Soteriology is a branch of
theology on the study of salvation or redemption. From the perspective of an
evangelical, there is only one way to heaven: by grace alone, through faith alone,
in Christ alone (cf. Eph 2:8-9). Often, we make the mistake of not appreciating
the delicate nature of its purity in the absolute absence of good works. The
salvation of grace is highly sensitive in that it cannot tolerate even the
smallest particle of salvation by works!
Now, I am going to make an
observation on election that may surprise some because the highly sensitive
nature of salvation of grace can also be said of the salvation of works; if
there is a particle of grace, salvation by works will be corrupted! A salvation by works is a soteriological belief that is, in reality, a
contradiction of terms for there is no such thing as a working salvation in
its positional sense from a biblical point of view.
The Apostle Paul under
inspiration reveals in Romans 11 that both concepts are diametrically in
opposition to one another or mutually exclusive. He is enhancing the importance
of grace and the danger of works being included in redemption. For the
compromisers who conflate the two that salvation is a combination of grace and
works, it is adamantly rejected by the Apostle Paul’s understanding of
election, again, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Even so
then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of
grace. 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 (Rom 11:5-6).
Is salvation of grace? Of works?
Of grace and works? Notice what Paul said in reference to the remnant, that
election was based on grace (v5), apart from grace (unmerited favor in the face
of deserved wrath), there would have been no remnant nor Christians for that
matter because grace and works are mutually exclusive. Read v6 again then read
my paraphrase,
If the election was by grace,
then it is no longer of works; otherwise, the election of grace is no longer of
grace. But if the election was by work, then it is no longer of grace; otherwise,
the election of work is no longer of works.
Keep in mind we are contextually
referring to the remnant of Jews to be grafted into the olive tree in the
future (Rom 11:24), but their election will be no different than what we have
already experienced as Gentiles; our election was of grace. Did you see the
sensitivity of both grace and work? If the election is of grace and there is a
particle of work, then the concept of grace would be meaningless. If the
election is of work and there is a particle of grace, then the concept of work
would cease.
When it comes to salvation, it
is either of grace or of works. Biblical soteriology indicates that it is of
grace, not of works (Rom 3:21-31; 4:1-11; 9:11; Gal 2:16, 21; Gal 3:11-12, 18;
Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). So, when it comes to salvation, works have absolutely,
unequivocally nothing to do with it. It is nothing more than a godless particle
in the area of positional sanctification or salvation. In progressive
sanctification, growing and maturing in the faith, works, however, become very important,
the fruit of our faith (Gal 5:22, 23 for example; cf. Lk 6:44),
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works [fruits], is dead (Jas
2:17).
For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works [fruits], which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in
them (Eph 2:10).
Thus, the biblical model of
salvation is all about grace. A growing faith is all about works or fruits.
What happened to grace in progressive sanctification? Grace and works
complement one another (cf. 2 Pet 3:18; Jas 2:17), but not in positional
salvation.
So, I trust that you see why we
are emphatic as true believers about salvation being by grace alone, through
faith alone, and in Christ alone. This is a non-negotiable truth in biblical
Christianity. But still circulating are the godless particles concerning an
alternate view of the salvation of works, such as merit, earned, work,
entitlement, deserved, or any other word promoting the same motif. You talk
about going into a black hole! That’s the spiritually blind going into deeper
darkness due to unbelief (cf. 2 Cor 4:4).
Let’s set aside the idea of
grace versus work in salvation for a moment. There is a movement afoot that
holds to the belief that all people eventually wind up in heaven. You may have
heard of universalism or universal salvation that rejects the horrid notion
that some people will spend eternity in hell. This is an illustration of
Genesis 3:1, Has God indeed said…? And then Genesis 3:4, You will not….
When godless particles of
anti-biblical matter collide with the godly particles of biblical matter, its effectiveness or
persuasiveness only impacts the individual who does not believe that the Word
of God is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
We all go by some authority. Either we are an authority unto ourselves
(autonomous, self-law), hold to a secular or religious authority (heteronomous,
different law), or submit to the sovereignty of God and the supremacy of His
Word (Theonomous, God’s law).
The type of authority a person
is under, as well as the condition of the heart, is usually revealed by his or
her conversation (Lk 6:45); it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to
know when God and His Word are challenged to be untruthful. This is where the
godless particles enter the vacuum of the heart that is void of the Holy Spirit
(cf. Rom 8:9), and what resides is a spirit of unbelief pointing to an erroneous
worldview. By saving faith, this unbelief could easily be replaced by the
Person of the Holy Spirit!
I have not spoken about the
godless particles of unholy living (Ga 5:19, 20, 21, for instance). They can
bombard the heart of a believer if dabbling in sin, particularly if one does
not guard his or her heart with all diligence in progressive sanctification or
growing up to be like Christ (Prov 4:23; 2 Pet 3:18).
A person could have a dark heart
spiritually (cf. Jer 17:9); you know the expression. It is not a compliment by
any stretch when we comment that a person has a dark heart or a wicked heart.
From a Christian perspective, it would mean the person doesn’t know Jesus. I
would not be surprised for someone to pull out the “It’s not found in the
Bible” card! I know the expression, “dark heart,” is not found in the Scriptures,
but that doesn’t mean that the heart of man is not dark or evil or that the truth or
expression of it is not theologically correct.
What if a translator was translating
the Bible into the language of a primitive tribe who thought the liver was the
heart of man? And he or she translated Mark 12:30, And you shall love the
LORD your God with all your liver… I know of believers in their
sanctimoniousness who would say, “Liver is not found in the Scriptures. Nowhere
will you find ‘liver’ in the Scriptures; look it up!”
And by the way, I think that it
is highly unwise of anyone to leverage others using a translation as the
standard by which we compare, evaluate, or refute all other
translations or one another. There is no such thing as a theopneustos (God-breathed)
translation in parity with the original autographs (2 Tim 3:16). I most
certainly believe there are good, better, best translations out there
in circulation. In some circles, I am considered a heretic by KJO (King James Only) advocates for using the NKJV
as my default translation of the Bible for M-G! All quotations from the Bible
are NKJV unless noted otherwise.
So, let me ask you out of a
heart of love (agape). Are there godless particles bombarding your
soteriology or what do you think about salvation? It doesn’t really matter what you
and I think about salvation, right? What is vital is what Yahweh has to say
about it in His Word? If you don’t think you have a need for salvation, then I can safely
assume you are either an atheist or an agnostic.
If you are trying to be the best
that you can in hope that God will take all of that good into consideration
when you die to gain entrance into Heaven, you definitely believe in a salvation of works. Such a soteriology would bar you from heaven since you are basing
your salvation on good works because you truly believe that Heaven is merited (cf. Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:4, 5).
The grace particle with no commingling
in soteriology is sacrosanct and quintessential. The slightest degradation of the
element of grace in salvation can and will result in catastrophic consequences
according to the Scriptures (cf. Gal 1:8-9). Grace is a blessing, not a burden
as in some hope-so-salvation beliefs. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ does what none
of us could ever do on our own – get to heaven.
(Eph 2:8) For by
grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it
is the gift of God,
(Eph 2:9) not of
works, lest anyone should boast.
Those were the most beautiful
words I have ever heard when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior on
1.19.1976 at 10:43 AM. I have never regretted it for a single moment! Truly all of
God’s Word is beautiful because it is the truth and nothing but the truth. Only
the Holy Spirit can overcome the gravitational intensity of unbelief if you let
Him. He can take that dark heart and make it a new creation (2 Cor 5:17),
Come now, and let us reason
together, says the LORD, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isa 1:18). <><
%20MG%20t-bkgrd%2060x44.png){kind=small}
%20sunflower%20makeover%2045x63.png){kind=small}
