilled in the word of righteousness - John Wesley, he
suggested we should use 90% law and 10% grace
“Those that would know sin must get the knowledge of the law in its strictness, extent and spiritual nature.” (When speaking of using the law as a schoolmaster) “Of this excellent use of the law; it converts the soul, opens the eyes, prepares the way of the Lord….” - Matthew Henry
“The first duty of the gospel preacher is to declare the Law and show the nature of sin.” - Martin Lurther
“the highest service to which man may attain on earth, is to preach the law of God.” - John Wycliff
The Usage of Law by the Jesus
Luke 18:18-23, And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. Jesus exposed his heart with the tenth commandments (Law of Moses). He kept all the nine but failed the ten and he broke all. “Thou shalt not covet”.{Covet: ‘khaw-mad' means to delight in: - beauty, greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing)}
Luke 18:24-30, And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. (Peter demonstrates his faith by his work to forsake all and followed Jesus) And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
The law exposes sin
Apostle Paul said without the law sin is unknown to us - Romans 7:7. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it - though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Cor 6:1, 7:8-10 (ESV)
MODERN-DAY GOSPEL
Often promise of happiness: love, joy, peace fulfillment. Jesus is here to improve our living standard in this present world. Love, joy, peace is legitimate of salvation but it's not legitimate to use these fruits as a draw-cart for salvation. If we did, we are only hurting the people that we are trying to save! Good and lasting fruit can only be produced by true repentance.
Therefore, if we continue to preach and teach Jesus "IMPROVES OUR LIFE", we will reap the consequences of it. Instead. we must warn them of the inevitable judgment. Hebrew 9:27 and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. It is imperative to understand THE HORRIFIC CONSEQUENCES OF BREAKING GOD’S LAW. When that is understood, the lost come to Christ solely to flee from the wrath to come and that will produce TRUE REPENTANCE.
“Salvation comes through repentance and it unlocks the door to our soul to receive the grace of God”.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says this: Nothing can be crueler than the leniency which abandons others to their sins. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one's community back from the path of sin. James says, My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20)
The confused doctrine
I've come across people that defended the 'GO' and 'OSAS' doctrine by saying the scriptures below are referring to unbelievers and the fulfillment of the will of the Father is simply by believing in Jesus. Thus, this scripture has no bearing to the saved believers.
Matthew 3:8,10; 7:19-23, Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance; And now also, the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness! (ye that work iniquity - KJV) Work - to toil, labor, minister. Iniquity - illegality, that is, violation of law or generally wickedness: - transgression of the law, unrighteousness.
How can these people call Him Lord if they are not believers? How could they prophesy, cast out demons and do many wonderful works in Jesus' name if these are not believers? The truth is the Lord rejected them because they are workers of iniquity. The meaning is pretty clear. These are ministers of God violating or transgressing the law by acts of unrighteousness. 1 John 3:4, Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. Allow me to say this, "Ministries are not above the truth of God". They are subject to God's law. They are sacred solely devoted for His purpose.
The correct understanding of the will of the Father is this: repent and believe in the gospel of Jesus, be baptized in water and Spirit; take up our cross (crucified our flesh), deny ourselves (put nothing else before Him) and follow Him (be His disciples).
Revelation 3:3-6, Remember then how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. The one who overcomes (to subdue, prevail, conquer, get the victory) this one will be clothed in white clothing. And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This scripture repel the notion of once saved permanently saved doctrine. The word overcomes means to continue to live in an active faith.
Fallacy of "GRACE ONLY" doctrine
There is no such notion as under grace without first repent and believe in Christ. Justification is through faith but faith does not end up as facts; it requires to produce fruit of good works as the evidence of faith. In Christ we are now under a different kind of law - that is the law of faith and righteousness in the Spirit.
In summary, law is necessary to prepare the way for Salvation. Repentance is an act and attitudes of heart to unlock the door to the soul to receive the grace of God. The grace of God will enable us to live righteously through repentance and faith in Christ. Faith is trusting God to work in us and through us by the Holy Spirit to live a holy (consecrated) life so that He could receive us into His Kingdom. Grace is the fulfillment of the law through Jesus dying on the cross to give us the Christian freedom to be able to live righteously. Therefore, any other system of grace is another gospel.
Php 2:12 (KJV) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him... (not just believe in Him)
John 12:48 The one who rejects Me and does not receive My words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Related:
Can God's Love Fade?
Caution: Destined to Reign by Joseph Prince
Destined to Reign book review by Dr Gordon Wong
Biblical Repentance
My concern
I believe the divisions among the members of the Body of Christ could be reduced should we put aside those unending controversial subject for the common good. For a long time I felt that the 'Grace Only' doctrine was just such a division and should be ignored. However, the more I encounter this doctrine the more it concerns me. My conviction is that if a disagreement in doctrine does not affect salvation or the truth in the Scripture such as rapture predictions or speaking in tongues etc then it's a minor issue and best left alone. However, in recent years, this doctrine has taken to the extreme by some mega-preachers and I believe it does concern salvation and therefore should be addressed and should not be ignored.
The doctrine of 'Grace Only' often goes hand in hand with the doctrine of 'Saved by Faith Alone'. It claims that to deny eternal security is to endorse a “faith plus works” salvation system. My concern with this doctrine is that it uses biblical truth to do away with another biblical truth. Many have fell for it because it appealed to their self esteem and that they do not need to repent and get holy before a Holy God!
My personal encounter
Back in 1987, I was helping a pastor friend of mine to organize a miracle crusade in Miri, Sarawak, East Malaysia. The crusade was a huge success. Each night, thousands of people came from all over the state by the busloads, and hundreds of them had responded to the call for salvation. Many that came were healed of their diseases, and demons were driven out from possessed men and women. During the crusade, I had the opportunity to pray for a demon possessed man. Even though, I was afraid but yet excited at the same time to see Jesus working through me. The demons were eventually subdued and cast out from the man. This was my first spiritual encounter, awesome but scary experience. After the crusade ended, we followed up with the people on the decision cards that were collected during the altar call. They were subsequently invited to our Sunday service on the following week. Much to our dismay, only one who actually came to the service. We have no clue, why they wouldn't come to our service, since these people had given their lives to the Lord and have said the sinners prayer. They had witnessed the miraculous power of God, yet they would not want to integrate into the fellowship.
I can still remember the disappointment on the pastors' face. All the efforts seemed in vain. The moment of jubilant had turned into absolute disappointment. We were puzzled by the flippant attitudes and we did not know what exactly went wrong? This question has always lingered at the back of my mind while I seek to understand the reason behind this experience.
Why are those who responded to the gospel so flippant?
After years of seeking and observation, I came to realize that it is a common phenomenon among the churches across the world. Then, I came across the writing of Ray Comfort. In his book, Bride of Heaven, Pride of Hell he quoted the statistics of a major denomination in the United States which disclosed that it has obtained an incredible 294,784 decisions for Christ in 1990. Yet, in 1991, it could only find 14,337 in a Christian fellowship. There were about 280,447 decisions that couldn't be accounted for. The leadership had no clue as to why this has happened but could only conclude, "Something is wrong!” The trend continued.
In August 1996 a leading US denomination revealed that during 1995 it secured 384,057 decisions, but retained only 22,983 in the fellowship. It couldn't account for 361,074 supposed conversions. Ray told of another crusade in which 600 decisions were obtained, no doubt with much rejoicing. But 90 days later, follow-up workers couldn't even find one person who was going on in his or her faith. In 1991 in Cleveland, Ohio, 400 decisions were obtained in an Inner City Outreach, but, again later not one person could be found to continue in the faith.
This phenomenon is not unique to the US or my experience in Miri crusade. According to Ray, a pastor in Boulder, Colorado sent a team to Russia in 1991 and secured 2,500 decisions. The next year they found only 30 persevering in their faith. In Leeds, England, a visiting U.S. speaker acquired 400 decisions for a local church. However, six weeks later only two continued on and eventually they too fell away. A pastor who traveled to India every year since 1980 told Ray he saw 80,000 decision cards stacked in a hut in the city of Rajamundry which were the "results" of past evangelistic crusades. But he maintained that one would be fortunate to find even 80 Christians in the entire city. That is 1/10 of 1%.
Ray quotes Charles E. Hackett, the Division of Home Missions National Director for the Assemblies of God in the US: "A soul at the altar does not generate much excitement in some circles because we realize approximately 95 out of every 100 will not become integrated into the church. In fact, most of them will not return for a second visit." Ray's emphasis is that we don't tell the truth - again fraud and deceit - when bringing people to Christ. As a result, the seed is scattered on stony ground and though received with rejoicing the person falls away quickly in times of difficulty and/or persecution.
What has gone wrong?
Why is the gospel no longer effective to our generation? Or is there something wrong with the manner in which the gospel is presented?
Richard Owens Roberts, President of Awakening Ministries says, the hindrance to revival is equally as great when over-confidence is placed in overt responses. That the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to totally and permanently transform a person in an immediate response to a partial truth is not questioned. That this is the normal way the Spirit works is certainly not the case. In the ministry of Jesus, the bulk of the permanent responses, came as a result of years of discipling. The records of those who had a one time exposure to a tidbit of truth and were eternally saved are scarce.
What he tried to point out is on partial truth sermons. Most of today's sermons are so brief and so shallow that almost any truth conveyed is incomplete. Some preachers even focus on miracles and external experiences rather than inner convictions from the word. Surely there is wisdom we found in the practice of the founding fathers who preached for days, even weeks, before issuing any call for overt (open) responses.
In Jeremiah the Lord laments, "For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. And they have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, 'Peace, peace,' but there is no peace“ - Jeremiah 6:13,14.
These words are certainly true today and their application perfectly clear. Because of greed for gain, whether it be the love of money, the love of power, the love of acclaim, the love of crowds, the love of success everyone deals falsely. We have witnessed this across the globe in some of the most successful ministries. Their focus is on abundance living, prosperity, numbers and kingdom now. In these ministries sin is not a matter to be dealt with, often they claim this has been taken care of at the cross. Many that have been pronounced healed are superficial and still dying from the cancer of sin. In recent history (20 years) many of these preachers have been exposed publicly of the sins they embraced.
Is the modern day gospel preached and taught strictly according to the gospel of the LORD JESUS CHRIST? Or has it been presented on partial or selective truth from the word of God?
We often hear the “Grace Only” doctrine that says salvation is by belief alone, therefore, it requires no work or responsibility on the part of the believer and once saved always saved as the only doctrinal truth. Any opponents of this doctrine are considered as heretics by its supporters.
Is this the whole counsel of the gospel of Jesus and the Apostles, that is my question?
Before I continue to elaborate further, let me qualify my above statement. I've not been anyway influenced by any specific theological beliefs. I have no theological background in that I mean I've not attended any seminary or bible school that adopt the theology of Calvinism or Arminianism, though I'm from a Pentecostal background. To me, I'm just a simple bible believing Christian who believes everything that the Bible says. Even so, in my 38 years of walking with the Lord and being taught by the Holy Spirit, I find this doctrine defective, leaving a major portion of the Scripture unattended in supporting of its view.
For example in James 2:18-24-26, it says that faith without works is worthless: but someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith from my works. You believe that there is one God, you do well; even the demons believe and tremble. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Do you see how faith worked with his works, and from the works faith was made complete? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God." You see then how a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
In view of the above scripture, it is clear that we cannot show salvation by faith alone without the evidence of a working faith. Works are the byproduct or the consequences of faith. It is the evidence of our belief that results in action. James 2:15-17, if a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. True faith demonstrates itself by works of love.
Yet, we also read in Romans 4:2-5, For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. So how then is someone justified, by faith or by works? Abraham was justified before men by his works but justified before God by his faith. Faith does result in works if it is indeed the true and justifying kind.
The works mentioned in the above passage cannot be in reference to "works of the law" as the law of Moses did not even exist as yet during Abraham's time. Therefore, we are not saved by works at all of any kind except by the work of Jesus Christ Himself through the Spirit of God! Titus 3:5, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Hebrews 9:14, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Read Hebrews 11 about faith that produces works.
What about Grace?
In Eph 2:8-10 (KJV) For by grace (kindness) are ye saved (deliver or protect) through faith (persuasion); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift (present) of God: Not of works (man's deed), lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works (benefit deed), which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We cannot be justified by a faith that doesn't work. But yet, neither can we be justified by faith and works. Romans 11:6, And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. Once we attempt to add works to grace we have denied God's grace that is received by faith. Then how are we justified? By faith which works! James 2:22, Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? Faith did the works through Abraham. We are saved only by faith. However, that faith is a fruitfully productive one which is spurred by love.
Rom 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (to have faith or entrust one's spiritual well being to Christ); to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (persuasion: moral conviction).
Belief does not result only in knowledge but conviction. Having faith alone in Jesus Christ for our salvation means that we are believing only Jesus can save us. It also means we are not placing our faith in anyone or anything else, not even in our own works, for salvation. Our so call good works that initiated by the self are filthy rags in the eyes of God (Isaiah 64:6). The only work that is acceptable to God is to have faith in Jesus to save us, thereafter, produces good works that ordained by Him through the inner working of His Spirit that motivates by His love (1 Corinthians 13).
How do we receive GRACE?
By repentance, believing the gospel and be baptized and followed Him. Mark 1:15, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent, and believe the gospel. Be Baptized - Matthew 3:11, I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. But He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Follow Him - Matthew 8:22, But Jesus said to him, follow Me.
Let me put this to you, how do we receive grace, if we don’t really understand the gospel? If we don’t receive the whole counsel of the gospel? If we don’t know the requirement of salvation?
In order to qualify the four steps of salvation we need to truly understand the testaments of the Old and New. We must not believe that the entire Old Testament is obsolete, it is the covenant that abides by the law that is obsolete. The OT explains why the NT is needed in order to fulfill the eternal purpose of God. The moral law, attributes of God and prophecy are still intact, only the covenant has been changed.
Why I say this is because the way we present God is utmost important: what we hear and perceive made out of what we know. What we know depends on what is being presented to us. The presentation has to depend on how much we understand about God. A W Tozer has this to say, a local church will only be as great as its conception of God. An individual Christian will be a success or a failure depending upon what he or she thinks of God. It is critically important that we have knowledge of the Holy One, that we know what God is like. The Attributes of God, 41,42.
I'm fully convinced that God is not the author of confusion. There is no contradiction in the scripture against another scripture. Most of the erroneous doctrine come from men due to their preconceived ideas about God in their hearts and that is what they belief. Jer 17:9-10The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins (mind), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Conditions of the heart
Jesus warn us in this parable: Some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. It means that not all who received the gospel would be successful in their faith it depends very much on the conditions of their hearts. Unless the rock and thorns are removed from the heart the seeds (word) have no chance of surviving - Read Mat 13:18-23 for the explanation of this parable.
Good or corrupt tree is know by the fruit because the fruit is the result of the natural process
Matthew 7:16-18, Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. By their fruits you shall know them! 1 Titus 6:5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness (bad fruit): from such withdraw thyself. 2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God (bad fruit)…
How do we remove the stones and thorns from the heart?
What was the first sermon that Jesus preached? From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand - Mat 4:17. I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish - Luke 13:3 Apostle Paul says in Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness (grace), and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness (graciousness) of God leads you to repentance? Repentance is the key for the removal of the stones and thorn in the heart.
How do we repent?
Repentance in Greek: metanoia means compunction – feeling of shame and regret about doing something wrong (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision.
First, it involves feeling of guilt
A feeling of regret or contrition for having done something wrong.
Secondly, it involves emotion – a strong sentiment
Contrition, regret, remorse, penitence, feels sorry, shame, compunction.
Thirdly, it requires actions to correct the wrong
Atonement, admission of guilt, be apologetic, make right from wrong, recompense, reparation, amends.
Reformation means: The act of reforming, or the state of being reformed; change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt; as, the reformation of manners; reformation of the age; reformation of abuses. This requires work to make it right from wrong.
Many has stopped short at the third requirement
The 'Grace Only' doctrine says repentance simply means a change of mind, no work is required on the part of the believers for salvation! Does this means the believers need not to obey the commandments of Jesus for salvation? Read this,
Matthew 3:8 (ALT) "Therefore, bears fruit worthy [fig., as evidence] of repentance." Act 26:20 (KJV) .... that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. The word meet means: axios - deserving, comparable or suitable, worthy.
Bearing fruit worthy of repentance is a life long process it does not mean just once during salvation by repeating a prayer or a change of mind at some point. We need to correct the wrong like Zaccheus. Luke 19:8-9 And Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor. And in anything I accused anyone falsely, I restore it fourfold. And Jesus said to him, This day salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness because of his faith shown by his works - James 2.
We do need the Law
Psalms 19:7, the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
I put it to you: Do we need grace when there is no law? How could we understand grace without the law? Without the law how could we know and recognize our trespasses?
Jesus came to fulfill the law not to abolish the law. Matthew 5:17-20, Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled. Therefore whoever shall relax one of these commandments, the least, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven. But whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
This is one of the most important scripture in the gospel that repel the notion that Law is no longer valid for the NT believers. The word fulfill in Greek means: pleroo - to make replete that is abundantly supplied. The word commandments entole means injunction that is an authoritative prescription of an act or order. The Moral Law in the OT was never meant to be destroyed but to be complete by Jesus. The following verses explain further:
Mat 5:21-24 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Mat 5:27-29 You have heard that it was said to the ancients: "Do not commit adultery." But I say to you, Everyone looking at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. But if your right eye offends you, take it out and throw it from you, for it is profitable to you that one of your members should perish and all your body not be thrown into Hell.
"The commandment of Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law"
Luke 6:46 And why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him. John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My Words, and the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.
The second scripture is found in Romans 3:23-28,31 (MKJV) which is written by the Apostle Paul, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified (to render just or innoncent) freely by His grace (kindness) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God has set forth to be a propitiation (an atoning victim) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness through the passing by of the sins that had taken place before, in the forbearance of God; for the display of His righteousness at this time, for Him to be just and, forgiving the one being of the faith of Jesus. Then where is the boasting? It is excluded. Through what law? Of works? No, but through the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law. Do we then make the Law void through faith? Let it not be! But we establish (stand, hold up, abide, continue) the Law.
Law and Grace are related to the Flesh and Spirit.
Romans 8:1-7, there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally (flesh, human nature) minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity (hostile or hatred) against God: for it is not subject (obey or submit) to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Galatians 5:16-25; 6:7-8, But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (for the works of the flesh are lawless). And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (grace requires the flesh to be crucified) If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sow, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Ephesians 4:22 For you ought to put off the old man (according to your way of living before) who is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
Matthew Henry says, how may we know whether we are after the flesh or after the Spirit? By examining what we mind, the things of the flesh or the things of the spirit. Carnal pleasure, worldly profit and honor, the things of sense and time, are the things of the flesh, which unregenerate people mind. The favor of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. The man is as the mind is. The mind is the forge of thoughts. As he thinketh in his heart, so is he, Proverbs 23:7.
Grace and Predestination
Grace comes with a heavy price not of the recipient but of the donor. Since He is the donor He has every right to grant grace to whomever He delights. Eph 1:4-6 according as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined (predetermine) us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which He has made us accepted in the One having been loved.
However, predestination does not mean the will of man become obsolete. The infinite and timeless God knows the ways of man and He knows who will eventually belongs to Him. Though, we may be chosen by Him due to His kindness, but the choice belongs to us either to accept or reject His grace. Grace is bestow to everyone who entrust their lives to Christ and serve Him - John 3:16-21, Joshua 24:15.
Views on the Usage of Law by the Founding Fathers of Faith
“Evermore the law must prepare the way for the gospel. To overlook this in instructing souls, is almost certain to result in a false hope, the introduction of a false standard of Christian experience, and to fill the Church with false converts…. Time will make this plain.” - Charles Finney“They will never accept grace until they tremble before a just and holy law” - Charles Spurgeon
“The man who does not know the nature of the law, cannot know the nature of sin.” “And he who does not know the nature of sin, cannot know the nature of the Savior.’ - John Bunyan
“The correct understanding of the harmony between Law and Grace, is to preserve oneself from being entangled by errors on the right hand and on the left.” - John NewtonWhen speaking of those who did not use the law as a schoolmaster…..
“All this proceeds from the deepest ignorance of the natures, properties, and use of the law. And proves that those that act thus, either know not Christ, or are stranger to living faith, or at least, are but babes in Christ and as such unskilled in the word of righteousness - John Wesley, he
suggested we should use 90% law and 10% grace
“Those that would know sin must get the knowledge of the law in its strictness, extent and spiritual nature.” (When speaking of using the law as a schoolmaster) “Of this excellent use of the law; it converts the soul, opens the eyes, prepares the way of the Lord….” - Matthew Henry“The first duty of the gospel preacher is to declare the Law and show the nature of sin.” - Martin Lurther
“the highest service to which man may attain on earth, is to preach the law of God.” - John Wycliff
The Usage of Law by the Jesus
Luke 18:18-23, And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. Jesus exposed his heart with the tenth commandments (Law of Moses). He kept all the nine but failed the ten and he broke all. “Thou shalt not covet”.{Covet: ‘khaw-mad' means to delight in: - beauty, greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing)}
Luke 18:24-30, And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. (Peter demonstrates his faith by his work to forsake all and followed Jesus) And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
The law exposes sin
Apostle Paul said without the law sin is unknown to us - Romans 7:7. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it - though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Cor 6:1, 7:8-10 (ESV)
MODERN-DAY GOSPEL
Often promise of happiness: love, joy, peace fulfillment. Jesus is here to improve our living standard in this present world. Love, joy, peace is legitimate of salvation but it's not legitimate to use these fruits as a draw-cart for salvation. If we did, we are only hurting the people that we are trying to save! Good and lasting fruit can only be produced by true repentance.
Therefore, if we continue to preach and teach Jesus "IMPROVES OUR LIFE", we will reap the consequences of it. Instead. we must warn them of the inevitable judgment. Hebrew 9:27 and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. It is imperative to understand THE HORRIFIC CONSEQUENCES OF BREAKING GOD’S LAW. When that is understood, the lost come to Christ solely to flee from the wrath to come and that will produce TRUE REPENTANCE.
“Salvation comes through repentance and it unlocks the door to our soul to receive the grace of God”.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says this: Nothing can be crueler than the leniency which abandons others to their sins. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one's community back from the path of sin. James says, My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20)
The confused doctrine
I've come across people that defended the 'GO' and 'OSAS' doctrine by saying the scriptures below are referring to unbelievers and the fulfillment of the will of the Father is simply by believing in Jesus. Thus, this scripture has no bearing to the saved believers.
Matthew 3:8,10; 7:19-23, Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance; And now also, the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness! (ye that work iniquity - KJV) Work - to toil, labor, minister. Iniquity - illegality, that is, violation of law or generally wickedness: - transgression of the law, unrighteousness.
How can these people call Him Lord if they are not believers? How could they prophesy, cast out demons and do many wonderful works in Jesus' name if these are not believers? The truth is the Lord rejected them because they are workers of iniquity. The meaning is pretty clear. These are ministers of God violating or transgressing the law by acts of unrighteousness. 1 John 3:4, Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. Allow me to say this, "Ministries are not above the truth of God". They are subject to God's law. They are sacred solely devoted for His purpose.
The correct understanding of the will of the Father is this: repent and believe in the gospel of Jesus, be baptized in water and Spirit; take up our cross (crucified our flesh), deny ourselves (put nothing else before Him) and follow Him (be His disciples).
Revelation 3:3-6, Remember then how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. The one who overcomes (to subdue, prevail, conquer, get the victory) this one will be clothed in white clothing. And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This scripture repel the notion of once saved permanently saved doctrine. The word overcomes means to continue to live in an active faith.
Fallacy of "GRACE ONLY" doctrine
There is no such notion as under grace without first repent and believe in Christ. Justification is through faith but faith does not end up as facts; it requires to produce fruit of good works as the evidence of faith. In Christ we are now under a different kind of law - that is the law of faith and righteousness in the Spirit.
In summary, law is necessary to prepare the way for Salvation. Repentance is an act and attitudes of heart to unlock the door to the soul to receive the grace of God. The grace of God will enable us to live righteously through repentance and faith in Christ. Faith is trusting God to work in us and through us by the Holy Spirit to live a holy (consecrated) life so that He could receive us into His Kingdom. Grace is the fulfillment of the law through Jesus dying on the cross to give us the Christian freedom to be able to live righteously. Therefore, any other system of grace is another gospel.
Php 2:12 (KJV) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him... (not just believe in Him)
John 12:48 The one who rejects Me and does not receive My words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Related:
Can God's Love Fade?
Caution: Destined to Reign by Joseph Prince
Destined to Reign book review by Dr Gordon Wong
Biblical Repentance
