• The matter of disqualification can be both contentious and revelatory. This article attempts to leverage the latter as a means (and hope) of mitigating the former.
• Essential to the matter of disqualification is the recognition that salvation is a process; and faith is a function of the heart.
• In spiritual matters, separating complex things into their component parts, as a method for understanding the whole, simply does not work as we would like. It is impossible to understand the principles of grace, faith and works apart from one another.
• Our faith does not save us any more than our works. Only God’s grace can do that. Effectual faith – also a gift of God; perfected by the grace of works – appropriates the grace that saves.
• Eventually, judgment will come. Those caught with their talent buried in the ground, their branch without fruit, or any other of the disqualifying conditions, will be rejected.
• “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Jesus Christ (Luke 13:24)

Introduction

As a follow-up to The Peril of Disqualification, I would like to address a couple of objections that have been raised about our being disqualified from our salvation. In part three, I will flesh out a few of the more significant disqualifying conditions.

Recognizing salvation as a process is an essential context for understanding what follows. Therefore, I encourage you to take a moment and read the foundation article on that subject. You will discover that which comes to those that endure to the end (Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13).

A second essential matter is the vessel and instrument, so to speak, of faith in a born again person. It is with the heart that man believes (Mark 11:23; Romans 10:10). Most in the church would agree that belief is more than mental assent to the truth of Scripture.

However, I fear many have been emotionally charmed by the notion of salvation – even wondering at the beauty of it – without appropriating its birth in their heart. A helpful analogy is that of the man that admires the painting of a wondrous landscape, without ever traveling to experience its grandeur in person.

The Relationship of Grace, Faith and Works

The first objection I received involves the relationship of faith and works in our salvation. Two things are important to understand here. First, we are not saved by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that we are saved by grace, through faith.

Our faith does not save us any more than our works. Only God’s grace can do that. We appropriate God’s saving grace though faith in His working; both at the moment of our rebirth, and throughout the salvation process.

It is more than incidental that our faith is also a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8); and it does not come from our works (v. 9). Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word (rhema) of God (Romans 10:17). The gift of faith comes with the truth that God would have us believe – throughout the process of salvation. Through that faith, we are empowered to appropriate the grace God has for our responding to His word.

Now, here is the challenging part for many in the church today: What do we do with the grace and faith that we are given? Is it possible to have faith that does not save us?

James makes this very clear. First, he asks the question:

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? James 2:14

Then the answer:

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17

An important note here: “Dead” does not mean “to cease to exist”. It means “to be ineffectual – having no power”. In our context here, dead faith lacks the necessary power to appropriate the grace of God, through to the end of the salvation process.

James continues with an explanation of the relationship between faith and works:

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your
works, and I will show you my faith by my
works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? James 2:18-22

The last of these rhetorical questions is revelatory in regards to our issues with one another over the meaning of this passage. Modern man, in his desire to understand the Scriptures has exercised an analytical process that does not work when understanding the truth of God.

In the case of faith and works – particularly as it applies to our salvation – separating complex things into their component parts, as a method for understanding the whole, simply does not work. Faith and works cannot be understood apart from each other.

Notice carefully that faith is not a product of our work. This is a subtle, but critical point. Faith is a product of God’s word. The work of faith perfects our faith – and it keeps it from dying (i.e., being without effect).

Now, here’s the cool part: The work of faith is also the grace of God. God is working in us to will and do to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). My responsibility is to choose to believe in the working of God – to perfect my faith, by His grace. In this process, the working of God in me becomes the working of God through me. In this way, He is glorified and we become the disciples of Jesus Christ (John 15:5-8).

All that we need for our salvation comes from God: The grace that draws us, the grace that saves us, the faith to believe in God’s working to save us, and the grace for the works that makes our faith effectual.

Judgment Will Come

The second objection relates to the fragility of our salvation – suggested by the possibility of disqualification. The fault here lies with me – particularly my failure to include the timing associated with our salvation and the disqualifications mentioned.

Our salvation is not something that we fall in and out of. The Scriptures warn that this is not possible.

 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6

If a follower of Jesus Christ falls away, they cannot be restored. This is a sobering truth; both the possibility and the consequences. Thankfully, our God is long-suffering and persistent. He has promised to finish the work that He began. The question we are left with is this:

Will we appropriate His grace for the whole of our salvation (through faith), or will we neglect so great a salvation through our unbelief, and refusal to surrender, sacrifice and submit to His work?

For those that choose the latter, there will come a day when there is no more grace. For most, this will come at the end of their life, or with Jesus’ return. As hard as it is to imagine, others will fall away on this side of eternity (2Thessalonians 2:3).

Eventually, the judgment will come. Those caught with their talent buried in the ground, their branch without fruit, or any other of the disqualifying conditions, will be rejected. This is the sobering truth.

Many will argue, “God is love! God loves the world! God desires that all be saved!” Yes, yes and yes! Praise God! But, this is not the whole counsel of Scripture.

The Bride of Christ is making herself ready. She will be without spot or wrinkle (Revelation 19:6-8). God’s love is not arbitrary. He so loves His Son and His Son’s wife – that He will not allow one imperfection.

Along these same lines, someone raised the concern “that as imperfect as humans are, way more people would end up being disqualified than not”. This is a valid fear. Consider Jesus’ comments on the subject:

Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:23-24

Notice that those seeking to enter are not the same as those that have taken the broad road. There are those that will come off the broad road, seeking to enter the narrow gate. According to Jesus, they will not be able.

Will this be God’s fault? Of course not! He desires that all be saved. He has made and shown us the way. We must respond, in His way, to His gracious invitation. As Peter challenged in his second epistle:

…what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God… 2Peter 3:11-12

Humbly yours and forever His (by His grace),

P.S. As with so many foundational truths, this matter of disqualification opens the door to many other questions. For example: What did Jesus mean by “strive to enter”; and, what are we to strive for? God has hidden the answers to such matters; and it is to our glory to search them out (Proverbs 25:2). He has grace for your searching!! Let me know how I can help.