Tuesday, August 5, 2008
1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
GRACE ALONE
Grace. What a powerful and meaningful word! This simple word describes the heart of God more fully than any other word.
Grace speaks of a love that was undeserved, unmerited in any way. In the Bible the word "grace" is used to describe God's great love for us that caused Him to plan and accomplish our salvation.
The fullest meaning of the word "grace" is found when it is used in connection with our salvation. Paul wrote: "For 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" (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are saved fully and completely because of God's love for us.
We did not earn or deserve God's love in any way. Paul makes this clear in his letter to the Romans: "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work" (Romans 11:6). Grace! Surely, God is faithful even to sinners like us!
The cry "Grace alone!" was one of the main points stressed in the Lutheran church during and following the Reformation. Such a teaching was in complete contrast to the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church which taught that people could earn God's love and eternal life in heaven through their own works and actions. What a devastating lie! Yet these same thoughts continue to permeate our society, which makes our preaching of "Grace Alone" all the more necessary and important today.
By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless;
My soul believe and doubt it not.
Why question this great word of promise?
Has Scripture ever falsely taught?
No! Then this word must true remain:
By grace you, too, shall heaven obtain.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 373:1)
