Grace, Faith & Works
What does God require of us? Are we saved by the grace of God regardless of how we live? How are we judged by God? Do our works matter or do we simply claim to have faith in Jesus and that is enough for us to be with God forever?
Many people will make their statement of faith like this: I'm saved and you can't make me doubt it! Is faith the firm belief that Jesus has already saved us?
Confusion abounds about this topic. Study to find answers about what grace, faith and works are, how they work together and what is necessary to please God in this life. This is vital understanding.
Spiritual Light
Spiritual Light is the result of four visitations from the Lord over a period of 4 years.
Starting with a discussion of the 3rd commandment, marriage and "taking the name of the Lord" and then wonderful insight into Christ's sacrifice this book reveals desperately needed understanding that dispels the confusion about conversion, baptism, salvation and works. This book is available on-line and at cost price from our eBay store
. Check out the eBay store for other good gospel materials and music.Thought for Today
Oct. 02
A SAVED SINNER?
In a conversation with Preacher Clark, one man made the typical Christian claim of being "a sinner saved by grace." To which the wise old preacher responded, "I'm neither one; I'm not a sinner and I'm not saved."
The apostle John made the following statements, and many more, concerning sin in the third chapter of his first epistle:
Verse
6: "Whosoever abideth in [Christ] sinneth not."
Verse
8: "He who commits sin is of the devil."
Verse 10: "In this the
children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth
not righteousness is not of God."
There is no such thing as "a sinner saved by grace." If you are sinning, you are of the devil. You are not being saved by anything, least of all the grace of God. Every person being saved by the grace of God is no longer a sinner. Paul said it this way (Tit. 2:11-12): "The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." The grace of God that saves is the grace that both teaches men how to live in this present world and empowers them to do it. Every person being "saved by grace" has been delivered from sin's power and is no longer sinning. No person living in sin is being saved by grace. Sin and saving grace do not dwell together in the same body. Are you being saved by grace or are you sinning?
Jesus said that those who do good will be given eternal life and that those who do evil will receive damnation (Jn. 5:29). Then, it is eternally important, isn't it, that we do not sin? Being "saved by grace" means that we are kept from sinning by the power of God so that when the fearful Day comes when we must stand before Christ, we will be spared (saved from) God's wrath. This being the case, there cannot be such a thing as a "sinner saved by grace." That is an impossible combination. Sinners are sinners because they are not being saved by grace. Sinners are sinning because the grace of God is not saving them. Sinners are those who are being lost without grace, not saved by it.
Every time the Final Judgment is described in the Bible-every single time-the Bible states clearly that men will be judged by God on the basis of the deeds they have done. No man will be judged on the basis of his faith; rather, his deeds will determine his eternal destiny (cp. Mt. 7:21-23). Paul warned the saints, "We must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2Cor. 5:10). This is a frightening thought. Paul continued in the next verse to confess that knowing God's power and His wrath against sin both terrified him and motivated him to warn others.
Jesus made it possible for every person on earth to live above sin, and all who fail to take advantage of the power over sin that the holy Ghost provides are guilty of rebellion against God's grace and are worthy of the coming damnation. People need to know this! If there is anything that God hates, it must be Christian ministers who teach that the bondage of sin is so great that even Jesus cannot set man free from it. That is a graceless doctrine if there ever was one.