Now, let us suppose that you, dear reader, were wealthy and owned a large business. You were ready to retire and called your sons to you to speak to them concerning the managing of your estate.

One of your boys has been an excellent worker, always doing what you wanted. The other boy has been lazy, careless, having disobeyed you at every turn.

You now are ready to divide your estate between them. What would you do?

Would you, in order to demonstrate the love you have for them, turn over your business to the son who would not behave himself properly and scold your other son for his exemplary behavior?

Probably not. Neither will God. He also is a father and a businessman.

Would you divide the inheritance between them, making them equal partners in the business?

Probably not if you cared whether or not the business continued to be successful.

If you loved both of your sons, you might say to the virtuous son, "Son, you already know the family business. You have learned quickly. You are dependable. You have made many mistakes but you have gone on to learn rapidly and to improve your abilities.

"If I leave the inheritance to you, you will be able to use it well. You already have demonstrated the kind of person you are—your trustworthiness, your conscientiousness, your faithfulness in small, difficult, bothersome responsibilities. I know well what you will do.

"It will be your responsibility to take care of your mother and brother when I am gone."

To the other son you might say, "Son, your Dad loves you. You have made many mistakes, and even now you are confused about what you have done that is wrong.

"You have not demonstrated the strength of character your brother has. But your life still is ahead of you. If you will apply yourself you can learn and grow in responsibility.

"I have given the inheritance to your brother. He is able to manage it after I am gone. He will take care of your mother and you. He cares for you and will help you to learn."

Or, you might say to the disobedient, lazy son, "Son, you have wasted every opportunity I have made for you. You have broken your mother's heart. The way you act, I am not sure you even consider yourself to be my son.

"I have given everything to your brother. He deserves it. I am leaving you five thousand dollars. Why don't you use it to try to get yourself straightened out?"

Somehow, the Christian doctrine of "grace" has gotten off course. The term grace is being employed in an unscriptural manner.

The current doctrine of grace teaches that if a person will "accept Christ" in the sense of acknowledging and applying personally the fact of the blood atonement, he will escape Hell and go to Heaven on that basis. All who profess belief in the Lord Jesus Christ will receive virtually the same reward.

The profession of Christ has taken on a kind of magical characteristic. The program of salvation has become an acknowledgment of the facts of the death and resurrection of Christ. If we believe there is a God and that He has sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins, we have pleased God. Our behavior is not essentially important because we are only waiting to go to Heaven.

The current evangelical message really is a philosophy rather than the Divine salvation.

To be continued.