(this is from my lesson today in church history, about the middle ages and the falling away from the doctrine of free grace)This lesson is about much of what makes us “reformed”. I know this is a dissentious topic. I will try to tread lightly.
I think there is sometimes, within Reformed circles, too much of an emphasis on grace. Now, that every head has turned my way, and I have gotten everyone ready to attack me, let me explain. I don’t actually think we emphasis grace too much. I think we are completely right about emphasizing grace. But often I hear people say that, therefore, we should never talk about works.
Why not?
The Scriptures do. James talks quite a lot about works. So does almost every one of our Lord’s messages. So why shouldn’t we talk about works? Anyway, I think talking about grace as a foundation is extremely important. It is very important for us to recognize that we are incapable of saving ourselves. This is the pelagian heresy that continuously returns. Man has always tried to save himself. In order to accept God’s grace, I do believe that we have to be willing to humble ourselves and repent of our own efforts to do things on our own. God desires that we allow His grace to work in us. But on the other hand, at least in my own experience, I have seen Reformed churches conclude that therefore we don’t need to do anything good at all. This is true in the sense of justification. We are justified no matter how good or bad we are because of Christ. But, if we are to be obedient to our Lord, then we must obey Him. We must do good, not to save ourselves, but to be obedient.
I see a huge problem with ignoring the need for obedience. After all, doesn’t Solomon say, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Jesus also speaks much about being obedient. “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
So should we emphasize grace? YES!!! Should we also emphasize obedience? YES!!! We just must be careful to make it clear that the obedience isn’t what saves us. The obedience is the fruit that the Holy Spirit works in us as we receive His grace. But as our Lord said, “By their fruit you will know them.”
Filed under: Christianity, Religion | Tagged: church history, seminary
