Anything but Ordinary

"Ordinary means of grace", is a term you may have heard before. Jonathan Edwards, a preacher in colonial times, was dedicated to the idea of the proclamation of the Gospel through the ordinary means of grace. Edwards believed, as do many of us, that the Gospel, the Word, is the operative power and means of salvation. Edwards was a pastor in the reformed tradition. I have talked about the reformed tradition and salvation within the context of the five solas.

Not So Fast

So how could salvation through Christ be called “ordinary”? When we look at the work of God throughout the Bible, God’s works were usually miracles. In Exodus, the ten plagues of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea were miracles. God’s destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with burning sulfur was another miracle. God made the sun stand still while Israel battled enemies who had joined forces against them in the Book of Joshua, a miracle. So, how can we say that God redeeming an evil, rebellious man or woman is ordinary?

Theologians call ordinary grace this because the Word of God alone completes this miracle work of God. Ordinary people speak and relay the Gospel to ordinary people, who the Holy Spirit enables to receive that Word. Edwards believed, as do I, that the 88th question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC) defines ordinary grace correctly. The 88th question of the WSC is:

Q. 88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption? A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

It is ordinary grace because the Word of the Gospel is delivered through ordinary means, not by an Angel, a miracle, or a sign from God, but by the Word of God alone. It is received by one of the elect who the Holy Spirit has enabled to understand, believe, and accept Christ through faith. It still sounds more than ordinary to me.

Destroy the Beast, Free the Slave.

What is essential for us to understand is that ordinary grace is the means by which Christ destroys Satan. Christ conquered sin and death, and in doing so, Christ essentially pulled the teeth of the dragon. Each time the Gospel is spread through ordinary grace, and Christ saves another of the elect, Satan is completely vanquished. Through the salvation of the one in Christ, Satan is eliminated, and his grip on that person is terminated permanently. That is the permanent destruction of Satan. Satan’s defeat is not done through social constructs, cultural changes, or politics; it is accomplished through the Word of God. Satan wants us to believe these things help mediate our salvation in Christ, but that is a lie. It is another of many of the Prince of Lies.

It's a Mission from God

Can we all see why spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so important? We, as Christians, must have the strength and faith to spread the Gospel, as Jesus commissioned us to do so. It is essential because it is the only way to rout Satan’s work in another, and the Gospel destroys Satan.

Jonathan Edwards believed that an ordinary grace ministry, based solely on the Gospel, was the only way to save and destroy Satan. We should all believe this, the Gospel saves. May the peace and grace of Jesus Christ be with you.