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A prominent religious doctrine is that we're
under grace, but not under law. Some people call
this doctrine grace only.
Most often, people use this doctrine to defend
their belief that baptism isn't essential for
salvation. And sometimes, they use it as a reason
to do whatever they want, apart from anything
God says in His word.
Extreme Limits of Grace Only
When pushed to its outer limits, the false doctrine
of grace only asserts that people have to do nothing
to be saved, not even believe. God will either
save them by grace, or not at all.
And when we add some Calvinism into the mix,
people come up with a series of doctrines like
this:
- There is nothing you can do to be saved or
lost. God predestined your eternal destiny before
you were born.
- If God predestined you to be saved, He will
send the Holy Spirit upon you to make you believe
and be saved. You have no choice.
- Once you are saved, there is nothing you
can do to be lost. Even if you sin and die before
repenting, you will still be saved.
Of course, the above doctrines contradict many
Scriptures. Unfortunately, though, they are widely
held by churches.
Grace, Faith, and Obedience
Even with a superficial study of the New Testament,
we immediately understand we're saved by grace
through faith, in obedience to Christ. We are
not saved by grace only or faith only.
- "For by grace you have been saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves, it is
the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).
- "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience
from the things which He suffered. And having
been made perfect, He became to all those
who obey Him the source of eternal salvation"
(Heb. 5:8-9).
The faith by which we are saved, works the works
of God. This is not like the demons, who have
a disobedient faith that does not work.
- "Therefore they said to Him, 'What shall
we do, so that we may work the works
of God?' Jesus answered and said to them,
'This is the work of God, that you believe
in Him whom He has sent'" (Jn. 6:28-29).
- "You believe that God is one. You
do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish
fellow, that faith without works is useless"
(Jas. 2:19-20)?
Likewise, James (in his epistle) asks a rhetorical
question, communicating that faith without works
can't save us.
- "What use is it, my brethren, if someone
says he has faith but he has no works? Can that
faith save him? If a brother or sister is
without clothing and in need of daily food,
and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be
warmed and be filled,' and yet you do not give
them what is necessary for their body, what
use is that" (Jas. 2:14-16)?
In the next verse, James says that faith without
works is dead. It's the same faith of demons,
and does not result in salvation (Jas. 2:14, 19-20).
- "Even so faith, if it has no works, is
dead, being by itself" (Jas. 2:17).
Then, he states that we're justified by works
(i.e., a working faith), not by faith alone.
- "You see that a man is justified by works
and not by faith alone" (Jas. 2:24).
So then, James concludes, faith without works
is dead.
- "For just as the body without the spirit
is dead, so also faith without works is dead"
(Jas. 2:26).
Now, James cites the examples of Abraham and
Rahab, whereby we understand the teaching he's
delivered.
- "Was not Abraham our father justified
by works when he offered up Isaac his son
on the altar? You see that faith was working
with his works, and as a result of the works,
faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled
which says, 'and Abraham believed God,
and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,'
and he was called the friend of God. You see
that a man is justified by works and not by
faith alone" (Jas. 2:21-24).
- "In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot
also justified by works when she received
the messengers and sent them out by another
way? For just as the body without the spirit
is dead, so also faith without works is dead"
(Jas. 2:25-26).
Proponents of Grace Only and Faith
Only
The Bible teaching of grace, faith, and obedience
are so plain, proponents of grace only
and faith only have moved to eliminate
books from the Bible that contradict their doctrine.
For example, Martin Luther didn't believe the
epistle of James was written by an apostle, and
he believed it was an epistle of straw.
He based his conclusions on perceived contradictions
between James and Paul, especially in Paul's epistle
to the Romans.
Since Luther's doctrine matched his interpretation
of Romans, and not the epistle of James, he decided
to exclude James from the main body of Scripture,
along with Hebrews, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John,
and Revelation.
We Are Personally Responsible For Our Salvation
The doctrines of faith only and grace
only are often thought to be comforting, because
a person has nothing to do with his own salvation
-- God does everything!
But the truth is that each person has work to
do relating to his own salvation. Though we are
saved by grace, we are personally responsible
for our own salvation.
These principles are evident in a number of
ways which we'll discuss below. But it's clear
that they are true, based on the fact that we
are bound to fulfill the law of Christ, by which
we'll be judged (Gal. 6:2; Jas. 2:12).
We Must Save Ourselves
Ask a person who believes in faith only
or grace only, "Do we have to save ourselves?"
You'll probably get an answer like, "Of course
not, we're saved by grace, all you have to do
is believe! If we had to do something, it wouldn't
be grace!"
Answers like these show the conflict between
the false doctrines of faith only and grace
only, and the Scriptures.
During Peter's sermon on Pentecost, the day
the church began, he commanded the people to be
saved. This shows that the people had to do something
to be saved, and thus had personal responsibility
regarding their salvation.
- "And with many other words he solemnly testified
and kept on exhorting them, saying, 'Be saved
from this perverse generation!' So then, those
who had received his word were baptized; and
that day there were added about three thousand
souls" (Acts 2:40-41).
The American Standard Version and King James
Version bring out this point more clearly.
- "And with many other words he testified,
and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves
from this crooked generation. They then that
received his word were baptized: and there were
added [unto them] in that day about three thousand
souls" (Acts 2:40-41, ASV).
- "And with many other words did he testify
and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from
this untoward generation. Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same
day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls" (Acts 2:40-41, KJV).
In order to be saved, the people had to do something,
or else they would be lost. They had to be baptized
for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38).
Likewise, when Jesus sent Ananias to Saul, telling
him what he must do to be saved, he commanded
him to do something to be saved.
- "'Now why do you delay? Get up and
be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on His name'" (Acts 22:16).
Saul, who became the apostle Paul, had to do
something to be saved. He had to wash away his
sins by being baptized, and thereby calling on
the name of the Lord to be saved.
Yes, the Lord saved Paul. But Paul also had
a part in his salvation, because he had to obey
the Lord's command.
It's like a man who is drowning in the ocean.
A ship comes by and a crew member throws him a
lifeline. The drowning man reaches out and grabs
the lifeline, and he's pulled to the safety. The
drowning man had to do something to be saved,
and in one sense saved himself, because he had
to grab the lifeline and hold it securely. Yet,
he was saved by the grace and mercy of the crew
member.
We too must do something to be saved, and grab
the lifeline God has thrown us. If we do, we have
saved ourselves in a manner of speaking, because
we'd be lost without grabbing the lifeline and
holding it securely. Yet, we are saved by grace,
which God extended to us by throwing out the lifeline
of salvation.
We Must Work Out Our Own Salvation
So then, Paul commands us to work out our own
salvation, by doing whatever is necessary to obey
the Lord.
- "So then, my beloved, just as you have always
obeyed, not as in my presence only, but
now much more in my absence, work out
your salvation with fear and trembling"
(Phil. 2:12).
It's not that we're to develop a plan by which
we can be saved, but that we must work out whatever
is necessary to obey God, and thus receive the
grace He's extended to us in Christ.
- "Being justified as a gift by His grace
through the redemption which is in Christ
Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).
- "I thank my God always concerning you for
the grace of God which was given you
in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor. 1:4).
- "You therefore, my son, be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus"
(2 Tim. 2:1).
How do we receive God's grace that is "in" Christ?
We are baptized "into" Christ.
- Salvation by grace is being made alive together
with Christ (Eph. 2:5).
- We are made alive together with Christ when
we are baptized (Col. 2:12-13).
When we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized
into His death, buried with Him, and raised up
to newness of life. Thus, we are made alive together
with Christ and saved by grace (Eph. 2:5; Col.
2:12-13).
- "Or do you not know that all of us who have
been baptized into Christ Jesus have
been baptized into His death? Therefore we have
been buried with Him through baptism into
death, so that as Christ was raised from
the dead through the glory of the Father, so
we too might walk in newness of life"
(Rom. 6:3-4).
Thus, having been united with Christ when we
are baptized, we have the gift of salvation by
God's grace, through the redemption that is in
Christ.
- " For if we have become united with Him
in the likeness of His death . . ." (Rom.
6:5).
- "Being justified as a gift by His grace
through the redemption which is in Christ
Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).
So, when people asked Peter what to do to be
saved, he said, "Repent, and each of you be baptized"
(Acts 2:38).
And when Peter wrote brethren in his first epistle,
he said, "Baptism now saves you" (1 Pet. 3:21).
And when addressing Jesus and salvation in the
Hebrew epistle, he said, "He became to all those
who obey Him the source of eternal salvation"
(Heb. 5:9).
We Must Obey the Law of Christ
God gave Jesus all authority in heaven and earth
(Matt. 28:18). Of necessity, then, Jesus must
have a law whereby He exercises the authority
given Him by the Father.
Accordingly, then, the Scriptures say that we
must obey Jesus and His law.
- "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby
fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2).
- "And having been made perfect, He became
to all those who obey Him the source
of eternal salvation" (Heb. 5:9).
So Paul, writing to the Corinthians, indicates
that the law of Christ is synonymous with the
law of God, when he says, "though not being without
the law of God but under the law of Christ" (1
Cor. 9:21).
Now, let's answer the question, "Are we under
law?"
"Yes!" We are under the law of Christ, and must
fulfill it in our lives. We must obey Christ to
be saved.
Therefore, the doctrine that we're under grace
and not under law, is a false doctrine.
Judged by the Law of Liberty
Corresponding to the fact that we're under the
law of Christ, and must fulfill it in our lives,
we will also be judged by the same law.
- "So speak and so act as those who are to
be judged by the law of liberty" (Jas.
2:12).
The law of Christ is the law of liberty (Jas.
1:25; 2:12).
- Liberty and perfection are in Christ (Gal.
2:4; Col. 1:28). Therefore, Christ's law is
the perfect law of liberty (1 Cor. 9:21; Gal.
6:2; Jas. 1:25).
- Jesus said we'll be judged by His words (Jn.
12:48). And, James said we'll be judged by the
law of liberty (Jas. 1:25; 2:12). The law of
Christ and the law of liberty are the same.
So, Paul simply states that we must fulfill
the law of Christ, and obey Jesus to be saved
(Gal. 6:2; Heb. 5:9).
Yes, we are under law. We are under the law
of Christ, and must fulfill His law in our lives.
We must obey Jesus to be saved.
We are saved by grace, under the law of Christ.
Answering Objections
Now, we want to begin answering objections people
offer to the teaching that we are saved by grace,
and under the law of Christ.
Before we get into answering the objections,
we need to review some principles that we must
keep in mind.
First, remember that some things are hard to
understand in God's word. Therefore, we must be
careful to accurately handle the word of truth,
and not twist it to our own destruction (2 Tim.
2:15; 2 Pet. 3:16).
To accurately handle the word of truth, we must
diligently search the Scriptures, taking into
account the whole message contained in God's word
(Acts 5:20; 17:11; 20:27).
Thus, interpretation of a Scripture must be
in harmony with all of God's word.
- All Scripture is inspired by God, and equips
us for everything God would have us believe
and do (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The men who wrote the
Bible were moved by the Holy Spirit, and did
not add their personal interpretations (2 Pet.
1:20-21).
- We cannot think beyond what is written in
God's word (1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 1:9). Therefore,
all teaching and conclusions must be based solely
on God's word (Col 3:17; Gal. 1:8-9; Rev. 22:18-19).
- God does not lie and His word is absolutely
precise, so God's word does not contradict itself
(Heb. 4:12; 6:18-19). If we can't reconcile
two passages, the problem is with our understanding,
not with God's word.
- If our interpretation of a Scripture conflicts
with another Scripture, our interpretation must
be wrong.
We can't be like Martin Luther, who chose to
exclude books of the Bible that didn't match his
doctrinal beliefs. Rather, in such cases, we must
change our beliefs to harmonize with the complete
word of God.
Answering Objections: We Are Not Justified
By Works of the Law
Many religious teachers claim that we are either
under grace or law, not under both.
They cite passages like these, alleging that
everyone who is saved is under grace, not under
law.
- "Now we know that whatever the Law says,
it speaks to those who are under the Law, so
that every mouth may be closed and all the world
may become accountable to God; because by
the works of the Law no flesh will be justified
in His sight . . ." (Rom. 3:19-20).
- "For we maintain that a man is justified
by faith apart from works of the Law" (Rom.
3:28).
- "For sin shall not be master over you, for
you are not under law but under grace"
(Rom. 6:14).
- "'We are Jews by nature and not sinners from
among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that
a man is not justified by the works of the
Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even
we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we
may be justified by faith in Christ and not
by the works of the Law; since by the
works of the Law no flesh will be justified'"
(Gal. 2:15-16).
- "'I do not nullify the grace of God, for
if righteousness comes through the Law, then
Christ died needlessly'" (Gal. 2:21).
There are three major mistakes people make who
hold the position that we're under grace and not
under law.
First, they exclude passages like these, which
clearly contradict their doctrine.
- Galatians 6:2 and 1 Corinthians 9:21 clearly
state that we are under the law of Christ.
- Hebrews 7:12 tells us the Mosaic Law was
changed of necessity, so Christ could be our
priest. Since the law was changed, and since
Christ is our priest, we must be under that
law today, which is the law of Christ.
- Hebrews 5:9 tells us that Jesus is the source
of salvation to those who obey Him. Since we
must obey Jesus, He must have a law, otherwise
there would be nothing to obey.
Second, they fail to consider the whole word
of God, and do not recognize that we are both
saved by grace and under the law of Christ (Eph.
2:8; Gal. 6:2). In other words, in terms they
would use, we are under both grace and law.
Third, they fail to differentiate between the
Mosaic Law and the law of Christ. They assume
that Scriptures such as Rom. 3:20 ("by the works
of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight")
reference all law, which is a mistake.
In Romans, Paul is talking about the Mosaic
Law, which required physical circumcision (Rom.
2:25-29). He is not referencing the law of Christ.
So, when Paul says in Romans 3:20, "by the works
of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight"
he is talking about the Mosaic Law.
In Galatians, though, Paul references both the
Mosaic Law and the law of Christ, making it clear
that we're not justified by the Mosaic Law, but
we're obligated to fulfill the law of Christ (Gal.
2:15-16, 21; 6:2).
And James, in his epistle, which is excluded
by Luther and others because it thoroughly contradicts
their belief, tells us that we're under the law
of liberty, which is the law of Christ (see above).
We are not saved by faith only, but by an obedient
faith. Thus, we are justified by works, and not
by faith only (Jas. 1-2).
To sum up, we are not justified by works of
the Mosaic Law, but by faith in Christ. Because
of our faith in Christ, we obey. Like Abraham,
we are justified by works, because our works reflect
that our faith is an obedient, living faith, unlike
the demons who believe but do not obey.
Yes, we are saved by grace, but we are also
under the law of Christ.
Answering Objections: We Are Not Saved by
Works
For the same reason many religious people don't
accept that we're under law today, they incorrectly
view Bible teaching regarding works. As a result,
they falsely conclude that baptism isn't necessary
for salvation because it's a work.
The main problem is that people don't differentiate
between works of the Mosaic Law, meritorious works,
and the work of faith.
We must believe to be saved. "Believe" is a
verb, an action word; thus, to believe requires
work since action requires us to expend energy.
So, if we must believe to be saved, we must work,
else our faith would be a dead faith that can't
save us.
- "'For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes
in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life'"
(Jn. 3:16).
- "Therefore they said to Him, 'What shall
we do, so that we may work the works of God?'
Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is
the work of God, that you believe in Him
whom He has sent'" (Jn. 6:28-39).
- "What use is it, my brethren, if someone
says he has faith but he has no works? Can
that faith save him" (Jas. 2:14)?
We are not saved by works of the Mosaic Law.
Anyone trying to be saved by works of the Mosaic
Law is severed from Christ, and has fallen from
grace.
- "Because by the works of the Law no flesh
will be justified in His sight; for through
the Law comes the knowledge of sin" (Gal. 3:20).
- "You have been severed from Christ,
you who are seeking to be justified by law;
you have fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:4).
We are not saved by meritorious works.
There is no possible way to merit God's grace
by doing things like helping the poor. The only
way to be saved is by obeying Jesus.
- "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. For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand so that we would
walk in them" (Eph. 2:8-10).
- "Who has saved us and called us with a holy
calling, not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace
which was granted us in Christ Jesus from
all eternity" (2 Tim. 1:9).
We are saved by a law of faith that requires
obedience; these works are called the work
of faith. In other words, we must have an
obedient faith that's based on God's word.
- "Where then is boasting? It is excluded.
By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a
law of faith" (Rom. 3:27).
- "To this end also we pray for you always,
that our God will count you worthy of your calling,
and fulfill every desire for goodness and the
work of faith with power" (1 Th. 1:11).
Baptism is not a Work of Salvation
To sum up from the last section, we are not saved
by works of the Mosaic Law, and we're not saved
by meritorious works. But, faith demands obedience,
whereby we work the works of God.
Now, notice that people in Christ are saved
by grace, not by works.
Paul says of Jesus in 2 Timothy 1:9, "who has
saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works, but according
to His own purpose and grace which was granted
us in Christ Jesus from all eternity."
Note these facts:
- God grants us grace in Christ (2 Tim. 1:9).
- We are baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27).
- People who are in Christ have not been saved
by works (2 Tim. 1:9).
Since we are baptized into Christ, and since
we're saved by grace in Christ and not by works,
baptism is not a work of salvation.
Many in the religious world today reject this
clear Bible teaching. But, we must believe the
things taught by God in His word, and believe
that baptism is not a work of salvation.
As a drowning man is saved by grace when pulled
out of the ocean and onto a passing boat, yet
he grabbed the lifeline and held on for dear life,
we are saved by grace when we obey God to be saved,
though we must grab the lifeline by being baptized
into Christ.
Reconciling Romans 4 and James 2
Many people misinterpret Romans 4, excluding books
like James from the Bible, which they can't reconcile
with their interpretation. So, I want to talk
about this chapter within the realm of our discussion
by reviewing and applying principles already set
forth in this article.
The main point made by false teachers from Romans
4 is that we are saved by faith and not works;
therefore, we are not under law, and baptism is
not essential for salvation because it's a work.
- "What then shall we say that Abraham, our
forefather according to the flesh, has found?
For if Abraham was justified by works, he
has something to boast about, but not before
God. For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham
believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness.' Now to the one who works,
his wage is not credited as a favor, but
as what is due. But to the one who does not
work, but believes in Him who justifies the
ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
just as David also speaks of the blessing on
the man to whom God credits righteousness apart
from works" (Rom. 4:1-6).
False teachers, therefore, excluded the book
of James from the Bible because it contradicts
their interpretation of Romans.
- "What use is it, my brethren, if someone
says he has faith but he has no works? Can that
faith save him" (Jas. 2:14)?
- "But someone may well say, 'You have faith
and I have works; show me your faith without
the works, and I will show you my faith by
my works.' You believe that God is one.
You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish
fellow, that faith without works is useless"
(Jas. 2:18-20)?
- "Was not Abraham our father justified
by works when he offered up Isaac his son
on the altar? You see that faith was working
with his works, and as a result of the works,
faith was perfected (Jas. 2:21-22).
- "You see that a man is justified by works
and not by faith alone" (Jas. 2:24).
- "In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot
also justified by works when she received
the messengers and sent them out by another
way" (Jas. 2:25)?
- "For just as the body without the spirit
is dead, so also faith without works is dead"
(Jas. 2:26).
There are two major points we should remember
when reconciling Romans 4 with other passages,
which we've already established from Scripture
in this article.
First, if an interpretation of Romans 4 contradicts
another Scripture, the interpretation must be
wrong.
Since Scriptures plainly teach that we are under
the law of Christ, and teach that we are justified
by works and not faith alone, anyone who believes
Romans 4 is teaching anything different is in
error.
And since Paul clearly teaches that we must
be baptized to be saved, and that baptism is not
a work of salvation, anyone who believes anything
different from Romans 4 is also in error.
Second, we must realize that Paul is discussing
works of the Mosaic Law in Romans (Rom. 2:25-29).
He is not talking about the law of Christ, which
he talks about in other epistles (1 Cor. 9:21;
Gal. 6:2). Paul consistently teaches throughout
his epistles that we aren't saved by works of
the Mosaic Law, but by grace through faith in
obedience to Jesus Christ.
With these things in mind, we must conclude
that Romans 4 is in perfect harmony with James
and all the Scriptures.
Reconciling Ephesians 2:8-9
Like Romans 4, false teachers use Ephesians 2:8-9
to teach that we are not under law, and baptism
is not essential for salvation because it's a
work.
As above, the first point we can make is that
this interpretation contradicts many Scriptures,
so it can't be correct.
Besides the contradictions mentioned in the
section above, Jesus says, "'He who has believed
and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who
has disbelieved shall be condemned'" (Mk. 16:16).
If we believe Jesus, we can't believe false teachers
who say baptism in not essential for salvation.
Additionally, every example of conversion to
Christ shows that people were baptized. They did
not say a prayer of faith, or do anything else
that's contrary to the gospel of Christ; they
were baptized for the forgiveness of sins and
into Christ to be saved (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3;
Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).
Second, the context of Ephesians teaches that
baptism into Christ is essential for salvation.
- People in Ephesus who were converted to Christ
were baptized in order to be saved. If they
had been baptized with any other baptism, they
had to be baptized with the Lord's baptism to
be saved (Acts 19:1-5).
- At the beginning of Ephesians, Paul tells
us that all spiritual blessings are in Christ,
including salvation (Eph. 1:3). Since we enter
into Christ through baptism, we don't have any
spiritual blessings in Christ until we're baptized
(Rom. 6:3). Therefore, we are not saved until
we're baptized into Christ (1 Pet. 3:21).
- Paul tells us in Ephesians that salvation
by grace is God making us alive together with
Christ, at which time we are raised up with
Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places
(Eph. 2:4-6). In Colossians, Paul tells us that
this occurs when we are baptized (Col. 2:12-13;
3:1). Therefore, we are saved by grace when
we are baptized.
- Since we are saved by grace when we are baptized,
baptism into Christ is not salvation by works
(Eph. 2:9; cf. 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Pet. 3:21).
Conclusion
When pushed to its outer limits, the false doctrine
of grace only asserts that people have
to do nothing to be saved, not even believe. But
God's word says we must obey Jesus to be saved;
we are saved by grace through faith when we are
baptized into Christ.
Though men twist the truth to their own destruction,
making the straight ways of the Lord crooked,
we can place our confidence in God's word and
believe the simple truths revealed in it. "'He
who has believed and has been baptized shall be
saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned'"
(Mk. 16:16).
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