"NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE"
Titus 3:5
Good works are very
important in their place, the more the better. I would do everything within my
power to promote good works among God's saints. But good works have absolutely
nothing to do with the accomplishment, preservation, or consummation of our
salvation. "The kindness and love of
God our Savior toward us" is not dependent, in any measure, upon our
good works.
Good works do not cause,
sustain, or improve the believer's salvation and eternal relationship with God
(Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9). Salvation is by grace alone, through faith
alone, in Christ alone. Every aspect of salvation, from beginning to end, is
the work of God's free and sovereign grace in Christ. Nothing is dependent upon
or determined by the works of men, except eternal damnation. Salvation is by
grace alone.
Election, Redemption, and Calling
God's eternal choice of his
people unto salvation was an election of grace, without any consideration of
works (Rom. 9:11-13; 2 Thess. 2:13). Our redemption by the blood of Christ was
a free grace purchase of our souls out from under the curse of the law (Eph.
1:6-7; 1 John 4:9-10). All who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ have been
regenerated, born again, and called by grace alone (John 1:11-13; Eph. 2:1-5). We are justified freely by the grace
of God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, without the works of the
law (Rom. 3:20-28).
Sanctification and Preservation
Like election, redemption,
justification and regeneration, sanctification is a work of grace alone, as
well (Heb. 10:10-14; 1 Cor. 1:30). We do not sanctify ourselves by our works
any more than we can justify ourselves by our works. Christ is our Sanctifier
and our Sanctification. God's saints are all preserved and kept by grace alone.
And our preservation by grace is not dependent, to any degree, upon our own
works (Jer. 32:38-40; John 10:27-29; Rom. 8:28-39; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5; Jude
24-25).
Heavenly Glory
1.And our eternal reward in heaven is the reward of
grace alone. In heaven's glory we will not be rewarded for our works, but for
the works of Christ our Substitute. And that reward of eternal life shall be
given to us as the free gift of God's eternal grace toward us in Christ (Matt.
25:34; Eph. 1:3, 11, 14; Rom. 8:17; 6:23). The glory and bliss of eternal life
is the purchased possession of every believer, freely bestowed upon God’s elect
by the grace of God, without any works on our part. AMEN.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #841
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 859-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net