SAVED BY GRACE
15/01/13 18:43
“8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Eph 2:8-9
What is “saved by grace”? I often hear this term, usually when talking the Ten Commandments: even more so when I’m talking of Sabbath, yet most people can not define what it actually means. In fact, I’ve never found anyone who could give a Biblical explanation of what it means to be saved by grace; though I’m sure there are some out there.
Next to “thou shall not judge”, it’s probably one of the most used and mis-used verses pulled out of context from the Word of God.
Because we are saved by grace, no one will be in Heaven saying, “I’m here because of my good works” (Eph 2:9), but the continuation of this statement says that grace BRINGS US TO GOOD WORKS (Eph 2:10); because when someone is saved, the fruits (works) will show.
We are bound, imprisoned, by sin (Prov 5:22). Yeshua came to free us from that sin (Matt 1:21). It’s because of God’s Grace that He wants us to be spared the consequences of sin, therefore His grace TEACHES US TO LIVE A RIGHTEOUS AND GODLY LIFE HERE, NOW (Titus 2:11-13).
When we love God we want to do right. We understand the sacrifice made for our sin, and don’t want to sin no more. We let grace abound in us, so that it may teach us; so that it “may abound to every GOOD WORK” (2 Cor 9:8).
Through the Law, we see our sin; as the Law defines sin (Romans 7:7). Now that we know sin, we see it abounds in us. The greater the offense abounds the more grace has to teach (abound) so that it will “reign THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Romans 5:20-21). “reign” - to rule; thus through righteous living that grace has taught (Titus 2:11-13), we let grace reign in us; unto eternal life given by the Christ our Lord.
“Supplication” - a vocalized cry in prayer: In Hebrew signifies a olive branch wrapped in cloth waved seeking surrender. These were called branches of supplication. We need to surrender ourselves, give up, give in, and not let our sinful flesh rule. Grace must abound (Zech 12:10).
Grace is not some mystical thing that one minute you are a sinner and another you are saved. Grace is that which God has; its the free and unmerited favor of God. Because sin causes death (Romans 6:23), and the continuing of willful sinning after “salvation” still causes death (Heb 10:26), God’s grace teaches us to live righteously and godly, in a manner acceptable to God. It should be our desire to apply these “good works”, because we love Him, and we are brought to salvation. It is by the grace of God that we have knowledge of what to do and the power to do it, for we can not do good under our own power; it’s impossible.
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2
Eph 2:8-9
What is “saved by grace”? I often hear this term, usually when talking the Ten Commandments: even more so when I’m talking of Sabbath, yet most people can not define what it actually means. In fact, I’ve never found anyone who could give a Biblical explanation of what it means to be saved by grace; though I’m sure there are some out there.
Next to “thou shall not judge”, it’s probably one of the most used and mis-used verses pulled out of context from the Word of God.
Because we are saved by grace, no one will be in Heaven saying, “I’m here because of my good works” (Eph 2:9), but the continuation of this statement says that grace BRINGS US TO GOOD WORKS (Eph 2:10); because when someone is saved, the fruits (works) will show.
We are bound, imprisoned, by sin (Prov 5:22). Yeshua came to free us from that sin (Matt 1:21). It’s because of God’s Grace that He wants us to be spared the consequences of sin, therefore His grace TEACHES US TO LIVE A RIGHTEOUS AND GODLY LIFE HERE, NOW (Titus 2:11-13).
When we love God we want to do right. We understand the sacrifice made for our sin, and don’t want to sin no more. We let grace abound in us, so that it may teach us; so that it “may abound to every GOOD WORK” (2 Cor 9:8).
Through the Law, we see our sin; as the Law defines sin (Romans 7:7). Now that we know sin, we see it abounds in us. The greater the offense abounds the more grace has to teach (abound) so that it will “reign THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Romans 5:20-21). “reign” - to rule; thus through righteous living that grace has taught (Titus 2:11-13), we let grace reign in us; unto eternal life given by the Christ our Lord.
“Supplication” - a vocalized cry in prayer: In Hebrew signifies a olive branch wrapped in cloth waved seeking surrender. These were called branches of supplication. We need to surrender ourselves, give up, give in, and not let our sinful flesh rule. Grace must abound (Zech 12:10).
Grace is not some mystical thing that one minute you are a sinner and another you are saved. Grace is that which God has; its the free and unmerited favor of God. Because sin causes death (Romans 6:23), and the continuing of willful sinning after “salvation” still causes death (Heb 10:26), God’s grace teaches us to live righteously and godly, in a manner acceptable to God. It should be our desire to apply these “good works”, because we love Him, and we are brought to salvation. It is by the grace of God that we have knowledge of what to do and the power to do it, for we can not do good under our own power; it’s impossible.
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2
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