Scripture
Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved-- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Devotional #64: Sola Gratia - "Not By Our Might"
Scripture affirms that salvation is solely a work of God. We as miserable sinners have been forgiven of our sins and delivered from God’s wrath by grace alone. This supernatural work was accomplished by Christ and applied to us through the Holy Spirit. Scripture denies any human contribution to our salvation. No man-made techniques nor moral accomplishments can produce faith. We are saved by God’s sheer unmerited grace.
If we were to believe that people were inherently good and able to contribute to their salvation, then the believer would have every right to claim some credit for their salvation. This salvation would be less than “Amazing.” Romans 5:8 reminds us that we were saved not because of any positive contribution from a part, but when we enemies of God.
If we were to believe that people were inherently good and able to contribute to their salvation, then the believer would have every right to claim some credit for their salvation. This salvation would be less than “Amazing.” Romans 5:8 reminds us that we were saved not because of any positive contribution from a part, but when we enemies of God.
Questions
- How does sola Christus, sola fide, and sola gratia relate to one another?
- “The only thing we contribute to our salvation is the sin that makes it necessary” (Jonathan Edwards). How does this quote heighten the doctrine of Sola Gratia.
Scripture
Philippians 1:1-17 (ESV)
1 Paul and Timothy, servants[a] of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers[b] and deacons:[c] 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[d] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 I want you to know, brothers,[e] that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[f] and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word[g] without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[d] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 I want you to know, brothers,[e] that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[f] and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word[g] without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
Devotional #65: Sola Gratia - "God Changes Us"
Paul’s confidence in the church at Philippi did not reside in their ability to keep the promises of God. He knew better than to put his trust in humanity. But Paul’s confidence resided in the sheer grace of God and His promise to save His elect. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:8). Salvation is not God granting us power to save ourselves. Salvation is God saving us from beginning to end. Thus, our posture of love should be two-fold. (1) If the power to change resides in Christ, then we must consistently pray to Christ for the grace to change. (2) We must be gracious to one another when change comes slowly. We know in the end God’s will shall prevail.
Question
If salvation by grace alone is from the beginning to the end, how should this impact our prayer life and our community life?
Scripture
Romans 10:13-15 (ESV)
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[a] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Devotional #66: Sola Gratia - "A Proclamation of Grace"
“Evangelism is man’s work, but the giving of the faith is God’s” (J.I Packer, “Evangelism & The Sovereignty of God”). When we share about our Jesus with our family, friends, and neighbors, we are not looking to argue anyone into God’s kingdom. This would assume that people had some capacity to rationally come to Christ. On the contrary, the gospel is a proclamation that needs to be faithfully declared. Our duty, privilege, and desire are to share the good news with all! But we do not need to feel undue ease or pressure. What if I mess up the gospel presentation? What if I stumble over my words? What if I get something wrong? The power of regeneration (re-birth) comes from God and God alone. Be free and at ease as you share the gospel. God will surely bring about fruit!
Questions
- Does the salvation of others depend on how well we present the gospel? How does this free us to proclaim the gospel?
- Overall, how does sola gratia free us from taking ourselves so seriously?