Grace and Faith: How Salvation Is Received

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If Christ has done the work, how do we receive its benefits? The Bible's answer is in two words: grace and faith.

Grace: God's Free Gift

Grace means undeserved favor. The key passage reads: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). And again, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).

This was the discovery that transformed Martin Luther in the sixteenth century, as he studied Romans, and it shaped John Wesley in 1738 when he heard Luther's preface to that letter being read [5]. Both men found that the way to God is not earned but received.

Faith: Trusting Christ

Faith, in the Bible, is not a vague optimism or believing something without evidence. It is trust in a Person who has proven trustworthy, like trusting a surgeon or boarding an aircraft. It has three parts:

• Knowledge of who Christ is and what He did.
• Agreement that it is true and that I need it.
• Trust, resting my whole weight upon Him.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5).

The Bible illustrates this with Abraham, who "believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6), centuries before the Law was given. And Jesus Himself states the promise: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

The Dying Thief

The clearest picture of salvation by faith is the man crucified beside Jesus. He had no time for good works, baptism, or church membership. He simply turned to Christ: "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:42-43).

Receiving, Not Achieving

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). Notice the words "received" and "believe." A gift cannot be earned; it can only be accepted. A person drowning does not earn rescue by swimming harder; he reaches for the hand that is held out.

CHAPTER 6