Grace Through Faith

Tom Barnard

 

“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.”

(Ephesians 2:8, 9)

 

“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

(Romans 3:28)

 

“The test of the Gospel is grace. If the message excludes grace, or mingles

law with grace as the means either of justification or sanctification…

it is a ‘different’ gospel, and the preacher of it is under the anathema of God.”

(Scofield’s Notes—Galatians)

 

The Apostle (Paul) was dealing with divisions within the church based on positions that polarized the thinking of the members of the church—those who held to the Law as the means of salvation, and those who held to Grace as the means of salvation. Some Jewish converts to Christianity held that obedience to the Old Testament Law (works righteousness) was equal in importance to belief in Jesus Christ. Paul insisted that “the power of God for salvation” is given to those who believe (Romans 1:16), and that justification comes by faith “apart from works of the Law.”  (Emphases mine)

 

What is Grace? Paul called it “the gift of God.” It is the unmerited favor of Almighty God.

How do I receive it? Not by doing “x-y-z.” Not by not doing “d-e-f.” Instead, by believing “a-b-c.”

 

Is it that simple? It was for the Apostle Paul. He died in defense of it. It was for Jesus. He died to make it available to sinners. The Apostle John wrote, “Whoever believes in him (Jesus) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe (in Jesus Christ) stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18).

 

We cannot earn our way into heaven by good works alone; our passport to heaven is through the grace of God received by us through faith. And where does faith come from? The Apostle said (Romans 10:17), “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” I like the Weymouth translation of this verse: “And this proves that faith comes from a Message heard, and that the Message comes through its having been spoken by Christ.” If I understand this correctly, God has taken the initiative to shower us with his grace, but grace is dispensed only to those willing to accept it. God’s grace is received by faith, and the gateway to faith is through believing the Word of God. What’s keeping you from believing?

 

Father in heaven, I want this grace. The Bible teaches that you offer it freely to those who ask. So, I am asking. I don’t understand everything you want to teach me about grace, but I know it is a gift, and my role is to receive it as I would receive any gift—thankfully, humbly, willingly, and immediately. I do that now, in Jesus’ Name. Thank you. Amen.