more on the covenant of grace

In a covenant of works, the condition (works) is the legal ground for obtaining the blessings offered in the covenant.

In the covenant of grace, the condition (faith) is merely a means by which the blessings are received. Although faith is necessary, it is not the ground on which God bestows the blessings of the covenant of grace upon us. The legal ground for the bestowal of the blessings is the perfect obedience and merit of Christ - not our faith, which is nothing in itself. The condition of the covenant of grace functions merely as the means or instrument by which the blessings earned by Christ are received and appropriated.

- Lee Irons, Countering 10 Arguments Against the Law-Gospel Paradigm

in one sense, Christ's life, death and resurrection is sufficient for all to be saved. in another sense, Christ's life, death and resurrection is not sufficient for all to be saved. Christ's life, death and resurrection is sufficient for all to be saved in the sense that we are justified by faith in Christ alone. Christ's life, death and resurrection is not sufficient for all to be saved in the sense that we have to appropriate Christ's life, death and resurrection by the instrument of faith.

in other words, Christ's life, death and resurrection is legally but not instrumentally sufficient for all to be saved.

link: the covenant of grace (23 jul 09)