DIDASKALOS MINISTRIES DM033

The Path To Salvation

Introduction

Can man do good before God? What is God's attitude toward the unbeliever? Why does God allow the wicked to have money and other goods along with His believers? What does the term "Common Grace" mean, and what are its implications? In this study we will try to answer all these questions (and more) as we see how God views and protects man, whether believer or unbeliever. One question that we want to answer is: "Can the unbeliever, who is spiritually dead, accept the spiritual concept of Jesus Christ as Savior?".

The Common Grace of God to Man

As we noted before, it is God's will that all men be saved:

1 Timothy 2:3-4 "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

Since God wills that all men be saved He has taken certain steps to give all men a chance for salvation. The first step He took was in the Plan of Salvation. When Jesus was sent to pay for man's sins, God could have sent Him to die for just a select few or, to die for all mankind. Since God willed that all men be saved, He chose the latter method for Christ's atonement.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 "For the love of Christ constraineth (Literally, "Keeps on pressing us from all sides") us; because we thus judge, (Literally, "conclude") that if (EAN, First Class Condition = If, and it's true) one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."

1 Timothy 2:5-6 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

1 Timothy 4:10 "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."

Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God (HE CHARIS TOU THEOU = The Grace of the God) that bringeth salvation (Adjectival Use of SOTERIOS = Imparting Salvation) hath appeared (Aorist Passive Indicative EPIPHAINO = has been clearly manifested in a point of time)
to all men.."

Hebrews 2:9 "But we see (BLEPO = Have been caused to glance at) Jesus, who was made a little lower (ELATTOO, Perfect Passive Participle + BRACHOUS = Having been made inferior for a brief time) than the angels for the suffering (DIA + Accusative PATHAMA = Because of the suffering) of death, (THANATOS = Death. A reference to Christ's death on the Cross for us all) crowned (Perfect Passive Participle STEPHANOO = Having been crowned) with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God (HOPAS + Instrumental Singular CHARIS + Ablative of Source THEOS = That He by means of the Grace from God) should taste (Aorist Active Subjunctive GEUOMAI = Should taste once for all) death for every man. (HUPER + Accusative PAS = For Everyone) "

1 John 2:1-2 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (PARAKLATOS = lawyer, council for defense) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation (ILASMOS = means of appeasing God) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

There are numerous verses that teach Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (as you can see above). Theologically this reflects the Biblical Doctrine called Unlimited Atonement. Unlimited Atonement teaches that Christ paid for the sins of the whole world. In other words, the account that mankind owed God for disobedience have been paid. All man has to do is to accept what has been done. It is like having a signed check with your name on it. The money is in the bank, the check is available, but you have to take it to the bank to get any benefit from it.. Holding on to the check is useless, for the check is nothing but a slip of paper. But if you cash it, it becomes money that you can use. The Atonement is the same way. Jesus has paid for the sins of everyone with the result that from the moment of physical birth your name is placed in the Book of Life. The cash is in the bank. If you die without cashing the check, without accepting Christ as Savior, then your name is blotted out of the Book. The check will be passed its due date, and will no longer be valid. This is what Unlimited Atonement teaches.

The account has been paid, and all man needs to do is accept it. But man is spiritually dead, having no human spirit nor ability to truly interact with God. Men are carnal, controlled by their Old Sin Natures. The Old Sin Nature controls mankind; yet our sins are paid for: this seems like a stacked deck. We have no way of accepting what has been done for us on our own. It is because of this seemingly insurmountable problem, Christ's payment and man's inability to accept it, that caused Calvin to over emphasize the Doctrine of Election. To Calvin it seemed that the only way to reconcile the controlling Old Sin Nature of man in the Unlimited Atonement was to make God the main controller in man's acceptance of Christ. If God elected some to predestination in eternity past, and guaranteed their coming to this salvation with an undeniable call, then Calvin felt that Christ's death was not in vain. If God did not do this, then man would be unable to accept Christ as Savior, making the death of the Cross a wasted sacrifice.

Though Calvin was a great Theologian and a great Reformer, he did not go quite far enough into the Scripture to find the answer. The answer is found in the Doctrine of God's Common Grace to man. After God did all the background work (Unlimited Atonement), He knew that it would be necessary to free man (at least temporarily) so he could freely choose. Two things were necessary to allow man to freely choose between Christ or the world. Man would have to physically live long enough to make a free choice, and man would have to be freed from the overwhelming influence of the Old Sin Nature. These two facets of God's Grace would have to be distributed equally among all mankind so that all would have equal chance for salvation. He did this through His provision of Common (for everyone) Grace.

In the first stage of Common Grace, God had to keep man alive long enough to make a choice for or against Christ.

Acts 14:17 "Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

In order to keep man alive God had to give him food, clothing, and shelter. Without these basic necessities man would quickly die before he could hear the message of the Gospel. The wicked and unbelieving prosper because God gives them nourishment, just as He nourishes His believers. God cares for unbelievers, not because they are moral or good, but to sustain their lives for one more day so they might accept His Son. If the unbeliever continues to reject Christ, God often removes this provision of Common Grace. With suffering man often turns to God, whereas in prosperity he rejects Him. By controlling the flow of prosperity to the unbeliever God gives man ample opportunity to accept or reject the Savior.

In the second stage of Common Grace God had to protect man from the overwhelming power of the Old Sin Nature.

Romans 2:14-15 "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)"

The Old Sin Nature in mankind is directly opposed to anything that God decrees. This Sin Nature is corrupt, the source of all depravity:

Galatians 5:15-21 "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Had God not put some control on this Sin Nature, men would have quickly destroyed one another. In order to counteract their unnatural tendencies God placed a conscience in man. The conscience gives all men a moral code of right and wrong. When that code is broken the offender feels guilt. If society discovers an offender, then the offender is condemned socially. The conscience can be hardened by repeated acts of violation, but an operating conscience is the norm among mankind. In all societies it is wrong to murder, lie, steal, an so on. By putting a conscience in mankind God protects man from himself so that he can be evangelized.

The third stage of Common Grace is a branch from the second stage: the installation of governmental law and the authority to prosecute offenders of the social conscience:

Romans 13:1-7 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."

As noted before, the individual conscience can be hardened by repeated acts of sin. The first murder is always the hardest, then if the evil act is repeated it gets progressively easier. In order to avoid this problem God established national and local governments, with bureaucrats running these governments according to the group conscience. Police officers and judges restrained the power of the Old Sin Nature in man by fear of punishment. To break the law (group conscience) is to bring a fine, imprisonment, or death to the offender. The group conscience even establishes rules of war, so that no one national entity can take unfair retribution over another on the battleground. Prisoners of war cannot be tortured without fear of national retaliation, for those who do such things are considered a war criminals.

Governmental law under Common Grace also protects the person's right to worship God as he sees fit, and allows for freedom of choice either for or against God. No one religious group has the right under the law to persecute another group because they worship differently. God alone will judge as to who is right and who is wrong in the after life. All men must be free to make a choice for or against Christ, otherwise salvation is not effectively a free choice. You cannot force a man to the Cross and expect him to be saved. The Church tried this in the Dark Ages, causing unsaved pagans to flood into the Church with their own polytheistic beliefs. This is why the Church still has remnants of false doctrine existing in it today, such as the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, worship of the saints, Mary as the mother of God, and Easter egg hunts on Church grounds.

The fourth stage of Common Grace directly effects the salvation of the unbeliever. The unbeliever is, as we saw before, spiritually dead. Being spiritually dead he is under the control of the Old Sin Nature. While under Sin's control the unbeliever is not free to accept or reject Christ as Savior. The only option open to this spiritual corpse is to reject Christ. God established the fourth stage of Common Grace to temporarily remove this barrier.

John 16:7-11 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (PARAKLATOS = Lawyer, Advocate) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove (ELEGCHO = Convict, convince) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

In the fourth stage of Common Grace God sends the Holy Spirit to convict (ELEGCHO) the world of their own Sin Nature. The Spirit will not force an unbeliever into accepting Christ, but He will provide a balance between the Old Sin Nature and the call of God so that man can be free to accept or reject Christ. Calvinism teaches that this ministry of the Spirit is to the elect only, and that this call is indisputable or efficacious. If this is true, then the whole world will eventually be saved, for the Spirit's convicting ministry is, according to Jesus, to the whole world. Since we know that there is a Hell and unbelievers will go there, we know that many will reject the calling of the Spirit.

At least once in every unbeliever's life the Spirit will come to him, break the hold of the Old Sin Nature, and allow enough balance in his or her life for a free choice. If the Spirit eliminated the Old Sin Nature completely there would be no real choice, for man would naturally accept Christ as Savior. If the Spirit allowed the Old Sin Nature to reign then there would be no free choice, for man would naturally choose the world. But the Spirit comes to the unbeliever and provides a balance between the call of the world and the call of God. The unbeliever is then free to accept or reject Christ, as free as Adam was in the Garden. If he accepts Christ then he does so of his own free will. If he rejects Christ he does this of his own freewill. In either case the choice lies with the unbeliever.

The Spirit's ministry has nothing to do with the conscience. God has already provided conscience in the second and third stages of Common Grace. The Spirit's ministry is all about giving the unbeliever an even break. When the Spirit comes and convicts the sinner of his utterly lost state, He makes it plain to the unbeliever that all he does before God is unacceptable. He convicts the unbeliever of his unrighteousness, and explains to the unbeliever that he can enter Heaven only on the basis of Christ's righteousness if he only accept what has been done for him on the Cross. If the unbeliever ignores the conviction of the Spirit, the Spirit warns him of impending judgment. He makes it plain to the unbeliever that if Christ is rejected he will be judged.

The Spirit's ministry goes much further. Again, the unbeliever is spiritually dead and cut off from God. But if the unbeliever accepts Christ as Savior, the Spirit immediately regenerates him. In fact, God, through His Spirit, immediately performs the following ministries for each new believer:

The Spirit reconciles the new believer to God	2 Corinthians 5:18-19 "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. " Colossians 1:20 "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." Romans 5:10 "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. " Ephesians 2:14-18 "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. "
He applies redemption to the new believer. We are bought back from the slavemarket of sin.	Romans 3:24-26 "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Colossians 1:14 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" 1 Peter 1:18-19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: "
The penalty of sin is removed.	John 3:18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Propitiation is applied to the believer's account.	Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; " 1 John 2:2 "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
All personal sins are covered by the death of Christ.	Romans 4:25 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. " 1 Peter 2:24 "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
The Old Sin Nature is dethroned, and the Spirit is free to reign in the believer's life.	Romans 6:6-7 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin." Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Colossians 3:1-3 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. "
The believer is freed from the Law, and is now under control of the Spirit.	Romans 7:4-6 "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." Galatians 3:24-26 "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
The believer is "born again"	1 Corinthians 6:11 "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." John 3:7-8 "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. "
The believer becomes an adopted Child of God.	Romans 8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Ephesians 1:5 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will"
God's righteousness is imputed to the believer's account, so he is now fit to enter Heaven.	1 Peter 2:5-6 "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded." Romans 3:21-22 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: " Colossians 1:12-14 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
The Spirit declares the believer righteous (justification) before God.	1 Corinthians 6:11 "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
The believer is given a Heavenly citizenship.	Luke 10:20 "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Ephesians 2:19 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" Philippians 3:20-21 "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
The believer is delivered from Satan's Kingdom, and transferred into God's Kingdom.	Colossians 1:13 "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:"
The believer becomes a royal priest before God.	1 Peter 2:9-10 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." Revelation 1:6 "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
The believer comes under the special care of God.	Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
The believer now has rapport with God.	Ephesians 2:18 "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." Hebrews 10:19-22 "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."
The believer has an inheritance in Heaven.	Romans 8:17 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Ephesians 1:13-14 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." Hebrews 9:15 "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
The believer receives the promise of eternal life.	John 3:15 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 10:28-30 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." John 20:31 "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
The believer is united with the Godhead.	1 Thessalonians 1:1 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 4:6 "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Romans 8:16-17 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
The believer is Baptized with the Holy Spirit.	1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
He is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.	John 7:38-39 "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" Romans 5:5 "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." 1 Corinthians 3:16 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" Galatians 4:6-7 "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
The believer is Sealed by the Spirit.	2 Corinthians 1:22 "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
The believer is reserved Spiritual Gifts that he or she will be able to use after reaching maturity.	1 Corinthians 12:11 "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."
All past influences of the Old Sin Nature are removed from the new believer's soul.	Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. " Isaiah 44:22 "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee."

The fifth stage of Common Grace deals with the preaching of the Gospel. The fourth and fifth stages work together: God sends a minister (led by the Spirit) to an area to evangelize. The minister preaches the clear Gospel as the Spirit provides a balance for choice in the unbeliever.

Romans 10:14-15 "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! "

The fifth stage of Common Grace is actually another ministry of the Spirit. In this ministry the Spirit uses the preacher and other lay members as tools to evangelize selected groups of unbelievers. There are many lessons in this for believers to learn. First, you must be a mature believer to effectively witness your faith. The immature believer goes to witness regardless as to the leading of the Spirit. If the Spirit does not lead us to witness to a group of unbelievers, then nothing will come of our efforts. The mature believer yields his will to the leading of the Spirit. In doing so the Spirit leads him to unbelievers who are susceptible to the preaching of the Gospel. The Spirit provides balance in the unbeliever's soul so that he can freely choose or reject Christ. Maturity as a believer brings the ability to yield to and listen to the Spirit. Immaturity knows nothing of this ability. As we have emphasized before Divine Good production (such as witnessing) always comes by mature growth brought on by faithful study of the Word of God.

In Summary

A wealth of Bible doctrine has been covered in this study. The main points we have covered are:

1. The unbeliever is spiritually dead. Being spiritually dead he is cut off from God, unable to do anything acceptable or pleasing to God. Human Good works will be the basis of the unbeliever's damnation at the last Judgment (the Great White Throne).

2. Though spiritually dead, the unbeliever's sins have been paid for by Christ's work on the Cross. At physical birth the unbeliever's name is placed in the Book of Life. If he accepts what Christ has done for him before he meets physical death his name is left in this Book. With his name in the Book, he is welcomed into Heaven in the afterlife. If the unbeliever continues to reject Christ until he meets physical death, then at his death his name is blotted out of the Book of Life. If his name is not in this Book he will be cast away unto eternal damnation.

3. God has provided five stages of Common Grace, each designed to lead the unbeliever to Christ. The first three stages extend the unbeliever's life so that he will have sufficient time to freely choose or reject Christ. These three stages are (1) The provision of food and shelter, (2) The individual conscience, and (3) The establishment of the Group Conscience or Governmental Law. The last two stages of Common Grace are directly related to the unbeliever's call to salvation from God. These are (4) The balancing (convicting) ministry of the Spirit, and (5) The preaching of the Gospel. None of these stages guarantee the unbeliever will accept Christ as Savior. The Spirit's Call is not undeniable or efficacious, but a Divine invitation. The ministry of the Spirit only provides temporary balance in the unbeliever's soul. The power of the Old Sin Nature is dethroned so the unbeliever may freely answer or deny the call of God. The Spirit provides this Convicting ministry to everyone on earth at least once in his or her lifetime.

4. If the unbeliever accepts the work of Christ, thereby becoming a believer, God then gives many blessings to his life. Among these blessings are (1) Spiritual new Birth, (2) Adoption as a Child of God, (3) The imputation of righteousness to his spiritual account, and (4) Union with the Godhead. The new believer is equipped so he can grow to maturity and produce Divine Good for his Master. This Divine Good production will be rewarded in Heaven when we all stand before the throne of our Lord Jesus. Any Human Good that the believer produces in this life will be burned or destroyed at this same throne, yet he himself shall be saved, so as by fire. God Bless you all!
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