GRACE IS UNCONDITIONAL
God “hath
saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began." – 2 Timothy 1:9
Almost all churches and religious
leaders claim to believe in and teach that salvation is by grace. But the
"grace" they preach depends upon the will of man and the works of the
flesh to make it effectual. And conditional grace is not grace at all. Any
condition placed upon grace, before conversion, at conversion, or after
conversion, is a total denial of the grace of God (Rom. 11:6). The Scriptures
assert, universally, that salvation, in its entirety, is by the free,
unconditional grace of God in Christ. Conditional grace is a denial of the
gospel.
ELECTING GRACE IS UNCONDITIONAL (Eph. 1:3-4; 2 Tim. 1:9). God did not choose us
because of works, or even faith, that he foresaw in us (Read Rom. 9:11-13). Our
faith in Christ and the works of faith which we are enabled to perform are the
result, not the cause, of our election by God. To preach conditional election
is to preach salvation by works.
REDEEMING GRACE IS UNCONDITIONAL. Where in the Bible is redemption set forth as
something that is conditional? Redemption is something which Christ
accomplished on the cross. And it is effectually applied to the hearts of God's
elect by the Holy Spirit in the new birth (Gal. 3:13; Heb. 9:12-14; 1 Pet.
1:18). To preach conditional redemption is to preach salvation by works; and to
preach salvation by works is to preach a false gospel, damning to the souls of
men.
JUSTIFYING GRACE IS UNCONDITIONAL (Rom.3:24; 4:5). We are justified freely
(without cause) by the grace of God through the redemption that is in Christ.
To preach conditional justification is to preach salvation by works; and to
preach salvation by works is to preach a false gospel, damning to the souls of
men.
REGENERATING GRACE IS UNCONDITIONAL (John 1:11-13; 3:8; 6:63; Rom. 9:16).
Sinners are spiritually dead by nature. To place any conditions before them
which they must meet before they can live is to tell them there is no hope. To
preach conditional regeneration is to preach salvation by works; and to preach
salvation by works is to preach a false gospel, damning to the souls of men.
SANCTIFYING GRACE IS UNCONDITIONAL (Heb. 10:10-14). Christ is our
sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30). Where does the Bible command a man to sanctify
himself? Nonsense! To preach conditional sanctification, or conditional
holiness, is to preach salvation by works (Gal. 3:1-3); and to preach salvation
by works is to preach a false gospel, damning to the souls of men.
PERSEVERING GRACE IS UNCONDITIONAL (John 10:27-30). Christ's sheep shall never
perish. To preach that they might is to preach salvation by works; and to
preach salvation by works is to preach a false gospel, damning to the souls of
men.
GLORIFYING GRACE IS UNCONDITIONAL (Rom. 8:16-17, 29-30; Eph. 1:11). The
believer’s heavenly inheritance, our reward in glory, is something that was
earned and purchased by Christ for his people. To preach degrees of reward
based upon our works is to preach salvation by works; and to preach salvation
by works is to preach a false gospel, damning to the souls of men.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #849
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 859-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net