Understanding Grace: The Balance of Faith and Repentance

 

Summary

In our exploration of Genesis 3, we delved into the profound distortion of God's character by the serpent, which highlights the essence of legalism. Legalism occurs when God's loving nature and fatherly concern are separated from His law, reducing it to mere commandments rather than directives from a caring Father. This distortion is evident in how the serpent draws Eve into legalism and then into antinomianism, illustrating how these two errors are closely related. The gospel, particularly through the teachings of the apostle Paul, addresses both legalism and antinomianism with the same remedy.

We revisited the "order of salvation" and the controversy surrounding the "Auchterarder Creed" and "The Marrow of Modern Divinity." The debate centered on whether repentance must precede faith in Christ. Boston and his contemporaries argued against placing repentance before faith, emphasizing that sanctification does not contribute to justification. This perspective was unsettling for some, fearing it might lead to antinomianism. However, insisting on conditions before faith in Christ can taint the gospel's purity.

The application of redemption involves justification, regeneration, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification. The language of "repent and believe the gospel" suggests a sequence, but repentance and faith are not separate links in a chain. Instead, they are two perspectives of the same reality: coming to Christ. Repentance is not a prerequisite for faith but occurs within the context of faith, as we respond to God's grace.

The parable of the prodigal son illustrates this beautifully. The son's return is prompted by the memory of his father's provision, not a conscious decision to repent. The father's embrace, representing Jesus, prevents the son from offering to repay his debt, highlighting that grace, not works, restores us. The father's willingness to bear shame for his son mirrors Christ's sacrifice for us. The older brother's legalistic mindset contrasts with the father's grace, reminding us that everything God has is ours through faith.

Key Takeaways:

- Legalism and antinomianism are not opposites but closely related errors. Both distort the character of God and are addressed by the gospel's truth, which emphasizes God's loving nature and fatherly concern. [00:53]

- The order of salvation should not place repentance before faith. Repentance occurs within the context of faith, as we respond to God's grace, not as a prerequisite for coming to Christ. [02:54]

- Repentance and faith are not separate steps but two perspectives of the same reality. Genuine repentance is a response to God's grace, not a work we accomplish before faith. [09:39]

- The parable of the prodigal son illustrates that grace, not works, restores us. The father's embrace prevents the son from offering to repay his debt, highlighting the transformative power of grace. [20:14]

- The father's willingness to bear shame for his son mirrors Christ's sacrifice for us. This act of grace contrasts with the older brother's legalistic mindset, reminding us that everything God has is ours through faith. [22:31]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Distortion of God's Character
[00:53] - Legalism and Antinomianism
[01:33] - The Gospel's Remedy
[02:13] - Order of Salvation
[02:54] - Repentance and Faith
[03:30] - Justification and Sanctification
[03:55] - Conditions Before Faith
[04:31] - Application of Redemption
[05:09] - Repentance and Faith as One
[06:24] - Hendiadys in Scripture
[07:06] - Paul's Preaching in Athens
[09:11] - Repentance in Context of Faith
[11:00] - Westminster Confession on Repentance
[12:44] - The Marrow of Modern Divinity
[15:17] - Calvin's View on Repentance
[16:15] - Parable of the Prodigal Son
[20:14] - The Father's Embrace
[22:31] - Bearing Shame and Grace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:1-7
2. Luke 15:11-32
3. Romans 2:4

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Observation Questions:

1. In Genesis 3, how does the serpent distort the character of God, and what impact does this have on Eve's perception of God's commandments? [00:19]

2. According to the sermon, how are legalism and antinomianism related, and how does the gospel address both errors? [00:53]

3. In the parable of the prodigal son, what prompts the son to return to his father, and how does the father respond to his return? [17:11]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between repentance and faith, particularly in the context of the "order of salvation"? [09:11]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the distortion of God's character by the serpent in Genesis 3 reflect the essence of legalism, and why is this significant for understanding the nature of sin? [00:19]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the potential dangers of placing repentance before faith in the order of salvation, and how might this affect one's understanding of the gospel? [02:54]

3. In the parable of the prodigal son, how does the father's willingness to bear shame for his son mirror Christ's sacrifice for us, and what does this reveal about the nature of grace? [22:31]

4. How does the concept of "hendiadys" help us understand the relationship between repentance and faith, and why is it important to view them as two perspectives of the same reality? [07:58]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you may have viewed God's commandments as mere rules rather than expressions of His loving nature. How can you shift your perspective to see them as directives from a caring Father? [00:19]

2. Have you ever struggled with legalism or antinomianism in your own faith journey? How can the gospel's emphasis on God's grace help you find balance? [00:53]

3. In what ways can you relate to the prodigal son's journey back to his father? How does the father's response encourage you to embrace God's grace in your own life? [17:11]

4. Consider the relationship between repentance and faith in your spiritual life. How can you ensure that your repentance is a genuine response to God's grace rather than a prerequisite for faith? [09:11]

5. How does the father's embrace of the prodigal son challenge your understanding of forgiveness and restoration? In what ways can you extend similar grace to others in your life? [20:14]

6. Reflect on the older brother's reaction in the parable. Are there areas in your life where you might be holding onto a legalistic mindset? How can you embrace the fullness of God's grace instead? [22:31]

7. Romans 2:4 speaks of God's kindness leading to repentance. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's kindness in your daily life, and how might this awareness transform your approach to repentance?

Devotional

Day 1: The Intertwined Errors of Legalism and Antinomianism
Legalism and antinomianism are often seen as opposing errors, but they are closely related in how they distort the character of God. Legalism reduces God's law to mere commandments, stripping away His loving nature and fatherly concern. Antinomianism, on the other hand, dismisses the law entirely, leading to a disregard for God's holiness. Both errors misrepresent God and are addressed by the gospel, which emphasizes His love and grace. The serpent's deception of Eve in Genesis 3 is a prime example of how these errors can lead us away from the truth. The gospel, particularly through the teachings of the apostle Paul, provides the remedy by highlighting God's loving nature and fatherly concern. [00:53]

Galatians 5:1-2 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the pull of legalism or antinomianism in your own life? How can you seek a deeper understanding of God's character to avoid these errors?


Day 2: The Sequence of Repentance and Faith
The order of salvation is a topic of much debate, particularly regarding whether repentance must precede faith in Christ. The gospel teaches that repentance occurs within the context of faith, as we respond to God's grace. It is not a prerequisite for coming to Christ but a part of the same reality. Insisting on conditions before faith can taint the gospel's purity and lead to a misunderstanding of God's grace. The teachings of Boston and his contemporaries emphasize that sanctification does not contribute to justification, and repentance should not be placed before faith. [02:54]

Acts 20:21 (ESV): "Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How do you understand the relationship between repentance and faith in your own spiritual journey? What steps can you take to ensure that your understanding aligns with the gospel's teaching on grace?


Day 3: Repentance and Faith as One Reality
Repentance and faith are not separate steps in the process of coming to Christ but two perspectives of the same reality. Genuine repentance is a response to God's grace, not a work we accomplish before faith. This understanding helps us see that our journey to Christ is not about fulfilling conditions but about responding to His love and grace. The language of "repent and believe the gospel" suggests a sequence, but it is more about the transformation that occurs when we come to Christ. [09:39]

2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced genuine repentance. How did it change your perspective on faith and your relationship with God?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Grace
The parable of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates that grace, not works, restores us. The son's return is prompted by the memory of his father's provision, not a conscious decision to repent. The father's embrace prevents the son from offering to repay his debt, highlighting the transformative power of grace. This parable reminds us that it is not our works but God's grace that restores and transforms us. The father's willingness to bear shame for his son mirrors Christ's sacrifice for us, emphasizing the depth of God's love and grace. [20:14]

Luke 15:20-21 (ESV): "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'"

Reflection: How does the story of the prodigal son challenge your understanding of grace? In what ways can you embrace God's grace more fully in your life today?


Day 5: Embracing Grace Over Legalism
The father's willingness to bear shame for his son in the parable of the prodigal son mirrors Christ's sacrifice for us. This act of grace contrasts with the older brother's legalistic mindset, reminding us that everything God has is ours through faith. Legalism can lead us to believe that we must earn God's favor, but the gospel teaches that His grace is freely given. Embracing grace over legalism allows us to experience the fullness of God's love and the freedom that comes with it. [22:31]

Romans 8:15-16 (ESV): "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself leaning towards legalism? How can you shift your focus to embrace the grace that God offers through faith in Christ?

Quotes


FERGUSON: Now, in our last study we were thinking about the opening verses of Genesis 3, and this fairly remarkable thing that happens in Genesis 3 that the serpent distorts the character of God. And you remember we were talking about the fact that this belongs to the very essence of legalism, when God's loving character, His fatherly concern, is divorced from His law. [00:00:00]

And our eyes are focused on the law simply as though they were naked commandments and not the directives of our heavenly Father who obviously wants the very best for us. And so though we often read in the Scriptures about the subtlety and the deceitfulness of Satan, sometimes we don't appreciate how deeply that goes into the narrative of Scripture. [00:00:28]

And it's there right in the opening verses of Genesis 3 how the serpent, in a sense, draws Eve first of all into legalism, and then draws her into antinomianism. And in a very remarkable way Genesis 3 underlines how closely related to one another these two errors are. We so often tend to think of them as absolute opposites to one another, and therefore needing different kinds of spiritual medicine in order to deliver people from them. [00:00:53]

But as we go on I think we will discover that in the gospel, both legalism and antinomianism are dealt with, especially by the apostle Paul, by using exactly the same medicine. Now, in this study, I want us to go back a little to our earlier discussion about the order of salvation, the order of grace. [00:01:33]

One of the things that came up in the controversy over the "Auchterarder Creed," and then "The Marrow of Modern Divinity," was this whole question of, "Do we forsake sin, do we repent in order to be prepared to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?" And, Boston and his friends, in connection with the Auchterarder Creed, argued that that's a very unhelpful way to understand the message of the gospel, to put repentance first. [00:02:13]

They were wanting to argue that repentance does not precede faith as a condition for coming to Christ. Just as they wanted to emphasize that no increase in sanctification does anything to our justification. For some people that was a very frightening thought. If you don't insist that you've got to add to your justification and your sanctification, then will people not live any way they want? [00:03:08]

In the application of redemption to sinners, salvation comes to us as justification, it comes to us as regeneration, and adoption, and sanctification, and perseverance, and glorification. Salvation comes to us who repent and believe the gospel. And doesn't that very language that's used in Scripture, "Repent and believe the gospel," indicate to us that repentance must come before believing? [00:04:24]

And it seems to me that that very way of looking at things, understanding the application of redemption by looking through spectacles that have been crafted, as it were, to see a chain as the organizing principle, almost inevitably means that either you put the link of repentance before faith or you put the link of faith before repentance. [00:05:34]

The gospel of the kingdom is preached, or the gospel of Christ is preached, and then the summons is given to those who have heard it to repent. Just one word, "Repent." Does that mean that you repent but don't believe? There are other occasions when the gospel is preached and the summons is given, "Believe." "What will I do to be saved?" "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ." No reference to repentance. [00:06:24]

And the language of repentance and faith in the New Testament is essentially an hendiadys. That, the same reality of coming to Christ is being viewed from two different perspectives. One, in relationship to the sinful life, the other in relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. So that sometimes, one of the terms will stand for both terms. [00:07:43]

Repentance, genuine repentance, takes place within the context of faith, takes place within the context of us responding to the grace of God and Jesus Christ in the gospel. That's why Paul says ultimately the law on its own will not lead us to evangelical repentance. It may convict us of sin, but the turning around requires the kindness of God, the hope of salvation. [00:10:27]

And it's this that transforms repentance from a work that we accomplish to a response that we make wrought in us by the power of the Holy Spirit as we turn from our sinful lifestyle to a genuine faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. There's a very interesting discussion of this in "The Marrow of Modern Divinity." It takes place between Nomista, the legalist, and the pastor whose name is Evangelista. [00:11:59]

And Evangelista then says, "Well, would you have a man do all this truly before he come to Christ by believing?" And the legalist says, "Yes, indeed, I think it is very meet." Then says Evangelista -- you can almost sense his triumph here -- "Then, I tell you truly, you would have him do that which is impossible, because godly humiliation proceeds from the love of God, the good Father, and so from the hatred of that sin which has displeased Him. And this cannot be without faith." [00:13:22]

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Transcript
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