Free Grace theology teaches that sinners receive eternal life the instant that they are certain of Christ's promise that guarantees their eternal security the moment they take Him at His word. Saving faith is taking Christ at His word wherein He guarantees the eternal well-being of all who simply believe Him to do so. Taking Christ at His word is certainty of one's eternal salvation, no matter what.
Saving faith is not accomplished by walking an aisle, raising a hand, filling out a card, praying a prayer, or confessing or saying something with the mouth. Eternal life comes the moment someone is certain that they possess eternal life through Jesus Christ in His promise, IOW, the moment they believe Christ.
There is such a thing as a false professor in Christianity. But it lies in only 2 areas:
a) One who lies and says that they believe in Jesus alone for eternal life (for purpose of infiltrating, or wishing to be accepted, etc)
b) One who believes a message that is not the saving message of Christ (the true gospel), and believes that he has believed the true gospel, and thus confesses that he has "faith in Jesus", which he does. But NOT in Jesus' promise that guarantees eternal life to the one who merely has bare faith alone in Him for it. He may have faith that Jesus is only one of many other necessities for final salvation.
There is no such thing as a spurious faith in Christ alone that has for its purpose the reception of eternal life. The modifiers, such as "head" faith, "false" faith, "spurious" faith, "temporary" faith, etc., are the machinations of those who oppose the idea that eternal life is, in reality, an absolutely free gift. No such modifiers to faith exist in the Bible. The Bible knows nothing of any such thing as a “substandard” faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life (not even in the Epistle of James or parable of the sower!).
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10 comments:
Agreed and well stated as always.
Antonio,
Good words, indeed. And certainly the Bible NEVER suggests faith is a meritorious work, all Calamite clamour aside.
The Bible links grace and faith, but never law and faith or works and faith in a saving senerio. To say there's a subtle meritorious nature to faith is as wrongheaded as it is wicked.
We are saved by grace through faith. No other combination works.
Thanks for highlighting faith. You're right on target.
Great stuff bro. Antonio! Is this a new blog of yours? I like it! You're a great brother. I am looking forward to meeting you either here or in Heaven! God Bless.
I share in your distaste for terms like 'spurious' faith, and am glad of the way you define 'belief' - taking Jesus at His word. Simple and effective definition, and true.
Hey Antonio, branching out in the blogosphere?
I agree regarding spurious faith; our faith is either in Christ or something else.
You're right! I thank God it is so.
You said it right my friend!!
I love the comments also in Michael Eaton's book 'No Condemnation: A New Theology of Assurance.' He says along the same lines of what you said:
"I have already urged that introspection is implicit in many aspects of the Reformed doctrine of grace in late Calvinism. Now I wish to underline the fact that the most intense introspection follows if many or all of these emphases are combined. If Christ did not die for all, and if it is possible to have a sorrow for sin which is not true repentance, a faith which is not true faith, a possessing of the Spirit which falls short of true regeneration, if despite any and every 'experience' of the gospel there is 'a way to Hell even from the Gate of Heaven', if Paul himself feared loss of salvation, then what remains of the Calvinist's assurance? It has died the death of a thousand qualifications. No wonder a great Calvinist evangelist [Nettleton] could say, 'The most that I have ventured to say respecting myself is, that I think it possible I may get to heaven."
I am a former Lordship salvation believer as well as a former 5 point Calvinist. I used to always worry if I had a "spurious faith" and considered my doubts as humble doubts as though God was impressed with my striving to make sure that I had the faith of God's elect and not the faith of demons (so called). I had a roommate at Bob Jones University that was really bound with this too. I am saddened to see that today he has not changed 1% and still lives in his so-called humble doubts.
Keep preaching Free Grace as this was the only teaching that not only freed me but I have personally witnessed others transformed almost overnight from it!!
For about the last 400 years, Protestant churches have multiplied and divided until today there are over 33,000 denominations - all professing their own version of the truth.
All Protestant faiths disregard Sacred Tradition, which is the literal living history of the Church founded by Jesus.
Disregarding Sacred Tradition strips the faith down to only what you can read and leaves much open to interpretation.
It is important to know from Tradition how things were done, why they were done, and other critical aspects of the Faith not found in the Bible.
It is important how the early Church worshiped. It is important how the early Church practiced and understood the Faith.
Contact a Catholic Church about RICA classes.
Take some time in your life to learn about Jesus and HIS Church.
Take time to learn THE COMPLETE TRUTH and experience THE COMPLETE FAITH.
Your definition of belief is a reminder of the simplicity found in Jesus Christ. I'm so glad that He was able to fashion such So Great Salvation and make it freely available to the simplest mind!
This view of scripture is an important one, and dare I say that it is the only proper one! For further discussion in support of this view but from a slightly different (though NOT opposing) perspective, may I suggest a visit to mjthompsons.wordpress.com? It is a new theology blog well worth viewing!
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