"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;" (Ephesians 2:8) At first I wasn't sure if "defending" was the correct word to use in the title or in the content of this short article. On the one hand I don't feel that God needs me to defend what He has declared as truth. The Bible is His holy word. As the one and only Sovereign He speaks through it with absolute authority. In addition to the authority with which He speaks, power, both of creation and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, is found in His living and active word. But on the other hand, I am mindful of verses of scripture that admonish the believer to "stand firm", "hold fast", and "fight the good fight of faith". But I believe it was the verses I will note as I continue this article that caused me to conclude that "defending" was perhaps the exact word to use.
In Philippians 1:16 the Apostle Paul wrote that he had been "appointed for the defense of the gospel". I would never suggest that I was appointed for the defense of the gospel in the same manner as Paul was. But in Philippians 1:7, speaking of his imprisonment and of "the defense and confirmation of the gospel", Paul told the Philippian believers that they were all "partakers of grace" with him. Perhaps each one was a partaker and a defender alike. As those who have "obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand", I believe we are also privileged to partake of and defend grace.
The Apostle Peter, in harmony with the Apostle Paul, wrote similar "God breathed" words in 1 Peter 3: 15 when he wrote that we should "always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you." The "defense" that we are called to make, or to give, is directly related to giving an account, or giving the reason for the hope that is in us. I will suggest that this reason, or this account, can only be attributed to the gospel. Without the gospel, there can be no hope to give an account for! In this sense I believe we are all admonished to be defenders of the gospel. And if called to be defenders of the gospel we are called to be defenders of the gospel of grace. The two are inseparable.
You must believe strongly in something before you will have a passion to defend it. In his letter to the churches of Galatia, the Apostle Paul left no doubt as to his faith in, and of his passion for, the gospel of grace. You will have to look long and hard to find stronger words of rebuke than those written by the apostle in condemnation of those who were distorting the gospel of Christ; the gospel of grace. Paul was inspired to state clearly that a gospel message other than the gospel or grace was in fact no gospel, or good news, at all. He knew that this message of hope, delivered once for all, was not subject to change despite its existence in a changing world. Passing years could not alter it. Cultures could not modify it. The ebb and flow of societal norms, or man's changing concept of right and wrong could not alter its truth. And all the religions of the world? Well, they would come and go and change as they might, but the gospel of grace would continue to
triumph in the redemption of men's souls.
In his warning and admonition, without reservation and with the utmost confidence in God's steadfastness of truth, Paul went so far as to warn the churches of Galatia against even himself. Bear with me as I explain what I mean. In Galatians 1:8 the apostle warned, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" Paul himself is clearly included in the "we" of this verse. Some may ask why, and my response would be that it was necessary. God is stressing the immutability of the gospel of Christ, the gospel of grace. Although a new creature in Christ and an apostle, Paul was still a man. And as a man he was subject to the infirmities of the flesh. I believe Paul was saying something like this to the churches throughout Galatia. "In the years to follow, whether in Galatia or anywhere else, if I am found to be preaching a gospel contrary to the gospel of grace previously delivered, don't believe me! And if I am found doing so, I should be counted amongst those who should be accursed." Paul was serious (God is serious) about the veracity of the gospel of grace.
I feel compelled to ask a question. Where are the defenders of the gospel of grace? Where have they gone? Throughout Christendom, one can faintly hear their voices above the murmur of those who would preach "another gospel". Praise God for those who preach Christ crucified and unashamedly defend the gospel of grace! But why aren't there more of them? Many do not defend the gospel of grace because they do not wholly believe it. I know there is not a single answer to why this is so. A lack of dispensational teaching, a rejection of the total depravity of man, a hidden, yet well rooted desire of the flesh to steal the glory that belongs to Christ and boast therein are but a few reasons I will mention. Oh, how quick men are to welcome grace and then add works to it.
