One of the identifying marks of the true sons of GOD is that they recognize that the only reason that they can enjoy the benefits of being a son is owing totally to the mercy and grace of almighty GOD. (see I Cor.4:7) They know that if GOD is not pleased to receive them then they have no ground whereon to stand before HIM. "If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" (Ps.130:3) The world, however, is full of religious men who are quite convinced of their own ability to perform works of righteousness which they feel will make them gain that acceptance. They often think of the gospel as a "means" of their salvation, as they purport that by their belief of it, they somehow can change their own destiny. We hear the preachers of such doctrine warning men of the awful horrors of hellfire while at the same time "offering" their hearers a surefire escape clause. They tell men, just believe and you can be sure that you are going to heaven. Just pray the "sinner's prayer" and you'll be sure to escape hell.
The scripture is abundantly clear that "Salvation is of the LORD" (Jon.2:9) but that does not stop the preachers of "free-will" from assuring men that GOD gives everybody a fair chance and a square deal and that they can be "saved" whenever they get good and ready. By doing so they convince the ignorant that the destiny of a man is in his own hands. There are even some who claim to preach the "sovereignty of GOD" who are somewhat equivocal in their statements concerning this matter.
The salvation of the sons of GOD is in no wise left to chance nor is it in any way dependent on something they must do or can do. The GOD of heaven and earth has predestined the salvation of HIS people just as surely as HE predestines the orbits of the planets about the sun or the falling of a sparrow to the ground. If HE has predestined their salvation then HE has also predestined all of the events that lead up to their salvation. (see Rom.8:29-39) Their election in CHRIST before the foundation of the world (see Eph.1:4), their fall into sin, (see Rom.5:12) and the very means (the life and death of JESUS CHRIST) whereby their redemption is accomplished are all absolutely foreordained by HIM who changes not. (see Heb.10:14)
It would make no sense whatsoever to consider that GOD intends to save HIS people from their sins (see Mat.1:21) and then that HE would leave their fate in their hands. Yet the purveyors of modern "Pelagianism" (Pelagius was an early theologian {late 4th century} who formulated the doctrine of "free will" into a system of thought, he didn't invent the idea since we see Paul writing against it in Rom.9, but only systematized it.) preach their message as though GOD has very little to do with a man's "salvation", only providing a limited means and ultimately leaving it up to the choice of men to either receive it or reject it. Therefore the "means" of their salvation is in their "faith" rather than the cross of CHRIST. Now such a mindset leads men to question the judgement and justice of GOD and can be seen, illustrated by the LORD JESUS in Mat.7:21-23. When faced with the prospect of eternal damnation those who are of this mindset seek to argue with GOD and to present their supposed works of righteousness. It can also be seen in the Pharisee who went down to the temple to pray and had the audacity to point out the difference between himself and the publican as a basis for acceptance with GOD. GOD's children have been taught that HE is just in all things and HIS justice is sure and good. They rejoice in it and own it to be good :
Even though they should ultimately perish. Job said "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:" (Job 13:15) The sons of GOD are given a great hope in CHRIST, but should they be deceived in their own mind about their standing in HIM yet they would bow down and worship HIM in the day of judgement even while the fires of hell swallowed them. They can do nothing else but testify that HIS justice is right and to perish in that pit would be but what they know that they deserve. They shall in no wise expect to receive anything from HIS hand on the basis of any supposed merit or good works. Many try to argue that GOD does right based on HIS law but we believe that GOD does right based on HIS own will and purpose. There is no law that governs GOD except HIMSELF and we bow before HIM and glorify HIS name.
Even when the wicked prosper. Nothing is more disconcerting to the man who is convinced of his own righteousness than to see the triumphing of the wicked. Even the sons of GOD are somewhat perplexed at this observation (see Ps.73:1-28) but yet they bring no railing accusation against the ONE who can do with HIS own as HE sees fit. We envy them not for we know what their end shall be. Our triumph is in HIM. "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." (2 Cor 2:14)
Because JESUS CHRIST is both JUST and the JUSTIFIER. GOD is bound by no law yet HE has willingly designed the purchase of a people in JESUS CHRIST to fulfill the law which HE established for the very purpose of their redemption. "To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Rom. 3:26) The basis upon which the true sons of GOD expect to be accepted by the FATHER is the justifying work of JESUS CHRIST in their behalf wherein HE has become sin for them that they might be made righteous according to the imputation of HIS righteousness to them which was purchased by HIS own blood. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Cor 5:21) We are not waiting for this to occur but are rejoicing that HE has already fully accomplished it. "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us." (Heb.6:18)
mam