Which are you? A degenerate sinner, cautious in every move that you make, giving great forethought to every action and word for fear of being seen as what you truly are, unworthy of even the thought of the assurance of salvation? Needing continuously to perform some deed, say certain words in the proper order, do works in the hope that your salvation will one day arrive.
If you are good enough?
Or do you have the assurance of your salvation, not because of deeds done or words spoken, not because you do all that has been commanded of you and more, not because you strive with all your might against the flesh, the world and the temptations of our adversary, but because of grace.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
Works or grace, which one offers the security of the assurance of our salvation? Not the proof of it, but the unmitigated knowledge that when you die you will go to heaven?
Works-based for salvation religious organizations teach one thing in common with what I will term Evangelical organizations, that none of us are worthy to receive what is offered.
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)
The main, fundamental difference is that the Evangelical community teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, and cannot be achieved, if that word could be used, by any work of any form by us. Completely, totally and solely by grace through faith.
By default then, the initial argument must then be based upon that word faith, for it can find no resolve unless that faith is also a gift from God. Which in turn, again by default, in the logical, deductive reasoning mind of man, must state that mankind had no free will in the decision of this eternal choice.
If it is by grace, if even the faith to believe is a gift, then there is no free will in the matter.
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26)
And so, because of this concept, which seems to be irrefutable, mankind has decided that some manner of work must be performed by us, some action, word, deed or thought must be done by us before we can be accepted in the Beloved. There is no alternative, else free will in the matter of our eternal salvation does not exist.
And both parties have debated Romans 8:29 for centuries concerning this matter.
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
And, my friends, I am not going to attempt to answer this question for you, but I will offer you this verse.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
And it would be wise of you to also contemplate this question I will ask of you. If indeed we were predestined before the foundation of the world, if we had no free will in the matter of our salvation, to what purpose would there be for any of us to give an account of our lives here?
There wouldn’t be.
And you could, and should, contemplate the truth of this verse as well in regard to all that has been placed before you in this short letter.
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt. 22:14)
By grace through faith. A gift. Not of works.
The only answer I know, that not even the wisest man who has ever lived, not even the most Spiritually blessed discerning mind could ever explain fully, even if he spent his entire life attempting to reveal it is this.
Man has free will, and God alone is Sovereign.
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)
