Saved By Grace Alone...(response to comment)

As I receive comments, I would like to answer them publicly on the blog. Back in school, my teachers would also make me ask a question loud enough for everyone to hear...that way, everyone could learn from the answer.

The question that this person is struggling with is "Why does God save us? What have we done to earn this salvation?"

The answer comes from scripture:

Ephesians 2:7-9 (NKJV):

"that in ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift from God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

The simple answers are that God saves us because of the richness of who He is. He is full of love for us. We are saved because God allows us to be saved by giving us the free gift of salvation. We can do absolutely NOTHING to earn our salvation. However, works done by the Holy Spirit after salvation will be rewarded in heaven by God...but salvation is free because of the richness of God's kindness. That is why we give him ALL glory and honor, and not just some.

In scripture, it states:

1 John 14:15-17 (NKJV):

"Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he is in God. And we have known and believed the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."

What is God's definition of love? Let's examine the Word:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NKJV):

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

God tells us why He saved us in John 3:16 (NKJV):

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Romans 3:23 (NKJV):

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

I hope this answer has helped many to clearly understand WHY God saved us, and WHAT we did to earn salvation....nothing. I hope it also helps readers to know who God is, and what He is....LOVE that never fails. I love all of you with the love of Christ, and I pray you have a blessed day! Give Him praise!

In His Love,

Sarah

ps...I once saw a bumper sticker that says "The next time the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future." Use these scriptures to acknowledge to God that you are indeed saved by His grace, to remind Satan that you do not have to earn your salvation, and you ARE forgiven for the sins of the past.