Basic HTML Version
Saved by God’s Grace, April 22
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
.
The divine favor, the grace of God bestowed upon us through Jesus
Christ, is too precious to be given in exchange for any supposed meritori-
ous work on the part of finite, erring man. Man has nothing in himself.
The most exalted talent does not originate from man, but is the endow-
ment of his Creator, and can purchase nothing from God. Gold and silver
cannot buy the favor of God; for the wealth of the world is the entrusted
talent of the Lord. Let no one think that costly offerings to benevolent
enterprises will elevate him in the sight of God, or purchase for him the
favor of Heaven, or procure for him a place in the mansions which Jesus
has gone to prepare for those who love Him. The precious blood of Christ
is wholly efficacious....
The resurrection of Christ from the dead was the Father’s seal to the
mission of Christ. It was a public expression of His entire satisfaction in
the atoning work. He accepted the sacrifice that Jesus had made on our
behalf. It was everything that God required, perfect and complete. No
human being by any work of his own could piece out the work of Christ.
When on the cross Jesus uttered the cry, “It is finished!” glory and joy
thrilled heaven, and discomfiture fell upon the confederacy of evil. After
that triumphant cry, the world’s Redeemer bowed His head and died,... but
by His death He was a conqueror, and He has opened the gates of eternal
glory so that all who believe in Him may not perish, but have everlasting
life.
The sinner’s only hope is to rely wholly upon Jesus Christ.... Our
acceptance with God is sure only through His beloved Son, and good
works are but the result of the working of His sin-pardoning love. They
are no credit to us, and we have nothing accorded to us for our good works
by which we may claim a part in the salvation of our souls. Salvation is
God’s free gift to the believer, given to him for Christ’s sake alone. The
troubled soul may find peace through faith in Christ.... He cannot present
his good works as a plea for the salvation of his soul.
[119]
121