SAVED BY GRACE

“For the GRACE of God that brings SALVATION has appeared to all men” – Titus 2:11

The fundamental privilege of the Covenant of Grace is that we are SAVED BY GRACE: “For the GRACE of God that brings SALVATION has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Tit.2:11-12). In Scripture, the word “Grace” refers to God’s goodness and kindness freely extended to those who are utterly undeserving – and that includes all human beings! Grace is the Access into Salvation – the means of our salvation through Christ and the basis by which He sees us. Grace brings the free, but priceless package of blessings called Salvation. Salvation is deliverance or redemption from sin and its consequences, through repentance and faith in Christ. It also infers deliverance or preservation from danger, disaster, harm, loss or ruin.

“The Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” – Grace is not the exclusive privilege of the elite or rich! Grace doesn’t discriminate. God is impartial on the matter of salvation: “and all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Lk.3:6). The Grace for salvation is universal: “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you to be a Light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47). Paul qualified the Gospel of Christ as: “the power of God to salvation for EVERYONE who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom.1:16). This is written concerning Jesus: “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal Salvation to ALL who obey Him” (Heb.5:9).

Salvation was paid for by Jesus’ Blood. Therefore, no one will ever be excused before God not to have received the free gift of salvation. Jesus gave His life to save all human beings, irrespective of class, creed, or colour. God, our Saviour, “desires ALL MEN to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim.2:4b). God saves brings people into “the knowledge of the truth”: “and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jh.8:32). The “knowledge of the truth” sets free, liberates, delivers, and perpetuates our salvation. And Grace has a key role in bringing this knowledge, by “teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit.2:12).

God “raised up a horn of Salvation” in the Person of Jesus, “to give knowledge of Salvation to His people by the remission of their sins” (Lk.1:69; 77). However, notwithstanding the appearance of salvation to all, only those who by faith, receive the gift of Salvation that Grace freely offers, are saved. Some folks take the Grace of God for granted; they think that it is too cheap and easy a way to salvation, and would rather work to earn salvation through good works, morality, religion, and humanism. Salvation does not come through human efforts, personal struggles or self-righteousness, however noble such may be: “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isa.64:6a). All of those are like filthy rags!

Peter, in his post-Pentecost sermon declared: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” – except the Name of Jesus (Acts 4:10-12). Remember: “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” (Eph.2:8-9). Salvation is God’s Gift which comes by Grace through Faith in Jesus name, not by any works of righteousness! The Day of Salvation must never be postponed: “For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of Salvation I have helped you.” Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION” (2Cor.6:2).

Having been saved by grace, God wants us to abide, stand and walk in Grace and be trained and transformed to become Reflectors of His grace in all areas of our lives and to the world!