SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH OBEDIENCE.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS CONCERNING SALVATION ANSWERED BY THE WORD OF GOD. EDWIN F. PARRY, LIVERPOOL ENGLAND.

BIBLE TEACHINGS UPON THIS SUBJECT—IMPORTANT QUESTIONS CONCERNING SALVATION ANSWERED BY THE WORD OF GOD SALVATION FREE TO ALL WHO WILL OBEY—FAITH ALONE WILL NOT SAVE—TRUE FAITH CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM WORKS OF OBEDIENCE—ILLUSTRATIONS OF SALVATION BY GRACE.

IS SALVATION FREE TO ALL?

The Bible plainly says that it is. St. Paul tells us that our Savior "Will have all men to be saved." (I Timothy 3: 4). John tells us that

"God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3: 16, 17).

ARE ALL MEN SINNERS?

The Bible says so.

"There is none righteous, no, not one." (Romans 3: 10).

"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecclesiastes 7: 20).

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (I John 1: 8).

WHAT IS THE LORD'S INVITATION AND PROMISE TO SINNERS?

He invites them to come unto Him, and promises them rest unto their souls and forgiveness of their sins.

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30).

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1: 18).

CAN SINFUL MAN SAVE HIMSELF?

No. The Apostle Paul says salvation "is the gift of God," (Ephesians 2: 8); he also says,

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life." (Romans 6: 23).

THEN BY WHAT MEANS CAN MAN BE SAVED?

Only through the grace of God, which means by His goodness, favor, or kindness.

"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." (Ephesians 2: 8, 9).

DOES THIS MEAN THAT WE ARE TO DO NOTHING?

Certainly not, for the next verse of St. Paul's writing states that we must perform good works.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10).

WHAT IS THIS GIFT OF GOD WHICH BRINGS SALVATION TO MAN?

It is the atonement made by Jesus Christ, by which He took away the sin of the world.

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." (I Peter 3: 18).

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1: 29).

FROM WHAT IS MAN SAVED BY CHRIST'S ATONEMENT?

First, from the effects of Adam's fall, which is death.

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (I Corinthians 15: 21, 22).

Second, from the sins man himself commits, provided he accepts the grace which Christ offers.

"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (I John 2: 2).

HOW CAN MAN RECEIVE THE GREAT GIFT OF SALVATION FROM SIN?

Only by obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ; that is, by doing what He has commanded. There is no other way. St. Paul says of Christ:

"Being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Hebrews 5: 9).

The Savior Himself says:

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7: 21).

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14: 15).

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14: 21).

SHALL WE BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO OUR BELIEF OR ACCORDING TO OUR OBEDIENCE?

The scriptures tell us that every man will be rewarded according to his works.

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." (Matthew 16, 27).

"Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath." (Romans 2: 6, 7).

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20: 12, 13).

WHAT WILL BE THE PENALTY OF DISOBEDIENCE?

The Apostle Paul says the Lord Jesus will take vengeance upon those who obey not the Gospel of Christ.

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thessalonians 1: 7, 8).

The Apostle James says people deceive themselves if they do not the things the Lord commands:

"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1: 22).

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" (James 2: 14, 15, 16).

The Apostle John gives this testimony concerning those who obey the Lord:

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22: 14).

ARE NOT MANKIND CLEANSED FROM SIN BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS?

Yes, if they follow Him, that is, keep His commandments.

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1: 5, 6, 7).

DOES THE OBEDIENCE WHICH THE LORD REQUIRES MEAN BELIEF ONLY?

No; for true belief, or faith, cannot be separated from works. Jesus says,

"He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." (John 14: 12).

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7: 21).

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6: 46).

"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15: 14).

The Apostle James also tells us,

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2: 17).

Knowing that a man cannot show that he has faith except by his works, this Apostle adds:

"Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." (James 2: 18).

To make it plain that a belief without works is not a living faith and will not save, he says,

"The devils also believe and tremble." (James 2: 19).

WHAT WORKS ARE REQUIRED WITH OUR FAITH?

The ordinances of the Gospel, such as repentance, baptism and the laying on of hands, and all the works of righteousness God has commanded. Jesus says concerning repentance and baptism,

"Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4: 17).

"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13: 5).

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16: 16).

The Apostle Peter says,

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2: 38).

In regard to works of righteousness Christ says:

"Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 20).

"He that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10: 22).

Upon this subject the Apostle Peter writes:

"Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." (II Peter 1: 5-7).

DOES ANY PART OF THE BIBLE TEACH THAT MAN CAN BE SAVED WITHOUT WORKS?

No. The passages that some people suppose teach such a doctrine are not fully understood by them. Paul and Silas said to the jailer, when he asked them what he should do to be saved,

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house." (Acts 16: 31).

They knew that the jailer could not truly believe without obeying. That he did obey is shown by the words that follow:

"And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." (Acts 16: 33).

On the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter repeated these words from the prophecy of Joel:

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2: 21).

But on the same occasion he commanded every one of them to repent and be baptized. (Acts 2: 38).

St. Paul says,

"A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3: 28).

It is made plain by other remarks which he makes in the same connection that he refers to the Jewish law, and not to deeds of righteousness, nor Gospel ordinances. In no place does the Bible teach that faith without works will save.

AN ILLUSTRATION.

Suppose a farmer were told these words by a friend: "If you only had a horse, you might do much more work." The farmer would at once understand that his friend meant that he should not only procure a horse, but that he should feed it, and use it in the harness in order to get the work performed. He would be considered a very foolish man if he merely bought the horse, and never fed it or used it, simply because his friend did not say the words "You must feed it and make use of it after you get it." The horse would soon die, and then be of no use to the owner if he treated it in such a way. Anyone who says he believes in Jesus Christ and never obeys His commandments has but a dead faith, which is of no more use to him than is a dead horse to a farmer.

WHAT KNOWLEDGE DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS NECESSARY TO ETERNAL LIFE?

A knowledge of our Father in heaven, and our Redeemer.

"This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17: 3).

CAN THIS KNOWLEDGE BE OBTAINED WITHOUT OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD?

It cannot. The Apostle John says:

"Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandment. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (I John 2: 3, 4).

CAN THERE BE MORE THAN ONE WAY OF SALVATION, OR MORE THAN ONE TRUE GOSPEL AND CHURCH OF CHRIST?

No. The Savior taught only one way, and organized but one church. He says:

"I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6).

"He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." (John 10: 1).

St. Paul says concerning the one Gospel of Christ:

"Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1: 8).

The same Apostle says concerning the Church of Christ:

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4: 4, 5).

St. John gives this warning against those who teach not the necessity of abiding in Christ, that is obeying all His doctrines:

"If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds." (II John 10, 11).

IF ORDINANCES AND COMMANDMENTS MUST BE OBEYED HOW ARE MANKIND SAVED BY GRACE, WHICH IS A FREE GIFT?

The Gospel plan is given through the grace of God. It is a gift to man. If man refuses to obey it he rejects the gift, which is the only means of his salvation.

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." (Romans 1: 16).

TRUTHS DECLARED BY THE WORD OF GOD.

The passages already given are from the writings and sayings of divinely inspired apostles and prophets. They are the words of God, for these men "spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." With many other passages in the Bible they prove that—

Salvation is Free to all. All men are Sinners.

The Lord Invites all Sinners to come to Him, and Promises them Forgiveness.

Sinful man Cannot save Himself.

He can only be Saved by the Grace of God.

He can only partake of the Full Grace of God by Obeying the Gospel of Christ.

Obedience means to Keep the Commandments as well as to Believe.

The Bible Teaches no other way of Salvation.

SALVATION AND EDUCATION.

The Gospel which redeems from sin may be likened unto a course of education which redeems from ignorance. The two are so near alike that if we understand the one we may be able to understand the other. Sometimes wealthy men establish schools that are free to the public. All who desire to get an education are invited to receive it freely. It might be said that it is by the grace or kindness of these men that those who accept their offer are educated. But to receive the education they offer so freely one must comply with the rules of the school. He cannot enter unless he is willing to do so. After he has entered the pupil must obey the instructions given or he never will gain the education offered, although it is offered freely.

Salvation in the kingdom of heaven is very much the same. It is offered to all freely, but to receive it one must accept of the conditions upon which it is tendered; and he must gain it by obedience to the instructions of the Savior, who made salvation free to mankind.

SIN AND DEBT.

Sin may be likened unto a debt. Sometimes men get into debt and are unable to pay what they owe. Suppose a man in this condition was told by the man to whom he was in debt that he would be forgiven if he would agree to certain conditions. Such a man would not expect forgiveness unless he made the promise and kept his agreement.

All men are sinners before the Lord, and they cannot free themselves from their sins. The Savior, however, promises them forgiveness on condition of their obedience to His commandments. How then can we expect to receive forgiveness unless we accept His offer and obey His word?