Promise to Ponder Vol. 1 Issue 10

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

   I will not put any “Definitions” today because we have already looked at grace. As for Faith it is defined for us in Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

  

   This verse has caused some misunderstandings among some Christians. I have personally heard this verse taught two different ways. 1. I have heard that Faith is not of ourselves, it is a gift from God. Therefore one can only be saved if God gives that person the needed faith for salvation. 2. I have also heard that Grace is not of ourselves, it is a gift from God. Therefore we must place our faith in Christ and His grace, which is not of ourselves, but a gift from God is given to us. I will tell you that I personally adhere to the second way of thinking. I will not go into that discussion in length I only want you to know where I stand and where I am coming from. That being said let’s take a look at this verse.

 

   Does anyone deserve to be saved? Does anyone deserve Heaven? The answer to these questions is, no. We do deserve death because of our sin. We do deserve hell because we have all sinned. It has always amazed me how people get upset at God because something didn’t happen the way they wanted or they didn’t get what they felt they deserved. When this happens many people will become bitter and say God is not just or loving how could a just and loving God let….happen. (You fill in the blank) The fact is, because of God’s justice sin must be paid for. Rom 6:23 says “The wages of sin is death…” Death is the only payment acceptable for our sin. This is hell/ separation from God. This is just. However God stepped in and shows His love, Romans 6:23 finishes by saying “…But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This is God’s love and grace. Grace – Receiving what we don’t deserve. We DON’T deserve eternal Life, yet God’s grace says here take it, it is a gift to you. A murderer does not deserve to be let go, but grace is when the victim’s father comes to the murder, pays his penalty, then dresses him in the finest linen and takes him to be his son, adopts him and makes him part of the family. That is grace. WHAT!? It’s unthinkable that someone would do something like that. I know, however the truth is, it has been done already. We are the murderer, our sin is the reason that Jesus Christ died on the cross. Our sins murdered Him. ( yet He laid down His own life) God’s grace steps in and says in Rom 8:15-17 – “15 … but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Now that’s grace, not of ourselves. It is not possible for anyone to show grace to themselves grace is only shown to others. All we have to do to receive this gift is place our faith in the finished work of Christ. Now that’s a Promise to Ponder!