February 13, 2022

Faith and Grace

Ephesians 2:7-9

Faith – grace – mercy – salvation.

1. How do you and I know salvation is only through Jesus?
2. Why is Christianity different?

• Jesus once said that he was the way, the truth, and the life. You cannot come to God the Father accept through him

1. Is that right? Is that fair?

Read: Ephesians 2:4-9 NIV

Dr. Wuest:

“Paul never says ’through the faith,’ as if the faith were the ground or procuring cause of the salvation.” Alford says: “It (the salvation) has been effected by grace and apprehended by faith.” The word “that” is touto, “this,” a demonstrative pronoun (used to indicate which entities are being referred to and to distinguish those entities from others) in the neuter gender (neither masculine nor feminine). The Greek word “faith and grace” are feminine in gender and “saved” is in the masculine gender. Therefore touto could not refer to either one of them. It refers to the general idea of the immediate context. The translation reads, “and this not out from you as a source, of God (it is) the gift.” That is, salvation is a gift of God (vs 5 …make us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved) Salvation does not find its source in man. Furthermore, this salvation is not by works or, “out of a source of works.”  (ek: a primary preposition denoting origin of place, time, or cause) This explains salvation by grace. It is not produced by man nor earned by him. It is a gift from God with no strings tied to it. 

Note: Romans 3:28 Here Paul is talking of the Torah – the Law versus a faith in Christ’s work on cross.

Note: James 2:17 NIV

Verse 17 – Even so faith, if it does not have (to hold in the palm of your hand) works, it is dead (lifeless), being alone.

• They work together
• A perfect marriage

Faith results in our salvation.

Works results from our salvation.

Faith shows itself to be genuine by the product or operation it produces.

This is a faith and works issue.

• God being rich in mercy (vs. 4)
• For the great love whereby God loved us (vs. 4)
• The exceeding riches of his grace (vs. 7)
• Shown in kindness toward us (vs. 7)
• The gift of God – his salvation (vs. 8)
  • Mercy
  • Love 
  • Kindness
  • Grace
  • Gift

All characteristics of God shown in the gospel message.

Note: Exodus 34:6-10 NIV

God, who is the judge of all the earth, hates evil.

Yet, as much as he hates evil, he much more; he is rich in mercy and kindness.

You have to have both ways with God.

• There is no mercy without God’s justice.

 

Thought: 

• Grace is love countering sin.
• Faith is the ability to seek salvation.

Jesus is the embodiment of grace and forgiveness.

Salvation’s gift is God humbling man’s pride.

• It is free
  • You cannot earn it
• It is compassionate
  • It destroys our prideful methods
• It is merciful
  • There is not a thing you can do to deserve it

God, through his mercy, gave it to us.

So, quit trying to earn it.

Quit thinking that God is somehow going to overlook your life of sin.

• The cost of your sin is eternal death
• Romans 6:23 NIV  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Instead, accept this wonderful gift – God’s salvation.

• It is free
• It is download immediately into your heart
• It has a life-time, eternal time guarantee
• It never needs an upgrade

This wonderful gift of salvation is by faith and made possible by the grace of God. It is not yours for the earning. It is a gift from him. You cannot work for it. 

So…lay your pride aside.