Sovereign Grace Objection from a LSist - Part 1

"Works salvation can consistently interpret this single passage (referring to Hebrews 12:14). So can Lordship Salvation. Non-Lordship cannot. Lordship is the only position that can handle both Ephesians 2 and Hebrews 12, both John 3 and 1 John 3, both Romans 4 and James 2. That's why it was the standard defense for Calvin, Luther, Zwingli and the Puritans against the papists"

I'm going to deal with the apparent Ephesians 2 / Hebrews 12 dichotomy first. First, we need to hone in on the portion of the passage the objector is most likely referring. Let's take a look.

Must be your typical 2:8-9 as a case against works in which case I agree. Might as well include 10 as a case against those Antinomians that would suppose gospel believers cannot have good works. (I prefer possess as such were assigned. Not as though we produced them by "cooperating" if it were.) He have them only as God ordains. May we praise Him as we walk in them.

Ephesians 2King James Version (KJV)
For 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.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Moving on, let's take a look at the significant portion of Hebrews 12. Yea, the passage championed by the "Lordship" Salvationists throughout the lands. I use quotes because I believe they deny the LORD by not submitting to His righteousness as revealed in the gospel. May God open the eyes of His lost sheep in their midst.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

They suppose this holiness is another type of holiness other than is positional in Christ. I assert they are wrong for that is the only holiness by which one will see that LORD and see this verse to have evangelical implications for the saints. We possess the holiness afforded us in Christ. The inevitable result of possessing this holiness is seeing the LORD no "ifs", "ands", or "buts". It is not conditioned on the sinner but God's eternal decree in election.

Having possessed this holiness, having passing from death to life, we are to follow peace that others may receive the same through preaching Christ and Him crucified. I have said in another place "The offense should be in the cross, not in your person".

May we not be needlessly abrasive with folks getting snared into our own vanity by what we suppose to be clever wit. I have fallen into this snare and been humbled accordingly. It is not following peace and, when we do that, we care not for others knowing the holiness that is unto life eternal.

I touched on Hebrews 12:14 a bit with the following blog post:

https://steemit.com/sovereigngrace/@anthonyadavisii/holiness-and-hebrews-12-14-2017331t7144866z

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