Grace is Heresy — SUCCESSFULSAVIOR.ORG

COMMENT

You believe in a heretical doctrine that doesn’t make sense and contradicts scripture. Paul says these people will not make it to heaven, and that we cannot continue in sin after coming to the saving knowledge of Christ least we trample the blood. Paul says, you can’t abuse grace.

RESPONSE

Let’s take a moment to dissect that.

You believe in a heretical doctrine that doesn’t make sense and contradicts scripture.

Paul fully expected that the doctrine of salvation by the sovereign, monergistic grace of God would be met with the accusation of heresy (Acts 24:14). What’s more he expected that a misunderstanding of the doctrine of salvation by grace would lead some to the false conclusion that there is no purpose in obeying God. So he addressed this matter directly (Romans 6:1).

Paul says these people will not make it to heaven,

No. He does not say that. He is speaking on the context of the kingdom of God as it is institutionalized in this lifetime - the Lord’s New Testament church. Paul taught the absolute efficacy of the blood of Christ in procuring the salvation of his people (Romans 8:31-39). This is a work that is utterly unassailable and nothing, not even something in “life” (v34) can separate us from this love and this work of eternal salvation.

and that we cannot continue in sin after coming to the saving knowledge of Christ

We do continue to sin, all of us do (I John 1:8). Some end up in grievous, life-destroying sin (Lot, Solomon, Samson). This is an indisputable fact of God’s revelation to us. It is also the reason the New Testament repeatedly exhorts us to obedient discipleship (II Corinthians 6:17).

least we trample the blood

As for trampling the blood (Hebrews 10:29) – what manner of person is at risk of punishment in this text – a non-elect, hell-bound unregenerate or “his people”? (Hebrews 10:30) A proper answer to that question goes a long way toward understanding the intent of that text and correcting the false doctrines that arise from missing that intent.

Paul says you can’t abuse grace.

To declare that salvation is by Christ’s work and not ours IS PRECISELY what Paul says (Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:9, II Timothy 1:9, Romans 9:16). This is the truth of salvation by sovereign monergistic grace. Neither does declaring this truth, undermine the purpose of the exhortation to obedience in discipleship – God forbid (Romans 6:1)

- Elder Daniel Samons