BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

In the last main point "The Gospel Explained" the basis for salvation, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for mans sin, was explained in detail. Now the way in which the gospel is to be received, the means of obtaining salvation, will be explained. The first point to be considered is the fact that this salvation is received through the exercise of personal faith, an opportunity made available to us by God as a gift according to His mercy, grace, kindness and love.

(Ephesians 2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; {9} not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

(Titus 3:4-5) But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, {5} He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy

(Romans 3:21-24) But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, {22} even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

SALVATION THROUGH FAITH

Salvation is the forgiveness of sins received through faith. In order for saving faith to occur one must come to an understanding of some basic facts. These facts are first received and evaluated in the mind, then they need to be believed on as true in the heart. After this has happened an individual is ready to exercise personal saving faith for themselves in regards to the facts they have received and accepted to be true.

The facts that need to be understood are found in the Bible and have been presented on this website. The facts in question are these:

1. All have sinned.
2. All men stand condemned before God and separated from Him because of sin.
3. God has provided for forgiveness of sin through the death of Jesus.
4. All must trust in the sacrificial death of Jesus, repenting of sin, to be forgiven.

If a person knows and understands the four statements above and acknowledges them to be true then that person is ready to exercise saving faith. However to simply know these facts and to acknowledge them to be true does not constitute saving faith. A person can continue to live their life in willful and persistent disobedience to God after knowing these facts or a person can fail to trust in those facts for themselves. In both cases saving faith has not been exercised.

Saving faith combines three elements working together in response to God's word. 1). An understanding of the facts regarding sin and salvation; 2) an exercise of personal faith, whereby the individual places his or her trust in the promise of God regarding forgiveness of sin on the basis of the death of Christ. 3) an obedient response to the call to repent manifested in a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord of ones life; This kind of faith results in perseverance in obedience to God and the presence of hope, peace and joy in the heart of the believer.

If you are reading this description of saving faith and realize you have not met God's conditions for salvation and have never exercised genuine saving faith before you are urged to go to the Salvation Page right now and review in detail the plan of salvation calling upon the Lord with saving faith and a repentant heart.

AS A GIFT BY GRACE

The salvation which is being explained here is in it's totality a gift from God. This gift is given to man out of a heart of love. God loves this world and the people in it and He wants to forgive our sins and begin to become a part of our lives to provide for our needs in every way. The Bible tells us that God has brought this salvation to the world being moved by His kindness and mercy. God is compassionate and merciful and has remembered us in our helpless condition providing salvation by His grace. Grace is undeserved favor. God's grace is active in salvation when forgiveness is extended to undeserving sinners based on mercy rather than merit. When a gift is offered the gift giver does not require payment but gives desiring the blessing of the recipient.

The reader is encouraged to review the scriptures listed above on this page and the following ones as well in light of the explanations just given so that the ideas of faith, grace, love, mercy, and kindness as they relate to salvation will become firmly established in the mind.

(Romans 5:15-21) But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. {16} And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. {17} For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. {18} So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. {19} For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. {20} And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, {21} that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In closing this point Psalm 103:1-14 is presented for consideration. In this scripture the compassionate and merciful nature of God as a loving father is explained in beautiful terms.

(Psalms 103:1-14) (A Psalm of David.) Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. {2} Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; {3} Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; {4} Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; {5} Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. {6} The LORD performs righteous deeds, And judgments for all who are oppressed. {7} He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. {8} The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. {9} He will not always strive with us; Nor will He keep His anger forever. {10} He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. {11} For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. {12} As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. {13} Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. {14} For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.