FAITH -
GRACE
It takes
faith plus grace for salvation, and we know that faith without works is dead.
Unfortunately, folks tend to believe that the works are efforts on our part
when in reality the works are God’s work through our submission to His will for
us. His work in us is grace, His grace. We know this because of the marvelous
nature of the works He does in us by His Spirit; they are miraculous works, and
we are often astounded to see or hear them coming from us. But the grace He sends
through His Spirit that produces the wondrous works can only be accomplished
through faith. It is interesting that we hear little about the faith part of
God’s work, faith for salvation, and the gift of faith for the work of grace in
us. “For to one is given by the Spirit the
word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit;
to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;” (1 Corinthians 12:8-9 AV)
It is past
time for us to see that grace and its work without faith is dead, just as faith
without works of grace is dead. “By grace are ye saved through faith” Eph
2:8-9. Also, see: Romans 4:16; 5:12; Gal 5:5; 1Tim 1:14; 2Pet 1:1-2. Faith
always is the first requirement for entrance into the Kingdom of God, then
grace is added, for without faith it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:6.
So, what is
the source of saving faith? According to Romans 10:17, faith comes by hearing
and hearing by the word of God. We know that the Word of God is Jesus, so faith
comes by Jesus, the living Word of God, preached as His Gospel, which will
provide faith to those who will hear it. God will quicken the ears and eyes of
those who are willing to serve Him, so that they may receive that faith which
is empowered by God’s grace for the continuance of His work in the world. Eph
2:10 tells us,” For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 AV).
Good works are works of
love, the “Two Great Commandments”. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is like
unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 AV)
Faith, then is the key
to salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, and
the gift of faith by the Holy Ghost provides God’s grace, the good works He
does through us for God’s glory and for the salvation of minds, bodies, and
souls of men all over the world. Faith must not be neglected when preaching the
Gospel; without it grace is dead.