As I am reading through the end of the Gospel of Mark, I am proceeding through the historical accounts of Jesus being questioned and released to the Jews by Pilate and Jesus being mocked by the Roman soldiers. Rather than comment on the details of these historical accounts, for this devotion, I prefer now to comment on the overall importance of what was accomplished by Christ’s death on the cross.
We have already reviewed Article 8 of The Canons of Dordt, Article 8 of the “SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby”. Article 8 emphasizes “the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son” which extends to all the elect. The death of Christ bestows on the elect “alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation”.
“Christ by the blood of the cross, … effectually redeem(s) out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing; and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.” (Emphasis added.)
Today, I want to comment on why a true understanding of what was accomplished by Christ’s death is so important. What difference does it make if one (falsely and in contrast to the above-stated true doctrine) believes that Christ’s death only presents an opportunity available to all to use their own wisdom and their own alleged “free will” to choose Christ to secure their own salvation by their own choice?
Galatians 1:6-9 states: “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”
Calvin, in his commentary on Galatians 1:6-9 states in part: “… The gospel of Christ. To know what are the leading points of the gospel, is a matter of unceasing importance. When these are attacked, the gospel is destroyed. Paul enjoins them to stand steadfastly by his doctrine. He demands such unhesitating belief of his preaching, that he pronounces a curse on all who dared to contradict it. …” (Emphasis added.)
So, what are the leading points of the gospel?
Redemption is one of the leading points of the gospel. Redemption is the act of buying back to free from captivity and to free from sin. If Christ died for everyone, then everyone would be redeemed. But, even Arminians who believe that Christ died for everyone, inconsistently do not believe that everyone is redeemed.
Faith is another leading point of the gospel. Who supplies the faith? The Calvinist believes that death of Christ bestows on the elect “alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation”. The Arminian believes that man must supply his or her own faith and that man must maintain that faith until his or her death or else fall from grace.
“Who gets credit for man’s salvation?” is another leading point of the gospel. The Calvinist believes that God gets 100% credit for salvation, because God supplies all that is needed for man’s salvation. The Arminian believes that man gets some credit for salvation, because after all, it is his choice.
We can understand that these are leading points of the gospel. We can understand that the Arminians do not have true knowledge of these leading points of the gospel.
But, how important is it to have a true knowledge of the leading points of the gospel?
In addition to Galatians 1:6-9 stated above, the importance of true knowledge is stated in Scripture by verses such as Romans 10:2-3. “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:2-3.
How important is it for God to get 100% credit for salvation as the Calvinist gives, compared to man getting some credit for salvation as the Arminian gives?
The importance of God getting 100% credit for salvation is stated by verses such as 1 Corinthians 1:19-31. As you read it, consider how Arminians emphasize their own wisdom and their own alleged “free will” to choose Christ to secure their own salvation by their choice as compared to Calvinists who emphasize the power of God and all that was accomplished by “Christ crucified”. As you read it, consider how Arminians could boast of their own wisdom and their own alleged “free will” to choose Christ to secure their own salvation by their choice as compared to the Calvinists who only boast in the LORD and all that He has done.
“19 For it is written,
“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God.
30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 