Pastor Ralph Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of “grace”? Why aren’t legalism and “works” to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 On 8/28/2019 at 10:28 AM, Pastor Ralph said: Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of “grace”? Why aren’t legalism and “works” to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? 1. Grace is FREE, unmerited favor, and we are delivered from judgement and made partakers of Christ's Salvation by our faith, not by works of the flesh (fulfillment of the demands of law), but rather a Gift from God. 2. Legalism and works nullify or oppose the gift of Grace. (Grace + works). The new wine is the gospel of grace....Paul said we can't put new wine in the old wineskin of the law or the new unfermented wine will burst the old wineskin and the wine will run out on the ground...(be lost) The Law KILLS (3,000 died at Mt Sinai when Law was given; Grace gives LIFE...3,000 saved at Pentecost when Holy Spirit was poured out upon the people. 3. Our part is to believe and respond with acceptance and a sincere "Yes" to the wooing of Holy Spirit, and to receive the free gift with gratitude, appreciation and Joy that Heaven will be waiting for us forever with Him, when we deserved hell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandita Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"? Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? Grace is undeserved compassion, mercy, and love that stems from the goodness and holiness of God. Grace is something God freely gives us. We cannot earn it or claim it as a result of something we've done. If we believe that legalism and good works can earn us God's grace we're reducing this to trade—we're acting like we can make God give us his grace. That belief would be rooted in entitlement, arrogance, and falsehood. What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? Think of a club whose membership is open to everybody. You may be eligible to join the club but you're not a member, obviously, until you've signed up. In the same way you're eligible for salvation but you're not saved until you have faith in Jesus. Our faith in Jesus is our acceptance letter in response to God's invitation into Heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis81 Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"? It’s hard but easy to define, every human can an should exude grace. I’d like to put my answer in the context of God’s grace to answer the question: God’s grace as I understand it is demonstrated from Genesis to Revelation and on the pages of life today. His grace can be defined in different was as His benevolence onto the undeserving/His favor toward the unworthy. Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? From the book of beginnings adherence to God’s guidance/commandments were means to demonstrate love, protection, order within community; these guidance’s/commandments were as a guardian for mankind’s they were not a burned. Mankind with knowledge added to God’s guidance hence legalism coercing and/or facilitating burdens. With Satan influence the guidance/commandments took/takes a perverted perception of the guidance/commandments purpose. Even so obedience yet pleases God. The law a great gift of God's grace; Jesus Christ an even greater gift; John 1:17-18 is not a statement of ``law versus grace.'' Instead, it rejoices in the ``grace upon grace'' that God has showered on the His workmanship (i.e., people). The gift of the law was a gracious gift, a good and wonderful gift from God. But grace and truth living excellence came through Jesus Christ. “Grace upon grace”—first one grace, Moses giving the law, and then another grace, Christ bringing the fullness of grace and truth. Moses points to grace, but Jesus performs grace. Moses reports the words of God. Jesus is the Living Word of God. The law mirrors the light of God. Jesus is the Light of God. From the beginning mankind was created for purpose, (Ephesians 2:10), to do good, to reflect God’s image in a godly manner. When mankind demonstrates God’s love in sincerity fueled by godly movies, ( being His hands, feet, extended voice), in the earth He is pleased. Obedience and actions reflecting Gods grace are pleasing to God, even so this acts in themselves do not eternally save. The acts can be the means/medium to bring focus to the One who saves, but the action do not save. We obey (God) Him and serve Him as workers in His harvest; we are some of the "means" by which He accomplishes His will (Acts 13:48; Romans 10:13-15; Matthew 9:37-38). facilitate Godly obedience and godly works – legalism/works" to please God are compatible with grace in the sense neither are the gift of eternal salvation. No works – no matter how good – cannot Although we (humans) were created What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? God saves us by His Grace – but that Grace is accomplished THROUGH faith (belief/trust). John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God Faith is belief/trust - however – faith is also a word of action. Works do not save, they never have. It was always by grace through faith. Regardless if the term law is used or not, belief is what saves, however the question to ask is how is that belief demonstrated? There has to be some guideline that support the belief. How is love shown? There has to be some correlating demonstration of the devotion/love. Let’s call it the law of love. I tell my wife I love her, but never demonstrate the affection. At some point in time even though she loves me she is going to assess my devotion. I cannot say if she will extend grace, because I said within myself that I loved her, that I profess to others that I loved her, but there was not demonstration of the professed love. “Grace” does not negate the necessity of good/godly works (i.e., holy living) for sanctification –[Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 5:16, John 15:8, 1st Peter 2:12]. 2nd Thessalonians 2:13 - But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Titus 2:11-14 (PHILLIPS) - For the grace of God, which can save every man, has now become known, and it teaches us to have no more to do with godlessness or the desires of this world but to live, here and now, responsible, honourable and God-fearing lives. And while we live this life we hope and wait for the glorious dénouement of the Great God and of Jesus Christ our Saviour. For He gave Himself for us all, that He might rescue us from all our evil ways and make for Himself a people of his own, clean and pure, with our hearts set upon living a life that is good. Titus 2:11-12 King (KJV) - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Titus 2:11-13 (EXB) - That is the way we should live, because [ For] God’s grace that can save everyone has come [appeared; been revealed]. It teaches [trains; disciplines] us to turn away from [reject; deny] ungodly living and the evil things the world wants to do [or worldly desires; sinful pleasures]. Instead, that grace teaches us to live in the present age in a wise [self-controlled] and right [upright; just] way and in a way that shows we serve God [godly manner]. We should live like that while we wait for our great [happy; blessed] hope and the coming of the glory [glorious appearing/manifestation] of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Faith w/o demonstration of said faith is not pleasing to God - "Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)." Hebrews 11:6. James 2:14-26 and Isaiah 58 speaks to the crux od demonstrating faith in leu of works that demonstrates we are aligned in the faith of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 What is a simple definition of “grace”? Favor! Why aren’t legalism and “works” to please God compatible with grace? Grace is a gift from God and not as a result of anything we have done ourselves. We are no longer under the law. Jesus death and resurrection fixed that for us. What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? It is by God's grace that we have been saved, thru faith we can receive gift f salvation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymerkel Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 If a person could keep all the law, all the commandments perfectly in word, deed, thought, action and always doing what he/she SHOULD/OUGHT to do, that person would be JESUS. Major problem: There is only ONE JESUS and none of us are Jesus. God's grace inspires and motivates. God's grace is the package of Himself, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His cleansing of sin, His reconciliation, His restoration of relationship all balled up into one very personal, intimate love relationship with His children. Our good works come out of our relationship with Him and those very works are initiated and enabled by the Holy Spirit so that God receives glory and we and others receive blessing and reward. God's Riches At Christ's Expense = GRACE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Q. What is a simple definition of "grace"? A. Unmerited favour Q. Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? A. Legalism and works are both our efforts to earn God's approval and favour. This is quite far from meeting God's standard requirement and thus can not merit salvation which is purely by God's grace. Q. What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? A. Our faith is the only part we play in salvation. Following our conviction through the Holly Spirit of God, we agree that we can not save ourselves and then take a decision by believing that only our believing faith/ trust in the Lord Jesus Christ can save us and then we are there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Mc Daniel Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"? The simplest definition for “grace” is God’s favor Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? Legalism and “works” came through Moses the law giver but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Legalism depended on keeping the Law.” For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9 What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? We do have free will, but,, God is the one that give us the faith.” No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws Him.” John 6:44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dave Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"? Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? A simple definition of grace, without copy & pasting from a dictionary might look something like “an undeserved gift from one who was not indebted to the target party.” Legalism and works to please God and grace don’t mix because of the nature of the word “grace”. Also, they would take the freedom away which God so freely gives us. Faith is believing that God granted us grace. The day we think otherwise we are either getting legalistic or dependent upon ourselves for our salvation. A salvation that would be left behind when we die. Either that, or it might mean that we have pushed God and what He has for us off to the side. Either way you look at it, faith is believing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 I think that a simple definition of “grace” is getting something good that you did not deserve. Legalism and “works” aren’t compatible with grace because it is something that we are doing to please God in order to earn his approval. Grace is a free gift. We have to believe that God did send down his Son to die for our sins and he has been risen and placed at the right hand of God. But is only God’s grace that gives us this faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesus Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 The simple definition of grace could be favor. Legalism and free works are not compatible to please God with grace because they are human efforts while the grace of God is a gift to humans regardless their efforts. We do not have to please God to be saved but it's his grace ,favor which saves us from sin. Our faith should be in Jesus and we must believe that Jesus died to save us from sin and it's our faith in Him Grant's us salvation. We must have faith in Jesus which is necessary for our salvation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preistina11 Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"?It is what God gives us, not because of what we have done or deserve but because of who He is and when He chooses to grant it according to His choice. Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? Because no amount of law following or performance on our part is going to make God love us more or any less. We need to understand God’s grace is given to us. We do not deserve it or we cannot earn it. One thing God expects from us is obedience not even sacrifice. It is based on God’s own will. What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? The faith that we put in the finished work of Christ on the cross for us ensures our salvation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD35 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"? Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? Grace is God's favor, pure and simple, that has nothing to do with how good or bad or deserving we are. We receive grace by faith. Grace is the favor of God given against all odds, against all of our self-centered, rebellious history. Legalism, following a rule-based religion, isn't the way of faith but following rules and doing works. For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godswriter Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of “grace”? Why aren’t legalism and “works” to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? A simple definition of grace is God unmerited favor. It all has to do with God's love for us. We receive grace by faith. Grace is the favor God gives us against all odds and against our better judgement. Legalism is following some rule based religion like a catholics follow and doing works. We receive His grace through our faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grow~Deeper Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 On 8/29/2019 at 1:28 AM, Pastor Ralph said: Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of “grace”? Why aren’t legalism and “works” to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? Grace is a gift from Heavenly Father given through His Son, Jesus Christ. The word grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to enabling power and spiritual healing offered through the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. ... The grace of God helps us every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottie Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"? Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? Grace is undeserved favor that has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God's kindness towards us. In that He chose us to be rescued from sin and we had nothing to do with it at all. In simplest terms it is God giving us what we do not deserve. Legalism and works are not compatible because with grace there is nothing we can do to earn the favor. It is all through God and Jesus His Son. if we try to replace grace with works or legalism we are trying to put God in our debt when we are the ones in His debt. We are the ones deserving to go to hell because of our sins. Our faith comes when we feel drawn to God and feel led by the Holy Spirit to confess that we are sinners in need of forgiveness. Then we act on what we believe and repent of our sins and ask Jesus to save us and be our Lord and Savior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosegarden Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 On 8/28/2019 at 1:28 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of “grace”? Why aren’t legalism and “works” to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? 1. Grace is God's favor and love for us even though we don't deserve it. 2. Legalism and works are not compatible with grace because legalism is doing works to please God and earn your salvation while Grace is not deserved but God's favor, a gift of God. 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 3. A big part in believing who God says he is and Faith, a gift of God, is believing and putting your trust in Christ as Savior and Lord. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-c Posted October 4, 2019 Report Share Posted October 4, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"? Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? God's unmerited favor (Ephesians 2: 8-9) 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. Grace is God's gift, we can't earn it. Legalism and works are our way of trying to earn or improve our relationship with God. Salvation is a gift from God, probably the greatest example of God's grace. We didn't earn it, nor could we ever earn it. We can't do anything to deserve it. But we have to believe (faith) (Romans 10:9) and accept God's gift of salvation to receive it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"? Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? Grace – God’s undeserved love. Since God’s grace is a free gift, it is not dependent on anything we do. In any case, all our righteous acts (works) are like filthy rags (Isa 64:6) to our Heavenly Father. The law was not given as a means of salvation but to show us our sinfulness. As Christians, we have put our trust in Jesus and are therefore, no longer under the law, but are under grace (Rom 6:14). God’s righteousness and holiness demanded that the penalty for our sin be paid, and this Christ did on the Cross. There are no works we can ever do that are good enough to bring to God, that can in some way even earn or deserve His favour or grace. In other words legalism and/or works are not part of grace – it is solely an unmerited favour we receive from God. Our behaviour is now based on our loving desire to please our Saviour, not by fear of punishment. Christ rules in our lives. The only part faith has to do with our salvation is that we use the faith God has given us. By accepting the finished work of Christ on our behalf, we act by the faith supplied by God's grace. This is the supreme act of human faith, the act which, though it is ours, is primarily God's - His gift to us out of His grace. The only thing we can do is to apply the faith we have received from God. John MacArthur explained it well: “that our faith is simply breathing the breath that God’s grace supplies us.” So faith is an act of trust and thereby excludes any idea of merit or works. The whole grace-faith experience is God’s gift to us. None comes from us, if it did we would have something to brag about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted October 9, 2019 Report Share Posted October 9, 2019 On 8/28/2019 at 12:28 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of “grace”? Why aren’t legalism and “works” to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? Definition of grace is: through faith, a free gift from God having nothing to do with our works. Legalism which is a doctrine of some churches that we should believe, in their laws and ordinances to achieve Gods salvation and works by which we do our very best to please God. These beliefs and works are incompatible with Gods free grace which he bestows upon us by simple faith. Faith plays an important part in our faith because with it we believe that God had provided his only son for the redemption of our sins. For the Lord is the author and finisher of our faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldress Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 Grace is simply unmerited favor. We did nothing to earn it neither is there anything we can do to earn it. Legalism and works to please God or not compatible with grace because these things do nothing to change the heart. The heart remains self-centered and self serving. The grace that God bestows changes the heart which should be reflected in our actions and attitudes afterwards. Faith which is essential to our salvation is also a gift from God. John 6:44 says "No man can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him". In other words, unless the Father grants us the faith to believe we cannot receive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Tavaziva Posted October 15, 2019 Report Share Posted October 15, 2019 The word "grace in biblical parlance can be forgiveness, repentance, regeneration, and salvation, mean something as broad as describing the whole of God's activity toward man. The common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God towards man. “By grace you have been saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8). “Without faith it is impossible to please [God], for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written. When someone gives you a gift, do you say, “That’s very nice—now how much do I owe you?” No, the appropriate response to a gift is “Thank you.” Yet how often Christians, even after they have been given the gift of salvation, feel obligated to try to work their way to God. Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted October 18, 2019 Report Share Posted October 18, 2019 On 8/28/2019 at 12:28 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of “grace”? Why aren’t legalism and “works” to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? Grace is a free gift from God, a pardon from the sins we have committed because of our faith in Jesus Christ and what he has suffered and done for us. Legalism and works can never save us from the damnation of hell. Grace is a free gift from God, not on our good works and church legalisms. Through faith in the works of what Christ has done for us we are given unmerited grace from God, this faith has rescued us, salvation from damnation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggz Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 Grace is the undeserved gift of salvation, given to us by God, not earned or deserved but through faith. The grace of God is entirely His prerogative, born of His love for His creation. There is no way in which we can earn it through legalism or good works. The initiative comes only from God. We can respond to this overwhelming love, but we cannot deserve it through any action of our own. We have to believe in God and in His great act of salvation before we can claim the gift of grace. Our faith is not our own, but is in response to the prompting from God through the Holy Spirit that causes us to acknowledge our sin and to believe in the saving grace of god. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shonda Posted November 25, 2019 Report Share Posted November 25, 2019 The simple definitions is God's unmerited favor. It is something that is given not earned. Legalism and works are all doings of Man. Man is not like God. Here Man will begin to impose his will instead of the Will of God for God people. Man will insert things that he/she thinks that is Holy and Right, not having anything to do with the word of God. Man can not work with his hands to please God. God sees the heart. No matter how much money you give, buildings you buy, if your heart is not right it is unacceptable to Christ. Salvation is the Key to Christ. Jesus died for our sins that we be made whole again unto him and the Father. If we do not believe that Jesus died for us and that we shall live again, then faith if dead,,, But if we believe and have faith in his words, study the scriptures turn our hearts away from the evils of this world we will see Christ in the Spirit and in the New Jerusalem. We just have to believe. Study Gods word and know the difference of the TRUTH . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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