Grace, Faith, and Works in Mans Justification Lets define justification, grace, faith, and works. Tony E. Denton, 9/06. ASiteForTheLord.com

From Thayers Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Justification: to be made righteousJustification: to be made righteous Grace: kindness bestowed on one who doesnt deserve itGrace: kindness bestowed on one who doesnt deserve it Faith: conviction of the truth of any- thing; a beliefFaith: conviction of the truth of any- thing; a belief Works: things done (usually with re- ference to work accomplished for someone, placing him in debt to the one who did the work)Works: things done (usually with re- ference to work accomplished for someone, placing him in debt to the one who did the work)

The New Testament: Titus 3:7: justified by graceTitus 3:7: justified by grace Romans 3:28: justified by faithRomans 3:28: justified by faith James 2:24: justified by works So…James 2:24: justified by works So… Since many have found it difficult to harmonize these ideas, they have de- contextualized various Scriptures to conform to their ideology. E.g… Since many have found it difficult to harmonize these ideas, they have de- contextualized various Scriptures to conform to their ideology. E.g…

Two such mutilated Scriptures: Romans 11:6: if justification is by grace, then it is no longer of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.Romans 11:6: if justification is by grace, then it is no longer of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. Ephesians 2:9: justification is not of works, lest anyone should boast. So…Ephesians 2:9: justification is not of works, lest anyone should boast. So… Purpose: To determine the relationship of grace, faith, & works without causing The New Testament to contradict itself.

Our Text-Passage: Ephesians 2:8-9: By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.Ephesians 2:8-9: By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Here were told what the origin of mans salvation is and what it is not. Firstly…Here were told what the origin of mans salvation is and what it is not. Firstly…

Mans salvation is not of 1 himself or of 2 his works. …you have been saved … not of yourselves [and] … not of works, lest any man should boast. ~ Eph. 2:8-9

Man cannot provide a plan by which he can save himself. Since God is God & our Creator, and since Hes perfect & the One ultimately sinned against, only He has the right to devise a plan for reconciliation (Rom. 5:6-11).Since God is God & our Creator, and since Hes perfect & the One ultimately sinned against, only He has the right to devise a plan for reconciliation (Rom. 5:6-11). Besides… Besides…

Since His ways & thoughts are not our ways & thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9), itd be impossible for us to know what would accomplish a reconciliation to Him without His revelation to us.Since His ways & thoughts are not our ways & thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9), itd be impossible for us to know what would accomplish a reconciliation to Him without His revelation to us. The Bible speaks often of the ignorance of man without God.The Bible speaks often of the ignorance of man without God.

Were ignorant about how to act (Rom. 3:9-18). Were ignorant about how to act (Rom. 3:9-18). We're even ignorant about what or who to worship; e.g., speaking to the Athenians about their idolatry, Paul said that at one time God over- looked such ignorance, but not any- more (Acts 17:30). We're even ignorant about what or who to worship; e.g., speaking to the Athenians about their idolatry, Paul said that at one time God over- looked such ignorance, but not any- more (Acts 17:30).

Man cannot do any meritorious work to save himself. Merit: to be worthy of, entitled to; to earnMerit: to be worthy of, entitled to; to earn This is whats referred to in...This is whats referred to in... Romans 11:6: merit from the keep- ing of Jewish Law (vv. 1 & 7), which, if obeyed perfectly, would place God in debt to us (4:4). Romans 11:6: merit from the keep- ing of Jewish Law (vv. 1 & 7), which, if obeyed perfectly, would place God in debt to us (4:4). Ephesians 2:9: merit from keeping Gentile Law, for it isnt in man to de- vise a way to God then to boast of it. Ephesians 2:9: merit from keeping Gentile Law, for it isnt in man to de- vise a way to God then to boast of it.

It can all be summed up in this… Without Jesus, were between the proverbial rock and a hard place, because we cant supply the required sacrifice of perfection. So…Without Jesus, were between the proverbial rock and a hard place, because we cant supply the required sacrifice of perfection. So… Our salvation due to our reconciliation to God is solely a result of Gods love, mercy, & grace. Next…Our salvation due to our reconciliation to God is solely a result of Gods love, mercy, & grace. Next… Not only is mans salvation not of himself or his works, but also…Not only is mans salvation not of himself or his works, but also…

Mans salvation is 1 a gift of Gods grace 2 accepted by faith. By grace you have been saved through faith …; it is the gift of God. ~ Eph. 2:8

Gift: something voluntarily given by one person to another with- out compensationGift: something voluntarily given by one person to another with- out compensation Grace: something voluntarily given by one person to another who is undeserving. So…Grace: something voluntarily given by one person to another who is undeserving. So… The gift of God is the result of His grace.The gift of God is the result of His grace.

Jesussomeone we dont deserve is Gods gift to us. Jesus brought grace which makes us righteous (saves us) and teaches us how to stay righteous (Titus 2:11-13).Jesus brought grace which makes us righteous (saves us) and teaches us how to stay righteous (Titus 2:11-13). Since man is so sinful and continues to rebel against God, this gift of God is truly indescribable (2 Cor. 9:15)!Since man is so sinful and continues to rebel against God, this gift of God is truly indescribable (2 Cor. 9:15)! Nevertheless… Nevertheless…

Man must receive this gift if he wants to be saved. Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God thru … Christ, thru whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand (Rom. 5:1-2). However…Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God thru … Christ, thru whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand (Rom. 5:1-2). However… Theres no such thing as an uncondi- tional giftthey all have the condi- tion of acceptance; Gods particular gift is accepted by faith. *Theres no such thing as an uncondi- tional giftthey all have the condi- tion of acceptance; Gods particular gift is accepted by faith. * But… But…

It must be a biblical faith which, be- lieve it or not, includes activity.It must be a biblical faith which, be- lieve it or not, includes activity. Since they hate the idea of works being associated with faith to salva- tion, some folks teach that man is saved by faith only, and they do this in spite of what James wrote: A man is justified by works and not by faith only (2:24, cf. 2:19). Since they hate the idea of works being associated with faith to salva- tion, some folks teach that man is saved by faith only, and they do this in spite of what James wrote: A man is justified by works and not by faith only (2:24, cf. 2:19).

Others teach that faith comes to us directly from God in a miraculous way, and they do so in spite of the fact that to have faith is a command to obey… Others teach that faith comes to us directly from God in a miraculous way, and they do so in spite of the fact that to have faith is a command to obey… Jesus demanded that people believe in Him (John 14:1), and… Jesus demanded that people believe in Him (John 14:1), and… Paul demanded the Philippian jailer to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). Paul demanded the Philippian jailer to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).

Acceptable, biblical faith is obedient faith (cf. Rom. 1:5 & 16:26). * Acceptable, biblical faith is obedient faith (cf. Rom. 1:5 & 16:26). * Since our self - devised righteousness is as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6), it isnt acceptable (cf. Rom. 10:3). So… Since our self - devised righteousness is as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6), it isnt acceptable (cf. Rom. 10:3). So… We must comply with Gods works of righteousness, faith itself being one of them: this is the work of God that you believe in Me (John 6:29) something we must do (Acts 16:31). We must comply with Gods works of righteousness, faith itself being one of them: this is the work of God that you believe in Me (John 6:29) something we must do (Acts 16:31).

Jesus taught that he who chooses to believe or have faith and get baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16); and just as faith is a work or condition of God, so is baptism (Titus 3:4-7)not a work of merit, but a simple condition.Jesus taught that he who chooses to believe or have faith and get baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16); and just as faith is a work or condition of God, so is baptism (Titus 3:4-7)not a work of merit, but a simple condition.

In Conclusion… By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. ~ Eph. 2:8-9

Mans salvation is not of himself or of his works. He cant provide his own plan. He cant do any meritorious works. Mans salvation is a gift of Gods grace accepted by faith. Jesussomeone we dont deserve is Gods gift to us. We must accept this gift if we want to be saved. Summary Outline of Ephesians 2:8-9...

We can only be saved when both we and God fulfill our mutual parts. We have our part to do: In Acts 2:40 Peter said, save yourselves. How?We have our part to do: In Acts 2:40 Peter said, save yourselves. How? We must believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be (Acts 16:31). We must believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be (Acts 16:31). We must confess that belief with our lips before witnesses (Rom. 10:10). We must confess that belief with our lips before witnesses (Rom. 10:10). We must repent of our sins (Acts 17:30). And… We must repent of our sins (Acts 17:30). And… We must be baptized for the for- giveness of sins (Acts 2:38). We must be baptized for the for- giveness of sins (Acts 2:38).

God has His part to do: He will fulfill His promises based on our obedience.God has His part to do: He will fulfill His promises based on our obedience. He makes righteous those who be- lieve in Him & His Son (Rom. 10:9). He makes righteous those who be- lieve in Him & His Son (Rom. 10:9). He grants salvation to those who confess His Son (Rom. 10:10). He grants salvation to those who confess His Son (Rom. 10:10). He bestows life on those who repent (Acts 11:18). He bestows life on those who repent (Acts 11:18). He washes away the sin of those who are baptized (Acts 22:16). He washes away the sin of those who are baptized (Acts 22:16). Incidentally… Incidentally…

Scriptures teach that grace & salva- tion are in Christ (2 Tim. 2:1 & 10). And how do we get into Christ? Only one way: through the last step just mentionedbaptism.And how do we get into Christ? Only one way: through the last step just mentionedbaptism. In Romans 6:3 & Galatians 3:27 Paul said that we are baptized into Christ; in fact, there are no other Scriptures which tell us how to get into Christ where grace & salvation is found.In Romans 6:3 & Galatians 3:27 Paul said that we are baptized into Christ; in fact, there are no other Scriptures which tell us how to get into Christ where grace & salvation is found.