SALVATION IS BY GRACE Tune to "THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD" SM-Double Words by JIM BYRD
1. Salvation is by grace, God’s grace must save the soul. No work of man will share a part, Free grace must make us whole. In covenantal love, Before the world began, God chose a multitude to save, A wise and gracious plan.
2. Salvation is by grace, Through Christ the Father’s Son; He came to save us from our sin, And He the work has done. Behold the sacrifice, He bought His chosen bride; Since Jesus gave His life for us Justice is satisfied.
3. Salvation is by grace, Though we were dead in sin; The Spirit came in saving might, And wrought new life within. O bless the name of God, His praises let us sing; That grace which saves by mighty pow’r, Will lead us to our King.
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)
SECONDARY IMPORTANCE? I have noticed that the main issue that men grapple with over the doctrine of election is not whether or not the Scriptures teach it. Any honesty at all will make a man admit the Scriptures do teach this doctrine. What men grapple with is whether or not it is essential to believe this doctrine and preach this doctrine. Most preachers will admit the Bible does teach election, but they relegate it to a doctrine of secondary importance. (Judgement day will reveal the motive behind such actions.) But will the Scriptures support such a position? In Exodus 33:18 Moses said to God, "Shew me Thy glory..." To which God replied, "...I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious." Paul quotes this in Romans 9 to answer the carnal mind’s objection to election (Romans 9:14-15). According to Scripture, God’s glory and election go together. If the glory of God can be thought to be a doctrine of secondary importance, so can the doctrine of election. But we know the glory of God is of primary importance. What does that make God’s electing mercy in Christ? –Henry Mahan
"SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES" A doctrine is not true because a preacher you like spoke it or an author you respect wrote it. There is but one truth. "Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth" (John 17:17). Let us, therefore, be like the Bereans who, upon hearing Paul and Silas, "received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched (examined, investigated, inquired into) the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). Their investigation was to determine either the excellence or the defectiveness of the preaching of these two men. I am not afraid to submit my doctrine to the scrutiny of the Word of God and I call upon you to "search the Scriptures" and see if the things I declare to you are set forth in the Book of God. Does the Bible teach that God is sovereign? "I will do all My pleasure" (Isaiah 46:10). Does the Bible teach God’s election of some unto salvation? "God hath from the beginning chosen you unto salvation" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). Does the Bible teach the fall and total depravity of man? "Death passed upon all men for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). Does the Bible teach the triumphant work of Christ upon the cross in the stead of His people? "By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14). Does the Bible teach the necessity of the Spirit’s work of regeneration? "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7). Does the Bible demand faith in Christ, faith which must be given by the Lord? "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Does the Bible teach the eternal security of the sheep for whom the good Shepherd laid down His life? "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish" (John 10:28). Does the Bible teach there is but one way to God and to heaven; one way of salvation, life, righteousness, forgiveness and acceptance? Christ said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no man cometh to the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6). Does the Bible teach that the rescue of sinners from the dunghill of sin to the heights of glory is all of God? "The salvation of the righteous is of the LORD" (Psalm 37:39). Does the Bible teach that this salvation is all of grace? "To the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). "Search the Scriptures" and see if these things are so. –Pastor Jim Byrd
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