GOD'S PEOPLE ARE A HOLY PEOPLE

 

     Reprobate religious men who do not know God often argue that the gospel message of salvation by grace alone promotes licentiousness. They imagine that the teaching of salvation by good works promotes holiness. I grant that human reason agrees with that notion, but nothing could be further from the truth! Throughout history, wherever works religion prevails decadence prevails. Wherever the gospel of Christ has flourished men and women, believing the gospel, have demonstrated the holy character of God in their holy lives.

 

     1. GOD PREDESTINATED HIS ELECT TO BE A HOLY PEOPLE (Eph. 1:4). The object of God in election and predestination was to make for himself a holy people.

 

     2. CHRIST DIED TO REDEEM UNTO HIMSELF A HOLY PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS (Tit. 2:14). Any who do not yield themselves up to him in holy obedience were not redeemed by him.

 

     3. GOD DECLARES HIS PEOPLE TO BE HOLY IN JUSTIFICATION (Rom. 5:19). In justification the righteousness of Christ is imputed to all who trust him, so that in the eyes of God's law we are perfectly holy.

 

     4. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES EVERY CHOSEN, REDEEMED SINNER A HOLY NATURE IN REGENERATION (II Pet. 1:4). In the new birth men and women are made new creatures in Christ. The sinner's life is so radically altered by the grace of God that all who are saved carefully maintain good works of holiness for the glory of God.

 

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor

GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH OF DANVILLE

2734 Old Stanford Road

Danville, Kentucky 40422

236-8235