TODAY’S VERSE:

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

In prep school we started a new study, “Christianity vs. Religion”. We are learning the difference between salvation as a result of God’s grace, as taught in the Bible vs. the teachings of the world’s organized religions that say salvation is a result of human works/good deeds.

In God’s plan, salvation has always been a grace gift, but God sanctified (set apart/made holy) His people differently, before and after the cross. Let’s look at the ways He accomplished this in order to see an example of grace vs. works.

In the years B.C. (before Christ), God gave the Jewish people The Law to follow in order to sanctify them for Himself. God wanted them to be a people devoted to Him and separate from all other peoples. Therefore, they were called to live very unique lives.

The Law is found in the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy) and gives detailed descriptions of how the Jews were to live. The Law includes the 10 commandments, the instructions for the many feasts and sacrifices, the rules regarding the Sabbath, the guidelines for purity, and the penalties for sins. So, before the cross, keeping the Law is what sanctified God’s people. Remember, though, they still received salvation by grace; the Law sanctified them, it DID NOT save them.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Once Jesus Christ became a man, lived among us, bore the judgement for our sins, died, and then rose again, His children were called to live differently. Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Law, living a sinless life and becoming the human manifestation of love.

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

So, after the cross, salvation based on the Lord Jesus Christ’s work on the cross, is the source of sanctification.

Romans 7:6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law by fulfilling the law of love. He loved us as He loved Himself and laid down His life for us. He did all the work of paying the penalty for sin in order to allow us to live in His grace.

Romans 10:4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

Galatians 5:14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

How wonderful is this? Sanctification is now a part of the grace gift of salvation, not as a result of obedience to the Law. When we are born again, God promises us that we are forever His children, saved and sanctified!

Sadly, today’s religions do not accept the grace gift that is the work of Jesus Christ. Instead, they keep themselves under a type of the Law, attempting to work for and earn salvation, which is IMPOSSIBLE!  Do you see why it is so important to share the Good News? We want others to experience the freedom God has designed His people to live in by accepting the grace gift of salvation, which is in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:1 (NLT) So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.