Since the church councils of the fourth century, orthodox Christianity historically has maintained a high view of God as the Creator and sustainer of his universe.
When the fall of man occurred, the Creator, at his sovereign pleasure, chose to execute a metanarrative of redemption to restore his uncontested rule over his fallen creation and to redeem a people for himself (Genesis 3:15; Titus 2:14). His choice was not to redeem all humanity but only some (Matthew 7:13−14). This is challenging for humans to understand. Redeeming only some humans is commonly viewed as unloving and unfair. Humans want the choice to be redeemed or not, but this makes salvation from the penalty of sin and death contingent on a human work. Scripture reveals that the sovereign (Ephesians 1:11), omnipotent (Isaiah 46:9–11), holy (Leviticus 11:4), loving (1 John 4:16), and omniscient (1 John 3:20) God of the universe doesn’t work this way. He doesn’t grant mankind this choice; he alone chooses to make people as vessels for honor or dishonor (Romans 9:6–24) in accordance with his purpose.
Notwithstanding this revelation, the popular understanding of God’s plan of redemption seems muddled today. This is seen in the multiple views in which the salvation of mankind is attained. There are at least seven common views. Each view offers a different approach to the question of salvation—the redemption of fallen mankind. These views are that salvation is
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based on human performance (good works),
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universal for all (universalism),
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granted based on obedience to certain principles of prosperity,
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through moralistic therapeutic deism (MTD),
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conveyed based on grace alone without validation (hyper-grace, cheap grace),
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simply a pass into heaven at the point of physical death (a ticket to heaven), or
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revealed through discipleship as part of the bigger story of the kingdom of God.
All these views are flawed except the last one. This tip focuses briefly on the first two views—good works and universalism.
All humans will account for their works (Revelation 20:11–15), and all will fall short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23). Human works can never satisfy the righteous demands of God; this is the doctrine of total depravity—a major lesson of the Old Testament and the reason that people must be regenerated to be saved (John 3:1–8). In and of themselves (without divine potency), humans are impotent to self-save. Therefore, all humans are totally depraved. This means that from birth all humans are biased to sin in their minds, will, and emotions by virtue of their innate fallen condition. And all humans lack the potency to remedy this condition based on their own efforts. If one concedes this understanding as an expression of the truth of orthodox Christianity as historically understood, then there is no good news associated with humans seeking to self-save based on their own works.
Universalism is a popular view today. It posits good news based on no divine requirements—nothing other than the love of God without accountability to the holiness of God. This means that a person’s choices in life do not matter relative to his or her eternal state. Adherents to universalism view God’s love as tolerant of all human choices that denigrate divine judgment. But Scripture does not teach this. Divine love is not tolerance without accountability.
Understanding the correct view of salvation as revealed in Scripture is important not only for eternal life but also for life in this existence. Those who believe in their own works to save them will strive and blame. And those who believe in universalism will lack discipline and order in their lives. Neither of these will produce efficient, effective workers because how one thinks here and now will determine how one speaks, acts, and works.
Here is your business tip: Wise organizational leaders and managers will be regulated by a sound Christian worldview based on Scripture. Accordingly, they will understand the fallen condition of mankind and mankind’s impotency to self-save and that God’s plan of salvation is not universally granted to all. Hence, they will recognize the impact of sin on all stakeholders. Building an organizational culture based on Scripture as a necessary predicate for delivering excellent value will be a priority.
