Feb 07, 2011 “By Grace, Through Faith,” the Only Way to Live
Originally posted on April 8, 2004
“By grace through faith” is the Bible’s way of expressing the basic way God deals with people.
This means that as a Christian, we live the life of faith that believes and acts on everything God has given us as a gift of grace.
What is grace? Everything God gives us!
Salvation: “By grace you are saved through faith it is a gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Instruction in how to live: “The grace of God has appeared, bringing us salvation and instructing us in godly living.” Titus 2:11-12
Strength for the heart: “It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace ” Hebrews 13:9.
Strength for labor and service: “I labored more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” I Corinthians 15:9-11
Gifts to give grace to others: “As each of you has received a gift of grace, so use it as stewards of the grace of God.” I Peter 4:10
And so much more!
What is faith? Believing and acting like what God said He has given you by grace He actually did!
Most people are bemoaning the fact that they feel less than full of faith, so they live paralyzed, disobedient, and joyless. The life of faith is affirming God’s grace in your life and moving on with Him in worship, love, obedience, service and joy. The life of faith is not about living in denial of reality, it is about believing God’s promise of grace and acting accordingly. It is about putting “verbs” with belief.
More on the verbs of faith next week. For now, meditate on the great grace of God.
Pastor Scott