Are We Saved by Grace Alone?

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Christina

New Member
Apr 10, 2006
10,885
101
0
15
We are called by grace (Gal. 1: 15), justified by grace (Tit. 3: 7), and we are established by grace (Heb. 13: 9). The Bible also says we are saved by grace (Eph. 2: 5, 8). However, are we saved by grace alone?
 

Christina

New Member
Apr 10, 2006
10,885
101
0
15
Grace is a gift from God, man cannot earn it (cf. Rom. 11: 6, Eph. 2: 8-10). Some confuse earning and accepting. Man can and does receive God's grace in vain (2 Cor. 6: 1). Christians can also "fall from grace" (Gal. 5:4). In the wonderful text of Ephesians two, we have two elements, grace and faith, and two players, if you will: God and man. Paul wrote, "For by grace are ye saved through faith..." (vs. 8). Grace emanated from God, but faith is man's responsibility. We are commanded to believe in order to be saved (Acts 16: 30, 31-34). Belief, repentance, confession and baptism all precede initial salvation (cf. Acts 2: 38). Hence, these acts constitute man's accepting God's wonderful grace. No, grace alone does not save. Man seems determined to attach "alone" to grace, belief, and baptism. Man has participation in his salvation - from the beginning (accepting grace) to the end (continuing in grace, Acts 13: 43). Grace reigns through righteousness, man's humble obedience (Rom. 5:21).
 

servant_of_the_end

New Member
Jul 15, 2006
152
3
0
No, we are not saved by grace alone. But grace is the method by which we receive mercy and consequently our salvation. We are saved by our confession of the sacrificial and antoning testimony of our Lord Jesus the Christ and the cross by which we receive that atonement.
 

Slython

New Member
Sep 9, 2006
22
0
0
God died for all men. But we do have to open our hearts to. God only rejects those who reject Him.
 

pointer

New Member
Oct 5, 2006
179
0
0
71
(kriss;2860)
We are called by grace (Gal. 1: 15), justified by grace (Tit. 3: 7), and we are established by grace (Heb. 13: 9). The Bible also says we are saved by grace (Eph. 2: 5, 8). However, are we saved by grace alone?
Christians are saved by divine grace (undeserved benefit) through faith. By faith in the atoning work of Christ on the cross the sinner is accounted righteous, imputed with the righteousness of Christ Himself.'God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.' 2 Cor 5:21 NIV'Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.' Phil 3:9-10 NIV
 

HammerStone

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Feb 12, 2006
5,113
279
83
36
South Carolina
prayerforums.com
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The simple answer to this question, IMHO, is that there is a hell. If God's truly amazing Grace were the ticket to heaven then we would not need a hell and there would be no devil. However, our task is really quite simple in order to reach heaven. Simply acknowledge and accept God for what he is.Psalms 9:17The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
 

HeisNear

New Member
Dec 2, 2006
16
0
0
65
(kriss;2872)
No, grace alone does not save. Man seems determined to attach "alone" to grace, belief, and baptism. Man has participation in his salvation - from the beginning (accepting grace) to the end (continuing in grace, Acts 13: 43). Grace reigns through righteousness, man's humble obedience (Rom. 5:21).
Greetings,Let's dig for the hidden treasure (Matt. 13:44); perhaps the Good News is better than we think. To rightly discern the verses you quote dear believer, the context becomes clearer with the preceeding ones. Firstly, "For by grace you have been saved through faith" (Eph. 2:8). The verse does not say, "have been saved 'because' of your faith." Many make the mistake of thinking that repentance and faith is of such value as to atone for sin, but that can't be. Grace must be imparted, the atoning sacrifice must avail for man, before he can repent. "But with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Heb. 9:12).While Jesus was walking the earth, He said, "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, ... For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost" (Matt. 18:10,11). During His ministry on earth, He also said, "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world" (Jn 12:47). And at the cross he exclaimed, "It is finished" (Jn 19:30). Christ Jesus is already the "Savior of all men, especially of those who believe" (1 Tim. 4:10). And has tasted "death for everyone" (Heb. 2:9). Going back to Ephesians 2, examining the contextual layout. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:4-6). There is no mention of the believers confession, repentance or faith. It is an act of God, apart from our own personal experience. The verses are referring to the "death and resurrection" of Christ." How do we know this? Because Paul took a great amount of his writings straight out of the Old Testament. In this case, from the book of Hosea. Hosea 6:1,2--"For He has torn, but He will heal us: He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us [make us alive]; On the third day He will raise us up [He will revive us], That we may live in His sight" Where were you when Christ died on the cross? In Christ! All humanity, past, present, and future were crucified "in Him." Objectively, we "sit together in the heavenly places 'in Christ Jesus.'" "And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (Col. 1:17). Hence, Jesus Christ first saves us, then calls us! How do we know this? According to the gospel, the power of God, "has saved us, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" (2 Tim. 8,9). I'm not talking of Universalism; nor of Calvinism. Sadly, many will refuse the salvation already obtained for all. If any are to be saved at last, it will be because of God's intiatiative. And, if any will be lost at last, it will be because of man's initiative. It is easy to be saved and hard to be lost, IF, one comprehends the love of God's wonderful gospel. (See Eph. 3:14-20). No one will see Jesus for the first time and say, "I did my part" "I did my part." The gospel is God laying the glory of man in the dust. Oh, the poor suffering sinnner, who all their lifetime trying so desperately to live up to God's calling by trying "first" to do something. He already has done something for us! Will we believe? Many think this belief in an already established salvation will encourage people to go on sinning ad infinitum. However, there is one sin that cannot be forgiven, the deliberate, persistant resistance against the Holy Spirit (unbelief). When the Bible states: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to ALL men, it goes on to say, "instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:11, 12). The covenant of grace has God more actively involved in our salvation, initiating the entire process, "from first to last this has been been the work of God," (2 Cor. 5:18, NEB). Legalists are fearful of lowering obedience, unmindful that only "love is the fulfilling of the law," and that all egocentric motivation produces either lukewarmness or eventual falling-away (Rom. 13:10; only "agape never fails," 1 Cor. 13:8). No can save "themselves" in any measure. If we could only get a grasp of our total depravity. "There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God" (Rom. 3:11). It is true, when we believe, we experience salvation, but even the faith in which we accept is the "faith OF Jesus" (Rev.14:12). Blessings in Christ,John S. [email protected]
 

Daniel salach

New Member
Dec 15, 2006
15
0
0
36
but we also have to rule out lip service, poeple cant simply say they believe in Christ. Jesus said the road to the kingdom is narrow and only few ever find it. It is our faith that Jesus is the Son of God and if we truly believe that, then, we will enter into a trusting relationship with Him because we believe He is the only one who can save us. But His grace is what abounds when we do that because He sees our eagerness to know Him, we cannot be good enough to receive salvation, it is only by His grace that salvation is available, but there is a part of action on our behalf.
 

Pop James

New Member
Dec 5, 2006
57
0
0
76
Daniel........I challenge you to give us a scripture that without a doubt supports your theory of a lost unregenerated soul has an "eagerness to know HIM"....You are correct about an "action on our behalf" but the scriptures declare that without the drawing to GOD by the Holy Spirit we would take no action. HE calls whom HE purposes to save and whom HE purposed to save, and whom HE calls, HE forknew,and whom HE forknew HE predestinated, whom HE predestinated HE calls..whom HE calls, HE justifies...whom HE justifies, HE glorifies rom 8:20-39Mans position before GOD is this..."there is none righteous, no not one"....mans understanding is this..."there is none that understandeth".....Man pursues GOD this way...."there is none that seeketh after GOD..........just thought you should know.....regards..Pop
 

MickinEngland

New Member
Dec 15, 2006
339
1
0
75
Sorry, as a latecomer I've lost the gist of this thread..Are some people saying we're already saved or not, and only God knows, and therefore we should put our feet up and relax because there's nothing we can do about it either way?
 

Pop James

New Member
Dec 5, 2006
57
0
0
76
I can only answer for myself mick...........CERTAINLY NOT........We as believers better not put our feet up and relax......dont miss the point of my last post.......true salvation can only be accomplished through the HOLY SPIRIT and HIS drawing one to CHRIST.....HE draws because of GODs electing grace...If a lost unregenerated soul truly seeks GOD it is because there has been a work of the HOLY SPIRIT in his/her heart. For the Word says no one will come to HIM or seek HIM(in the flesh) men have NO desire for the true GOD(job 12:14)We are living in a day of superficial evangelism when the "glorious gospel of the blessed GOD (1tim 1:11) is simmered down and "simplified" to be only a Divine anticipation of salvation and not an application..as potential salvation and not the powerful salvation that it is (rom 1:16), the power of GOD unto salvation....It is the GOSPEL, not the faith of the believer, that brings salvation to the elect believer (jas 1:18 1peter 1:23)...The gospel of CHRIST is the power of GOD unto salvation! nothing can stop it.......and if there is something that can stop it (mans free will for example) then that would mean that GOD can be overcome and that would make GOD no different than a ficticioius, failing, faltering, fainting, feeble god..........just something to thnk about mick.............regards..Pop
 

MickinEngland

New Member
Dec 15, 2006
339
1
0
75
Okay Pop thanks, some christians believe in OSAS (Once Saved Always Saved) which means they arrogantly think Jesus's sacrifice guarantees them automatic salvation, so they take off their body armour, drop their guard, put their feet up and relax.Satan will have 'em for breakfast, we can almost hear him whispering in their gullible ears - "Psst, Jesus saved you, you're heaven-bound so relax from now on, you can trust me, would I lie?"Me, i'll keep my flak jacket on til my dying day
wink.gif
"Put on the full armour of God against the wiles of the devil" (Eph 6:11-18 )And i'll take Jesus's good advice - "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)Even Paul was man enough to admit he didn't know if he was heaven-bound -"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time" (1 Cor 4:3)".. if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall" (1 Cor 10:12)
REL-Paul.jpg
 

Pop James

New Member
Dec 5, 2006
57
0
0
76
right Mick...I understand your point and concern....the believer, as I said before, better not think they can sit back on their hind ends. But I must tell you that I believe the majority of true believers would not even think of such a thing...for they understand about taking up their spiritual armor...there is no doubt what their mission should be. I must also tell you that according to scripture ones salvation IS eternal and can never be lost.....for mick..Christ died once for all....for all our sins HE suffered the dreaded cross of calvary....."the blood of JESUS CHRIST cleanseth us from all our sins" 1 john 1:7........ALL our sins...Past, present and future. GOD has forgotten about our sins... heb 10:17.....Christ prays for the believer just as HE prayed for peter , that our faith fail not...luke 22:31-32...HE is not only the author but the finisher or completer or perfector of our faith..heb 12:2 CHRIST prays that all believers be kept...john17:11 and that they might be brought home to glory to belhold HIS richness..vs 24Will HIS prayers fail?........certainly not...the father always hears the Son and answers HIS prayers...john 11:41-42...1john 5:14-15.....Mick...you should join in with me and proclaim the very words paul did when he said "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that HE is able to keep that which I have committed unto HIM against that day...2 tim 1:12...."And the LORD shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto HIS heavenly kingdom...to whom be glory for ever and ever..Amen 2 tim 4:18...............regards...Pop
 

tomwebster

New Member
Dec 11, 2006
2,041
107
0
76
(Pop James;5232)
I must also tell you that according to scripture ones salvation IS eternal and can never be lost.....for mick..Christ died once for all....for all our sins HE suffered the dreaded cross of calvary....."the blood of JESUS CHRIST cleanseth us from all our sins" 1 john 1:7........ALL our sins...Past, present and future. GOD has forgotten about our sins... heb 10:17.....Christ prays for the believer just as HE prayed for peter , that our faith fail not...luke 22:31-32...HE is not only the author but the finisher or completer or perfector of our faith..heb 12:2 CHRIST prays that all believers be kept...john17:11 and that they might be brought home to glory to belhold HIS richness..vs 24Will HIS prayers fail?........certainly not...the father always hears the Son and answers HIS prayers...john 11:41-42...1john 5:14-15.....Pop
=================Pop, What you are saying is true, but, we can "fall away" we can denounce our faith if we worship the false christ that is coming. That is what apostasy is and only a believer can commit apostasy. 2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (G646) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; G646 apostasia -- Feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state), (“apostasy”): - falling away, forsake.
 

Daniel salach

New Member
Dec 15, 2006
15
0
0
36
pop, i am not saying we are born with an eagerness to know God, i am saying once we have experienced the taste of true life and once we have studied about Jesus and find within ourselves that He is the true Lord all that will happen. Im just not a big fan of shot gun ministry. You know, preach a sermon and have an alter call at the end where everyone closes their eyes and people slowly lift their hands in the air. If you are that uncomfortable confessing that Jesus is Lord, you just aren't ready yet. Jesus tells us to consider the cost of following Him before we do it, like a builder with a building and a general with an army before he goes to battle.
 

Pop James

New Member
Dec 5, 2006
57
0
0
76
Tom...........I am persuaded by scripture that your comment concerning apostasy is wrong....Here's is why..........1 john 2:19 is speaking of apostates when John said "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest(known) that they were not all of us"...then in the next verse John esplains the difference between them and true believers..."But you(believer) have an unction(annointing)from the HOLY ONE, and you know all things.......heb 6:9 and 10:39 tell us that saints DO NOT become apostates.......regards.PopDaniel..........I never heard decisional regeneration described as shot gun minitry but it sure fits..unfortunately many who walk the isle get over there emotional decision in time.....but not all , for the LORD is able to bring true gospel to those with hearing ears....................regards.........Pop
 

HeisNear

New Member
Dec 2, 2006
16
0
0
65
(Daniel salach;5193)
but we also have to rule out lip service, poeple cant simply say they believe in Christ. Jesus said the road to the kingdom is narrow and only few ever find it. It is our faith that Jesus is the Son of God and if we truly believe that, then, we will enter into a trusting relationship with Him because we believe He is the only one who can save us. But His grace is what abounds when we do that because He sees our eagerness to know Him, we cannot be good enough to receive salvation, it is only by His grace that salvation is available, but there is a part of action on our behalf.
People can say anything they want. It is the faith OF Jesus that saves us, which He exercised. And what is the action that Jesus required from us? John 6: 28, 28. Oh ye of little faith, you get the good news of salvation and you despise it, like you didn't think it was good news. You say, BUT BUT BUT, I have to accept it. Of course you do, that was not the point of the writing. You by pass the cross to make sure I understand I need to receive it?
 

Pop James

New Member
Dec 5, 2006
57
0
0
76
yes Tom and so do you..............but to ignore scriptural proof is a dangerous proposition......................regards..Pop
 

tomwebster

New Member
Dec 11, 2006
2,041
107
0
76
Pop, John is talking about a specific group not these at the end. Paul is talking about a time in the future when many that believe they are Christian will fall away. You can not 'Fall Away' if you have not been a Christian. And they will fall away because they bought into the lie they have been taught by the 'rapture' teachers. Tom