How Are We Saved?
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8)
Today’s Morsel: This question of salvation has plagued the minds of many. And even today, some are not sure if they are saved or not. Some even question their faith, while others question if all this is even real. But Paul stated: “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” (Romans 3:3-4) Just what is grace? According to the Touch Bible, “grace is the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life, including gratitude, acceptable, benefit, favor. Gift. The merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.” So, we can see that grace only show forth God’s love and kindness. God’s grace, love and kindness ought to draw us to Him, but that does not save us. According to the gospel of Saint Mark, chapter 16:15-16, Jesus instructs His disciples: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16). If we will notice, faith and baptism are requirements by Jesus to be saved. Don’t become confused with just thinking that you are saved by grace alone, nor just confessing Him with your mouth. In Romans 10, Paul isn’t saying that you are saved with just confessing with your mouth, he’s stating that for the Israelites to be saved, they had to confess Jesus with their mouth as most of the Jews rejected Jesus as being the Messiah. Go back and read Romans 10 very carefully. Make sure you start with verse 1. As stated, grace is just God’s unmerited love towards all of us. But to be saved, we must be baptized in His name and have His Spirit in our lives. As Jesus told Nicodemus: “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
Sing: Oh yes, I’m saved and I’m happy today, thanks be to God, for this I can say; that I’m saved and I’m happy today, I’m walking up the King’s highway.
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