The Gospel message brings hope to a fallen world. Man can be reconciled to God through faith in the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ ... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Simple, right?
But what about Scripture that appears to contradict itself concerning the terms of salvation? How do you reconcile these two passages?
For by grace are ye 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)
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Faith without works is dead. (James 2:14,26)
The key to this paradox has to do with our understanding of ... 'works'.
This remains a true saying ... Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Yet the Word of God describes our spiritual journey as a 'participatory' discipline. ... Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
You may know everything about 'running' by studying those who run and reading about the subject ... but that doesn't make you a runner. Only when you put one foot in front of the other are you recognized as such. This illustrates the 'works' aspect of salvation.
Church pews are full of people with a 'head knowledge' of Christ's atoning sacrifice, but that does not mean they are truly saved. A transformed life is what demonstrates that the Gospel has been 'applied'.
True believers 'exercise' faith ... For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
As you navigate this lost and dying world, does it see evidence that there's a Christian in their midst?
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