SALVATION BY GRACE

 

The first eleven chapters of the book of Romans are one of the most difficult parts of the New Testament to understand. From its misapplication have come many false doctrines, as Peter stated was already occurring (2 Pet. 3:16). The key to understanding these passages is to consider them collectively, as opposed to isolating and forcing pet doctrines out of individual passages. We urge you to take the time and read the first eleven chapters of Romans all the way through in one sitting before going back and getting into detail with each passage.

Paul had the ominous task of trying to convince people who felt that they could earn their salvation that such was impossible. It is impossible for us to do anything whereby we can earn or merit our salvation, because our own sins cannot be erased just by something that we do. (Only the blood of Christ can wash away sins.) At the same time Paul was impressing them with the importance of knowing and obeying God's law. Our recognition of God's grace draws us into a union with Christ where we are no longer in bondage to sin. Seeing the love that He showed for us, we know that His law is for our own benefit. We cannot use God's grace as license to sin. If we subject ourselves to sin, we will earn its wages, which is death (Ch. 6).

Christians keep God's law, not because we believe it will earn our salvation, but because we appreciate the sacrifice that Jesus made to purchase our salvation. We cannot be proud of our righteousness, for we recognize that we would be nothing were it not for the saving work of Christ. Thus, our faith cannot help but motivate us to obey the gospel, which is God's power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).

Is Faith Only A Law?

Please give this question some deep thought. There are many today who are practicing the law of "faith only." It is certainly a very simple law, but a law nevertheless. Many who advocate "faith only" believe that others are deficient before God because they are trying to earn their salvation. Yet, what are they doing who are practicing "faith only?" How can anyone say that this is not being practiced as a law by which one earns his salvation?

Like any of the other things commanded by God, faith is something that we exercise out of our own free will. But is there not a difference between faith and other acts of obedience? If so, it is not indicated in scripture. In fact, when Jesus was asked (Jn. 6:28-29) "...What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" He responded, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." Faith/belief here is called a work, for to have the type of faith that saves, effort is required (Ja. 2:14f).

To understand this effort we must first understand that faith does not come by magic. It comes from hearing and understanding the word of God (Rom. 10:17). This requires effort, and the most important step in God's plan of salvation is hearing (listening, studying, reading and understanding God's will for us). We state this because without this step none of the other steps can occur. So it must be the most important. One who persists in hearing will acquire faith.

Some reason that repentance and baptism are works, and those who submit to them as conditions of salvation are trying to be saved by their own works. We ask, why would this reasoning not apply to hearing and faith? On the other hand, if they can receive the free gift of God even though they have performed the works of hearing and believing, why cannot someone else receive that same gift by total obedience to all that God has commanded?

 

To understand this effort we must first understand that faith does not come by magic. It comes from hearing and understanding the word of God (Rom. 10:17). This requires effort, and the most important step in God's plan of salvation is hearing (listening, studying, reading and understanding God's will for us). We state this because without this step none of the other steps can occur. So it must be the most important. One who persists in hearing will acquire faith.

Some reason that repentance and baptism are works, and those who submit to them as conditions of salvation are trying to be saved by their own works. We ask, why would this reasoning not apply to hearing and faith? On the other hand, if they can receive the free gift of God even though they have performed the works of hearing and believing, why cannot someone else receive that same gift by total obedience to all that God has commanded?

Can it ever be wrong to humbly obey God?, recognizing that even if we obey Him perfectly, Jesus words apply (Lk. 17:10): "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done {only} that which we ought to have done.'" While we will not come close to perfect obedience, the faithful will strive for it (Heb. 11). 

Ye often hear it said ...

"If you are baptized, your faith is not in God's Grace"

but when Peter was asked: "what must we do to be saved?" 

he responded (Acts 2:38) ...

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Could it be that Peter was mistaken? No, in Acts 2:4 it states that Peter and the apostles were speaking "as the Spirit was giving them utterance." Thus, this is a direct command of God in response to the simple question: "what must we do to be saved?"

So how can this be? If baptism is a work, and we are not saved by works, how can Peter be right? The answer is not hard when we recognize what kind of "works" do not save. Consider Eph. 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." We must conclude that the baptism commanded by God is not a work (of ourselves) that we can boast about. We did not invent it, and it takes no effort on our part. It is never even called a work in the Bible, but it is called an act of faith in the working of God (Col. 2:12). Notice that Peter also commanded them (and us) to repent. This would surely take much more effort than would baptism, but few object to repentance as a condition of salvation. Why not just accept all that the bible clearly teaches, and do what God says?