For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
September 27, 2022
A familiar axiom in understanding salvation is that we have been saved from the penalty of sin. We are being saved from the power of sin, and we will be saved from the presence of sin. To be saved from the penalty of sin means that Jesus Christ bore our sin on the cross, taking the penalty of sin upon Himself. Because of His finished work on the cross on our behalf, the sinner does not have to do anything to be forgiven and have eternal life. This is grace! What must we do? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, there are those who say they are proclaiming the gospel, yet want to add requirements for salvation. We hear such things as be willing to forsake everything, deny self, take up a cross, forsake all and follow Christ, love Christ more than your own family members, leave all your possessions behind. The list goes on. Adding the terms of discipleship become the same as requirements for salvation. Unquestionably discipleship (following Christ) becomes the new direction in the new believer’s life, but adding discipleship demands is actually subtracting from what it means to simply believe (Rom. 4:5). As we tell others how to be saved, be clear, be clear, be clear. Becoming a Christian is not like running an obstacle course. Growing in Christ is bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Grace has nothing to do with receiving a reward. Salvation is not a reward God gives to us in return for being obedient to Him. If we received what we deserved, we would spend an eternity in hell. Thank God for His grace. Our debt has been paid. The free gift of eternal life is just that. Jesus picked up the tab so that we could go and serve Him. H
A time for prayer: “Dear Lord, I will thank you forever for doing for me what I could never have done for myself, paying the cost of my sin debt, so that I can be forgiven.”