Salvation by Grace through Faith

By Anonymous Author

June 29, 2014

Trying to be saved by keeping the law and being saved by grace are two entirely different approaches. Christ’s provision for our salvation will not help us if we are trying to save ourselves. Obeying the law does not make it any easier for God to save us. All we can do is accept His grace through faith.

Romans 11:6: And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Let me explain. The law, or our works, was never meant to be the means of our salvation. God’s word was meant to show us our need for salvation.

Galatians 3:24 says, Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

In our human nature, we tend to want to do good things to help us to salvation. It might be getting baptized, belonging to a church, saying your prayers, helping someone in need or whatever it might be; it’s not the same thing for everyone. These are all well and good, but if you are doing it to get God’s approval and acceptance for salvation it is deceiving.

Beware of people who say we need to do more than believe in Christ to be saved. When people set up additional requirements for salvation, they deny the power of Christ’s death on the cross. You see, salvation is something that Jesus already accomplished; it is finished! It is a free gift, waiting for whoever accepts Jesus and the payment He made for sin when He died on the cross.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish (in Hell), but have everlasting life (starting today and going on forever) (John 3:16).

Beware of people who say, “Don’t read your Bible too much.”

2 Timothy 3:15 says, And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Acts 17:11 states that the Berean Jews received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily.

Beware of people who say, “You can’t know whether or not you are saved.”

I John 5:13 says, These things have I written unto you . . . that ye may know that ye have eternal life. . .

Read Ephesians 2:8-9, which says in part, For by grace are ye saved (the free gift) through faith; Faith in what? In His blood. Faith in His finished work on the cross. Faith that He died, that He rose again for our sins. and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 6:23 says: For the wages (our payment) of sin is [physical and spiritual] death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You might say: yes, but James 2:20 says, “faith without works is dead.” But if we truly have Jesus, we will want to obey His word out of love and the fact that He removed all our sins and gave us everlasting life; not because we are trying to get salvation from Him.

John 14:15 says: If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Galatians 2:16 says: Knowing that a man is not justified (made right in God’s eyes) by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Stop trying in the flesh to be saved!

John 14:6 says, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 10:7, 9: Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Check the motives of your heart. Are you trying so hard to get to God in the flesh that you will end up missing out on heaven? You and I cannot get to Him because we were born into a certain culture, belonged to a certain church, or lived a life free of murder, lying, stealing, and sexual immorality. We get to Him by repenting of our self-righteous attitude and works, such as thinking that I’m a good church member, have been baptized, pray at least once a day, live a humble and plain life, and help those who are in need. We get to God by placing 100% of our trust in His son, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:22: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Jesus wants all the honor and glory for saving us! Jesus took our sins to the cross, paying for them so we can be claimed as “not guilty.” Don’t let anyone tell you another way.

Colossians 2:8: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:9 say that we were all born as sinners needing someone to save us, but if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 5:9 makes it plain. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 3:24-25: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (turning God’s wrath away from us by taking away our sins) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission (removal) of sins. . . .”

It says His righteousness; not ours. Stop performing and simply trust Jesus.

Romans 10:3 talks about people who were going about establishing their own righteousness, but had not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Do good, obey, and serve Jesus now because you love Him. Ask Jesus what it is that He wants you to do today. There might be a soul that is lost, needing your help to find the truth. The truth sets a person free! If you try to get in some other way, you’ll miss it.

For those who are trying to get to God on their own, please listen carefully:

Romans 4:4: Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Romans 4:14: For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Romans 4:16: Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace.

Jesus, I have no one but You. My focus and help is only from You. I give You my heart and soul. You are the Way to salvation and Your blood cleanses me from sin. Come into my heart and forgive my sins with your blood, clothe me with the robe of your righteousness and not mine own. I surrender my whole life and heart to you.

Jesus is enough! Look to Him! Believe in Him! “Prayer is the key that connects us with God.”

Romans 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

—An Amish Sister