Saved by Grace Alone
People are saved by grace through faith alone. The Bible teaches, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). It is grace on God’s part and faith on believer’s part. Faith receives the gift of God and surrenders to Him that He may change the life of the believer (Romans 1:5). Faith is the means of our salvation; it is simply the channel to it (Romans 4:3). God is the One that does the work of transformation and change (Philippians 4:13).
The Law and the Grace
The law and grace work in perfect cooperation. The law points out sin, and grace saves from sin. The law is the will of God, and grace is the power to do the will of God. Revelation 14:12 describes their harmonious work this way: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” True faith will lead to obedience of the law because faith without works is dead (James 2:20,26).
Christians do not obey the law in order to be saved but because they are saved. The works of obedience are the real test of love. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Mere profession is meaningless.
Love Leads to Obedience
John says, “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). To know Christ is to love Him, and to love Him is to obey Him. John assured us, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Thus, we can see how knowing, loving, and obeying are all linked closely together and can’t be separated in the life of God’s faithful people. The beloved John summed it up in these words: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
