“For the Lord will carry out His sentence upon the earth quickly and with finality.” And Isaiah said the same thing in another place: “If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of our children, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah.” What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in Him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when He said, “I am placing a Stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.”
Romans 9:28-33 NLT
What separates all other religions from believers in Jesus Christ? Works. From the Jews through whom salvation came, to Hinduism, Islam, Catholicism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Buddhism even occultism, all have their foundation in works. But Jesus, as did the Father, did away with works based salvation and now calls all peoples to accept the finished work of Jesus by grace and faith alone. There is no amount of penance or works that can be performed that will make us right with a Holy God. It is written.
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NLT
Even our works must be founded in faith in God. If you read all of Hebrews 11. Every act or works is preceded by the words “by faith.” Works in and of themselves arent bad, but if used as a means for obtaining salvation or to achieve God’s righteousness, it is dead on arrival. No effort of man no matter how noble, can accomplish the righteousness that God requires. This was why Jesus came: To make it easier for us to achieve the requirements of the Father. Simply having faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross is enough.
The verses we just read said this about Israel and to us, that though they pursued the law (works) as the way of righteousness, they have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. If salvation can be obtained by works, then Jesus could have spared Himself a lot of grief. The Bible teaches us that faith without corresponding action is dead. It didn’t say works without faith. We all are capable of works. Israel and the other religions I mentioned continue to work at gaining heaven, but works say to God, “what Jesus did wasn’t enough.”
You receive salvation by grace through faith, (Ephesians 2:8) not by striving to do good. Good works is produced in us by the Holy Spirit, works that are acceptable to God the Father. In ourselves, that is the flesh, we have nothing good. (Romans 7:18) It’s our new man that helps us understand what “good works” look like from God’s perspective. When Jesus spoke of working, or doing the works of the Father, He wasn’t speaking of religious activities. Think about the things you do instinctively, do you do them because you believe that you’re scoring points with God? Or are you doing them out of obligation? Or are you doing whatever it is out of sheer joy and a servant’s heart knowing that you’re pleasing the Lord? (Colossians 3:17) The faith life is an effortless life. You don’t need to be watched, you don’t live under guilt and condemnation if you missed praying or reading your Bible this morning. You don’t live in fear of punishment and going to hell because you didn’t perform some religious rituals. Faith based salvation is based on Jesus’ finished work alone period!
If you missed your prayer and Bible study time, you pick up where you left off. This faith based salvation is about relationship, it’s never about servant and master. There are no set of rules to follow every day. This relationship is spontaneous, fresh and new, vibrant and exciting. If I fall I get up, I run to Him like a child, no stress no fuss. He’s Daddy. Religion and works rob us of intimacy. Who wants a god who we can’t approach? Who wants a god that makes us live in constant fear of his wrath and retribution? Who wants a god that makes us live with uncertainty, never knowing if we have done enough to satisfy him? Is that who your god is? Then I’m here to tell you there’s a better way!
The only requirement is FAITH. That’s it!
The sin debt has been paid in full. No works, no struggling to be good is accepted, required or necessary. Go ahead -breathe a sigh of relief. Your fear of missing heaven is over. It’s free Grace all day everyday, new mercy all day everyday. Just believe. How simple is that? The stumbling stone and rock,(Jesus) to some, is the same Rock of deliverance to those who believe. We can stumble and fall over what brings us freedom or receive the message by faith and never be put to shame at the day of judgment. It broke my heart to read these words in Romans 9:27
“And concerning Israel, Isaiah the prophet cried out, “Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore, only a remnant will be saved.”
Romans 9:27 NLT
Only a remnant will be saved. Why? Unbelief in the finished work of Jesus. Not accepting by faith what the law cannot accomplish. Still trying to obtain salvation by works. Are you guilty of that today? Then what has been spoken of Israel will also be your fate. Your work is never enough, but His work is. Listen to Romans 10:4 and I’ll close with it.
“Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with Himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 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.”
Romans 10:1-4 NLT
It is God’s desire that all mankind be saved. Paul was crying out for his countryman as I am for America. So
if you’re a part of any of the religious groups I mentioned, it’s not intended to insult or criticize you, but to draw a contrast between religion and relationship, law and grace. There aren’t many ways or paths to God. There’s but One, His Name is Jesus. I will never ask you to try Him, but I will encourage you to believe in Him by faith, the difference He’ll make in your life is undeniable. If you choose to accept my offer. Please share your testimony with me. I know you’ll never be disappointed.
Father, in the Name of Your Son Jesus
I acknowledge that I have been trying to obtain by works what can only be achieved by faith in the finished work of Jesus. I never knew what was possible by a simple act of my will in choosing to believe that Your grace through faith in Jesus was all I needed. I surrender my striving and self efforts, and embrace freedom in Christ. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, open my spiritual eyes to see You in a real way, give me understanding and knowledge of Your Word, make me Your new creation spirit soul and body in Jesus Name. Amen Luke 15:10
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
“And since it (salvation) is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.”
Romans 11:6 NLT