{"id":707,"date":"2009-11-13T10:00:57","date_gmt":"2009-11-13T04:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.returningking.com\/?p=707"},"modified":"2009-11-13T10:00:57","modified_gmt":"2009-11-13T04:00:57","slug":"the-elements-of-the-gospel-grace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/?p=707","title":{"rendered":"The Elements of the Gospel: Grace"},"content":{"rendered":"
This entry is part 12 of 13 in the series Pastoral Soteriology<\/a><\/div>

(This post is a continuation of the Pastoral Soteriology Series)<\/em><\/p>\n

Grace:\u00a0 The Overriding Condition of Salvation<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"Understanding the nature of the atonement expressed thus far \u2013 that Christ fulfilled<\/a> the substitutionary<\/a> blood atonement system of the Old Testament<\/a> \u2013 leads one to next evaluate the elements of the gospel which bring one along the path into fellowship with Christ.\u00a0 The mere knowledge of such glorious principles alone does not transform one automatically into conversion (James 2:19).\u00a0 Rather, a transformational process which far supersedes intellect takes place to usher one into regeneration.\u00a0 The next several posts will examine the \u201celements\u201d which come into play during one\u2019s conversion process.\u00a0 These elements are each taught by scripture to be a part of the conversion experience.<\/p>\n

When one bakes a cake, it is imperative that the proper ingredients be assimilated according to a recipe.\u00a0 If one should forget the flour or sugar, it becomes not a cake that one bakes, but something else altogether.\u00a0 While the compilation of the proper ingredient list is essential, there are also further instructions which must be performed in a certain order.\u00a0 You cannot, for example, \u201cmix on high for 30 seconds\u201d before the final ingredients are added.\u00a0 Nor can you \u201cbake at 350 degrees\u201d prior to mixing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many who delve into studies on soteriology focus much detailed attention on the order<\/em> by which ingredients are to be added to the mixture which results in one\u2019s salvation.\u00a0 Some contend that repentance is a necessary step prior<\/em> to actual regeneration.\u00a0 Others insist that repentance is the response<\/em> of one\u2019s actual regeneration, and that it happens after the fact.\u00a0 While these debates are wholesome and iron-sharpening (at least when conducted with a healthy humility and lots of scriptural reflection), they go beyond the scope of this \u201cpastoral\u201d study on soteriology.\u00a0 At the end of the day, my pursuit is to illuminate the essentials<\/em> of the gospel through this series.\u00a0 To that end, I\u2019ll save the more meticulous and debatable aspects of this process for the theological forums of healthy debate, which I will gladly engage.<\/p>\n

However, even in this assessment of the bare fundamentals of salvation it is absolutely imperative that one understand what goes into this recipe we refer to as \u201cthe gospel.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If one\u2019s cake comes out of the oven un-risen, he can know that he did not get the recipe correct.\u00a0 He does not have cake, but a chocolate door mat. \u00a0Likewise, if one presumes to have been converted, yet he is unrepentant, fails to love Christ and has no desire to serve Him as Lord, he too has missed an important ingredient (or more) along the way.\u00a0 He is not a true disciple of Christ any more than the un-risen hard-baked batter-platter is cake.<\/p>\n

To compile the vital ingredient list of the gospel, one must necessarily begin with the element which overshadows all others, for without it no one can be saved.\u00a0 That pre-conditional attribute is grace.<\/p>\n

The Nature of Grace<\/span><\/h3>\n

Grace is translated in the New Testament from the Greek term charis<\/em> (khar\u2019is), which is defined as \u201ca manner or act imparting acceptability or favor on another.\u201d\u00a0 Inherent in this definition is the \u201cimparted\u201d nature of grace.\u00a0 Grace is something which is given by a capable party to one who is utterly incapable of attaining it on his own.\u00a0 Thus, it is \u201cimparted,\u201d but cannot be earned.\u00a0 A common and good theological description of grace is that it is \u201cGod\u2019s unmerited favor toward man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another way of understanding the nature of grace is to fully comprehend what grace is not.<\/em>\u00a0 Grace is not<\/em> tantamount to recompense or reward.\u00a0 It is quite the opposite.\u00a0 Illuminating this distinction clearly, Paul notes that<\/p>\n

Romans 6:23 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n23 <\/sup>\u2026 the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. <\/em><\/p>\n

Paul beautifully prepared a contrast between works and grace in this sentence.\u00a0 On the \u201cworks\u201d side of his equation, he notes that the \u201cwages of sin\u201d is death.\u00a0 Wages are what one earns for one\u2019s works.\u00a0 In this case, one\u2019s works are sin and the wage earned is death, which is the opposite of salvation.\u00a0 On the other side of the equation is the utter antithesis of such works and wages as Paul notes, \u201cbut the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d\u00a0 A gift is categorically contrary to a wage.\u00a0 Gifts are not earned, but are given unmeritoriously.\u00a0 Otherwise, it would not be a gift at all, but a wage.\u00a0 This text, while not utilizing the term specifically, teaches clearly the underlying principle which provides the basis of salvation.\u00a0 Salvation is unconditionally granted by grace.\u00a0 Thus it is not, and cannot be achieved by works.<\/p>\n

Ephesians 2:8 will be examined momentarily, but at this point let us observe its core principle as the foundation by which one is capable of being saved.\u00a0 Paul states in this text that \u201cit is by grace you have been saved, through faith\u2014and this is not from yourselves.\u201d\u00a0 If one is saved \u201cby grace,\u201d then one has no proper cause to think that salvation can be obtained by any part of one\u2019s own human works.\u00a0 Grace is completely opposed to the idea of one \u201caccomplishing\u201d one\u2019s salvation.\u00a0 Any and all supposed doctrines which teach that one can \u201cachieve\u201d salvation through right living, proper ingestion of sacramental activities, self flagellation or any other humanly-powered practice is utterly in contempt of scripture.<\/p>\n

Contrarily, the biblical doctrine of grace proclaims that men are incapable of redemption outside of Christ.\u00a0 Scripture reveals that<\/p>\n

Romans 5:6 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n6 <\/sup>\u2026 at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. <\/em><\/p>\n

One who is powerless is by definition one that can provide nothing for his estate.\u00a0 It is in response to man\u2019s inability that Christ worked on his behalf, offering himself as a substitutionary atonement.\u00a0 Likewise, Ephesians concurs,<\/p>\n

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n8 <\/sup>For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 <\/sup>not by works, so that no one can boast.<\/em><\/p>\n

In case one should misunderstand, Paul explains articulately that salvation is \u201cnot by works, so that no one can boast.\u201d\u00a0 He affirms that salvation \u2013 being by grace \u2013 is \u201cnot from yourselves.\u201d\u00a0 As grace, it \u201cis the gift of God\u201d to those who are unworthy, incapable and unwilling.\u00a0 Thus, not only is grace something entirely separate from man\u2019s works, it is in fact something provided in spite<\/em> of them.\u00a0 Christ\u2019s provision of atonement was given to those who were powerless, as a gift, by him dying for the ungodly<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Sadly, the prominent message on the streets today is that one may indeed find favor with God if he only \u201cdoes enough\u201d or \u201clives rightly\u201d enough that his good deeds will outweigh his bad.\u00a0 This false hope is based on the presumption that sin can be undone by good works.\u00a0 Yet, as revealed earlier in this series, sin demands punishment in God\u2019s sight, not restitution via community service.\u00a0 Contrarily,<\/p>\n

Titus 3:4-7 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n4 <\/sup>\u2026 when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 <\/sup>he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 <\/sup>whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 <\/sup>so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. <\/em><\/p>\n

Galatians 5:4 (NIV) <\/em><\/strong>
\n4 <\/sup>You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. <\/em><\/p>\n

Dear friends, there is absolutely nothing you can do<\/em> to atone for your sins.\u00a0 Even one who repents of his sin and lives utterly right before God for every remaining moment of his life \u2013 if that were possible \u2013 would still have to give account for the sins of his past.\u00a0 That accounting would sentence him to death.\u00a0 Only grace \u2013 God\u2019s unmerited favor \u2013 can rescue us from our very dire predicament.<\/p>\n

The Application of Grace<\/span><\/h3>\n

Simply knowing that grace is required still leaves open questions concerning how exactly such grace has been provided.\u00a0 Clearly the provision has been made first of all by the very atonement itself.\u00a0 Had God not sent Christ to die for the sins of man, all other arguments concerning salvation would be null and void.\u00a0 From the beginning, the whole of scripture pointed toward a Messiah who would redeem man from the penalty of his sin.\u00a0 While the law was a foreshadowing<\/a> of substitutionary atonement, it did not remove<\/em> sins.\u00a0 Only Christ could do that by vicariously offering his own righteous blood in our stead.<\/p>\n

1 John 4:9 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n9 <\/sup>This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. <\/em><\/p>\n

Beyond the provision of atonement lies another act of grace by which men must be saved.\u00a0 That act of Grace is imparted by God\u2019s call to the sinner.\u00a0 While the payment for sin has been secured, men remain incapable of receiving it outside of God\u2019s grace upon them as he enables them by the Holy Spirit to do so.\u00a0 Jesus noted,<\/p>\n

John 6:44 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n44 <\/sup>“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. <\/em><\/p>\n

As such, one does not simply wake up on some particular day and make the intellectual decision to acquire salvation.\u00a0 While men may<\/em> make a purely academic choice to pursue religion<\/em>, the draw to true redemption is only granted personally by the Lord.\u00a0 This, too, is an act of grace.\u00a0 If no one is able to come unless the Father draws him, then the very grasping at the redemption provided is a further exercise of God\u2019s grace.\u00a0 Indeed, conviction of sins- which is necessary for salvation- is itself an act of the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 Guilt can be manufactured by men, of course, but true repentance is the result of supernatural conviction of the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 These additional elements of the gospel will be examined in future posts, but at this time it must be underscored completely that salvation is unconditionally an act of God\u2019s grace.\u00a0 Every other call of scripture concerning faith, repentance and the trust in the Lordship of Christ hinges on the impartation of God\u2019s grace, without which Christ would not have been offered nor would one be so inclined to be purchased out of his sin.<\/p>\n

Romans 5:20-21 (NIV) <\/em><\/strong>
\n20 <\/em><\/sup>\u2026Where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 <\/sup>so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. <\/em><\/p>\n


<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This entry is part 12 of 13 in the series Pastoral Soteriology<\/a><\/div>

(This post is a continuation of the Pastoral Soteriology Series) Grace:\u00a0 The Overriding Condition of Salvation Understanding the nature of the atonement expressed thus far \u2013 that Christ fulfilled the substitutionary blood atonement system of the Old Testament \u2013 leads one to next evaluate the elements of the gospel which bring one along the path […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13,14,18],"tags":[92,162,175],"series":[210],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/707"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/707\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=707"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fseries&post=707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}