Distinguishing Grace        

I Corinthians 4:7

 

     "Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" The Spirit of God, who inspired Paul to raise those three questions, means for us to understand that grace alone distinguishes God's elect from the reprobate sons and daughters of Adam.

     IN ELECTION God chose some and passed by others, not because he foresaw that some would choose him and others would not, but because he loved some and did not love others (Jer. 31:3; Rom. 9:13).

     IN REDEMPTION Christ made atonement for God's elect and made no provision whatever for others. He secured our salvation, obtained eternal redemption for us, and delivered us from the curse of the law (Heb. 9:12; Gal. 3:13). For the reprobate he made no atonement, offered no sacrifice, and put away no sin.

     IN REGENERATION the Spirit of God saves some and passes by others (John 3:8). He regenerates and calls all who were chosen by the Father and redeemed by the Son, and preserves them in everlasting life unto heavenly glory.

     IN JUDGMENT that which shall distinguish the saved from the damned shall be the fact that God has removed our sins from us, imputed the righteous works of Christ to us, and imparted the holy nature of Christ to us (Jer.50:20;John 5:28-29; Rev.22:11). When we bow before our God in the perfection of heavenly glory we will glorify him alone for our entire salvation; and those who know the grace of God give him all the glory now.

 

 

Don Fortner