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SAVED BY GRACE ALONE. ARE YOU SURE? by steve finnell
There are many believers in Christ
who honestly think they were individually selected to be saved by grace
alone. They insist that no obedience to God is necessary. If God saves
by grace alone then nothing is required of the person being saved, they
reason.
First there is no Scripture that states men are saved by "grace alone."
The proof text for saved by "grace
alone" is Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of
works, least anyone should boast.(NKJV)
1. It does not say saved by grace alone. The word alone is not used nor is it implied in Eph. 2:8-9.
2. It says saved by grace through faith. God's grace and man's faith are required.
3. God does not give men the gift faith so they may be saved. The gift mentioned here is salvation, not faith.
4. Men are not saved because of their good works or keeping the Law of Moses.
Grace is offered to all men. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.(NKJV)
Faith comes by hearing the gospel.
Faith is not a gift forced on unbelievers so they can be saved. Romans
10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God.(NKJV)
Obedience is required to be saved.
Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says,
"Lord who has believed our report?"(NKJV) If men are saved by grace
alone, then all men would believe the gospel and be saved.
Obeying the gospel is essential to be
saved, and men have a choice. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8....the Lord Jesus
is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 taking vengeance on
those who do not know God, and those who do not obey the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ.(NKJV)
Why would Jesus take vengeance on
those who do not obey the gospel if God selects each individual to be
saved by grace alone, and then forces them to believe the gospel? Is
that the God you worship?
Jesus told all men the gospel not
just for a select few. Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will
be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.(NKJV)
Obey the gospel by believing and
being immersed in water, resulting in salvation, or reject the gospel
and be condemned. All men have a choice.
Saved because of Grace. Ephesians 2:8. That is not a good work nor is it keeping the Law of Moses.
Saved because of believing in Jesus. John 3:15, Romans 10:9. That is not a good work nor is it keeping the Law of Moses.
Saved because of repentance and
baptism. Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 3:19. Those are not good works
nor are they keeping the Law of Moses.
Being obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a good work nor is it keeping the Law of Moses.
MEN ARE NOT SAVED BY GRACE ALONE.
MEN ARE NOT SAVED BY FAITH ALONE.
MEN ARE NOT SAVED BY BAPTISM ALONE.
MEN ARE NOT SAVED BY REPENTANCE ALONE.
MEN ARE SAVED BY OBEYING THE TOTAL GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.