What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works? When it comes to understanding the concept of salvation, the Bible speaks clearly about the role of grace and works. The debate between grace and works has been a topic of discussion and interpretation among Christian theologians for centuries. In this article, we will explore what the Bible says about being saved by grace and not by works. We will delve into key scriptures and examine the significance of grace in the context of salvation.
What the Bible Says About Saved by Grace Not Works
From a Biblical Perspective
The Foundation of Grace
One of the foundational scriptures that addresses the relationship between grace and salvation is Ephesians 2:8-9: “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.” This passage clearly states that salvation is a result of God’s grace and not our own works. It emphasizes that it is a gift from God, undeserved and unearned.
Understanding the Thief on the Cross
To further illustrate the concept of salvation by grace, we can look at the example of the thief who was crucified alongside Jesus. In Luke 23:43, Jesus tells the thief, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Despite the thief’s lack of good works or religious practices, Jesus extends grace to him, offering salvation in that very moment. This serves as a powerful reminder that salvation is not dependent on our own efforts but on God’s grace.
Saved Through His Life
While the forgiveness of sins is a vital aspect of salvation, there is more to it than just receiving the forgiveness of sins. Romans 5:10 states, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” This verse highlights the significance of being saved through the life of Jesus. It implies that salvation involves a transformation that goes beyond the forgiveness of sins.
The Power of Grace
Upon receiving the forgiveness of sins and coming to faith in Jesus, believers are able to receive the Holy Spirit. This empowers them to live according to God’s will and do His works. However, it requires denying our own will and surrendering to God’s leading. Luke 9:23-24 emphasizes this, stating, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” This shows that salvation by grace also involves actively following Jesus and allowing His Spirit to transform us.
The Salvation of Our Soul
The salvation of our soul is a process that goes beyond the initial forgiveness of sins. 1 Peter 1:9-11 speaks of the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to us. It alludes to the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory that follows. Salvation encompasses entering into the sufferings of Christ, denying ourselves, and experiencing a new heavenly life in full alignment with God’s will. This transformation occurs in the soul, which is the source of our human will.
Grace and Active Participation
While salvation is by grace alone, it does require active participation on our part. Some may mistakenly believe that they can do nothing to overcome sin and live a new life, citing that they are saved by grace, not by works. However, Jesus reminds us in John 15:5 that we can do nothing without Him. Once we have received the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to deny ourselves and follow Jesus, enabling us to do the will of God. Salvation by grace involves a partnership between God’s grace and our response of faith.
The Balance of Grace and Works
In the discussion of grace and works, it is important to strike a balance. While we cannot earn salvation through our own efforts, James 2:26 reminds us that faith without works is dead. Our works, however, are not the means by which we earn salvation but rather the evidence of a transformed life. Good works flow from a heart that has been touched by God’s grace. They are the outpouring of our love for God and others, demonstrating the reality of our faith.
Conclusion
The Bible is clear that salvation is a result of God’s grace and not our own works. It is a gift freely given to us through faith in Jesus Christ. While salvation by grace does not negate the importance of good works, it emphasizes that our works are a response to God’s grace and not a means of earning salvation. As believers, we are called to actively participate in the process of salvation, allowing God’s grace to transform us and empower us to live according to His will. May we continually rely on His grace and walk in obedience, knowing that we are saved by His unmerited favor alone.
What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works?
Ephesians 2:8-9 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.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Romans 11:1-36 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. …
Group 1 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Ephesians 2:9 Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Romans 9:1-33 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. …
Group 2 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Ephesians 2:8-10 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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, …
Group 3 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Romans 10:9-10 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
Romans 10:1-21 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. …
Group 4 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 3:24 And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Isaiah 64:6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
1 John 5:4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Group 5 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
James 2:1-26 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? …
James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
2 Timothy 1:9 Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
Colossians 2:12 Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Group 6 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Romans 3:28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 16:26 But has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Matthew 18:3 And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
John 6:1-71 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” …
Group 7 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
2 Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.
James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
Group 8 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
James 2:14-26 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. …
Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Galatians 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Group 9 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
1 Corinthians 9:1-27 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? …
Romans 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Group 10 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
1 John 5:7 For there are three that testify:
1 Peter 2:1-25 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …
Acts 15:1-41 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, …
Group 11 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Hebrews 5:8-9 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
Titus 3:7 So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Group 12 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Ephesians 2:1-22 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— …
Ephesians 2:1-10 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— …
Group 13 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Galatians 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Ephesians 1:22-23 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Group 14 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Romans 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Group 15 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Acts 23:1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 11:22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
Acts 22:4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,
Romans 9:16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Romans 11:20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Group 16 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Romans 5:20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
Romans 4:3-5 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Acts 8:36-38 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Romans 3:1-31 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) …
Group 17 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
Romans 2:7 To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Acts 2:47 Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Acts 8:35-39 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
Group 18 – What Does the Bible Say About Saved by Grace Not Works
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 2:1-47 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. …
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
Romans 1:5 Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Also Read
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