ADVANCED
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GRACE NOT WORKS Ephesians 2:8-9 The Greek word for grace is Charis
which has several meanings including: (1) that which causes attractiveness;
(2) a favorable regard felt toward a person; (3) favor; and (4)
gratitude. Generally grace is defined as God's unmerited
favor. The most meaningful
definition of grace is God's unmerited favor in giving His son
who offers salvation to all and gives to all who receive Him as
their savior more grace to live the Christian life (I Cor. 15:10).
The self-sacrificing death of Christ itself was a result
of grace (II Cor. 8:9). I. Grace A. Grace is free - The grace of God and the gift
of God resulting from His grace are free. (Romans 5:15-18) B. Grace
provided redemption and forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7) C. Grace justifies - Those who accept God's grace
by accepting His free gift of salvation through Jesus, stand just
and righteous in the sight of God. (Romans 3:22-24) D. Grace
gives man hope and comfort (2 Thess. E. Grace strengthens and controls all areas of
the Christian's like (II Tim. 2:1, Col. 4:6, II Cor. 8:6-7). F. Grace
provides 1. a new
position (I Pet. 2:9-10) 2. an inheritance
(Eph 1:3-14). G. At least
3 reasons or motives why God acts in grace are indicated in the
New Testament. 1. He does
it to express His love (Eph. 2:4-5, John 2. That He might be able to show His grace in ages
to come (Eph. 2:7). Because
God has provided salvation to man-kind through His grace, the
testimony of Him in ages to come will be that He is a gracious
God, plenteous in mercy. 3. So that
redeemed man will produce good works.
(Eph. 2:10) These works speak to the glory of God. The believer's good works give testimony to
the love of God for mankind. In order to receive God's grace, man must believe.
In order to enjoy it the believer must be obedient.
God provided salvation by grace through faith in the sacrificial
death of Jesus because He knew that man could not pay the ransom
price for his own soul (Ps. 49:6-9).
No matter what man did, his works or his riches could never
add up to the required price. II. Works A. God called and saved man not because of man's
works, past, present
or future, but because of God's on love mercy and will (2 Tim
1:9, Titus 3:5-7). Man can not work his way to God. Salvation is a free gift extended because of
God's grace, not because man deserves or has earned it. B. Grace and works can not be mixed together.
Salvation must come through one or the other (Rom. 4:4-5,
C. Salvation also can not be obtained by keeping
of the Law (Gal. Although man can not be saved by his
own works, grace faith and works are related.
God established the plan of salvation through grace. Salvation is a gift from God prompted by His
unmerited favor and love (Eph. 2:8-9).
However, faith in and acceptance of the sacrificial death
of Jesus activates the grace of God in an individuals life. It is then the works that man does that show
that he has faith and has activated the grace of God in his life
(James 2:14-26). Works
give testimony to faith, and faith appropriates the grace of God
in one's life. |