FREE-WILL
OR FREE-GRACE?
"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. -- Romans 9:16
The great contest between
the religion of the world and the religion of Jesus Christ is just this -- Who
is entitled to the praise and glory of the sinner's salvation? Your answer to
that question will be determined by your answer to this one -- Is salvation by
free-will, or by free-grace?
To answer these questions, I
make no appeal to the preachers and theologians of the past, though I thank God
for what he has taught me through the writings of those faithful men who served
him in past generations. And I make no appeal to the preachers and theologians
of the present, though I truly thank God for his faithful witnesses who
minister to my soul. To find the answer to these questions, I turn to the Book
of God, the Bible, our solitary rule of faith and practice. "If they speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them.
The Bible Says
Who is entitled to have the
praise and glory of salvation? What does the Bible say? "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory,
for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake. He that glorieth, let him glory in
the Lord. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power.
Is salvation by the
free-will of man, or by the free-grace of God? What does the Bible say? "It is not of him that willeth, nor of
him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. Salvation is "not by might, nor by power, but by my
Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Free-willism
What does that vile, ugly,
reprehensible term, "free-will" represent? Free-willism is the
religion of man. It represents anything decided, determined, or done by man to
attain salvation. Free-willism is the religion of Satan. Lucifer was the first
free-willer (Isa.14:13-14). Free-willism was the religion of those men who
crucified the Lord of glory (Mk. 15:9-15). Free-willism is the religion of
Babylon and the religion of antichrist.
Free Grace
What is represented by that
glorious, God-honoring, Christ exalting term, "free-grace"?
Free-grace represents everything decided, determined and done by almighty God
to bestow salvation upon his elect. Free-grace is the sovereign, voluntary, eternal,
immutable, unconditional, uncaused, uncontrolled, gratuitous bounty of God's
goodness, by which salvation, in all its branches, is accomplished. It is this
grace that reigns unto the eternal life of chosen sinners through Christ (Rom.
5:21). AMEN.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #822
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net