Chapter # 1 Paragraph # 3 Study # 2
May 18, 2004
Lincolnton, N.C.
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Thesis:
Salvation by grace through faith is a doctrine of divine performance that meets the on-going reality of "obligation".
Introduction:
In our introductory study of this paragraph we looked at the issue of how "grace" co-exists with Paul's sense of "obligation". But, this is such a difficult issue because of the mass of confusion that exists in the teachings that abound that we are going to go over it some more this evening...even at the risk of "beating a dead horse". That Paul insisted upon "grace" as his fundamental focus theologically is indisputable. How that works with his also-indisputable sense of personal obligation/responsibility is the big question. If we do not answer the question properly, we will develop whole systems of theological thinking that are essentially wrong. So, this evening we are going to probe Paul's teaching on this issue once again.
- I. Clarification.
- A. Paul's "position" as an apostle left no room for irresponsibility or unfaithfulness: this means that his concept of "grace" had to fit with an on-going sense of responsibility.
- 1. The danger here is that it is a small step from a sense of obligation to the practice of legalism.
- a. Paul said that "the strength of sin is the law" (1 Corinthians 15:56) and he argued vehemently that the "freedom of the believer" is a "freedom from the Law" (Romans 6:14; 7:1; and Galatians 5:1, 13).
- b. In what sense, then, is a sense of "obligation" not the same thing as being "under Law"?
- 2. There is another danger also -- that, in spite of Paul's attitude and example of responsible fidelity, some will jettison all sense of responsibility and move into the practice of license.
- B. The problem area is to be found in the definitions of "grace" and "law": no "definition" can stand that gives men the "freedom" to "sin" with a sense of "impunity".
- 1. Paul said that anyone who taught that "grace" gives men a sense of freedom to sin was absolutely incorrect.
- a. Twice in Romans 6 (1 and 15) he acknowledged that his doctrine of grace might be misunderstood to run in that direction, but that it was a totally false direction.
- b. In Romans 3:8 Paul forcefully taught that anyone who taught that sin was OK under grace was going to be condemned and justly so.
- c. In Titus 2:11-12 Paul clearly stated that the impact of "grace" is a "sober, righteous, and godly" life.
- d. Paul's own lifestyle and example, which he attributed to "grace", revealed a "grace-life" that brooked no tolerance for irresponsibility [Acts 24:16].
- 2. The correct "definition" for "grace" addresses two issues with clarity: provision and consequences.
- a. The doctrinal area that addresses the entrance into a reconciled relationship with God is called justification truth.
- 1) In this area of doctrine, the provision issue is the question of the work of Christ.
- a) In this area there are three questions...
- i.To what extent did the work of Christ address man's need to escape the condemnation of a just evaluation of his motives-plus-behaviors?
- (a) Was His work a 100% production?
- (b) Was His work a production that addresses man's need somewhere between 1% and 99%?
- (c) Was His work a production that doesn't address man's need except by way of giving an example that is to be followed?
- ii. How is this work applied to any particular person?
- (a) Is it universally applied? Matthew 7:13.
- (b) Is it particularly applied? Revelation 17:8.
- iii. By what method is this work applied particularly?
- (a) Is it particularly applied by virtue of a say-so faith? [Is it sufficient to say the right words -- i.e. "pray the sinner's prayer"?] James 2:14 in context.
- (b) Is it particularly applied by virtue of a conviction-plus-performance faith? [Is it necessary to follow up the words with action?] Luke 23:43.
- (c) Is it particularly applied by virtue of a conviction-alone faith? [Who is the producer of the "works of faith"?] Romans 10:10. John 3:21.
- b) In this area, justification is declared to be based entirely upon the complete work of Christ so that man's faith is that he contributes nothing to the work. Hebrews 4:10.
- 2) In this area of doctrine, the consequence issue is the question of a welcome into the life of God or a rejection from the life of God into condemnation.
- b. The doctrinal area that addresses the practice of the reconciled relationship with God is called sanctification truth.
- 1) In this area of doctrine the provision issue is the question of the work of the Holy Spirit.
- a) In this area there are also questions...
- i.To what extent does the Spirit address man's need to escape the loss of a love-based evaluation of his motives-plus-behaviors?
- (a) Is His work a 100% production? [Is it part Spirit, and part improvement of the flesh?] Ephesians 4:22.
- (b) Is His work a production that addresses man's need somewhere between 1% and 99%?
- (c) Is His work a production that doesn't address man's need except by way of giving an example that is to be followed?
- ii. How is this work applied to any particular person?
- (a) Is it universally applied? I John 2:28 in tension with Philippians 1:6.
- (b) Is it particularly applied? 1 Corinthians 3:15.
- iii. By what method is this work applied particularly?
- (a) Is it particularly applied by virtue of a say-so faith? [Is it sufficient to say the right words?]
- (b) Is it particularly applied by virtue of a conviction-plus-performance faith? [Is it necessary to follow up the words with action?]
- (c) Is it particularly applied by virtue of a conviction-alone faith? [Who is the producer of the "works of faith"?]
- b) In this area, sanctification is declared to be based entirely upon the on-going work of the Spirit so that man's faith is that he contributes nothing to the work.
- 2) In this area of doctrine, the consequence issue is the question of the particular place one will inherit in the kingdom of God.
- a) Will he be given a place of honor in the great house? [2 Timothy 2:19-21].
- b) Will he be given a place of dishonor in the great house?
- 3. The correct definition of "Law".
- a. "Law" is defined in specific terms of responsibility/consequence in view of Justice.
- 1) The responsibility is to keep the Law: James 2:10.
- 2) The consequence of the failure is death: Romans 6:23.
- b."Law" is defined in the terms of responsibility/consequence in light of human capacity. [There is no provision of power from without.] Galatians 3:21.
- C. The Bottom Line.
- 1. Man is never free of "obligation". In a multiple-personality universe, obligation rests upon all without exception and without end.
- 2. Grace is the means by which the obligations are met.
- 3. Man's "success" in participation in the meeting of the obligations is determined entirely by what he believes.
- a. If he believes himself capable of meeting the obligations so that he does not need either Christ or the Holy Spirit, he will absolutely fail the evaluation of his motives/behaviors.
- b. If he believes himself incapable, he at least has the potential to pass the evaluation.
- 1) The issue here becomes the question of the capability of the Vicarious Provider.
- 2) Belief in one's incapacity is of no value in the evaluation unless it is coupled to faith in the capabilities of the Vicarious Provider.