Journal: Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal
Volume: DBSJ 28:1 (NA 2023)
Article: Hyper-Grace And Perseverance
Author: Jonathan R. Pratt

DBSJ 28 (2023) p. 65

Hyper-Grace And Perseverance

Jon Pratt1

Introduction

Christians’ interest in theological subjects ebbs and flows, often depending upon the cultural and political issues of the day, provocative books or articles on debated subjects, or whatever a favorite pastor or scholar decides to spotlight. Yet one area of theological inquiry that consistently garners attention is sanctification, and in particular people wonder, “How do I grow in my walk of faith?” The answer to this question lies in maintaining a proper balance between the indicatives and imperatives in Scripture related to progressive sanctification.

On the one hand, the indicative statements of the Bible declare what is true and present in the life of the believer. For example, all believers walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4), produce fruit leading to sanctification (Rom 6:22), serve in the newness of the Spirit (Rom 7:4), and do good works pleasing to God (Phil 2:13). In light of these kinds of declarations some have placed too great an emphasis upon them, resulting in quietism (e.g., “I can just sit back and let God do His work in me”) or antinomianism (e.g., modifying the first line of P. P. Bliss’s “Once for All”: “Free from the law, O happy condition, now I can sin and still have remission”). On the other hand, the commands of God’s Word call believers to “strive for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14). Christians must “work out [their] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12), love their fellow Christians (1 John 4:21), “be all the more diligent to confirm [their] calling and election” (2 Pet 1:10), and “make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires” (Rom 13:14). Indeed, the New Testament writers call the Christian to “Spirit-powered, gospel-driven, faith-fueled effort.”2 An imbalance on this emphasis, however, results in legalism (e.g., “Follow these rules in order to be spiritual”) or moralism (e.g., “You need to good things in order to enjoy God’s favor”).

While attention to any of these errors regarding the misuse of the indicatives or imperatives of Scripture could be helpful, I would like to consider the rising river of antinomian thought that is fed by three streams. Each of these stre...