And the Bible Says...
A Law of Grace
Last week, we discussed the importance of “grace”, and today let’s discuss what it is and how it works.
Most people hear the word “grace” and think of God’s mercy, and the two are entwined really. Under the new law, the New Testament law of Christ, you really don’t have one without the other. Many times people think that grace is where God just gives us salvation without our having any responsibility to God for that salvation. Some teach and believe that once the “grace” saves me, I can never be lost. But what does the Bible teach on these subjects?
I want us to look at two passages for some answers, Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 2:11-14. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”, Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” The first passage teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, faith meaning belief in God’s word that directs us. Man does not have the ability to design the means of our salvation, nor decide what works we might do for our salvation. That would be like coming to an intersection and me decide who is to stop and who doesn’t. There has to be an authority to determine this. If I could develop the plan, I might boast. But this “faith” recreates me as I follow His word, to do His “good works” that I was intended to do from the beginning of time.
Titus tells us that this “grace through faith” teaches us that we change our life, denying a life of ungodliness and worldly lusts, AND that we are to live sober, godly, and righteous lives today. By doing so, Christ’s death, principally His blood, redeems my sin, and prepares me to be different from the rest of men, doing His good works.
As you can see, these passages complement each other and harmonize. They express God’s part and man’s part for salvation.
I will be writing an article for the website on SCOTUS’ decision on same-sex marriage in the next few days on “The Bible Says” at www.histruth.net . I realize the controversy in our country on the subject, and prefer not to publish this in the paper. If you would like a copy, email me with your name at address. My email: stevensaunders@histruth.net .
A Law of Grace
Last week, we discussed the importance of “grace”, and today let’s discuss what it is and how it works.
Most people hear the word “grace” and think of God’s mercy, and the two are entwined really. Under the new law, the New Testament law of Christ, you really don’t have one without the other. Many times people think that grace is where God just gives us salvation without our having any responsibility to God for that salvation. Some teach and believe that once the “grace” saves me, I can never be lost. But what does the Bible teach on these subjects?
I want us to look at two passages for some answers, Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 2:11-14. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”, Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” The first passage teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, faith meaning belief in God’s word that directs us. Man does not have the ability to design the means of our salvation, nor decide what works we might do for our salvation. That would be like coming to an intersection and me decide who is to stop and who doesn’t. There has to be an authority to determine this. If I could develop the plan, I might boast. But this “faith” recreates me as I follow His word, to do His “good works” that I was intended to do from the beginning of time.
Titus tells us that this “grace through faith” teaches us that we change our life, denying a life of ungodliness and worldly lusts, AND that we are to live sober, godly, and righteous lives today. By doing so, Christ’s death, principally His blood, redeems my sin, and prepares me to be different from the rest of men, doing His good works.
As you can see, these passages complement each other and harmonize. They express God’s part and man’s part for salvation.
I will be writing an article for the website on SCOTUS’ decision on same-sex marriage in the next few days on “The Bible Says” at www.histruth.net . I realize the controversy in our country on the subject, and prefer not to publish this in the paper. If you would like a copy, email me with your name at address. My email: stevensaunders@histruth.net .
RSS Feed