Why don’t people understand the message of grace? Is it ignorance? Misunderstanding? Or is it because it won’t figure into a religious system of some form of human effort? There is nothing hard about it folks, Jesus Christ died for our sins and there isn’t a great deal you or I can do to change that fact. Our salvation is based upon what Christ did and not (as some would have you believe) on what we have done or can do.
So then what is required for salvation in the dispensation of the grace of God? Well there are only two things required for our salvation. One would be the Grace OF God and two would be the Faith OF Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Did you notice that it is Grace through Faith and NOT of works? Now if we add up the requirements as shown in Ephesians what do we find? Grace plus Faith! Two requirements for salvation, not three or more. Notice that it’s also free? Grace through faith and that NOT OF YOURSELVES.
If you still aren’t convinced, lets have a look at what else God’s word has to say about salvation in the dispensation of the grace of God. First let’s take a look at our first requirement for salvation, that being GRACE:
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
2 Thessalonians 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
It should be obvious to anybody that can read what the bible actually says (rather than putting their own opinion or feelings in charge of ‘translating’ it for us) that it is the Grace of God that saves us. Not you, nor me or Jimmy Whatsisname’s grace, nor our own efforts and works.
But that was only half of what’s needed for our salvation, we also need Faith. The biggest problem today is people seem to be confused as to exactly whose faith it is. So once again let us allow the Word of God to speak to us:
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Is it not made very clear in those passages of scripture as to whose faith it is that saves us? If you missed it let me spell it out for you. It is the Faith OF Jesus Christ!! We can doubt and lose faith etc, but Jesus Christ will always abide faithful! When we trust in the grace of God and trust in his faith, we are set free from the wages of sin (that being eternal separation from God). Because in that moment, when we accept the grace of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, all of our sin (past, present and future) is reckoned to Christ’s account. Try to realise the simple truth: Jesus Christ was Judged and Condemned to Death on the cross for all the sins of all people for all time! You cannot earn favor with God through your own works. Nor can you lose your salvation after you receive it. This is the wonderful truth of the Gospel of Grace. Don’t miss it now, let go of any religious ideals that have been drummed into your mind!
When you realize this wonderful truth, the verse I quoted in the beginning of this article sure does make you feel secure and certain of your salvation:
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Whose grace? God’s grace.
Whose faith? The faith of Jesus Christ.
Whose works? Not yours.
Like the title says, salvation really is as easy as 1, 2, free!
By David Rudge
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