GOD’S GRACE- SO MUCH MORE THAN COMMON

Calvinism’s “L” in T.U.LI.P. stands for Limited Atonement. The built-in, Calvinistic assumption is that since mankind is incapable of choosing the Gospel, then God must have to supernaturally usurp the incapable will of man. And since only some are Christians, then God must only choose to do this “overriding” to some, which they define as the elect. This mystical, overriding power of God is often called irresistible grace. It is the “I” in T.U.L.I.P.

The problem is due to the overwhelming amount of Scripture teaching that God’s grace is available to all mankind, there was a new concept developed and injected into the mix in hopes of reinforcing and securing their philosophy. Calvinism splits God’s grace into two parts- “Common Grace” and “Saving Grace”.

Calvinism will say that God gives His “common” grace to all mankind. That is to say, He gives sunshine, air, food, rain, etc. freely and undeservedly to all mankind. And this is all to His glory. To which all Christians would say, Amen! Every good thing we receive is ultimately a gracious gift from the good God. (James 1:17)

But there’s a problem.

If God has willingly chosen to freely and graciously give His “common” grace to all for His glory and their good, then why has He chosen not to offer His saving grace to all mankind?

Secondly, can men resist God’s “common” grace? Can men willingly choose to ignore God’s gracious gifts of food and water? Absolutely. Often, sinners won’t give God the glory for what they’ve received. Others choose to refuse doing anything with what they’ve been graciously given. And yet God continues to freely give, at least for a time.

We must also ask, “Can sinners accept God’s “common” grace?” Absolutely. There are plenty of people who aren’t born again who willingly, knowingly, and happily receive all the rain, sunshine, food, etc. they can get.

Regarding God’s so-called “common” grace, it seems as though He freely gives it to all people, and all people have the capacity to either accept His gifts or reject them.

So if it’s true that God lovingly and graciously gives all mankind His “common” grace, then why would He so unlovingly and ungraciously withhold His saving grace from most of mankind?

If your answer is God’s justice, then you still must wonder why He chooses to go beyond His justice to mercifully give all of humanity His “common” grace. It is just as just for God to withhold His “common” grace as it would be for Him, as Calvinism teaches, to withhold His saving grace. And yet He doesn’t. Again, why not?

Wouldn’t it be biblical and reasonable to conclude He chooses to give His “common” grace not because mankind deserves it, but because of God’s very character? Isn’t it fair and just to say because of His love, goodness, mercy, kindness, patience, and grace, God has sovereignly chosen to shower mankind with an abundance of temporal gifts, regardless of whether people choose to accept or reject them?

And yet, He doesn’t choose to offer all of mankind His eternal grace? Why would God be so free with His temporal gifts and yet so stingy with His free gift of eternal salvation? The plain and simple truth is that He HAS chosen to offer all mankind all of His grace.

The Bible is clear that God loves the whole world. (John 3:15-17) He offers His forgiveness freely to all mankind. This is His consistent character. God could justly choose to withhold His salvation from all and yet, just as He has chosen to give “common” grace to all mankind, He has sovereignly and lovingly chosen to offer salvation to all mankind.

God doesn’t choose to withhold any of His grace from anyone. Just as God gives rain to both the just and the unjust, He also willingly offers His abundant and free gift of forgiveness to all mankind. That is the consistent thrust of Scripture.

But just as men can choose to accept or reject God’s temporal gifts, so it is with His eternal gift of Jesus. It is not because God chooses to withhold His grace from many that we see so few saved. It is because so many choose to reject God’s gift of salvation that we see so few saved. We cannot blame God for withholding His grace, but rather people are to blame because of their willful rejection of Jesus, the One who is full of truth and full of grace.

Choose Wisely Today.

Jesus said, “I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven: for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45

“For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust.” 1 Peter 3:18

“Of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:26-17

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11