God’s word says in Romans 6:23 that, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Salvation is gift from God! It is a gift that saves us from the penalties of sin (death) and brings forgiveness and peace.
(Use your Bible to look up the answers. A free Bible is available online from Bible Hub at https://biblehub.com/esv/ Answers to this lesson are at the bottom of this post.)
This is contrary to what many people believe is true. Without God’s gift, humans have tried other things to earn salvation.
THINGS WHICH CANNOT SAVE US
Religion does not save us. Religion is man’s effort to get to God. According to Acts 26:5, what religion did Paul practice before following Christ? “According to the strictest party of our >> 2 << I have lived as a >> 3 <<” Pharisees were the religious leaders of Judaism. Later the apostle Paul considered his religion as loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. Please read Philippians 3:4-8.
Good works do not save us. Good works are man’s effort to be accepted by God. But the apostle Paul, who taught that religion does not save us, also teaches that good works will not save us either. Speaking of salvation, Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9 that it is “not a result of >> 4 <<, so that no one may boast.”
HOW WE ARE SAVED
We are saved through faith. Faith is how we extend our empty hands out to receive the grace (gift) of God. Again, Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through >> 7 <<.”
According to the Bible, faith implies a personal confidence that Jesus died for us in order to save us and forgive our sins. We acknowledge that we are NOT saved by religion or good works, but by the grace of God, which we receive by faith.
PERSONAL APPLICATION
Do you believe that you are saved?
