Bible Truth FAQs
SALVATION IS NOT BY GRACE ALONE?
A religious philosophy based on Eph. 2:8-9 proposes the doctrine of salvation by grace only. This necessarily infers that no person will be lost eternally because God's grace is bestowed upon all (Tit. 2:11) and that God is not willing that any should perish (II Pet. 3:9). This doctrine has strong appeal for many who are unlearned in the scriptures, but the trouble with it is, it simply is not true.
First of all, it violates the context of Eph. 2. It assumes a "grace only" thrust whereas nothing is said in the context that even hints at grace only. It ignores the good works (verse 10) in which God ordained that the saved should be engaged. It sets aside plain scriptures (such as Matt. 7:13-14 and Rev. 20:15) which state that many, even the majority, will be lost eternally.
There are two kinds of works: God's works and man's works. The works of man cannot earn salvation for him. Salvation is by God's grace and therefore cannot be earned. But what God has commanded is God's works, and man must do the will of the Heavenly Father if he is to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 7:21). Without obedience man cannot appropriate to himself God's grace. Christ has become the author of eternal salvation to all who will obey him (Heb. 5:8-9).
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