Sadly, many churches today deny the total grace of God in the salvation
of Christians. They deny the following Biblical truths-
· Total Depravity of man before conversion. Men are dead in their trespasses and slaves to sin. Without God's total and effectual grace they will remain so. (Romans 3:10-11, Ephesians 2:1-5, I Corinthians 2:14, Jeremiah 17:9).
· Unconditional Election by God of those whom He saves. God does NOT elect to save men because he foresees who will believe. Rather, of His own volition God chooses those whom He will mercifully save. (Romans 9:11, I Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 1:4, John 15:16-17 ). Even faith itself is a gift of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8). God by His grace plants it in the heart of man (Philippians 2:13).
· Particular Redemption by Jesus Christ of the elect. Christ died effectually for His elect- taking on Himself their guilt- not merely giving the possibility that people might be saved. (Matthew 1:21, Romans 5:8, John 10:29)
· Irresistible Grace of God in the salvation of His people. The Holy Spirit converts sinners so they repent and believe. Those whom God has chosen to save before the foundation of the world He does save. (Ephesians 2:4-5, John 6:44, Acts 16:14 )
· Perseverance of the Saints through the work of the Holy Spirit. All those whom God has saved will surely persevere to the end by the power of the Holy Spirit, living a life of evangelical faith and obedience. (II Timothy 4:18, Romans 8:30, Jude 24 and 25).
· It is a denial of what the Bible teaches. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
· It denies God the glory he alone is due (Ephesians 1:6)
· It puts in jeopardy the Biblical gospel. If salvation is dependent on some work of man (even if faith itself is that work of man), then human salvation rests on human works instead of the grace of God in Jesus Christ. But human works can save no man, because no human works can satisfy God’s perfect justice. (Romans 3:19-20)
(More Puritan tracts like this one can be found at http://www.puritans.net/tracts.)