During the 1980’s I came
across a phrase I had never heard before. The context helped me understand the meaning but the manner and
attitude with which it was used bothered me. The phrase was ‘the Doctrines of Grace’.
Yes, the capitals for ‘doctrines’ and ‘grace’ conveys the attitude that was present.
There was a sense of elitism. Yet, these
people were knowledgeable, friendly and God honouring, at least as far as I could tell. The attitude wasn’t
blatant but still evident to anyone who was observant.
The term ‘doctrines
of grace’ appears nowhere in Scripture. The closest use of the terms ‘doctrine’
and ‘grace’ is found in these two verses: Titus 2:10-11 “not pilfering, but showing all
good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. For the grace of God
has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,”. This, of course, does not mean that we should not
or cannot use the phrase since Biblically, the word ‘Trinity’ is not used in the Scriptures either but the Triune
God is clearly taught.
I appreciated those believers and their heart
felt desire to honour the Lord. My purpose in raising this issue is to encourage those of us who have been
humbled by the Lord’s teaching concerning His sovereign gracious work through divine election that we humbly instruct
those believers who believe differently concerning the process of salvation.
Understanding this instils humility rather than
pride. I am reminded of Paul’s exhortation to Timothy:
2 Tim. 2:24-26 “The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome,
but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps
God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the
snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”
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