THE FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE OF GOD’S GRACE TOWARD US

Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Welcome as we come together to study the Bible, the true bread of life for our souls.

The Scriptures teach clearly that we are saved by grace, not by works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

“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.”

This passage tells us that salvation is entirely a gift from God — it cannot be earned by anything we do. No matter how righteous we may think we are, we still fall short because of our sinful nature. Like a dog who thinks its ways are right, but a human sees its many flaws, so God sees our flaws even when we consider ourselves pure. Therefore, we can never boast before God by our own deeds.

Yet despite our many shortcomings, God extends to us the free gift of salvation. This unearned gift is what we call GRACE.

But it is crucial to understand that this grace, while freely given, is not cheap or without purpose. It comes with a responsibility and an expectation. Grace teaches us and requires a response from us. If we refuse this response, we effectively reject the grace itself.

What exactly does grace require?

Consider this passage:

Titus 2:11-13 (ESV)

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Notice verse 12: God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires. This is the key demand grace places on us. It calls us to reject the sinful patterns of the world and to live lives marked by self-control, righteousness, and godliness.

If we embrace this teaching and live accordingly, God’s grace will remain with us and cover over our smaller faults. Just as a dog who accepts his master’s training is loved and his minor faults overlooked, so too God’s grace overlooks small imperfections when we submit to His discipline. But those who reject this teaching and continue to live as they please—wandering freely in sin—will not experience the favor of God’s grace.

Many today misunderstand grace to mean license to live however they want. They say, “We are saved by grace, not works,” without understanding that grace itself calls for a transformed life—a life that denies the world.

If you desire God’s grace to abide in you, you must deny the fashions and pleasures of the world. You must reject worldly indulgences such as immodest clothing, tattoos, jewelry, drunkenness, sinful entertainment, sexual immorality, dishonesty, and all other forms of worldly sin.

Do not be deceived—God’s grace and worldly living are fundamentally incompatible.

Have you truly denied sin? Have you rejected the world?

If not, then today is the day to repent, to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and to be baptized in water in His name. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and help you obey the commands of God’s grace.