There are three aspects regarding our salvation. These aspects are presented in the New Testament repeatedly, always in the same order. It is very important that we present these three aspects in the order that the Bible places them. To get them in the wrong order is to preach a false, unbiblical salvation.
Grace First
The first aspect, the foundation of our salvation, is the grace of God. Grace is the provision that God made for our salvation. “Grace” is a word that is unknown today to so many of our churches. Noah Webster defines “grace” this way – “Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.” At the root of grace is God’s love, and the chief characteristic of grace is that God loved us when did not merit, earn, or deserve it. This love of God toward mankind is the FIRST aspect of our salvation, being plainly set forth in I John 4:19 – “We love him because he first loved us.” Romans 5:8 reveals this grace – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s grace is manifest to us in his expression of love toward us. He loved us before we loved Him; He loved us in spite of us; He loved us while we were yet sinners. The proof of the grace of God is in the cross of Christ. God proved His love to mankind in the giving of His Son to lay down His life upon the old, rugged cross. This is the foundation, the focal point, the center, and the theme of the entire gospel – God showed grace to mankind by loving us when we were undeserving, filthy, rotten sinners.
I will mention it here, having already expounded on it. The opposite of grace is works. This is best shown in Romans 11:6. Grace and works are opposites. The foundation of our salvation is God’s grace, and when I speak of grace, I am referring to God sending His own Son to die upon the cross of Calvary. Before we could be saved, God made the first move, even when we did not deserve it. He sent His Son to die. Many of us know the definition of grace. But they say that a picture is worth a thousand words. And if you want to see a portrait of grace, it is the picture of Jesus Christ hanging on an old rugged cross, expressing His love to mankind in spite of them and their sin. Grace – no wonder they call it amazing!
Faith Second
Concerning our salvation, it is clear that the Father made the first move by sending His only begotten Son to shed His blood upon the cross of Calvary. This was done prior to any effort was made on man’s part to turn to God. Now that Christ has died, was buried, and rose again from the dead, what do we do to be saved?
The second aspect of our salvation is faith. To obtain salvation, we simply believe, or place our faith, in the Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ constitute the picture of God’s grace toward man. Grace is God’s provision for our salvation; faith is God’s prerequisite for our salvation. To be saved, we must, as the apostle Paul who was blameless concerning the law, let go of every feeble effort to save ourselves, counting it all but dung, and rest solely and completely in Jesus Christ. God made provision for our salvation by sending Jesus to die for our sins. Consequently, we trust His provision completely to save and keep us.
Works Third
Grace is God’s provision for our salvation; faith is God’s prerequisite for our salvation; and works are God’s product of salvation. After we are saved, the resurrected Saviour lives in us, producing good works. Good works are a result of salvation, not a requirement of salvation. This is where many slip up. The New Testament absolutely emphasizes the holy, separated life of a Christian. But just as much, the New Testament emphasizes this life to be lived in us, through Jesus Christ. Repeatedly, the New Testament reveals the order I have presented here; grace first, faith second, and works third. To try to have good works so you can be saved or stay saved is to preach another gospel; a gospel that should be recanted and completely dismissed.
Verses That Show This Order
Now, I want to look at some verses that deal with salvation, and show how the scriptures repeatedly bear out that the proper order of our salvation is grace first, faith second, and works third.
Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
This passage needs little explanation. First, the apostle says, “By grace are ye saved.” Grace first. Then, the apostle states that our salvation is “through faith.” Faith second. Then, the apostle makes it clear that our salvation is not of works. He makes it plain that we do not work so we can be saved; but after we place faith in the grace of God, the apostle states, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Here, the apostle shows that our salvation produces good works. He shows how these good works are done – “We are His workmanship.” HE IS THE ONE DOING THE WORKS IN US. Works third.
Galatians 2:20 – “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
The first aspect of our salvation presented here is that Christ was crucified – this is the expression of God’s grace to man. Grace first. Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ.” This means that when we place our faith in the finished work of Jesus, we died when He died upon the cross. Paul connects our crucifixion with Christ with our faith being placed in Him. Faith second. As a result of being crucified with Christ, “Christ liveth in me.” When we live by faith, Christ does the living in our hearts, producing a life of holiness and righteousness. Works third.
Titus 2:11, 12 – “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
The first words of this passage, “For the grace of God.” Grace first. The next words, “that bringeth salvation.” Salvation second. Verse eleven states, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” Works third, directly resulting from salvation by grace. So many use this verse to show how grace teaches us to live right; and it does! But before grace teaches us to live right, it brings salvation. After it brings salvation, then it teaches us to live right. Living right is shown as a result of salvation; not a requirement of it.
Titus 2:13, 14 – “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Notice how this passage begins – “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us.” This giving of Himself for us is grace. The next words state plainly, “That he might redeem us from all iniquity.” Redemption second. Then he said, “…and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Works third. Again, we see that faith in the finished work of Christ results in good works.
Titus 3:4, 5, 8 – “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
First, the apostle mentions, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.” Grace first. Then, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Salvation (apart from works) second. Then, in verse 8, Paul states, “…and I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Works third. Paul explains, not only that our salvation is a result of salvation and not a requirement, but also that our good works should be done because they are profitable unto men. I do not maintain good works so I can be saved; I maintain good works, for one reason, that lost mankind may see my good works, and glorify my Father which is in heaven, according to Matthew 5:16.
I John 2:2, 3 – “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
The first words of the passage are, “And he is the propitiation for our sins.” John is referring specifically to the death of Christ, which the only act of righteousness that appeases the wrath of the Father. Grace first. Then, John states in verse 3, “And hereby we do know that we know him…” Knowing Him is second. Then, the evidence of having met the Lord is given, “…if we keep his commandments.” Works third. Again, we keep His commandments, not so we can meet Him; but rather because we ALREADY know Him. It would be good to state here, that the apostle is so sure that knowing the Lord results in keeping His commandments, that in the next verse, he plainly states, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
The New Testament is so clear on the order of our salvation. God showed grace to mankind by sending Jesus to die for us when we did not deserve it; we place our faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone, obtaining salvation; and as a result, Christ lives a holy life through us. This is the gospel, and anything that contradicts it is a false, perverted, deviation from truth.
Grace First
The first aspect, the foundation of our salvation, is the grace of God. Grace is the provision that God made for our salvation. “Grace” is a word that is unknown today to so many of our churches. Noah Webster defines “grace” this way – “Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.” At the root of grace is God’s love, and the chief characteristic of grace is that God loved us when did not merit, earn, or deserve it. This love of God toward mankind is the FIRST aspect of our salvation, being plainly set forth in I John 4:19 – “We love him because he first loved us.” Romans 5:8 reveals this grace – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s grace is manifest to us in his expression of love toward us. He loved us before we loved Him; He loved us in spite of us; He loved us while we were yet sinners. The proof of the grace of God is in the cross of Christ. God proved His love to mankind in the giving of His Son to lay down His life upon the old, rugged cross. This is the foundation, the focal point, the center, and the theme of the entire gospel – God showed grace to mankind by loving us when we were undeserving, filthy, rotten sinners.
I will mention it here, having already expounded on it. The opposite of grace is works. This is best shown in Romans 11:6. Grace and works are opposites. The foundation of our salvation is God’s grace, and when I speak of grace, I am referring to God sending His own Son to die upon the cross of Calvary. Before we could be saved, God made the first move, even when we did not deserve it. He sent His Son to die. Many of us know the definition of grace. But they say that a picture is worth a thousand words. And if you want to see a portrait of grace, it is the picture of Jesus Christ hanging on an old rugged cross, expressing His love to mankind in spite of them and their sin. Grace – no wonder they call it amazing!
Faith Second
Concerning our salvation, it is clear that the Father made the first move by sending His only begotten Son to shed His blood upon the cross of Calvary. This was done prior to any effort was made on man’s part to turn to God. Now that Christ has died, was buried, and rose again from the dead, what do we do to be saved?
The second aspect of our salvation is faith. To obtain salvation, we simply believe, or place our faith, in the Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ constitute the picture of God’s grace toward man. Grace is God’s provision for our salvation; faith is God’s prerequisite for our salvation. To be saved, we must, as the apostle Paul who was blameless concerning the law, let go of every feeble effort to save ourselves, counting it all but dung, and rest solely and completely in Jesus Christ. God made provision for our salvation by sending Jesus to die for our sins. Consequently, we trust His provision completely to save and keep us.
Works Third
Grace is God’s provision for our salvation; faith is God’s prerequisite for our salvation; and works are God’s product of salvation. After we are saved, the resurrected Saviour lives in us, producing good works. Good works are a result of salvation, not a requirement of salvation. This is where many slip up. The New Testament absolutely emphasizes the holy, separated life of a Christian. But just as much, the New Testament emphasizes this life to be lived in us, through Jesus Christ. Repeatedly, the New Testament reveals the order I have presented here; grace first, faith second, and works third. To try to have good works so you can be saved or stay saved is to preach another gospel; a gospel that should be recanted and completely dismissed.
Verses That Show This Order
Now, I want to look at some verses that deal with salvation, and show how the scriptures repeatedly bear out that the proper order of our salvation is grace first, faith second, and works third.
Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
This passage needs little explanation. First, the apostle says, “By grace are ye saved.” Grace first. Then, the apostle states that our salvation is “through faith.” Faith second. Then, the apostle makes it clear that our salvation is not of works. He makes it plain that we do not work so we can be saved; but after we place faith in the grace of God, the apostle states, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Here, the apostle shows that our salvation produces good works. He shows how these good works are done – “We are His workmanship.” HE IS THE ONE DOING THE WORKS IN US. Works third.
Galatians 2:20 – “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
The first aspect of our salvation presented here is that Christ was crucified – this is the expression of God’s grace to man. Grace first. Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ.” This means that when we place our faith in the finished work of Jesus, we died when He died upon the cross. Paul connects our crucifixion with Christ with our faith being placed in Him. Faith second. As a result of being crucified with Christ, “Christ liveth in me.” When we live by faith, Christ does the living in our hearts, producing a life of holiness and righteousness. Works third.
Titus 2:11, 12 – “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
The first words of this passage, “For the grace of God.” Grace first. The next words, “that bringeth salvation.” Salvation second. Verse eleven states, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” Works third, directly resulting from salvation by grace. So many use this verse to show how grace teaches us to live right; and it does! But before grace teaches us to live right, it brings salvation. After it brings salvation, then it teaches us to live right. Living right is shown as a result of salvation; not a requirement of it.
Titus 2:13, 14 – “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Notice how this passage begins – “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us.” This giving of Himself for us is grace. The next words state plainly, “That he might redeem us from all iniquity.” Redemption second. Then he said, “…and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Works third. Again, we see that faith in the finished work of Christ results in good works.
Titus 3:4, 5, 8 – “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
First, the apostle mentions, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.” Grace first. Then, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Salvation (apart from works) second. Then, in verse 8, Paul states, “…and I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Works third. Paul explains, not only that our salvation is a result of salvation and not a requirement, but also that our good works should be done because they are profitable unto men. I do not maintain good works so I can be saved; I maintain good works, for one reason, that lost mankind may see my good works, and glorify my Father which is in heaven, according to Matthew 5:16.
I John 2:2, 3 – “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
The first words of the passage are, “And he is the propitiation for our sins.” John is referring specifically to the death of Christ, which the only act of righteousness that appeases the wrath of the Father. Grace first. Then, John states in verse 3, “And hereby we do know that we know him…” Knowing Him is second. Then, the evidence of having met the Lord is given, “…if we keep his commandments.” Works third. Again, we keep His commandments, not so we can meet Him; but rather because we ALREADY know Him. It would be good to state here, that the apostle is so sure that knowing the Lord results in keeping His commandments, that in the next verse, he plainly states, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
The New Testament is so clear on the order of our salvation. God showed grace to mankind by sending Jesus to die for us when we did not deserve it; we place our faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone, obtaining salvation; and as a result, Christ lives a holy life through us. This is the gospel, and anything that contradicts it is a false, perverted, deviation from truth.
