Saved by Grace
Salvation is not effected by human effort. It is a free gift, without money or price (Isaiah 55:1; John 4:14; 2 Corinthians 9:15). The Bible teaches, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9). Faith means accepting Jesus’ death on our behalf as a payment for the penalty of our sins (John 1:12).
Faith in Christ means having a personal relationship with Him. It having love and gratitude toward Him in response to His infinite love (John 3:16). It is founded on great appreciation of Jesus for all that He is, with honest desire to know Him better and become like Him. It means a trust in Christ that we are willing to take Him fully at His word and follow His commands. Without this faith there can be no justification.
Why Should We Keep the Law?
Works are not a cause but an effect of salvation (Romans 3:31). Christians don’t do works to be saved but because they are saved. The Bible teaches, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). Christians are not under law as a way of salvation, but under grace. The Law cannot save a sinner, nor can the law put an end to its bondage. The law only points sin in the life of a believer (Romans 3:20), and exposes it (Romans. 5:20). The law cannot forgive sin, nor can the law provide any power to overcome it.
The good news of the gospel is that God not only forgives the sinner but He also restores him to the original image he was created in (Genesis 1:26,27). Therefore, justification cannot be separated from the transforming experiences of conversion, rebirth, and sanctification (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
By the grace of God, the believer’s sinful past is forgiven and he receives divine power to walk in Christ. When a man is “under law,” despite his best efforts, sin continues to have dominion over him, because the law cannot set him free from the power of sin. But under grace, the struggle against sin is no longer an impossibility, but a sure victory (Philippians 4:13). Those who are under grace receive not only deliverance from judgement (Romans 8:1) but also power to overcome (Romans 6:4).
Many people believe that because they are under grace they are no longer accountable to the law. But the truth is that people living under grace should still obey God’s law. Romans 6:15 says, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” The statement “God forbid” is a strong statement directly telling us that God forbids us to break His commandments under the pretense of grace.
Suppose you are speeding and a policeman stops you to give you a ticket, but you ask him for mercy. The police man forgives you; you are now under his grace. Do you then speed off or do you drive within the speed limit? Being under grace means that you should take special notice to be obedient. Likewise, the forgiven believer, that has received the grace of God, is under more obligation to obey His law.
By himself, the believer cannot bring forth good works. It is necessary for him to be spiritually re-created in Christ before he can produce the good works God purposes he shall bring forth. By a change of the will, affections, and purposes the privilege and duty of witnessing by good works become possible (1 Corinthians 15:57).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
