SHEPHERD OF THE LOST SHEEP

BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

"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)

Chapter 13

  In this time of apostasy, grace through faith and not of works is one of the most controversial topics among Christians. Depending on what denomination you are in will determine how you believe we receive God's grace. God's grace is the forgiveness of sins. As stated in chapter 10, there should be no divisions among us. Especially when it comes to the gospel of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Do not let a denomination tell you anything that is contrary to the scriptures.

  "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace." (Romans 11:6 a). There are two things to take away from what Paul wrote here. First, he stated that salvation did involve works before (then is it no more of works). So this debunks the idea that salvation was the same all through the Bible. Second, Paul clearly states that if our works are involved with salvation, it is not grace at all. By grace we are saved through faith!

  How do we receive the Holy Spirit? "that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:14 b). So if we receive the Holy Spirit through faith, were does that leave works and water baptism? These things come after salvation. Not to gain salvation. We are not saved by works but we are saved for works. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing works for the Lord and being water baptized. The only thing you must know is these things do not save you. They build upon your testimony in Christ, which is a good thing. Never let anyone tell you that you can not do these things. However, they mean nothing until you trust the gospel.

  Jesus Christ did all the work necessary for our salvation. Adding anything to His finished work would be like saying that Jesus just did not do enough. Like we went over in chapter 11, this could be seen as denying Him (God knows). The law brought us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24).

  All the zeal and how well Paul kept the laws of Mosses, he counted as dung, that he may win Christ (Philippians 3:8). Paul was a Pharisee and blameless in the law. Yet he counted all that as loss for Christ (Philippians 3:6). "And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" (Philippians 3:9).

  I know the spiritually blind will read these verses any way they want (If at all). Then of course you will have the ones that say Paul should not be in the Bible, so his epistles should not matter. Well what does the apostle Peter say about salvation? "God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." (Acts 15:7b-9). To understand the full context of what Peter is talking about, read Acts 10 and see how they believed as Peter was speaking the gospel and they received the Holy Spirit. No works involved!

  Some say "Well Peter just said Gentiles here. So that's only for Gentiles." Wrong! Drop down to Acts 15:11. Peter plainly states "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." The "we" is Jews and the "they" is Gentiles. Both Jew and Gentile are saved by grace through faith (see ch. 14). Peter, James, and John were at that meeting in Acts 15, so they were all of one accord and of one mind (Philippians 2:2).

  After seeing Peter's thoughts on salvation, how can anyone say Acts 2:38 is the way of salvation? Acts 2:38 is part of a conversation that Peter is having with men of Israel (Acts 2:22). Peter tells them who Jesus is and how king David prophesied of Him. Then Peter reminds them that they crucified the Lord (Acts 2:22-36). You see the Romans crucified Jesus but the Jewish crowd said "His blood be on us, and on our children." (Matthew 27:25). So when the Jews heard what Peter was saying, they were pricked in their hearts and wanted to know what to do (Acts 2:37). They needed water baptism to cleanse themselves of that evil act and other sins. This was not the same water baptism of John the Baptist. His baptism of water was to make way for the Messiah. The apostles were still trying to prepare Jews for the physical kingdom. Which required the water. Just like in the old Testament when the high priest would have to wash with the water before entering the Holy of holies in the temple.

  Once we are saved by faith in the gospel, sin will no longer have rule over our lives. "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14). All can be covered by the blood of Jesus. So through His blood, sin lost it's power over those who believe. However, you do not just believe automatically. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17). Before you can have faith in something, you must first hear about that something. That is just plain common sense. You must hear the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It is the good news of our salvation. It is very surprising to me that so many Christians can not even tell you where the gospel is located in their Bible. It is sad!

  "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 is clear that salvation is by faith and faith alone. Every verse someone brings up trying to prove works also, are just showing works after salvation. The key is doing what 2 Timothy 2:15 says and rightly divide the word of truth. Once you begin to do that, you will understand the Bible so much more. You should do works for the Lord after trusting the gospel but works do not give you salvation. Remember also that Paul wrote that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17a). So here Paul separates the gospel (which is what saves us) and water baptism. Keep that in mind!

  Labor for the Lord knowing that you are saved. Do not do good works hoping it saves you. If you are in the faith make sure your works are to glorify God and not to please the flesh or those works will be burned up at the judgment seat of Christ. Know that we have assurance of our salvation through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not have to keep wondering if we are good enough because Jesus was good enough. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." It really is that simple.