Divine sovereignty without human responsibility leads men to fatalism and indifference. "Who can resist his will? Then why blame me for sinning?" (Rom. 9:18-19).
Human responsibility without divine intervention leads men to despair and helplessness. "How then can man be just with God? How can he be clean that is born of a woman" (Job 25:4)?
Sovereign election without means and the response of repentance and faith leads men to idleness and an unjust view of God. "I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, so I did nothing" (Matt 25:24).
Human effort and means without divine purpose leads men to pride and self-righteousness. "Being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness" (Rom. 10:3).
The kingdom of Christ or the reign of Christ on earth without the reign of Christ in the heart leads me to seek rewards, position, and self-glory. "Grant that my sons may sit one on thy right hand and one on thy left in thy kingdom" (Matt. 20:21).
Religious activities and even outstanding gifts and services without the love for Christ and others lead men to empty service and worthless sacrifice. "Though I bestow my goods to feed the poor and my body to be burned and have not love, it profiteth me nothing" (1 Cor. 13:3).
Spirit without truth is wildfire; truth without Spirit is dead orthodoxy. Grace without obedience is disgrace; obedience without grace is hypocrisy.
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