Comments on: God’s Call to Salvation, Part 1

By: James Kinder

James Kinder — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:19:14 +0000

The concept of common grace is interesting to wrap my head around. I think when stated like this, then there can definitely be a Biblical proof for the doctrine. I don’t think that it is good to try to substitute common grace with the atoning work of Christ, or to attach the two together. God’s “common grace” is apart from Christ’s atoning work on the cross. We need also be careful to distinguish the “Divine Gifts” of the Holy Spirit from common talents and abilities. Clearly, God has given all of us common abilities and skills so that we can live and work on earth, but the Holy Spirit specifically equips believers with spiritual gifts; these are very much a part of the efficacious grace of the Spirit and not “common grace.”

By: Brett Kitko

Brett Kitko — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:56:42 +0000

I wanted to take a little but deeper look into the first circle of common grace, so I would like to add the following scriptures that are often used for this portion. Jesus said God causes “his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45) and God “is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35). Barnabas and Paul would later say the same thing: “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17). In addition to His compassion, goodness, and kindness, God also sheds His patience upon both the elect and the non-elect. While God’s patience for His own is undoubtedly different from His patience with those whom He has not chosen, God still exercises “longsuffering” toward those whom He has not chosen (Nahum 1:3). Every breath that the wicked man takes is an example of the mercy of our holy God.

By: Mike Dorsey

Mike Dorsey — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:17:19 +0000

I believe that Piper is struggeling to bring two thoughts together that are seperated in scripture. It is clear that in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 the spirit can be quenched. It is also clear that in John 16:13 the Holy Spirit will guide us into truth. Ephesians 1:13 goes on to say that “In Him, you also trusted after hearing the word of truth”. With these thoughts at our door along with the doctrine of efficacious grace I would say that the Holy Spirit obviously performs actions such as conviction that can be resisted and actions based around the truth of God that has already been accomplished. I don’t like the picture of lumping these two ideas in the same thought where common grace becomes a resistable or irresistable force. I do like the picture of God employing something more clear cut in efficacious grace than just imposing more power for lack of a better term. Its like doing surgery to remove a wart with a butter knife or using a laser. There is a better tool for the job so to speak.

By: feedmysheep22

feedmysheep22 — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:59:34 +0000

I do not think the Holy Spirit is “he who now restrains.” First, because the Holy Spirit is not mentioned by name in 2:6-7, nor in 2:1-5. Therefore, we cannot assume the Holy Spirit is the antecedent of the pronoun “he.” Second, when Jesus described the work of the Holy Spirit, He did not mention restraining. Third, even if the church is removed from the earth before the “man of lawlessness” is revealed, it does not follow that the Holy Spirit is removed. Romans 8:9 clearly says, “…if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” To whom then would the Trib saints belong?

By: Mike Dorsey

Mike Dorsey — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:49:42 +0000

Hey Paul I think that you are on the right track. I do believe that there should be a distinction in common grace and in efficacious grace. I also believe that it is God that brings this efficacious grace about.

By: Tim Wheeler

Tim Wheeler — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:53:41 +0000

Paul, I suppose that certain elements of common grace can be resisted. But I think that the only way in which someone can resist common providential grace is by just embracing stupidity or inactivity. It is by common providential grace that people have the power to do anything which they can do. I would even say that perhaps we as Christians need to be careful not to reject common grace and ignore the gifts God has given us.

By: Donald Benson

Donald Benson — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:21:19 +0000

I found the article and the video to be refreshing in the sense that as students. Here in a class where we have delved into every meaning and interpretation of the Bible from several different doctrinal definitions and understandings. Yet we come to a document such as this and it only supports what we have learned since we have started this course. Common grace I think shows God’s awesome ability to love us all even when we deny Him. To me that is something to think about, and frankly I am thankful that regardless of what we do He will always win in the end.

By: Tim Wheeler

Tim Wheeler — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:43:40 +0000

I think that another aspect of the reason for common grace is that God wishes to preserve the world while his people are on it and he saves them from amongst it. I suppose that we cannot know in full the reasons for God’s common grace on the unrepentant, but then we likely cannot know fully why God had grace on any sinner to make them one of His.

The one circle I am not entirely sure that I agree with is the restraint of sin. The 2 Thess passage appears to be talking about the anti-christ. Isaiah 64:6 says that even “righteous acts” can be like filthy rags and Romans 3:10 says that no one is good. Although people might not be running around and killing everything they see or committing every sin imaginable, this does not necessarily mean that they are doing good or not doing bad.

By: Theresa Taddeo

Theresa Taddeo — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:49:40 +0000

that is always the hope, that the God given talents are recognized and the unsaved once saved have the “light bulb come on” and the understand the significance of the gift they were given. As I mentioned in my post, the fun part is when God gives a person a new gift to use for His glory. It’s like the “Golden Apple” God gives someone a job they can do to get by or even to have a really good life, however whe they get saved the blessing over flow.

By: Theresa Taddeo

Theresa Taddeo — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:44:19 +0000

The Holy Spirit is the One to prick a sinners heart. We all have felt this conviction. I believe God has given everyone a talent or as some people might say,”a God given gift.” Some people have a gift that is two-fold, a gift that can support the family as well as support the ministry. Some people have one gift that supports the family and a gift that is completely different from their vocation that they are able to bring to the ministry.
One of our pastors favorite phrases is the ones stated about (maybe he got it from Ryrie he omits the word common) “grace is the unmerited favor of God toward all men displayed in His general care for them.” (Charles Ryrie, The Holy Spirit, Chicago: Moody Press, 1965, 55)