Getting Hypothetical

by Matthew

Supposing the conditions of salvation were explicitly set out in Scripture as:

1. Giving 14% of one's income to the Lord's work.
2. Going on a mission trip at least once in life.
3. Getting involved in street evangelism at least once a month.
4. Not listening to Heavy Metal music.
5. Wearing a suit to Church (or a dress if female).

It would seem that one must do works to get to heaven. However, a theologian explains that none of these are really conditions for getting to heaven. The sinner is justified by faith. However, because she is regenerate, she will not fail to do all five things in the list (the five pillars of Bogobogoism). God has given her the grace to live this life of holiness.

Now supposing that performing these works is a natural result of the saved person's regnerate nature; it does not alter the fact that she must exercise her will and perform them. if she does not do those things it will only show that she was never really saved. She must make her calling and election sure by going on that mission trip. She must avoid Heavy Metal music with fear and trembling (maybe you do that already!). Experentially there is little difference between those things being conditions and those things being results of her salvation.

Coming back to reality, obviously Calvinists do not list some mimial standard of holiness that is to be expected of the Lord's Elect. However, the Calvinist knows that if she is one of the elect, she will show fruits and do works (otherwise her faith must have been dead). The danger here is a kind of legalism whereby one must prove one's salvation ot oneself through works. A Calvinist may feel that an elect person certainly would give 14% of his income to the Church and certainly would get involved in street evangelism once a month. Thus, works and not the Lord's work can become the grounds of assurance.