Tag: Salvation by grace alone

Morning Musing: Romans 11:19-22

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“Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ True enough; they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but beware, because if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindness toward you—if you remain in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Recently we talked about a parable Jesus told in Matthew 22 where a king hosted a wedding banquet for his son. The first set of guests composed of his longtime friends didn’t want to come, so he had his servants invite everyone else they could find. Paul was quoting from that idea to explain how the Gospel was offered to the Gentiles. Later in that same parable, one of these second-invitation guests showed up at the party, but is not dressed properly. What happens to him is something Paul has in mind in this next part of his thoughts on the place of the church in light of the Jews’ rejection of the Gospel. Let’s take a look.

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Morning Musings: Ephesians 2:8-10

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For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship; created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  (ESV – Read the chapter)

For anyone who would argue that our salvation has in even the tiniest of ways to do with our good works, this verse puts the lie to their position.  Any individual, church, or even whole faith tradition that says otherwise is mistaken.  That’s a pretty strong way to put it, but there really isn’t any other way around what Paul says here.  Salvation comes by grace through faith and not by works.  Period.  We didn’t have anything to do with it being given to us beyond receiving the gift by faith. Read the rest…

Faith Family Trees

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For the last few days I have been reading in Romans 9-11.  This morning I finished up the section.  Toward the end of chapter 11, Paul, who has spent nearly all of the previous couple of chapters talking about the Jewish people, shifts gears and focuses on his largely Gentile audience.  In vv. 17-24 he says this:  Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Romans 11:6

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“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis on works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”  (ESV)

Our insistence on salvation by grace alone must be absolute.  If we allow even a smidgen of works in the door the whole thing comes undone.  Grace flies out the window and doesn’t return until we drive out works completely.  When it comes to salvation, grace and works are mutually exclusive.  You can have one or the other, but not both.  Period.   Read the rest…