GRACE - 5

SALVATION IS BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE

Alright, we have done a lot of discussions on the inadequacies of the works of the law. We have also established the fact that no one can be justified by the works of the law. The law is good but Grace is best. Grace is the solution to the problems of the world. Grace is the antidote to the sin problem of mankind not the law.

Now we shall look away from the comparison between law and Grace and then focus on Grace in these last three lessons.

Now it is imperative to establish at this point that the salvation of man is ONLY RECEIVED by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus. There is no other means by which man can be saved.

Now, in February edition of the #Basileia tagged “understanding salvation”, we discussed the original meaning of salvation and considered all the dimensions that salvation can take. That salvation can be a past event (spirit), a continuous process (soul) and a future event (body). However, all these dimensions of salvation can only be administered by Grace through faith.

The salvation experience is not something that any man can obtain. Salvation CANNOT BE ACHIEVED, it can ONLY BE RECEIVED and this salvation can be received through faith. Faith in whom? Faith in Christ Jesus. How do we mean by “faith in Christ Jesus”? We mean that anyone who will be saved by Grace need only to believe in the finished WORKS (not your works) of the cross as the SUBSTITUTIONARY WORK done for him or her. In order words, that Jesus Christ has done those works in his or her stead and there is no more works to be done.

It has been declared that no man can be saved by DOING THE WORKS OF THE LAW

Now we shall also declare that NO MAN CAN BE SAVED BY THEIR WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS OR HOLINESS. Titus records it that “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”

None of man’s holiness or righteousness can earn man salvation. That was why Jesus told his disciples that except their righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees, they will not enter the kingdom. He was referring to the righteousness of God as the only righteousness that can be acceptable which is only available through Grace at salvation. Nobody can enter the kingdom of heaven with their own righteousness.

Salvation is strictly available by Grace. God made this so, that no one should boast that is their doing. Throughout the scriptures, God has been known for not sharing his glory with any man and that will never change. This is why he made salvation to be strictly by Grace and not of works.

See how Paul puts it in the book of Ephesians…

“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” Eph 2:8-9

You see that? ... God solved the scenario of man boasting in their works by making salvation strictly by Grace. In order words, WE DO NOT CONTRIBUTE ANYTHING TO SAVE OURSELVES, GOD DID ALL THE WORK HIMSELF.

So it is very important that we bear this in mind whenever we are presenting the gospel.

The gospel of salvation is the gospel of Grace. It is not the gospel of works at all. The era of DO and DONTS is past. No one can be justified by obeying the law; justification can only be by Grace.

See how Paul puts it again…

“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 the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” Galatians 2:16

“But no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the Just shall live by faith” Galatians 3:11

So we are saved by Grace and this Grace cannot be maintained by our works. When you start keeping commandments in other not be rejected after you have been saved by the gospel of Grace, you are ignorant of the power of Grace, and you will fall from Grace in due time.

See how Paul puts it again…

“Christ is become of now effect unto you, whosoever of you is justified by the law; ye are fallen from Grace” Galatians 5:4

The Grace of God is greater than ANY SIN. There is no sin habit that is greater than Grace.

Some persons believe that when we exalt Grace or when we preach Grace, we are condoning sin or that we are using Grace to cover our sins. NO and NEVER!

WE DO NOT USE GRACE AS A LICENSE TO SIN. This is because Sin is DEAD! There is no sin again to the believer who is saved by Grace. Christ has destroyed sin and its power thousands of years ago. So we are not even bothered about sin. Grace does not condone sin; rather it is the law that strengthens sin.

See how Paul puts it….

“The sting of death is sin; and THE STRENGTH OF SIN IS THE LAW” 1 Corinthians 15:56

The Grace of God rather saves man and sees that salvation to the end. It is the same Grace of God that saved the spirit of man that will do the work of the soul salvation as well as the body salvation. 

All are by Grace through faith. Faith is the currency of the kingdom. God designed it so.

The Grace of God does not encourage sin; rather it delivers man from sin. All your sins and struggles can only be solved when you turn to Grace. For Grace, sin is nothing, where sin abounds, Grace abounds the More.

God bless you!