Salvation Is "By Grace...Through Faith"

Paul wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:8-10). These verses teach a harmonious relationship between “grace,” “faith,” and “works.” They go perfectly together when properly understood!

“Grace” is God’s part. It is the favor, kindness, or gift that He offers to all humanity (Tit. 2:11). If it were not for the “gift of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:7), there would be no possibility of salvation. “God so loved the world that he gave...” (Jn. 3:16)! We do not deserve salvation; there is nothing we can do to earn salvation; there is no way we can pay God back for salvation! It is “by grace ye are saved” (Eph. 2:5)!

“Faith” is our part. Contrary to what some teach, “faith” is not a blind leap in the dark. It is based on knowledge: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Our faith can never outrun our knowledge of God and His will. Faith is trusting God enough to do what He says, and it is necessary for our salvation, for “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).

Consider some examples of how “grace,” “faith,” and “works” harmonize in our salvation. First, in the midst of a world whose every thought and imagination was continually evil, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8). The possibility of salvation would have never come to Noah if it were not by the grace of God, but was Noah saved by grace only? No. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Heb. 11:7). Grace was God’s part; faith was Noah’s part; and Noah’s building the ark was evidence that he believed. Second, consider Abraham. The Hebrews writer said, “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” (Heb. 11:17). Yet, James said, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” (Jas. 2:21). Is there a contradiction between James and Hebrews? No, because salvation is “by grace...through faith,” and involves works! Third, consider Rahab. Hebrews says, “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Heb. 11:31). Yet, James says, “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” (Jas. 2:25). Again, there is no contradiction because salvation is “by grace...through faith,” and involves works!

May we always appreciate God’s gracious offer of salvation, realizing that we must accept it through faith. If we truly believe God, we will do what He says, and, in a sense, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12).