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2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
EPHESIANS 2:8-9 GOD'S WORD IS SIMPLE AND DIRECT. IT SEEMS TOO SIMPLE AND EASY TO JUST BELIEVE IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST. SOME MAY SAY,"I FEEL I DESERVE TO PAY A PRICE FOR MY SIN, I CAN'T ACCEPT THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION. SURELY THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ELSE TO DO?" THERE ARE THE QUESTIONS AND DOUBTS OF SATAN. HIS WORK IS TO PUT DOUBT IN THE MINDS OF MANKIND, TO SUBVERT THE HOLY WORD OF GOD.
IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, NONE OF US WOULD BE SAVED. GRACE BEGAN IN THE LOVING HEART OF GOD BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. GOD DID NOT MAKE SALVATION CONDITIONAL. HE PAID THE FULL PRICE AND HAS OFFERED FULL PARDON AND REDEMPTION TO ANY ONE WHO WILL BELIEVE HIS WORD. FAITH COMES BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.
SO GRACE IS THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH SALVATION IS BUILT. THEN FAITH IS THE ELEMENT WE USE TO ACCEPT THE GRACE OFGOD. FAITH SIMPLY AGREES WITH GOD AND BELIEVES. WE BELIEVE OUR FOREFATHER SINNED IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND FELL INTO DEATH. THEN, WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY AS A SIN OFFERING FOR US. WE BELIEVE WE CAN BE AND NEED TO BE SAVED. NOW, WE HAVE THE FAITH TO BELIEVE AND BE SAVED. HOWEVER, WE NEED TO EXERCISE OUR FAITH BY COMING TO GOD AND CONFESSING THAT WE BELIEVE.
HOW THEN DO WE CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD? IN MY LIFE I CAME BEFORE GOD AND CONFESSED ORALLY THAT I ACCEPTED I WAS A SINNER DESERVING HELL, THAT I BELIEVED THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR ME ON THE CROSS, AND THAT I BELIEVED GOD COULD AND WOULD SAVE ME. I SIMPLY ASKED GOD TO FORGIVE ME FOR ALL MY SINS AND TO SAVE ME.
WHERE IS THE WORK? WHERE IS THE PAYMENT BY THE SEEKER? THERE IS NONE!
BY PASTOR GENE DAVIS CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH, SALINA, KS. |
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