FIVE INDISPUTABLE, VITAL GOSPEL TRUTHS

2 Timothy 1:13

In this day of compromise and religious apostasy, some who profess to believe the glorious, God-honoring truths of the gospel are trying to excuse heresy in the name of “tolerance” and looking for some mutual ground upon which we can worship and work together with Arminians, freewillers, and work-mongers. In the name of “brotherly love” they attempt to bring light and darkness together. We must never yield to such a spirit. It is not the spirit of God’s servants. “Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD?” (II Chron. 19:2; Psa. 139:21-22; Gal. 1:6-9). Here are five indisputable, vital gospel truths. I began preaching these things twenty-seven years ago. I am more thoroughly convinced of them now than ever. I am often reviled and ridiculed as an eccentric, divisive, and mean-spirited man because I insist tenaciously upon these things. I have learned to properly despise the cavils of those who despise my God. I am not looking for man’s approval, but for God’s (I Cor. 4:1-5). Therefore, these five gospel truths have been the backbone and strength of my preaching from the beginning. God helping me, I shall not deviate from them one hair’s breadth until my dying day.

TOTAL DEPRAVITY - Man by nature is spiritually dead, morally depraved, lost under the curse of God’s law, and altogether incapable of changing his ruined condition (Psa. 51:5; 58:3; Jer. 13:23; 17:9; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3). Man is so far away from God that he cannot get back to God, unless God himself brings him back.

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION - God almighty sovereignly chose a great multitude to whom he would be gracious and determined to save them before the world began (John 15:16; Eph. 1:3-6; II Thess. 2:13-14; Rom. 9:11-23). He loved us freely.

LIMITED ATONEMENT - The Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died as a Substitute for God’s elect, his sheep, those who are actually saved by his blood (Isa. 53:4-6, 8, 10; John 10:11, 14). He died for those for whom he makes intercession (John 17:9, 20). He did not make it possible for all men to be redeemed. He actually redeemed his people (Gal. 3:13). Let there be no compromise here! Either the Lord Jesus Christ has effectually redeemed his elect by his death, or he is not God our Savior. There is no middle ground.

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE - God the Holy Spirit effectually calls every chosen, redeemed sinner, causing each to come to Christ in faith (Psa. 65:4; 110:3; John 6:63).

PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS - Every true believer, every saved soul shall continue in the grace of God, being preserved, sealed, and kept by the grace and power of God himself. All who are saved by grace are saved forever (Eccles. 3:14; Phil. 1:6; John 10:28). “They shall never perish!”

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor - Grace For Today Radio Message #568

Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438