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"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. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:8-10)
There are four important words that stand out in the above text. They are grace, saved, faith, and works. Salvation is the gift that is brought by grace that is mentioned in the passage. Grace means "unmerited favor" as distinguished from "justice." For example, we understand what grace means when an insurance policy is extended for a period of 30 days or so, even though the premium hasn't been paid. This is called a "grace period." It was earned, owed, or deserved. It was given. Through His goodness, God has extended grace to mankind. But how does one accept this free gift? First of all, it is not "irresistible grace" as taught by Calvinism, but it is available grace. By the grace of God, Christ tasted "death for every man" (Heb. 2:9). But Paul wrote, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). This shows that man has a part to play in his own salvation by grace. In fact, on the day of Pentecost when people wanted to know what to do in order to be saved, they were told what to do and then admonished, "...Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40). When it comes to salvation, there are three positions that people take. We will study these one at a time. If this were the case, there would be universal salvation because God's grace has been extended to all people (Tit. 2:11-12). But most people will be lost. Jesus made that clear (Matt. 7:14; 21-23). This is also made clear in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Corinthians 5:10, and Revelation 21:8. Calvinists say that before the foundation of the world God chose who would be lost and who would be saved. This takes all responsibility from man. But we have already noticed Philippians 2:12, and Paul said God "will render to every man according to his deeds" (Rom. 2:6). Not only did Christ die for all men (Heb. 2:9), but all are invited to come to Him for salvation (Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17). These passages and many more prove that salvation is not by grace alone. To teach such is nothing less than false doctrine and it is sad that many have subscribed to this soul-condemning falsehood. This is forever settled in one verse of Scripture: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (Jas. 2:24). How could words possibly be any plainer than these? If you read the entire second chapter of the book of James, you will find that faith without works is "dead" (vv. 17, 20, 26). We are even told that "the devils also believe and tremble" (v. 19). One who only believes is no better off than the devils. That may sound harsh, but is that not what this verse teaches? I will notice one other passage before we leave this point. While our Lord was on the earth, it was said that, "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42-43). Do you suppose they were saved because of their faith? Absolutely not! In fact, Jesus said, "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's and of the holy angels" (Lk. 9:26). "Faith only" will not save. Man's faith is shown (proven) by his willingness to do (obey) the commandments of the Lord. One who does not obey cannot be saved. Jesus is "...the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:9). When our text says, "not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:9), it eliminates works of man's invention, works of the Law of Moses, or just doing good works. One cannot be saved by just doing good works. Those are to follow his salvation (Eph. 2:10). The problem with many of the Jews in Paul's day was that they replaced God's righteousness — or commands (Psa. 119:172) — with their own (Rom. 10:3). It did not matter that they had "a zeal of God" (Rom. 10:2). Jesus spoke of many with the same problem (Matt. 7:22) and they were lost (Matt. 7:23). When we obey the commands of the gospel of Christ, we are working the works of God — not our own works. According to Jesus, faith is a work of God (Jn. 6:28-29). This is not something that God does for us, but something God commands us to do. Repentance, confession and baptism are also works of God. These are commands we must obey. Some have tried to say that baptism is eliminated because it is a work of man. But of all the commands mentioned, baptism is the only passive act. It is not something that a person does himself in obeying God. It is something that is done to him. He must allow someone else to baptize him. The person being baptized is not performing some kind of work, but submitting to the command of the Lord. When one has believed, repented, confessed and been baptized this does not give him any room for boastful pride. He is but working the works of God by submitting to the Lord's will. Saving faith will cause one to obey. In Hebrews 11 we read about people who were blessed because of their faith, but in each case it was a faith that obeyed. Noah and his family were saved by faith because he, "moved with fear and prepared an ark" (Heb. 11:7). The walls of Jericho fell down by faith "after they were compassed about seven days" (Heb. 11:30). We learned earlier that God's commandments are righteousness (Psa. 119:172) Who is a righteous person? "He that doeth righteousness is righteous" (1 Jn. 3:7). "Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God" (1 Jn. 3:10). Does this sound like man has nothing to do in order to be saved? God offers salvation to man and this salvation is made possible because of God's grace. But God's offer of salvation by grace must be accepted by faith — faith that is demonstrated in obedience to what the Lord has commanded. God's grace has been extended to you. I hope you will believe in Christ, repent of your sins, confess your faith in Christ, and be baptized into Him for the remission of sins. Only in this way can you be saved by the grace of God. |