Unscriptural Notions Of Terms And Conditions Of Salvation
”Whereupon, oh king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.”—Acts 26:19
One is sometimes called to bear testimony before unbelievers, of the hope that is in us. It is difficult to speak of the manifestation of Christ to the heart, so that the Saviour alone may be exalted and glorified: somewhat of self naturally creeps into the relation. It is very pleasing to nature to be esteemed as one highly favoured, and to have made great attainments in Christianity. Oh that single letter, with great sound, I! But it was farthest from the heart of Paul, that eminent champion for free-grace salvation, to give the least encouragement from his conversion to any fellow sinner to talk of obedience to God’s call, or faithfulness to his grace, as conditions of salvation. The soul of that man of God would be fired with a holy zeal for his Master’s glory, was he now on earth to hear his language abused, and his meaning perverted, by the pride of men. Men of self-righteous principles oppose the truths of the gospel; deny God’s unconditional election, unmerited love, the finished salvation of Jesus, and its being sure to all his seed, through the sovereign application of the Lord the Spirit. To what end? Truly to make way for their unscriptural notions of terms and conditions of salvation. They dare proudly and arrogantly teach, that obedience to Jesus is the condition of salvation. Will they not also say, that when Jesus called, ‘Lazarus, come forth,’ his rising up was a condition of his being restored to life? How hard for pride to forsake the human heart!
Paul was favoured with an extraordinary vision from the Lord Jesus from heaven, to call him to be his faithful servant. Obedient hearts are caused by effectual calls. But after Paul had laboured more abundantly than all the rest of the apostles, what was his glorying? ‘Yet not I, but the grace of God, striving,’ says he, according—to what? My power, my ability? No, but ‘according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.’ Col. 1:29. Here is a blessed pattern, a profitable lesson of humility set before us. Hath Jesus appeared to us in the vision of faith by the word of truth; hath he effectually called us to believe in his name, and to rejoice in his salvation? What shall we say, but fall upon the bended knees of our hearts, and in warmest gratitude of soul adore his rich, free, sovereign and distinguishing grace. Have we been, and do we still continue obedient to the heavenly vision? What then? Shall we sacrifice to our own net, and burn incense to our own drag, and say, Because of my obedience, my faithfulness? God forbid! For this is only grace upon grace. If we have obtained grace to be faithful, the comfort is ours; but all the glory is due to the Giver. ‘Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou hast wrought all out works in us.’
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
