The Arminian Error: Man’s Application of Christ’s Merit
The death of Christ has achieved many benefits. There is the cancelled debt of sin, the imputation of righteousness, propitiation, atonement, reconciliation, justification, satisfaction of the Law and justice, mercy, etc. One benefit we wish to highlight is faith, and how it comes into being.
When the Gospel of grace is not clearly taught, with a precision statement, “Christ died for His people, and He actually saved them,” there is room for much corruption. One corruption is particularly insidious. When a preacher tells of the merits of Christ on the cross, but neglects to inform about the application of merits, error is sure to follow.
If a man were to ask, “What must I do to be saved?” Scripture could be employed, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” Without explanation that man would assume Christ did His part, and now I must do my part in salvation. Men mistakenly presume we are partners, even co-pilots with God.
Some preachers of this joint project go so far as to claim that God has made a covenant that requires a condition to be made. In this errant view, the condition is for man to generate his own faith, as a work of obedience.
The self-application of the benefits of Christ’s death is the Arminian error presented here. First, Arminians claim Christ died, and He made a universal redemption, meaning, He paid for the sins of everyone without exception.
Second, all men are born into a state of reconciliation, whereby they are protected from the wrath of God. In other words, denying Ephesians 2:3, there are no children of wrath, according to the Arminian.
Third, grace from God is His granting the chance for salvation for absolutely everyone.
Fourth, the requirement of the Law has been lessened to one, right, free will choice. This is man’s act of obedience, a work of righteousness, albeit imperfect.
Fifth, man uses his free will to exercise faith, like Jesus did, in choosing right (Christ, the exemplar).
Sixth, when a man chooses Christ, then God is free to release Christ’s benefits to him.
Sadly, this is a corruption of the Gospel of grace, for it is a gospel of works righteousness. Man’s will determines his own salvation. Simply put, Arminianism makes man his own savior.
We must correct this Arminian error. The Gospel of God, in God’s predetermined plan and foreknowledge, leaves no aspect of salvation to chance. It also leaves no aspect of salvation to man’s determinate will. Let us consider the elements of the true Gospel, that counter the points addressed here in the Arminian heresy.
First, in the Reformed view, there is a particular redemption (Rom 5:8; 8:24; 2 Cor 5:14; 1 Pet 3:18). Christ died for God’s elect saints, the church, for whom He laid down His life (Jn 10:11, 15; Eph 5:25). There is a definite number and identity (Jn 10:3) to the elect, redeemed.
Second, we are all by nature, children of wrath (Eph 2:3). Thus, the only true state of reconciliation is “in Christ,” for the elect regenerate people of God. In regeneration, it is the Holy Spirit who applies the benefits of Christ’s death to the elect saint. All the spiritual blessings are ours in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3).
Third, there is no chance of salvation because God is not a God of chance at all. He introduces no possibilities, or uncontrolled variables, to His will and work in salvation. He wills the salvation for the people of His own possession (1 Pet 2:9), and He saves them (Titus 3:5). He has made salvation sure, by way of oath and covenant, and Christ the Mediator is the surety for His beloved bride.
Fourth, the Law of God is eternal. It does not increase or decrease, intensify, or relax. Christ fulfilled the Law for righteousness. The Law is satisfied with Christ and no one else. The Law demands justice, and only those, in Christ, escape the just punishment required by the Law. To lessen the Law is to mock God, whose holiness is seen by the Law’s immutable perfection.
Fifth, faith is a gift of God (Phil 1:29). It is not in man to produce faith (Rom 12:3; Heb 12:2), by which God is pleased (Heb 11:6). Faith is a benefit of Christ’s atoning work. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17). Hearing the truth of Christ’s substitutionary atonement, the regenerate soul knows the truth, in her mind and in her heart. The Spirit of truth displays the fruit of this work of God, through the faithfulness of the regenerated saint (Gal 5:22).
Sixth, the application of the merits of Christ’s death, including the faith that justifies, are surely brought to each elect soul without fail. Christ loses none of His own (Jn 10:29), but those who do not believe simply do not belong to Him (Jn 10:26; 1 Cor 3:23).
In conclusion, our great God and Savior has planned the salvation of His beloved elect, from eternity; sent His only begotten Son to execute redemption, for his own sheep; and sent the Holy Spirit, to apply the benefits of Christ’s meritorious work on the cross, with perfection, to His adopted children (Rom 8:15).
The application of Christ’s meritorious work, on the cross, is not a cooperative enterprise. It is a gift of God, lest any man should boast of his free will choice, to believe and be saved. To God alone be the glory…great things He has done!
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 10, 2021
