“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God” (Rom. 11:22)
Grace is God showing His goodness to those who deserve severity. Both imputed sin in Adam and actual sins in practice rendered every man unfit for the presence of God. Neither Jacob nor Esau, who typify the elect and non-elect respectively, deserved the grace of God (Rom 9:13). Goodness was freely purposed by God; as well as, severity. The amazing truth is not that God is severe to some, but that He is gracious to any.
Consider three observations:
Grace demonstrates the love of God.
God is both good and severe. Because God is infinite goodness, He purposed infinite love toward a fallen race. His love provided His Son, the imputation of righteousness, and spiritual awakening in each generation for His elect. God demonstrated grace in Christ: “when the kindness and the love to men of God our Savior did appear” (Titus 3:4)
Grace and salvation are inseparable.
The apostle said: “For by grace you are saved” (Eph 2:8). What was the occasion? Not God’s purpose before time, or His provision of faith, but the death of Christ. “Faith” is related to grace and salvation in this respect: faith is the gift of God to see, understand and rest in salvation by grace. God conditioned grace and salvation exclusively on Christ’s Person and Work.
Grace guarantees His saints preservation.
God’s goodness and severity are fixed. A sheep cannot become a goat; and a goat cannot become a sheep. Romans 8 begins with “no condemnation” and closes with “no separation” (Rom 8:1, 35-39). God preserves and the elect persevere. Believers need not torment themselves feeling their faith will fail; it is assured by sovereign grace.
T. David Simpson
Shreveport Grace Church Bulletin- July 18, 2010
Grace is God showing His goodness to those who deserve severity. Both imputed sin in Adam and actual sins in practice rendered every man unfit for the presence of God. Neither Jacob nor Esau, who typify the elect and non-elect respectively, deserved the grace of God (Rom 9:13). Goodness was freely purposed by God; as well as, severity. The amazing truth is not that God is severe to some, but that He is gracious to any.
Consider three observations:
Grace demonstrates the love of God.
God is both good and severe. Because God is infinite goodness, He purposed infinite love toward a fallen race. His love provided His Son, the imputation of righteousness, and spiritual awakening in each generation for His elect. God demonstrated grace in Christ: “when the kindness and the love to men of God our Savior did appear” (Titus 3:4)
Grace and salvation are inseparable.
The apostle said: “For by grace you are saved” (Eph 2:8). What was the occasion? Not God’s purpose before time, or His provision of faith, but the death of Christ. “Faith” is related to grace and salvation in this respect: faith is the gift of God to see, understand and rest in salvation by grace. God conditioned grace and salvation exclusively on Christ’s Person and Work.
Grace guarantees His saints preservation.
God’s goodness and severity are fixed. A sheep cannot become a goat; and a goat cannot become a sheep. Romans 8 begins with “no condemnation” and closes with “no separation” (Rom 8:1, 35-39). God preserves and the elect persevere. Believers need not torment themselves feeling their faith will fail; it is assured by sovereign grace.
T. David Simpson
Shreveport Grace Church Bulletin- July 18, 2010
1 comment:
If I may ask, why are you quoting from Calvinistic Sovereign Grace Baptists?
Read Psalm 89:24-35. Our salvation in no way depends upon us. This Scripture is a fatal death knell both to Calvinism and Arminianism. With all due respect, a salvation that must be maintained is of works, whether through synergistic cooperation or through forced perseverance.
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