Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:1-2.
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:1-2.
———————
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. But, to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” requires more than a light general consent to the truth of salvation by grace.
Today’s Scripture requires us to study this truth of salvation by grace. Just as we do not become physically strong by no or little exercise, we do not become strong in grace by no or little study. “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”
Acts 17:11
We study the elements of salvation by grace which are “Total Depravity” (which establishes the need for grace), “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”: in a word “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism also known as “the doctrines of grace”.
Today’s Scripture also produces a recognition that salvation by grace is not an isolated “running wild” doctrine. But rather, it is a solid pillar of truth which has been entrusted to faithful men who were able and did in fact teach others also.
To refute heresy and so that each generation does not have to “reinvent the wheel”, these faithful men produced the
Canons of Dordt which focuses on these doctrines of grace.
Click here: The Canons of Dordt And, there are also other Reformed creeds which also cover these doctrines of grace but maybe with less focus and less comprehensive and systematic point by point description than was done in the
Canons of Dordt. These other Reformed creeds include but are not limited to the
Belgic Confession, the
Heidelberg Catechism, and the
Westminister Larger Catechism.
A commitment to strength in grace and a love of the truth of salvation by grace motivate us to eagerly and joyfully discover and treasure the Canons of Dordt. We also search through the other Reformed creeds to find more on what faithful men have taught concerning these doctrines of grace.
“… In 1977, I moved to Florida to go to law school, and I stayed here in Florida. I attended and was a member, even a lay leader, in a large range of churches from Assembly of God to Baptist to Calvary Chapel to United Methodist to nondenominational churches and small fellowships. At first, I thought Reformed Doctrine would be preached in all Christian Protestant churches. When I heard some strange preaching or teaching, I first thought that the problem was just with that particular minister or teacher. Eventually, a childhood friend, who now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, asked me if I remembered “TULIP” which is also known as the Five Points of Calvinism and the Reformed Doctrine of salvation. I studied the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism. That study made me aware that often what bothered me was not just bad preaching or teaching, but rather the problem was caused by bad doctrine (Arminianism) that broadly and deeply affected that church and its denomination which at some time of its history strayed away from Reformed Doctrine rediscovered in the Reformation. In contrast to this bad doctrine which I encountered, I began to appreciate more the truth, logic, beauty, and simplicity of “TULIP” which was my heritage. I recognized its importance, because most Protestant denominations do not teach it. I am now passionate about promoting ”TULIP” a/k/a Reformed Doctrine. …”
There are strong warnings to those who would lightly consider grace.
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,” Romans 2:4-5.
Hebrews 10:29
“How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?”
Therefore, do not lightly consider grace, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 