Saved By Grace
Biblical View: Grace is “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires for us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it”. It is not a created substance of any kind. … It is an attribute of God that is most manifested in the saving of sinners.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8 KJV
Philosophical View: Grace commonly refers to a smooth and pleasing way of moving, or a polite and thoughtful way of behaving. The related word gracious originally meant “filled with God’s favor or help.” Grace was borrowed from Old French, from Latin gratia, “pleasing quality, favor, thanks,” from gratus, “pleasing.” Some people thinks of grace as ancient, they think that before Christ came salvation was gained by keeping the law but after Christ came we are now saved by grace. This is contrary to Scripture, for the Bible clearly states that “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11 KJV
Did David understand that we are not saved by works?
David was a man after God’s own heart, however he did many things that were not pleasing in the sight of God. He also understood that even tho he was a king doing God’s work, he was chosen for that purpose. He did understand that his works would not have gotten him into the kingdom of heaven. “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” Romans 4:6 KJV
Did Moses understand God’s grace?
I found this verse very fascinating when God proclaimed His name to Moses He said “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” Exodus 34:6 KJV. God’s grace was available then as it is today. Moses demonstrated several times in Exodus about finding grace.
How was Abraham saved
This is a good example of how Abraham was saved, he was walking in the newness of life in order to become the father of many nations, the same saving grace also applies to us today.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbids. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4 KJV
Where should the Christian’s love be focused?
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 KJV
Continuing experience in sanctification
I do believe that sanctification is an individual experience in every Christian’s journey it occurs as they begin their walk with God or at conversion but it must continue through life. It is a continuous walking with Christ and having that relationship with Him so will the believer grow.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 KJV
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 KJV
Bible verses related to the relationship we have in Christ.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:7-9 KJV
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14 KJV
How close should a Christian’s relationship be to Christ?
We have the option of serving two masters. The choice is ours whether we choose to serve Christ or serve Satan, in living this Christian life we should be dead to sin but alive unto God. Sin has a stronghold in society today, we have all fallen short of God’s glory and plans for our lives, even the best of us if we are honest with ourselves have to admit that we are sinners saved by grace.
I would like to ask these questions:
1.Are we always pure, noble, loving and forgiving as we make out ourselves to be? 2.Are all our words a blessing to people?3.Are all our deeds unselfish? 4.Are we really following in Jesus’ footsteps?
This is a spiritual examination all Christians need to take and if we are following Jesus footsteps we will definitely end up where He leads.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 KJV
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4 KJV
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:11-14 KJV
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Romans 6:18-19 KJV
What a Christian’s aim in life should be.
Read KJV
Philippians 3:13,14 Hebrews 12:1,2
Do we need to fear or have the assurance in Christ? Read KJV 1 John 4:18, 1 John 5:11-11 2nd Timothy 1:2 John 10:27-29
Conclusion
Sanctification is a conversion carried to completion, it is the process of being made Holy and only done through the merits and justification of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in humanity. Sanctification cannot be obtained by works or any good will process but only through the grace and power of the divine.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10 KJV So, experiencing sanctification we say with Paul “I live; yet not I, but the Christ that liveth in me. “Galatians 2: 20
Read and be blessed.