Objection 10

From Sovereign Grace and the Scope of Election: A Comparative Examination of Attainment Theology and Grace Theology, with Particular Attention to the Question of Whether God's Elect Are Found Among All Nations and Religions

If election is unconditional, holiness doesn't matter and people will live carelessly.

Answer. This is the oldest objection to grace, and Paul answered it first: "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid" (Romans 6:1-2). Election is unto holiness (Ephesians 1:4, "chosen... that we should be holy"), and the regenerate heart is given new desires (Ezekiel 36:26-27). But holiness pursued as the fruit of a settled salvation and holiness pursued as the price of a contingent one are different religions. The first produces gratitude; the second produces either the anxious striving visible in works-graded systems, or the pharisaism of those who believe they have climbed the ladder. Observe honestly which fruit each system bears. The child who knows he cannot be un-adopted obeys from love; the servant working for a wage that may be withheld obeys from fear, and Scripture says perfect love casts out fear, and fear hath torment (1 John 4:18).