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