Union Church of Christ

Ephesians 2:8-10

Introduction

1. Text.
2. Some claim that grace and works are indeed mutually exclusive - that is, no works are involved in man's salvation (ex. R. Shelly)
3. Some in the church have been mimicking the denominational claim that we are saved by "grace only" and "faith only."

Discussion

1. Affirmation of Salvation by Grace
   1. Definitions.
      1. Grace - unmerited favor; Consider the definition given by Guy N. Woods (1988) "A simple, be nonetheless full definition of grace,' is unmerited favor. I emphasize the adjective unmerited. It is not enough to say that grace is favor. It is indeed that, but more - much more. Genuine grace is favor of a special kind - that which is undeserved, unmerited, and freely bestowed by the Lord … We did not deserve it, we cannot earn it and, of course we cannot obligate God for it. Let this definition of grace impress itself indelibly upon our hearts: grace is the unmerited favor of God."
      2. Works -not all works in the Bible are the same.
         1. Acts 26:20 - works meet for repentance
         2. Romans 13:12 - works of darkness
         3. Galatians 5:19 - works of the flesh
         4. Colossians 1:21 - wicked works
         5. Hebrews 6:1 - dead works
      3. Two types of works that are pertinent to our study are works of the law (Romans 9:32- merit) and works of obedience (Matthew 5:16 -faith).
   2. We delightedly affirm God's grace in our being saved from our sins and in our becoming mature children of God. (G. K. Wallace - "That's my verse!")
      1. It is an unfair characterization to say that members of the church have not understood, believed or preached grace.
      2. Ex. claim that T. W. Brents in "The Gospel Plan of Salvation" did not even use the word "grace" (Not true - Brents even defines "grace" as being "in God's favor - in Christ.")
      3. As far as the record goes, Jesus did not use the word grace in his teaching; yet, who would say that he did not teach or understand grace?
      4. In view of the evidence, it is amazing that some will have the gall to claim to have recently discovered grace and to claim that those in the past have failed to understand and teach the truth concerning grace.
   3. The question is whether grace is conditional or unconditional.
      1. If God's grace is unconditional, then grace and works are mutually exclusive.
      2. If it is unconditional, then everyone will be saved - 2 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Note: both of these verses give conditions.
      3. If it is not, then on what basis would some be saved and others not - especially in view of Acts 10:34?
      4. Old line Calvinism taught that a few are saved unconditionally by God's grace.
         1. This Calvinistic theme is an undercurrent in the teachings of change agents today.
         2. A basic understanding of Calvinism and the work of the Holy Spirit will enable one to understand and deal with change agents.
2. Analysis of Ephesians 2:8-10
   1. Surely no one among us will deny that these had been saved by grace, but the question is "How?"
      1. Verse 8 - "for by grace are ye saved"
         1. Paul looked back to their conversion and observed that they had been saved and were still being saved by means of God's grace.
         2. Their initial salvation was by grace - at the time that they obeyed the gospel; and, their remaining saved is by means of grace.
         3. The verb construction locks together the past action and the present result - "having been saved" and "are being saved."
      2. How did the Ephesians come to be saved by God's grace?
         1. The Ephesians had been taught the gospel - Ephesians 1:13
         2. Paul had taught them repentance - Acts 20:21
         3. Baptism had been received at Ephesus - Acts 19:5
         4. Faith, repentance and baptism were involved in their being saved by grace.
         5. Verse 10 - walking in good works (i.e., continued faithfulness) is also a part of being saved by grace.
         6. Consider Paul's exhortations in this letter to live faithfully in light of this idea as further evidence that God's grace is conditional.
   2. This answers those who teach that we are saved by grace only and that there is nothing required of man (eliminating the necessity of baptism) but who insist that after we obey the gospel, we must live faithful to God.
      1. Baptist preacher in Marion county on James 2:24 - "talking about good Christian living."
      2. A similar controversy is raging in denominational circles - the Lordship Salvation controversy - John MacArthur, Zane Hodges.
      3. Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches that the same relationship of grace, faith and works exists in becoming a Christian and in remaining faithful as a Christian.
   3. The Bible speaks with clarity concerning the relationship of grace and works.
      1. Jesus understood grace, but he taught:
         1. Matthew 7:21
         2. Mark 16:16 - on which side of baptism did Jesus put salvation?
      2. Peter understood grace, but he taught:
         1. Acts 2:38
         2. Acts 10:34, 35
         3. 1 Peter 3:21 - what was the connection between baptism and salvation in Peter's teaching?
      3. The Hebrew writer understood grace, but he taught Hebrews 5:8, 9
   4. How can we reconcile this with a passage such as Romans 11:6?
3. The Account of Abraham
   1. Jesus referred to the "works of Abraham" - John 8:39.
      1. Surely no one would argue the Abraham sought to merit God's favor by means of these works - but note that Jesus commended them.
      2. When we learn the kind of works that Abraham did then we understand what kind of works are necessary in order to be saved.
   2. Romans 4.
      1. Abraham was Righteous Apart from Works.
         1. Ephesians 2:8-10
         2. Romans 4:4, 5 - trust self or trust God?
      2. Abraham was Righteous Apart From Circumcision.
         1. Acts 15:1, 2
         2. Galatians 3:7
         3. Luke 19:9

      3. Abraham was Righteous Apart from the Law.

         1. Galatians 2:16.
         2. Galatians 3:26, 27.
         3. Galatians 5:6.
      4. Abraham was Righteous According to Faith.
         1. Hebrews 11:8
         2. Genesis 26:4, 5.
         3. John 8:39.
         4. Romans 4:20, 21 - trust kept obedience from being meritorious works.
   3. We learn from Abraham that obeying God is not meritorious works.
      1. Like Abraham's, our obedient works are not meritorious in nature and by them we do not seek to place God in our debt.
      2. Recall the words of Peter concerning the one "that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him" (Acts 10:35) and the "good works" in which we are to walk (Ephesians 2:10).

Conclusion

1. Salvation by grace never excludes faithful obedience to the commands of God.
2. 1 Corinthians 7:19
3. Romans 6:17, 18