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Part
5: The Doctrine of the Application
of the Work of Redemption
The
Common Operation of the Holy Spirit:
Common Grace
The study of the work of
redemption wrought by Christ is naturally followed by a discussion of the
application of this redemption to the hearts and lives of sinners by the special
operation of thy Holy Spirit. Before taking this up a brief chapter will be
devoted to the general operations of the Holy Spirit, as these are seen in
common grace.
1.
Nature of Common Grace. When we speak of common grace, we have in mind either
(a) those general operations of the Holy Spirit whereby He, without renewing the
heart, exercises such a moral influence on man that sin is restrained, order is
maintained in social life, and civil righteousness is promoted; or (b) those
general blessings which God imparts to all men without any distinction as He
sees fit. In distinction from the Arminians we maintain that common grace does
not enable the sinner to perform any spiritual good, nor to turn to God in faith
and repentance. It can be resisted by man, and is always more or less resisted,
and at best affects only the externals of social, civil, moral, and religious
life. While Christ died for the purpose of saving only the elect, nevertheless
the whole human race, including the impenitent and the reprobate, derive great
benefits from His death. The blessings of common grace may be regarded as
indirect results of the atoning work of Christ.
2.
Means of Common Grace. Several means may be distinguished: (a) The most
important of these is the light of God's general revelation. Without this all
other means would be impossible and ineffective. It lightens every man, and
serves to guide the conscience of the natural man. (b) Human governments also
serve this purpose. According to our Confession they are instituted to curb evil
tendencies, and to promote good order and decency. (c) Public opinion is another
important means wherever it is in harmony with the law of God. It has a
tremendous influence on the conduct of men who are very sensitive to the
judgment of public opinion. (d) Finally, divine punishments and rewards also
serve to encourage moral goodness in the world. The punishments often check the
sinful deeds of men, and the rewards spur them on to do what is good and right.
3.
The Effects of Common Grace. The following effects may be ascribed to the
operation of common grace: (a) The execution of the sentence of death on man is
deferred. God did not at once fully execute the sentence of death on the sinner,
and does not do so now, but gives him time for repentance, Romans
2:4; 2 Peter 8:9. (b) Sin is restrained in
the lives of individuals and nations The corruption that entered human life
through sin is retarded and not yet permitted to complete its destructive work, Genesis
20:6; 31:7; Job 1:12; 2:6. (c) Man still
has some sense of the true, the good, and the beautiful, appreciates this in a
measure, and reveals a desire for truth, morality, and certain forms of
religion, Romans 2:14, 15; Acts 17:22.
(d) The natural man is still able to perform natural good or civil
righteousness, works that are outwardly in harmony with the law, though without
spiritual value, 2 Kings 10:29, 30; 12:2;
14;3; Luke 6:33. (e) All men receive
numerous undeserved blessings from God, Psalm
145:9, 15, 16; Matthew 5:44, 45; Luke 6:35, 36; Acts 14:16, 17; 1 Timothy 4;10.
To memorize. Passages proving:
a. A general striving of the
Spirit with men:
Genesis 6:3.
"And Jehovah said, My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that
he also is flesh."
Isaiah 68:10.
"But they rebelled, and grieved His Holy Spirit: therefore He was turned to
be their enemy, and Himself fought against them."
Romans 1:28,
"And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up
unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting."
b. Restraint of sin:
Genesis 20:6.
"And God said unto him (Abimelech) in the dream, Yea, I know that in the
integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from
sinning against me."
Genesis 31:7.
"And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God
suffered him not to hurt me."
Psalm 105:14.
"He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, Ho reproved kings for their
sakes."
c. Good works on the part of
unregenerate:
2 Kings 10:30.
"And Jehovah said unto Jehu, because thou hast done well in executing that
which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to
all that was in my heart, thy sons of the fourth generation shall sit upon the
throne of Israel." Cf. vs. 31.
Luke 6:33.
"And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for
even sinners do the same."
Romans 2:14, 15.
"For when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the
law, these not having the law, are the law unto themselves; in that they show
the work of the law written in their hearts."
d. Unmerited blessings on all
men:
Psalm 145:9.
"Jehovah is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His
works."
Matthew 5:44, 45.
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute
you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for He maketh His sun
to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the
unjust."
1 Timothy 4:10.
"For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the
living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of them that
believe."
For Further Study:
a. Which
are the three points emphasized by our Church as to common grace?
b. How
do Matthew 21:26, 46; Mark 14:2
show the restraining influence of public opinion?
c.
How do Romans 1:24, 26, 28,
and Hebrews 6:4-6
prove common grace?
Questions for Review
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What is common grace?
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What is our view in
distinction from the Arminian?
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Does common grace have any
spiritual and saving effect?
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Is it in any way connected
with the redemptive work of Christ?
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By what means does common
grace work?
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What are the effects of
common grace?
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