This dilemma serves as an indirect method of establishing a humane system of checks and balances within the faith community. The decline of authentic religion does not typically stem from a systematic articulation of truth, as such systems can often operate outside the awareness of individuals. Instead, the true essence of faith is revealed only when one experiences a genuine deliverance through the application of the gospel message. We often find ourselves delving into intricate details in an attempt to distill complex concepts into more manageable forms. Ultimately, it is the divine Word created by God that forms the foundation of our success in faith. The doctrine of the reconciliation of God's elect prior to salvation poses significant theological dangers. To begin with, it introduces the notion of a physical marker as a criterion for salvation. When God extends atonement to sinners whom He recognizes as deserving of sin and destruction, it effectively undermines His sovereign choice and limits His omnipotence. This leads to a troubling scenario where individuals within a religious community may mistakenly believe they are closer to salvation simply because they harbor a self-righteous conviction of their reconciliation, even in the absence of true salvation. This raises a critical question: What differentiates the reliance on a physical sign as a claim to salvation from the prevailing belief within certain religious circles that the essence of salvation is a reconciled relationship with God, even before the actual moment of salvation? Isn’t this mentality at the heart of the self-righteousness that Jesus condemned during His ministry? People often assert, “We are children of God because we have received our inheritance through circumcision or by virtue of our national identity.” However, if there is nothing inherently within us that qualifies us to receive God’s reconciliation, it becomes imperative that we maintain a continual confession acknowledging that no act or quality can earn us the grace that is granted not as a reward for merit, but rather as a response to our inherent injustice. If the offer of salvation is predicated on any attribute or action found within us, we must conclude that it is not genuine grace. The power we might claim to possess for the sake of reconciliation could easily lead us to the erroneous belief that we can somehow assist God in His plans. Consequently, God is seen as one who selectively allows or denies salvation. It is crucial to make a distinction between essential powers that are undergirded by foundational doctrines—doctrines that unequivocally demonstrate that God is glorified in all circumstances. If there exists any preconceived idea that could potentially alter or corrupt the essence of the gospel, we must then ask: What constitutes true authority?