*The gospel and simple math*:
1) I am sure anybody who can read this can do some simple math, but I want to make an illustration with a simple math problem. When I was in grade school we used to have multiple choice questions, but only one answer was correct. And the answers were such that whatever operation you did you got an answer that was on the multiple choices, but obviously one was correct. Let us apply the following math problem to the gospel: *9 + 3 =? A) 21 B) 12 C) 6 d) 27.* So, A), B), C) and D) are the choices and only one of the choices is correct.
2) What is the answer to the above problem? The answer is B which says 9 plus 3 is equal to 12. C and D are obviously wrong, but what about A? Why is choice A wrong, after all it has both 2 and 1 and the correct answer which is B) also has 2 and 1? Some will argue and say choice A) has to be correct also? But is that so? The ordering of the letters determines the value of the number and so 21 is not equal to 12 even though they have the exact same numbers. The ordering really matters though the numbers be the same. The one who thinks 21 and 12 are the same is going to flunk the exam and will not graduate.
3) So, how does that apply to the gospel? The gospel is a very specific message about what Christ accomplished for the salvation of His people. It matters where you begin and where you end otherwise you will have a different gospel. Just because someone says grace does not mean they believe the gospel of grace. Just because someone says election it does not mean they believe in election according to grace. Just because someone says God is sovereign does not mean that they believe God is actually sovereign. Just because someone says Jesus does not mean they believe He is God. Just because they say justification it does not mean they believe it is by grace alone.
4) There is an ordering to these things that makes the gospel the gospel, that makes grace to be grace and that makes Christ to be Christ alone and this work of salvation to be to the glory of God alone. Remember 9 plus 3 is not 21. The correct answer is 12. And 21 and 12 are not the same number though they both have 2 and 1. So, Arminianism (free-will) is not the same gospel as sovereign grace though they use the same words (God, Jesus, sovereignty, foreknowledge, faith, election, grace, justification, born again etc). One is right and the other is wrong. One orders these things to be of God alone and the other orders them to be God working together with men and God responding to the movement and choices of men. Arminianism is wrong because they are saying 9 plus 3 is equal to 21. But the true answer is Sovereign grace which says: 9 plus 3 is equal 12. What is your math? Check your gospel math? Is it entirely of God or it is man helping God? Both can’t be right-free-will salvation is the wrong gospel (sinners can't chose God), which is not really another gospel for there is ONLY one that saves-free and sovereign grace.
5) Remember both the narrow and the broad way say HEAVEN, but only one leads there. So, check your gospel math to see if adds to the narrow way that leads to life or to the broad that leads to destruction. And this is free.