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Chapter Five EPHESIANS 2:8, 9 Eph 2:8-9 KJV “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.” Eph 2:8-9 NIV “...or it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast”. GRACE: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. GRACE: Un-merited favor. Something we cannot earn, deserve or merit. EARN: To give something of equal value. If God had told us that to go to heaven we had to call on his name 10,000 times, after doing so we could not say we earned heaven. If God had told us that to go to heaven we had to confess him to a million people, after doing so we could not claim that we earned heaven. If God required that to go to heaven we must have enough faith to remove mountains, and we did, we could not claim that we earned heaven. The only way we could earn heaven would be to give God something of equal value. This is impossible. Heaven can only be received as a gift. DESERVE: Be entitled to, be worthy of, earn as due compensation, have it coming to us. merit : Entitlement, worthy of, due THE FINISHED WORK : (Jn 19:30) Jesus said, “It is finished!” There was nothing more that could be done to provide salvation. Jesus did it all! There is nothing that can be added to it. Salvation is not grace plus our faith, plus saying the sinner’s prayer, plus calling on Jesus’ name or plus anything else. Salvation is by grace, only by grace, completely and exclusively by grace. GIFT: Strong defines gift (NT:1435) as “a present; specially, a sacrifice.” Thayer defines this word as “a gift, present; gifts offered in expression of honor.” WORKS (Strong NT:2041) “ergon (er'-gon); from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act.” NT:2041 Thayer's Greek Lexicon defines work as: 1) business, employment, what anyone is occupied with, that which one undertakes to do, an enterprise, an undertaking 2) any product whatever, anything accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind 3) an act, deed, thing done Salvation is not
a result of our toil, effort, occupation, business, employment or a
product that we have produced by our hand or our mind; it is a present
that God sacrificed to give us.
God has often told
us not to add to or take away from his word. Deut 4:2 KJV , “Ye shall
not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
ought from it.” (Prov 30:6; Rev 22:18) Yet the Jehovah’s Witnesses
add the word “a” to John 1:1 KJV “In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was [a] God.” By adding
“a” the message is completely changed. Most translations do the same
general thing with the word “the” in Eph 2:8. In God’s original New
Testament He said, “For by grace ye are saved through the faith:...”
Notice in the square below I have reproduced a portion of Ephesians
chapter 8 from an interlinear. An interlinear shows one language on the
first line and the same words in a different language in the next. “¡ÇV”
is the Greek word for “the”.
Note that in verse 12 it has been translated with the word “the” below, but verse 8 has no word beneath it. In other words the translators left the word “¡ÇV” out of their translations. By taking away the word “the” the message is completely changed from what God originally gave. It is as bad to take away from the scriptures as it is to add to them. Notice that the definition of faith sometimes carries with it the idea of the system of religion, or in our case we might say the Bible message. FAITH (Strong NT:4102) by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself… FAITH (Thayer NT:4102) definition: c) the religious beliefs of Christians THE EXPRESSION “THE FAITH” IS FOUND 43 TIMES IN THE KJV. The following are a few examples. · Jude 3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”. · Acts 6:7 “...the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith”. · Acts 13:8 “But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. · Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith...” · Rom 1: 5 “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name...” · Gal 1:23 “But they had heard only, that he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed”. · Gal 3:23 “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed”. · Col 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister...” · Col 2:7 “Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” · 1 Tim 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith...” · 1 Tim 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel”. “THE FAITH” then is something that... 1. should be contended for 2. was once delivered 3. we can be obedient to 4. we can turn away from 5. we can continue in 6. can be preached 7. should be revealed 8. is the hope of the gospel 9. they heard 10. was preached 11. Paul was made a minister of 12. Paul established people into 13. some shall depart from 14. can be denied Thus salvation is by grace, only by grace, completely and exclusively by grace and received through the learning of the gospel (the faith). Although our personal faith in Christ is vital to our salvation, Eph 2:8, 9 does not mention our personal faith. These verses discuss only “the faith” or the gospel. We must receive salvation. Some of the verses are as follows. · John 1:12 KJV “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name...” · Mark 4:16 KJV “And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness...” · Rom 5:17 KJV “For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” · James 1:21 KJV “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls”. Though we cannot earn salvation there are various things that we must do to receive salvation. We need to consider again the definition of various words. WORKS: Toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act, an undertaking, any product whatever, anything accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind.” This is the definition given by the noted Bible and Greek scholars. PRAYER: Consider the effort of prayer. Prayer is an act that produces a transfer of information from our mind to the mind of God; therefore, prayer, according to the scholars, is a work. Obviously prayer is not generally a work of merit but it is a work of man. REPENTANCE: Repentance is the turning away from the direction we are going and turning into another direction. Sometimes a great deal of effort of mind and will must be exerted to produce true repentance; therefore, repentance is a work. Repentance is not generally a work of merit but repentance is one of the acts that we must perform in order to receive the free gift of salvation. CONFESSION: Confessing Christ (Matt 10:32 XE "Matt 10\:32" ) is an effort of the mind and mouth that produces an acknowledgment of our relationship with Him. Confession is not generally a work of merit but confession is one of the works that we must perform in order to receive the free gift of salvation. FAITH: Faith is an act of the mind that produces confidence in something; therefore, faith is not generally a work of merit but faith is one of the works that we must perform in order to receive the free gift of salvation. John 6:28-29 KJV, “Then said they unto Him, ‘What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?’ 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom he hath sent.’” Jesus plainly told His followers that when we believe we are doing the work that God wants us to do.”
1 Thess 1:3 KJV, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love...” Several years ago a friend and I traveled from Pennsylvania to New Mexico. Before we left we determined to pick up all the hitchhikers we could find and teach them the plan of salvation. We were traveling through Ohio when we had our first opportunity. We stopped, the hitchhiker started to get in and then seeing that we were rather crowded, decided to pass up the offer. He stepped back and we drove on. Shortly thereafter we saw a second hitchhiker. We offered him a ride and dropped him off in western Tennessee. Which of the hitchhikers deserved the ride? Did the one that started to get in and then changed his mind or the one that rode all the way to Tennessee? Neither. Neither did any of the driving. Neither paid for any of the gas. Neither helped with any of the expenses or did anything to deserve the ride. You might say that the free ride was by grace, only by grace, completely and exclusively by grace. Yet one man got the free gift and the other didn’t. What was the difference? The difference was, one man did what was necessary to receive it. The other refused to receive the free gift. It might be argued that walking up to the car, bending over, stepping in and setting down are all works. This is true but they are not works that nullify grace. They are not works of merit. We are saved by grace, only by grace, completely and exclusively by grace. To receive the free gift we must do the works of repentance, confession and faith. Notice the following emphasis. · James 2:14 XE "James 2\:14" KJV “...can faith save him...” · James 2:21 KJV “...our father justified by works...” · James 2:23 KJV “...was imputed unto him for righteousness:...” · James 2:24 KJV “... a man is justified...” · James 2:25 KJV “...harlot justified by works...” The words saved, justified and imputed for righteousness sure sound like James is talking about salvation. If James is speaking about salvation in chapter two he plainly says that works must accompany our faith or our faith will not be any better than the faith of the demons (V19.) And, that that type of faith is dead (V17) and won’t save (V14). And, that type of faith is without profit (V16). It sounds very convincing when James says, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24 XE "James 2\:24" KJV) Martin Luther wanted to rip the book of James out of his Bible because it didn’t fit his preconceived ideas about salvation by faith alone. The book of James is part of the Bible and therefore we must search for a way of harmonizing its teaching with the other portions of the Bible. God’s harmony can easily be seen when we define the word grace and acknowledge that even though there are things we must do to receive grace, our doing these things does not nullify grace. Grace means something that cannot be earned. Earn means giving something of equal value. The work of faith is not a work of merit but, it is the way we “receive” the free gift. If salvation is by grace alone it cannot be by faith alone because the two words mean different things.
Study Guide Chapter Five
Faith and Works Good Dan and Jane were man and wife, And lived a loving kind of life; One point, however, they disputed, And each by turn his mate refuted. 'Twas faith and works. This knotty question, They found not easy for digestion. While Dan for faith alone contended, Jane equally good works defended. "They’re not Christians, sure, but Turks, Who build on faith and scoff at works," said Jane; While eager Dan replied, "By none but heathen, faith's denied".
"I'll tell you, wife," one day said Dan, "A story of a right good man; A patriarch, sage of ancient days, A man of faith, whom all must praise. In his own country he possessed, What ere can make a wise man blessed; His were the flocks, the fields, the spring. In short, a little king. Yet pleased, he quits his native land, By faith in the Divine command. God bade him go; and he, content, went forth, Not knowing where he went; He trusted in the promise made, And, un-disputing, straight obeyed; The heavenly word he did not doubt, But proved his faith by going out."
Jane answered with some little pride: "I've an example on my side; And though my tale be somewhat longer, I trust you'll find it vastly stronger. I'll tell you, Daniel, of a man, The holiest since the world began; Who now God's favor is receiving, For prompt obeying--not believing. One only son this man possessed, In whom his righteous age was blessed; And more, to mark the grace of heaven, This son by miracle was given. And from this child, the Word Divine Had promised an illustrious line. When lo! At once a voice he hears, It sounds like thunder in his ears! God says, 'Go, sacrifice thy son!' 'This moment, Lord, it shall be done'. He goes, and instantly prepares, To slay this child of many prayers. Now, there you see the grand expedience, Of works, of actual, sound obedience. This was not faith, but act and deed; The Lord commands, the child shall bleed; Thus Abraham acted", Janey cried. "Abraham trusted!", Dan replied. "Abraham!" said Jane, "why, that's my man.” "No, Abraham's he I mean", says Dan. "He stands a monument of faith." "No, 'tis for works the scripture saith.” “’Tis for this faith that I defend him.” “’Tis for obedience I commend him”.
Thus he, and she; both warmly feel, And lose their temper in their zeal. Too quick each other's choice to blame, They did not see each meant the same.
At length, "Good wife", said honest Dan, "We're talking of the self-same man; The works you praise, I own indeed, Grow from that faith for which I plead. And Abraham, whom for faith I quote, For works deserves a special note. 'Tis not enough for faith to talk; A man of God with God must walk. The faith I fight for is the root; The works you value, are the fruit. How shall I know my creed sincere, Unless in works my faith appear? How shall I know a tree's alive, Unless I see it bear and thrive? Your works not growing on my root, Would prove they were not genuine fruit. If faith produces no works, I see, That faith is not a living tree. Thus faith and works together grow, No separate life they e'er can know. They're soul and body, hand and heart; What God hath joined, let no man part". Author unknown
GRACE: Webster’s definition; The disposition to grant favor or good will freely. Note the hypocrisy: “Our church tends to be a church of grace. Those who can’t adapt to that can just leave! We will do our best to ignore anyone that doesn’t see things our way.”
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Twenty Four Parts To Salvation
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