The Foundation of Salvation
Wednesday - May 1, 2024
Christ Alone... Grace Alone - SOLA GRATIA / SOLA FIDE / SOLUS CHRISTUS
Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-24; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8-10.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—” (Ephesians 2:8)
The Righteousness Which is of God by FAITH - Salvation by GRACE
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Philippians 3:9. {OFC 151.6}
It is one thing to read and teach the Bible, and another thing to have by practice its life-giving, sanctifying principles engrafted on the soul. . . . “By grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). The mind should be educated to exercise faith rather than to cherish doubt, suspicion, and jealousy. We are too prone to regard obstacles as impossibilities. To have faith in the promises of God, to go forward by faith, pressing on without being governed by circumstances, is a lesson hard to learn. Yet it is a positive necessity that every child of God should learn this lesson. The grace of God through Christ is ever to be cherished, for it is given us as the only way of approaching God. . . . {OFC 152.1}
The faith mentioned in God’s Word calls for a life in which faith in Christ is an active, living principle. It is God’s will that faith in Christ shall be made perfect by works; He connects the salvation and eternal life of those who believe, with these works, and through them provides for the light of truth to go to all countries and peoples. This is the fruit of the workings of God’s Spirit. {OFC 152.2}
Living Faith Enables to Reckon Self as Dead but Alive unto God
Those who trust wholly in the righteousness of Christ, looking to him in living faith, know the Spirit of Christ, and are known of Christ. Simple faith enables the believer to reckon himself dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God. Should we try to unfold these precious promises to the worldly wise, they would but ridicule us; for "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." {RH, July 1, 1890 par. 3}
Mind Being Educated to Exercise Faith
Faith works by love and purifies the soul from all selfishness. Thus the soul is perfected in love. And having found grace and mercy through Christ's precious blood, how can we fail to be tender and merciful? "By grace are ye saved through faith" (Ephesians 5:8). The mind should be educated to exercise faith rather than to cherish doubt and suspicion and jealousy. We are too prone to look at obstacles as impossibilities. {2MCP 533.3}
To have faith in the promises of God, to walk forward by faith, pressing on without being governed by circumstances, is a lesson hard to learn. Yet it is a positive necessity that every child of God learn this lesson. The grace of God through Christ is to be ever cherished; for it is given to us as the only way of approaching God. Faith in the words of God, spoken by Christ enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, would have enabled the children of Israel to leave a record of a very different character. Their lack of faith in God gave them a very checkered history.-- MS 43, 1898. {2MCP 533.4}
Obedience to the Law is Abiding in His Love
The so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God is not faith, but presumption. "By grace are ye saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). But "faith, if it hath not works, is dead" (James 2:17). Jesus said of Himself before He came to earth, "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8). And just before He ascended again to heaven, He declare, "I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:10). The Scriptures says, "Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments" (1 John 2:3). . . . {RC 274.4}
Consider the Following
Three fundamental truths emerge from Ephesians 2:8.
(1) We are saved by grace alone
(2) The means to achieve grace is by faith alone
(3) This is the gift of God, the gift of his Son: Christ alone
Because of our sin, we are condemned to eternal death (Rom. 6:23a). However, God has
provided a way to pay our debt and give us eternal life (Rom. 6:23b).
When Martin Luther discovered that Christ was his only source of salvation, he began to
preach that truth. Thousands, who had been chained by the deceptions of the enemy, were
freed and transformed.
Although salvation is free, its cost was infinite, and sufficient for all (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 8:32).
