Subtle differences in doctrine can make a world of difference

“What does it really matter, anyway?” is the response I sometimes hear when I discuss subtle differences in doctrine held by Christian churches, but today I’m going to address some subtle differences which just could make all the difference in the world.

I think most Christians would agree that Christ and salvation are at the very heart of the Christian Faith, but how that salvation is obtained by Christians is an area in which subtle differences in understanding affect and sometimes divide Christians. And these differences in doctrine make all the difference in the world when it comes to the certainty of salvation.

To the more liberallyminded, such differences really matter little, for they view the Gospel message as a command to love one another and Jesus Christ as an example of that love. To even discuss and debate doctrinal issues is often viewed as unloving and divisive. If they but follow Christ’s example and love one another enough, they will be received into God’s graces and heaven (if they believe there is one). Of course, who can really measure up to the sinless life of Christ?

There are those churches which teach that one is saved by faith and good works. They teach that Christ died for sins and rose again but they then say that it is not really enough to just trust in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifi ce; one must also live a certain lifestyle, observe certain commandments or traditions, abstain from certain foods, observe certain days, say certain prayers, or be a member of a particular church or denomination. Some openly condemn those who believe salvation is theirs through faith alone and others are much more subtle and just add requirements which (they say) “true believers” will fulfill. Again, who can ever do enough, be perfect enough, keep everylast requirement well enough?

Those who are of the strict Calvinistic heritage say that salvation is by grace alone for Christ’s sake and not by any human works or merits. They emphasize man’s total depravity since the fall, the sovereignty of God, His election and irresistible grace, but then deny the unlimited atonement. After all, why would Christ die for those not chosen of God for salvation? Thus, the believer who might be led to take comfort in irresistible grace is left wondering if he is really among the elect for whom Christ died.

Those offshoots of Calvinism who saw the error of teaching a limited atonement, double predestination (God predetermining whether people go to heaven or to hell) and, sometimes, irresistible grace returned to a view which minimizes the total depravity of man and says that man, with God’s gracious help (infused grace) can make a decision for Christ. Thus came the age of accountability and the need to use human reason to understand and make up one’s own mind whether they are going to accept Christ, make a commitment to Christ or pray a believer’s prayer and invite Christ into their lives. The issue here which may trouble many is the lingering question of one’s sincerity in making this decision for Christ. Was I really sincere, or do I need to do it over again, just in case? And when is being sincere really sincere enough?

There are those who teach the total depravity of man and Christ’s unlimited atonement for the sins of all, but they say (some only as a matter of semantics) that God does not forgive and justify the sinner until the sinner believes. This, of course leads to the question of what is a sinner to believe if there is no forgiveness until he believes; and it makes faith (at least, in part) the cause of justification rather than thehand that simply takes and receives God’s gift of salvation. This view raises the question of how strong one’s faith must be before God will justify and grant forgiveness.

Finally, there are those who teach that all men, since the fall, are spiritually dead in sin and cannot save themselves, that salvation is entirely of God’s grace in Christ Jesus, that Christ died for the sins of all people and rose again on the third day, that God graciously chose some for salvation and brought them to trust in Jesus and His atoning sacrifi ce and keeps and preserves them in that faith unto life everlasting.

And the Bible does teach: that all of us “were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1ff.); that salvation is by grace alone - “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9); that Christ “died for all” and “taketh away the sin of the world” (2 Cor. 5:15; John 1:29; cf. 1 John 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:3ff.; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 3:23-24); that God chose and predestined some to believe before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3-5; 2 Tim. 1:9); that he brought them to faith by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit through the hearing of the Gospel (Eph. 1:13-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14); and that He graciously will preserve them in the faith unto life everlasting (cf. Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 4:18).

And the Biblical doctrine leaves the believer not wondering if he has done enough, been sincere enough, prayed enough, believed enough, or if he is one of the elect for whom Christ died. It leaves the believer with the assurance that Christ Jesus did it all, that atonement has been made, that God forgives and accepts sinners for Christ’s sake, that the God who brought him to faith through the hearing of God’s Word will continue His gracious work and preserve Him in faith unto life everlasting.

The differences may sound subtle, but they make all the difference in the world.

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He can be reached by email at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 11/06/2013