Soteriology
1. "Justification by faith alone." Discuss the meaning of this phrase.
This doctrine requires a deeper look at what God has said about grace, works, and salvation. Despite all the different religious systems (isms[1]) that currently exist we are always left with only two options, “Does God save me based on what I do or on what Christ has done?”
The Bible teaches that due to our sinning “all of us have become like one who is unclean” and that even our most “righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isa. 64:6). Our total depravity is that even our best work is connected with sin.[2] In Romans we read that “There is none righteous, not even one… there is none who seeks for God” (ch. 3:10-11). Natural man “cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8). So how can we do anything pleasing to God or work for his favor if everything we do offends Him? Works-based salvation means man is trying to please a pure God with filthy works. It also puts all of the focus on self and what man can do rather than God. In Galatians Paul warned believers that the Judaizers were teaching man must be circumcised in addition to their faith. They were preaching “a different gospel” than the “the grace of Christ” and are called “accursed” (ch. 1:6, 8). Paul said they were distorting the gospel of Christ for daring to add just one necessary work to grace. He declares them condemned.
All isms and sadly some of “Christianity” believe in works-based salvation. But we know from Hebrews 11 that Old Testament saints were not saved because of what they did but by the faith that fueled those good deeds. That’s why that chapter states, “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). The Holy Spirit of God graciously gives faith to the undeserving sinner. Jesus took the punishment of the elect and for no reason of their own, God grants them His perfect life. This is imputation and it’s the only way that we obtain faith in the new covenant with Christ. The believer receives it and responds. What about obtaining faith by accepting Jesus, getting baptized, evangelizing, walking an aisle, or praying a prayer? They are good things but they themselves do not save. They are works. The thief on the cross promised to be in “Paradise” with Jesus that very day did none of those things (Luke 23:43). He trusted Christ alone because he was changed to see Him as his sin-bearer. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”… “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Eph. 2:8, Tit. 3:5, emphasis mine). Sinful man cannot merit favor with God. The Holy Spirit Himself intervenes and changes him (John 3:1-8). Salvation is from God and belongs to God (Rev. 7:10). We can repent and turn to Christ only because God grants us the power to do so (2 Tim. 2:25). Believing anything we do earns us Heaven results in boasting about our own accomplishments and stealing glory from God. Man is “justified by faith apart from the works of the Law” (Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16). We are freed from the Law. Man does not have to try to keep doing good things. When a broken and contrite heart recognizes salvation is given to him freely not based on anything that he does but because of what God did through Jesus Christ he wants to do good things for God out of thankfulness.[3] He quits himself, trusts in Christ, and lives out Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works”. Man is saved for good works not by them. They naturally flow from a transformed heart the same way that good fruit flows naturally from a good fruit tree (Matt. 7:17). Until man repents of his works-based system and places all of his faith and trust in Christ’s perfectly sufficient atonement, he will continue to be a spiritually dead tree that can at best merely hang some temporary fruit on the dead branches of self-righteousness.
[1] Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Mormonism, Atheism, Humanism, etc.
[2] See response to Anthropology - #1. – “Who and what is man?” for more on this.
[3] Notice the difference between “have to” and “want to” in the two connecting sentences. For more on what “God did through Jesus Christ” see the response to “Christology #1 – Why did Christ die?”
The Bible teaches that due to our sinning “all of us have become like one who is unclean” and that even our most “righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isa. 64:6). Our total depravity is that even our best work is connected with sin.[2] In Romans we read that “There is none righteous, not even one… there is none who seeks for God” (ch. 3:10-11). Natural man “cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8). So how can we do anything pleasing to God or work for his favor if everything we do offends Him? Works-based salvation means man is trying to please a pure God with filthy works. It also puts all of the focus on self and what man can do rather than God. In Galatians Paul warned believers that the Judaizers were teaching man must be circumcised in addition to their faith. They were preaching “a different gospel” than the “the grace of Christ” and are called “accursed” (ch. 1:6, 8). Paul said they were distorting the gospel of Christ for daring to add just one necessary work to grace. He declares them condemned.
All isms and sadly some of “Christianity” believe in works-based salvation. But we know from Hebrews 11 that Old Testament saints were not saved because of what they did but by the faith that fueled those good deeds. That’s why that chapter states, “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). The Holy Spirit of God graciously gives faith to the undeserving sinner. Jesus took the punishment of the elect and for no reason of their own, God grants them His perfect life. This is imputation and it’s the only way that we obtain faith in the new covenant with Christ. The believer receives it and responds. What about obtaining faith by accepting Jesus, getting baptized, evangelizing, walking an aisle, or praying a prayer? They are good things but they themselves do not save. They are works. The thief on the cross promised to be in “Paradise” with Jesus that very day did none of those things (Luke 23:43). He trusted Christ alone because he was changed to see Him as his sin-bearer. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”… “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Eph. 2:8, Tit. 3:5, emphasis mine). Sinful man cannot merit favor with God. The Holy Spirit Himself intervenes and changes him (John 3:1-8). Salvation is from God and belongs to God (Rev. 7:10). We can repent and turn to Christ only because God grants us the power to do so (2 Tim. 2:25). Believing anything we do earns us Heaven results in boasting about our own accomplishments and stealing glory from God. Man is “justified by faith apart from the works of the Law” (Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16). We are freed from the Law. Man does not have to try to keep doing good things. When a broken and contrite heart recognizes salvation is given to him freely not based on anything that he does but because of what God did through Jesus Christ he wants to do good things for God out of thankfulness.[3] He quits himself, trusts in Christ, and lives out Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works”. Man is saved for good works not by them. They naturally flow from a transformed heart the same way that good fruit flows naturally from a good fruit tree (Matt. 7:17). Until man repents of his works-based system and places all of his faith and trust in Christ’s perfectly sufficient atonement, he will continue to be a spiritually dead tree that can at best merely hang some temporary fruit on the dead branches of self-righteousness.
[1] Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Mormonism, Atheism, Humanism, etc.
[2] See response to Anthropology - #1. – “Who and what is man?” for more on this.
[3] Notice the difference between “have to” and “want to” in the two connecting sentences. For more on what “God did through Jesus Christ” see the response to “Christology #1 – Why did Christ die?”
2. Sanctification is said to be past, present, and future. Discuss, including the idea of "union with Christ".
In addition to being past, present, and future sanctification is also referred to as progressive and definite. Sanctification can simply be described as the journey in between justification (man being saved) and glorification (being made like Him in Heaven [1 John 3:2, 1 Cor. 15:51]) while still here on earth. Consider Romans 8, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son… and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (v. 29-30, emphasis mine). Sanctification is in the past in that when God predestined the elect to be saved He had determined to change them before they were born. In order to do this He planned to first justify them, secondly walk with them through the process of sanctification, and thirdly glorify them. Since He determined to conform believers “to the image of His Son”, the promise of it happening is as good as done. It’s already written in the book of life (Rev. 13:8). However, until death the process is not over and requires work and discipline. Sanctification is a process that happens throughout our earthly life but it is definite in that we are promised through God’s faithful power to be rid of ourselves and more like Christ daily. God doesn’t immediately rapture believers upon conversion. Instead, the Holy Spirit disciplines him, empowers him, and illuminates truth so that he may progressively be more like Jesus in order to glorify God (Prov. 3:12, 1 Cor. 2:10). It is a process that we take part in.
Glorification is the promise that sanctification will be completed. This is how we know that sanctification is also a future event.[1] Until then you as a justified believer must personally “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” even though you must also recognize that “it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). Progressive sanctification is a two-person job. Man is to work as though it’s all up to him knowing his efforts and achievements are only because God enables him to do so. This is how sanctification is present. You must “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7) because “the practice of godliness leads to the life of godliness”.[2] Being made more like Jesus is a two-factored process. God requires that we “lay aside the old self… and put on the new self… in the likeness of God” which can only be done through Him (Eph. 4:22-32). The goal is to be more like Christ outwardly and inwardly by living out the fruits of the Holy Spirit. “The growth of the fruit depends upon care and cultivation”.[3] Though it takes hard work, the believer can rest in the promises that it will be achieved. “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
Salvation puts us “in” Christ.[4] In a podcast Ray Ortlund spoke about the greatness of our promised “union with Christ” in that we “could not be closer” to the Father and “could not be more loved” because of His grace for us in Jesus.[5] He stated that being “in Christ” means that God has removed every barrier between us and Him by using Jesus’ atonement. We are in His Son, never to be removed and permanently bonded to His wonderful salvation. He is the vine and we are the branches and we will bear much fruit for Him as we abide in Him (John 15:1-5). To be “in Christ” is to have the cherished promise that we will be changed, we will be carried through, and we will be helped to continually die to self for His name’s sake. God expects His children to change; He commands it be so because He provides the way and the means.
[1] More on the perseverance of the saints in the next response.
[2] Jay Adams, A Theology of Christian Counseling, p. 242
[3] Jay Adams, A Theology of Christian Counseling, p. 249
[4] Pastor Parker Reardon of Newtown Bible Church sermon “The Great Exchange”, newtownbiblechurch.org. Parker said that small word “in” could be the most important word in the Greek New Testament because it’s being “in” Christ that matters.
[5] Ray Ortlund, “The Doctrine of Union with Christ”, from Theology Refresh podcast on desiringgod.org
Glorification is the promise that sanctification will be completed. This is how we know that sanctification is also a future event.[1] Until then you as a justified believer must personally “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” even though you must also recognize that “it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). Progressive sanctification is a two-person job. Man is to work as though it’s all up to him knowing his efforts and achievements are only because God enables him to do so. This is how sanctification is present. You must “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7) because “the practice of godliness leads to the life of godliness”.[2] Being made more like Jesus is a two-factored process. God requires that we “lay aside the old self… and put on the new self… in the likeness of God” which can only be done through Him (Eph. 4:22-32). The goal is to be more like Christ outwardly and inwardly by living out the fruits of the Holy Spirit. “The growth of the fruit depends upon care and cultivation”.[3] Though it takes hard work, the believer can rest in the promises that it will be achieved. “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
Salvation puts us “in” Christ.[4] In a podcast Ray Ortlund spoke about the greatness of our promised “union with Christ” in that we “could not be closer” to the Father and “could not be more loved” because of His grace for us in Jesus.[5] He stated that being “in Christ” means that God has removed every barrier between us and Him by using Jesus’ atonement. We are in His Son, never to be removed and permanently bonded to His wonderful salvation. He is the vine and we are the branches and we will bear much fruit for Him as we abide in Him (John 15:1-5). To be “in Christ” is to have the cherished promise that we will be changed, we will be carried through, and we will be helped to continually die to self for His name’s sake. God expects His children to change; He commands it be so because He provides the way and the means.
[1] More on the perseverance of the saints in the next response.
[2] Jay Adams, A Theology of Christian Counseling, p. 242
[3] Jay Adams, A Theology of Christian Counseling, p. 249
[4] Pastor Parker Reardon of Newtown Bible Church sermon “The Great Exchange”, newtownbiblechurch.org. Parker said that small word “in” could be the most important word in the Greek New Testament because it’s being “in” Christ that matters.
[5] Ray Ortlund, “The Doctrine of Union with Christ”, from Theology Refresh podcast on desiringgod.org
3. Do Christians persevere? What relationship does this have to counseling?
Sometimes described as eternal security, the doctrine entitled “perseverance of the saints” is enormously important for the Christian to understand God’s love and care for him in this life and the next. Steve Lawson stated that it is the most important component of salvation because it comforts us with immediate and permanent blessings.[1] John MacArthur added that it holds up every other doctrine because if persevering faith were subject to change than election, justification, sanctification, glorification, the calling of God, and the specific works of the Trinity could all be questioned.[2] Yes, because of our gracious God true Christians persevere in faith.
Counseling and discipleship have been referred to as applied sanctification. We know that God intends to sanctify all that He’s elected.[3] But there would be no comfort or hope for a struggling Christian if even just one of the elect could lose faith. If it were possible he/she would think, “I must be the one”. Consider Jesus’ words in the parable of the lost sheep. We read that when one sheep went missing from the pack of 100 that the man goes and searches “until he finds it” and “when he has found it” he rejoices (Luke 15:3-7). No human is certain to find his one missing sheep. Jesus is describing God’s care for all His sheep through this parable because He is the only one who can always find things (notice the certainty of “when he has found it”). Though this is a parable, it should provide comfort to the counselee in understanding that our omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God will not forsake even one sheep (Heb. 13:5).[4]
The promises of God are certain because He is a faithful God who cannot go back on His word.[5] Notice my underlined parts of the following verses to show the definite promises He makes. “He who hears My word… believes Him… has eternal life, and does not come into judgment” (John 5:24). “There is now no condemnation for those… in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). “All that the Father gives Me… I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37). “The Father, God, has set His seal” (John 6:27). “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst” (John 4:14). “May your spirit… be preserved complete… Faithful is He … and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thess. 5:23-24). “He is able to save forever those who draw near...” (Heb. 7:25). “They will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).
While eternal security is true it would not be sufficient to call this doctrine that because the reality of persevering faith is much more pertinent to our struggles here. God “will also confirm you to the end” (1 Cor. 1:8). He has given us His word so that through this world’s tribulations we may have peace (John 16:33). Consider Peter. After Peter claimed “if I have to die with You, I will not deny You” (Matt. 26:35) he denied Jesus three times (Matt. 26:69-75). Shortly after being told by Christ, “Blessed are you” for knowing Jesus was the Son of God, Peter was rebuked by Christ with “Get behind Me, Satan!” for being a “stumbling block” (Matt. 16:17, 23). This was his pattern and is often the pattern of many believers. If somebody could have lost faith it would have been Peter. Satan “demanded permission to sift” him like wheat but Jesus told him that He “prayed for you, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31-32). Professing believers lose faith because they were never truly born again (1 John 2:19). But this should never discourage His true sheep because He promises to intercede for us so that our faith will never fail. Peter later understood this. “His great mercy has caused us to be born again… which is imperishable and… will not fade away… who are protected” even though you’ve been “distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith… result in praise and glory… of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3-9). Christ is our hope and our promise that we will endure in Him.
[1] Dr. Steve Lawson, Perseverance of the Saints sermon from the Doctrines of Grace series at www.bbcchurch.org.
[2] Dr. John MacArthur, Perseverance of the Saints Part I sermon from the 3 part series at www.gty.org.
[3] See the previous response.
[4] See responses Theology Proper 2 and 3 for more on these attributes.
[5] Fore more on how God cannot break His word see the 3 responses in Bibliology and #1 in Christology.
Counseling and discipleship have been referred to as applied sanctification. We know that God intends to sanctify all that He’s elected.[3] But there would be no comfort or hope for a struggling Christian if even just one of the elect could lose faith. If it were possible he/she would think, “I must be the one”. Consider Jesus’ words in the parable of the lost sheep. We read that when one sheep went missing from the pack of 100 that the man goes and searches “until he finds it” and “when he has found it” he rejoices (Luke 15:3-7). No human is certain to find his one missing sheep. Jesus is describing God’s care for all His sheep through this parable because He is the only one who can always find things (notice the certainty of “when he has found it”). Though this is a parable, it should provide comfort to the counselee in understanding that our omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God will not forsake even one sheep (Heb. 13:5).[4]
The promises of God are certain because He is a faithful God who cannot go back on His word.[5] Notice my underlined parts of the following verses to show the definite promises He makes. “He who hears My word… believes Him… has eternal life, and does not come into judgment” (John 5:24). “There is now no condemnation for those… in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). “All that the Father gives Me… I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37). “The Father, God, has set His seal” (John 6:27). “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst” (John 4:14). “May your spirit… be preserved complete… Faithful is He … and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thess. 5:23-24). “He is able to save forever those who draw near...” (Heb. 7:25). “They will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).
While eternal security is true it would not be sufficient to call this doctrine that because the reality of persevering faith is much more pertinent to our struggles here. God “will also confirm you to the end” (1 Cor. 1:8). He has given us His word so that through this world’s tribulations we may have peace (John 16:33). Consider Peter. After Peter claimed “if I have to die with You, I will not deny You” (Matt. 26:35) he denied Jesus three times (Matt. 26:69-75). Shortly after being told by Christ, “Blessed are you” for knowing Jesus was the Son of God, Peter was rebuked by Christ with “Get behind Me, Satan!” for being a “stumbling block” (Matt. 16:17, 23). This was his pattern and is often the pattern of many believers. If somebody could have lost faith it would have been Peter. Satan “demanded permission to sift” him like wheat but Jesus told him that He “prayed for you, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31-32). Professing believers lose faith because they were never truly born again (1 John 2:19). But this should never discourage His true sheep because He promises to intercede for us so that our faith will never fail. Peter later understood this. “His great mercy has caused us to be born again… which is imperishable and… will not fade away… who are protected” even though you’ve been “distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith… result in praise and glory… of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3-9). Christ is our hope and our promise that we will endure in Him.
[1] Dr. Steve Lawson, Perseverance of the Saints sermon from the Doctrines of Grace series at www.bbcchurch.org.
[2] Dr. John MacArthur, Perseverance of the Saints Part I sermon from the 3 part series at www.gty.org.
[3] See the previous response.
[4] See responses Theology Proper 2 and 3 for more on these attributes.
[5] Fore more on how God cannot break His word see the 3 responses in Bibliology and #1 in Christology.