In order for one who claims to believe the doctrines of grace to judge even one person as saved who believes Christ died for all without exception, they typically must redefine the gospel, contrary to the Scriptures. As noted earlier, most all will agree that whoever believes the Gospel shall be saved. So, for the sake of consistency, they must redefine the gospel one must believe to allow for the dishonoring implications of God’s character that constitute the “Arminian” viewpoint. Clearly, if the essential Gospel did not include a revelation of the righteousness of God, Christ’s perfect satisfaction to law and justice, then it (the Gospel) would certainly have far more advocates than I’ve suggested.
I do not believe that a God-given knowledge requires a deep understanding of all the mysteries of the Scriptures, but I do know that the Scripture is clear in asserting that the essential good news of the Gospel, wherein the righteousness of God is revealed, must be understood and believed if one is to conclude that true spiritual conversion has taken place. If you have become convinced of some version of the doctrines of grace, but, like so many of my friends, still believe that you or others might have possessed God-given faith while still believing that Christ died for all, please reconsider the essential elements of the Gospel – that which God reveals in the hearts and minds of all who are blessed with spiritual life. I encourage you to review again the chapter on the “Evidences of Salvation” where I summarized the basic Gospel message, testing this definition against God’s standard of truth, His Word.
Finally, I’m delighted to say that I also have some friends who not only believe the doctrines of grace, but who also (and more importantly) give evidence of genuine God-given faith, having repented of their former idolatry. They have grasped how God is uniquely glorified as both just and merciful based upon the Person and work of Christ. In turn, they rest solely in Christ, based upon His righteousness imputed as their ground of salvation. They have a God-given regard for the honor of His redemptive character such that they refrain from promoting Satan’s lie of false comfort. I hope that many more of my friends, whether Arminian or Calvinist, will continue to seek the truth, taking God at His promise of salvation for any and all who seek it in accordance with His prescribed way – who come to Christ pleading His imputed righteousness as the sole basis of their acceptance before God!
--- Randy Wages
Imputation
The Orthodox express so much, say you, upon this ground, because the righteousness of Christ as it was His, was of infinite value and consequence, and so as we are in a Mediator, we are in a better and surer condition then Adam. Assertion - If it be of infinite price and consequence as it was His, then it is so as it is imputed; for it is not impaired or diminished a wit by imputation; neither read you anywhere that God imputeth but only some piece or part of it; and also that Christ ceaseth not still to be the Author and Subject of it, though imputed to us, even as we are the authors of sin, and the subjects in whom sin is seated; however it be imputed by Him. He is the “LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jer.23:6 & Isa.45:24. “Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness.” In Christ are all the treasures of His Church, and in Him she is complete. Col.2:10. By her union with Him, she hath Communion in all His unsearchable riches, as hath the wife all by marriage with her husband; thus, she is beautiful by His beauty. Whole Christ is the believers, and not some portion of Him, or of His treasures. Of him {saith Paul} are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. In that Christ is ours, all His be ours, even His purity, holiness, and perfections.
--- Robert Towne {“A Re-Assertion of Grace” 1654}
Covenant of Grace
By the Covenant, I mean that engagement which God hath laid upon himself, to bestow on them for whom Christ hath died, all good which is commensurate to their nature, and by virtue whereof all blessings Corporal, Spiritual, and Eternal, do flow down unto them. I call it an Engagement, because God by promising makes himself a debtor, though not to us, yet unto himself; being bound in justice to perform his Word and Promise. - All the mercies we receive, they are the fruits and effects of this engagement, Zech.9:11. It is the only plea we can use to God, both for the things of this life, and that which is to come; and by virtue hereof, we may claim and confidently expect from him all things whatsoever which we stand in need of, and are good for us. Now I say, that Promise or Covenant by virtue whereof, we obtain both Grace and Glory, good things, present and future, is not conditional to us; I say, to us; for to Christ it was conditional, though to us it be free; to him it was a Covenant of Works, though to us it be a Covenant of pure Grace; there is not so much as one blessing doth descend to us, but he hath dearly bought it, even with the price of his own blood; for which cause he is called the Mediator, Witness, and Surety of the Covenant.
--- William Eyre {Justification without Conditions – 1654}