We tend to drift from grace. We drift to alleged free-will. We drift to works.
We feel the need to be self-righteous a little or a lot. The pressure comes from ourselves and from others.
But, today’s devotion reminds us: “this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!”
Reformed Doctrine’s starting point of “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, is so important, because if we truly believe in man’s (our) “Total Depravity”, then we will more truly and fully believe that our only chance for salvation is “grace alone” starting with “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”.
And, “grace alone” is one of the Five Solas of Reformed Doctrine. Click here: Five Solas « Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions
By grace, we have been saved, it is the gift of God.
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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 2:1-9.
We don’t boast in our works. We don’t boast even in our alleged free-will.
“For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
Through Christ, we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2.
We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? …” Hebrews 2:1-2.
Reformed Doctrine pounds the table on “TULIP” which best summarizes God’s grace from “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” concluding with “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”
“this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 