The Deceitfulness of the Sovereign Grace Movement
I remember when I was in a youth group apart of 10th Presbyterian church (Dr. Boice's church) in the late eighties. I went to a party where they offered alcohol. After a while, a young man who had some mental issues had drunk too much and jumped down from a higher deck to a lower deck of the house. Thankfully he wasn't seriously hurt. By claiming to be Christians, and so-called mature Christians, yet drinking in front of all, they did harm to a weaker brother.
1 Corinthians 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
I, myself, was just a couple of years removed from getting sober at a rehabilitation center in the Navy. But I didn't drink at that party. And though I also was a weak brother at the time, I had been prepared, by God's grace, through hearing Mr. Camping that it was not for king's to drink wine or strong drink. I knew from listening to the Open Forum that the people at that party were wrong to be drinking. And that they were wrong on numerous levels. They were wrong because kings (God's elect) were not to drink. We do not need it. Rather give wine and strong drink to those who are about to perish (the unsaved). And I knew they were wrong because they were not taking into account the weak brother. Also, they were wrong to drink because they were giving an appearance of evil. When so-called Christians drink and smoke just like the world. Well, they are just like the world. And the world is in evil. But God has called His people to come out of the world. To be a separate people. God works within the lives of those He has saved in order to live holy as He is holy. And the people of the world can then see a difference. Those caught up in the process of being destroyed by their particular sin weakness may encounter a true child of God who lives free from its power. And stand amazed. You drank? and you smoked? And you did drugs? Yes, says the elect child of God. But no longer. For I was the same as you. But by God's grace I have been washed.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
"Were some of you". Past tense because salvation changes the way God's elect live.
Oh, but says the so-called sovereign grace pastor, we do not drink to excess. We drink or smoke in moderation. What? Are you kidding?
Why do you listen to the law of moderation when you don't listen to God's other laws? Remember, you say keeping the law is legalism. And so your attempt at "moderation" just brought yourself under the condemnation of the law.
The sovereign grace movement is more deceitful than the tongues movement and even the falling over backwards movement. And maybe all the other lying gospel movements that are out there. Why is it more deceitful? Because it uses the words grace, and election, and God's sovereign will – which are Biblical words. And they have done their best to ruin these glorious words. Like many others who peddle false gospels of peace, peace, when there is no peace. Or, as those who throw out God's love left and right. God loves you. God loves everyone. No, as far as God's love in salvation, He only loves Jacob (His elect) and not Esau (the rest of mankind). So too, does the sovereign grace movement throw out the word grace, grace, to cover over the fact that they simply want to live as a Christian while continuing to enjoy the pleasures of various sins (only in moderation, of course).
The use of such words (grace, election, sovereignty of God) is what makes it a particular deceitful lie designed to snare God's elect (if it were possible). But thank God it is not possible. Some may go after it but that is simply God removing the dross from the silver.