Monergism in biblical context refers to the belief that salvation is solely the work of God, where He alone initiates and completes the act of salvation in an individual, without any contribution from human will or effort. This concept is often linked to passages such as Ephesians 2:8-9, which emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith, not of ourselves.
Scripture
37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”
43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves.
44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Monergism in the Bible Explained
Monergism posits that salvation is entirely a divine work, emphasizing God’s sovereignty in orchestrating the entire process from initiation to completion. This theological perspective finds strong support in several passages of Scripture. Ephesians 2:8-9 is foundational, as it highlights that salvation is “by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Here, Paul underscores the idea that human effort is excluded from the equation, affirming that it is solely God’s grace that enables salvation. This perspective aligns with Romans 9:16, which states, “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” This emphasizes that even the inclination to seek God or faith itself is rooted in God’s initiative rather than human volition or merit.
Furthermore, monergism underscores the transformative nature of spiritual regeneration, which is articulated in passages like John 1:13, where it declares that believers are “born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” This further reinforces the idea that spiritual rebirth is an act of God alone. In Philippians 1:6, Paul expresses confidence in God’s faithfulness to complete the good work He has begun in believers, reassuring them that their salvation and sanctification are a divine process. Thus, the broader meaning of monergism in the Bible provides a profound assurance of God’s sovereignty, emphasizing that salvation is not a cooperative endeavor but a gracious act solely attributable to God’s will and power. This understanding encourages believers to trust in God’s promises and rely on His strength rather than their own.
The concept of monergism is further illuminated through the doctrine of total depravity, which asserts that humanity, due to the fall, is incapable of seeking God on its own. This principle is reflected in the psalmist’s declaration that “no one does good, not even one” (see passages like Psalm 14:1-3). The total inability of human beings highlights the necessity for divine intervention: without God initiating the process of regeneration, no one would turn towards Him. Such passages reinforce the view that the work of salvation is entirely dependent on God’s sovereign grace and initiative.
In addition to highlighting the need for divine action, the Biblical narrative often showcases God’s sovereign choices in calling individuals to salvation, an element that further affirms monergism. For instance, the story of the Apostle Paul illustrates this vividly. When Paul was on the road to Damascus, he was apprehended by God’s grace without any prior seeking on his part. This illustrates that divine calling can occur independently of human desire or merit. The same sentiment echoes in 2 Timothy 1:9, which speaks to God saving us and calling us “with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace.” Therefore, the biblical understanding of monergism, by aligning with the themes of total depravity and divine calling, provides a comprehensive view of God’s absolute sovereignty over the salvific process, reinforcing the notion that salvation is a gracious, unearned gift from God.
The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
Monergism emphasizes the belief that salvation is entirely the work of God, highlighting His sovereignty over the process of redemption. This perspective asserts that human effort or merit plays no role in initiating or completing salvation. Instead, it underscores that God alone is responsible for calling, regenerating, and sustaining believers in their faith. This understanding fosters a deep appreciation for God’s grace and power, as it reveals that salvation is a divine gift rather than a human achievement.
The Nature of Grace
In the context of monergism, grace is understood as unmerited favor bestowed by God upon individuals. This concept challenges the notion that human beings can contribute to their salvation through good works or moral behavior. Instead, it posits that grace is a one-sided act of love from God, who chooses to save those who are spiritually dead and incapable of seeking Him on their own. This view encourages believers to rely solely on God’s grace, fostering humility and gratitude in their spiritual journey.
Assurance of Salvation
Monergism provides a foundation for the assurance of salvation among believers. Since salvation is viewed as a work of God rather than a fluctuating human endeavor, individuals can have confidence in their standing before God. This assurance stems from the belief that God, who initiates and completes the work of salvation, will not abandon His people. Consequently, this perspective encourages believers to trust in God’s promises and to find peace in the certainty of their eternal security, knowing that their salvation is firmly rooted in His faithfulness.
How to Embrace God’s Sovereignty in Daily Life
Embracing God’s sovereignty in our daily lives can be a transformative journey that deepens our faith and trust in Him. It begins with recognizing that God is in control of all things, even when life feels chaotic or uncertain. Start each day with a prayer, surrendering your plans and worries to Him, and remind yourself that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). When faced with challenges, instead of succumbing to anxiety, lean into the assurance that God is working all things for your good (Romans 8:28). Look for moments in your day where you can see His hand at work—whether it’s through the kindness of a stranger, the beauty of creation, or the peace that surpasses understanding in tough times. By cultivating a heart of gratitude and trust, you’ll find that embracing His sovereignty not only brings comfort but also empowers you to live boldly, knowing that you are part of His divine plan.
Bible References to Monergism Explained:
Ephesians 2:1-10: 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Romans 8:28-30: 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
John 1:12-13: 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Philippians 2:12-13: 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Titus 3:4-7: 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Romans 9:14-18: 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
2 Timothy 1:8-10: 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
John 15:16: 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Acts 13:48: 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31: 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Ephesians 1:3-14: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Romans 11:5-6: 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14: 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:1-5: 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.