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Review by Bob Mattes of ReformedMusings

Bottom line up front: Take a little of your Christmas cash and buy this book, then read it cover to cover. The gospel is under attack on many fronts, even from those with advanced degrees who claim to be Reformed. Mr. Bond sets record straight in the modern battle over the gospel of grace.

I have to admit my skepticism when I first received a copy of Douglas Bond‘s Grace Works! (And Ways We Think It Doesn’t). In this day and age, we see the free use of euphemisms like the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is anything but democratic or accountable to the people. The history of the Church records power and sovereignty of God in preserving Christ’s bride, but it also contains the record of heretics and their heresies that claimed to be true to the Scriptures whilst gutting the gospel of grace.

Douglas Bond’s book, though, remains true to its title and will prove to be a great blessing to the modern Reformed church if widely read. Mr. Bond serves as a ruling elder (RE) in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), and writes as one with first-hand experience with the errors that he corrects in his book. Given the presbytery in which he serves, I have no doubt of what he sees on a regular basis. Overall, RE Bond displays an excellent knowledge of both church history and current controversies over the gospel.

by James Smith, 1863, New Park Street, London

We are at best — a company of poor, lost, and ruined sinners. We have no power to help ourselves — nor will to apply unto another. But Jehovah has revealed himself as "The God of Salvation." His wisdom drew the plan, being prompted by his love. And to eternal love and infinite wisdom — we are indebted for that glorious scheme, which brings glory to God — and salvation to man.

"The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." God appeared in human nature — to save his people from their sins. He labored, and suffered, and died, the just for the unjust — to bring us to God with honor, and to Heaven with certainty.

"He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." He has . . .
made an infinite atonement;
completely paid his people's debt;
blotted out the handwriting that was against them;
overcome the world;
spoiled principalities and powers;
opened the way into the holiest by his blood;
procured the Holy Spirit to be the quickener, sanctifier, and teacher of his church;
and ascended to Heaven, to plead their cause and silence their accusers!

The Holy Spirit comes in the name of Jesus, to honor his work by calling his people "out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Under his quickening — they live;
by his teaching — they become wise unto salvation;
through his operations — they are washed, sanctified, and justified.

1.) FIRST THIS HAPPENS:

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

2.) IT LEADS TO THIS:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

3.) AND RESULTS IN THIS:

…“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

4.) ABSENT #1 and #2, THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS THIS:

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:49-50). And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched’ (Mark 9:47-8).

5.) IF YOU’RE NOT LIVING #2, DECEIVING YOURSELF ABOUT #3, AND TRYING TO  DENY #4, PRAY FOR #1. PERSIST TILL EFFICACIOUS:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out (John 6:37).

A SKEPTIC’S PRAYER: