Saturday, October 13, 2007

Grace: Necessary or Sufficient

A thought before I run out the door.

Not long ago, a baptist friend of mine explained to me that all men everywhere have been enabled by God's grace to have the ability to come to Christ of their own free-will. He told me that God's grace has been given to every single person everywhere in a fashion that reminds me of these catechism question.

Baltimore Catechism
Q. 476. Is grace necessary to salvation?
A. Grace is necessary to salvation, because without grace we can do nothing to merit heaven.

Q. 477. Can we resist the grace of God?
A. We can, and unfortunately often do, resist the grace of God.

Q. 478. Is it a sin knowingly to resist the grace of God?
A. It is a sin, knowingly, to resist the grace of God, because we thereby insult Him and reject His gifts without which we cannot be saved.

Q. 479. Does God give His grace to every one?
A. God gives to everyone He creates sufficient grace to save his soul; and if persons do not save their souls, it is because they have not used the grace given.

Can you guess what this is? Give ya a hint. Carrie posted them on Beggarsallreformation. Perhaps the Reformation is over.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Perhaps the Reformation is over."

Ah, if only it were that easy. :-)

The "Other" Anonymous

Anonymous said...

Whatever Evangelicalism is, it is not what the Reformation was about.

Did you watch the Joel Osteen portion of 60 Minutes? There were Roman Catholics and Jews attending his services. I also have been made aware of the situation that Muslims also attend his church services.

I wonder if there are any Evangelicals there. ;-)