Saturday, 30^th September 2023

Andrews Ampomah 

TOPIC: GRACE ALONE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “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.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What does it mean to be saved by grace alone?

 

We understand from the scriptures that in Adam we all sinned and fell short of the glory of God, in other words, a great chasm was created between creation and God as a result of the fall.

The impact of this sin (original sin) on humanity is the fact that we completely lost any iota of an inherent ability to desire or choose God. Our immediate inclination in every situation is to choose evil. The unregenerate mind or person lacks every ability to please God (Rom 8:7-8). There is no hope of a possibility for the sinner to choose God, we were doomed. Our righteousness is consistently as worthless as filthy rags (Isa 64:6).

One of the strong pillars of the Protestant Reformation was their strong advocacy and insistence through clear evidence from the Holy Scriptures that salvation is by Grace Alone (Sola Gratia), and that there is no human agency involved. The challenge with any doctrine that advocates a human agency in salvation is the fact that it leaves room for boasting.

Paul, explains that original sin caused us to die in trespasses and sins, we became slaves to the prince of the power of the air and followed our passions of the flesh attracting the wrath of God (Eph 2:1-3).

There was no hope of a relationship and reconciliation with God until God decided to show us mercy through His great love in Christ Jesus: “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” (Eph 2:8-9). Grace simply means undeserved favor. If it is an undeserved favor, then no one can earn it and it is freely given. Paul here affirms that there was no way back to God since humanity lacked the inherent ability to do so. It is an exercise in futility for anyone to try to bridge the chasm between humanity and God with works or through any other means. In our helpless estate, God extended His  grace [that undeserved favor] through the death of Christ so we could be saved. Paul exclaims, that salvation is never by our doing, neither is it by any works or righteousness but the gift of God.

Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, you are never saved because you are more righteous than the other who isn’t saved.

Neither are you a Christian because you were born into a Christian family or any reason you have ever given for your salvation. The thought of you being saved should humble you, and rid you of any boasting or superiority complex. Being saved by His grace should also motivate you to share God’s gospel of grace and pray for others to come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Will you at this moment and forever burst into praise to God for extending His grace and mercy to you? Hallelujah!

 

FURTHER READING – Ephesians 1:1-10

 Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Reflect on your salvation experience and let continual praise rise to God.

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you that in Your mercies You extended the gift of Salvation to me, a sinner doomed for Your wrath and eternity in hell. Help me that by Your Holy Spirit I will understand what it truly means to be saved by grace and let that understanding work in me both to will and do of Your good pleasure in Christ Jesus.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

1 Chronicle 13; Ezekiel 26; Luke 23