For By Grace Are Ye Saved

   Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

 

“Grace” is probably one of the most frequently used words in the world of Christendom today, but I dare say that it could also be one of the most misunderstood within our churches today. We have heard it used repeatedly in such a frivolous manner that to the majority, it no longer holds the precious meaning that was given it by our Lord and the Apostles. Until we can understand the true meaning of this wondrous word, we will never comprehend what we are by nature, nor will we ever be able to conceive or appreciate what our Lord alone has done for us…by his grace.

 

The actual definition of grace according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary is as follows: “Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him”. Notice Mr. Webster added the words “the spring and source of all the benefits men receive of Him (God)”. Simply put, the only hope of any goodness toward us or in us in this life or the life to come is by and through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is God’s grace toward us that we have any desires toward Him. Keep in mind the scripture that we hear quoted so much: “We love him because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19)

 

Most are quick to say that grace is free, yet in the same breath, begin to relate what must be done in order to receive it. If Grace is indeed free, as the Bible so clearly teaches, how can we possibly do anything to earn or merit it? What most do not understand is that grace is very one sided. It does not require the permission or even the knowledge of the recipient. Cannot one be gracious toward another without receiving permission? Grace is always decided by a greater toward a lesser. Grace lies in the will and choice of the powerful, not in the wants or wishes of the impotent. Grace lies in the purpose of the sovereign, not in the works or abilities of the servant. The dead have no ability, neither have they any voice or vote as to their disposition (Ephesians 2:5); it is an impossibility to receive grace as a result of an act, a work or even a desire on our part, for, again, the dead have no ability. Any act or deed that is done for the purpose of receiving is a “work”. Anything received due to an action is a reaction and no longer a “gift". As Apostle Paul stated, “If it be by works then it is no more grace”. “If by grace then it is no more works”. To put it simply and plainly, we cannot have it both ways. Still some say that one must walk an aisle, repeat a certain prayer, give a hand to the preacher, (according to whatever belief system one may be affiliated with), but must we not consider these things as “requirements” in order to receive something for what we have done? If this is the indeed the case, then the very meaning of grace has been negated. Salvation has now become “salvation by works” and can no longer be considered “salvation by grace”

 

No! God’s grace is the first cause of our desires toward the Lord. Grace is our only hope of an eternal salvation. It is by Grace that He first loved us, and it because of this Grace that we now love Him. Grace is our only hope an eternal security and our only hope of an eternal home in heaven. Grace is not attained but is rather bestowed. When one begins to seek Christ, that person has already been blessed with the life by and through the grace of God. Grace is always the first cause. Grace is the cause for our asking. Grace is the cause for our seeking. Grace is the cause for our knocking, for without the grace of God we all would be completely satisfied to remain in our sins. Simply put, it’s God’s grace that causes us to see ourselves for what we really are. Within and of ourselves we are completely blinded to our true sinful nature.

 

Yes, it is fully, wholly, entirely and only by His grace that we are eternally saved, and it by His Grace that we are continually saved in this troublesome world.  This is the reason that John Newton used the adjective “amazing”, for it truly is amazing, more so than most can understand. It is so amazing that I still struggle to understand why the great God of all creation would show gracious favor to a wretch like me.

 

Sam Everett

 

 

Why Unite with a Local Church?

“I have heard it said that there is only one Church and it is “the” Church for which Christ gave His life; that local church membership is not necessary for one to worship his creator; that one can worship alone just as well as with a bunch of people. As a side note here, let me ask, “Is a meal more enjoyable while dining alone or with someone we love?”  

 

I would never be so bold as to disagree that there is “The Church of Christ” and it is “the” true Church and that it is made up of all those for whom He died. It may even be safe to refer to it as “The Kingdom of God” here on earth. However, we must understand that it would not or could not be feasible for all of God’s people to be gathered together into one venue, at least not while here on earth. Therefore, God made a way for his people to be “assembled” for unity and worship. It is called the local church, which is made up of a united membership of those Christians who live in close proximity of each other. How do we know there is more than one of these churches (or institutions)? We need only to look to scriptures:

 

“And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily”.

Acts 16:5

 

Do we not find that most of Apostle Paul’s letters or epistles were written to local churches in certain geographical areas?

For Example:

The churches of Galatia I Cor 16:1

The churches of Asia 1 Cor 16:19

The churches of Macedonia 2 Cor 8:1

The churches of Judaea Gal 1:22

This is only referencing a few…there are many more.

Also, notice the “es” at the end of church each time it is referenced? We all learned very early in grammar school that this means there is more than one.

 

So I must stand in disagreement with those who say that church membership is not needed for a fruitful spiritual life and has no bearing in worship. It is my belief that those who profess a hope in Jesus Christ should commit themselves to a band of God’s believing children, joining together with them by covenant agreement or promise. This is not debatable or argumentative. Again, it has been established and confirmed throughout the scriptures.

“And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed (or attempted) to join himself to the disciples (a unified group) Acts 9:26. It seems as if Saul (or Paul) was entreating those disciples (not yet called Christians) to be a part of their Godly community (or church). They were very hesitant at first to receive him; thinking he was not really a disciple, but we read  that after hearing the testimony of Barnabas, he was received of them. We see later in Acts 9:31 “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”

 

Please understand that placing one’s membership in a church is not merely putting a name on the roll. It is “legally” joining oneself to those others who are already in a promised commitment with each other for the purpose of uplifting the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this present world.

 

When we present ourselves to the church for membership, we are making a promise to those who are already established members, assuring them that we are now ready to bind ourselves with them and to them; that together we will be one body in Christ.  (Notice it is not referred to as bodies but body, singular). Local churches are living organisms that are made up many parts or members Rom 12: 4-5, I Cor 12: 20 et al.)

 

 One might say, I don’t need the attachment to others (or membership) to be a part of the church. My answer is this: Does not the arm nourish the hand? The hand separate from the arm is not part of the body. The hand may be near, even touching the arm, but without the attachment it is still not of the body. The hand without the arm (or body) will wither and die even though it remains close, even within reach. Again, there is no nourishment outside the body. One cannot grow or flourish in a proper scriptural or spiritual manner outside the body of the church.

 

There are those who do not care for the responsibility of any commitment that goes along with holding membership in a local church or any group or band of people for that matter. This way if any disagreements should ever arise (since we as humans are involved, the potential is always present) they don’t have to worry about becoming involved because in reality, they have no real ties. If things begin to get rough, they can just walk away. Legally, they are not bound by membership that church.

 

The invitation, or as we call it, “publishing an open door to the church” is not an effectual call to repentance or the call of our Lord that gives life to the dead. This call goes out from those of the church body as they are holding out their arms to the penitent and restless souls, desiring them to come into the love and security of the church family.

 

Why not become a “member” of the church body, by uniting with it. Let us praise our Lord together. Let us rejoice together, and if need be, let us suffer together, but always keep this in mind; whatever may come, whether enduring times of suffering or times of rejoicing we will do it together!

 

Sam Everett