“ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… ” Rom 12:1-2

The True Grace of God 1 Peter 5:12 - “ in which you stand ” - Definition: “ Unmerited Favor ” If There Is A “ True, ” There Must Be a “ False ” ! Merited or Unconditional  Rom. 6:1, 15 - “ Continue In Sin ”  Jude 4 “ Turn Grace into Lasciviousness ”  1 John 1:6 “ Walk in Darkness ”  Satan seeks to confuse salvation terms!

Battleground of Grace Gal. 3:1-5 - Apostolic Age Confusion Acts 15:1-3 - “ No small dissension ” Gal. 1:6-9 - “ Another gospel ” Gal. 2: Apostle Peter Fell This suggests a need for careful study lest we also misunderstand “ grace ”

Beware of Extremes Eph. 2:8-9 - Grace and Faith Balanced Grace Faith God ’ s Part Man ’ s Part Doing For Man What He Cannot Do Eph. 3:2-7 Doing For God What Man Is Able Rom. 5:1-2

History of Extremes Apostolic Age Apostolic Age  Grace Into Lasciviousness (Gentiles)  Grace Into Perfect Law-keeping (Jews) Early Apostasy Early Apostasy  Catholicism: Salvation by works  Reformation: Wholly of Grace; Faith Alone Reformation To Current Time Reformation To Current Time  Same pendulum of extremes

To Avoid Extremes We Must Understand Bible Terms We Must Understand Bible Terms  Use Them As God Gave Them  Avoid Re-defining Them Avoid Denominational Usage Avoid Denominational Usage  Faith vs. Faith Only  Unmerited Favor vs. Unconditional Grace

Why Preach So Much On Works ? Shall We Exhort God : “ More Grace? ” Shall We Exhort God : “ More Grace? ”  Grace Is A Finished Work  It Never Needs Changing But Each Sinner Needs To Obey But Each Sinner Needs To Obey  We Need Daily Exhortation Acts 22:16  Obedience Is Never Finished  2 Peter 1:12-15

Is God ’ s Grace Neglected By Us? We Must Never Forget God ’ s Grace We Must Never Forget God ’ s Grace  If Accusation True, Shameful !  We Must Extol, Praise Grace  Gal. 3: Not Lawkeeping Is The Charge Unfounded ? Yes! Is The Charge Unfounded ? Yes!  Some Redefine “ Works ”  Then Outlaw Obedience !  Jewish “ works ” not the same as obedience

Example of Redefining Terms “ Not Saved By Works ” (Jewish concept) “ Not Saved By Works ” (Jewish concept)  Romans 4:1-8  “ Works ” = Salvation by Works  Not Obedience Heb. 5:8-9; Ja 2:17-24 Why Is Baptism Rejected ? Why Is Baptism Rejected ?  Redefined As A “ Work ”  But Romans 6:3-7,  Even faith is a work Jn 6:29; 8:39

Baptism Is A Part of God ’ s Grace ! But We Are Accused Of Preaching Salvation By Works  Titus 2: Grace Teaches  What Does It Teach about Baptism ?  Titus 3:4-6 - Not A “ Work Of Man ’ s Righteousness ” Preaching Grace Includes Baptism Rom 5:1-2; 6:3-7, 14