Are we saved by our faith, or by His grace?

[WeBe1]

This is actually a common argument in the church that has never really been brought to the forefront, are we saved by grace, or by faith?

If we are saved by the grace of God, then does not grace nullify faith? Or, if we are saved by faith, does not then faith nullify grace? If we are saved by grace, then must we have faith in Christ? Because if we must have faith in Christ, then we are not saved by grace and our faith has just became works. :scratch:

Now before you judge me for asking such a question, please keep in mind that I have faith in the grace of God through our Lord Jesus who is our Messiah.

[Confess]

The only reason we have faith is due to the grace of God.

[WeBe1]

If we are saved by grace, then why do we preach that you must have faith in Christ in order to be saved? That’s like saying; God only favors those in whom believe in Jesus. But if that is the case, then is that truly grace?

[Confess]

Because it is by his grace we are able to have faith. That doesn't mean that there are not people out there rejecting this free gift.

Look at it like this.

I am going to make an analogy.
Lights = Salvation
Electricity = grace
on/off switch = faith

Lets say you have the lights on in your kitchen.

Do you have the light on because the switch is on or because you have electricity?

Had you not had electricity, you would not have the power to switch on the lights. The ability to switch off the lights are in your power.

[WeBe1]

That was an interesting analogy, and it was well received, thank you.

Now I will ask; is God’s grace reserved only for those who profess Christ? Or, is His grace for those on whom He gives grace? For it is written, God shows no favoritism.

[Confess]

Salvation is for all. He wishes that none would parish but have eternal life. He gave his life for the sins of the world which means that all are given a chance.

Unfortunetly, not all are willing to take it.

[WeBe1]

Salvation is for all. He wishes that none would parish but have eternal life. He gave his life for the sins of the world which means that all are given a chance.

Unfortunetly, not all are willing to take it.

It's also unfortunate that many people chose not to believe in Christ because of the many phony Christian doctrines that are plaguing our world. Also, many do not follow or believe in Christ because of some type of horrible event that happened to them. Finally, there are those that have just never heard of Christ or were brought up in a different religion that teaches that Christianity is evil.

Is God’s grace not capable of saving such, after all, Christ died and resurrected for them as well for us?

[Confess]

It's also unfortunate that many people chose not to believe in Christ because of the many phony Christian doctrines that are plaguing our world. Also, many do not follow or believe in Christ because of some type of horrible event that happened to them. Finally, there are those that have just never heard of Christ or were brought up in a different religion that teaches that Christianity is evil.

Is God’s grace not capable of saving such, after all, Christ died and resurrected for them as well for us?
What you say is very true.

Romans chapter 2: 12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

See here, those who have not heard will be judged under the law. That same law is written on the hearts of all men. So when you hear people say, "What about those people who never heard about Jesus?" Well ... Scripture answers that right here.

As for those who are brought up hating the faith. The Bible is also clear on that as well.

"I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand genersations of those who love me and keep my commandments." EX. 20:5-6

Unfortunetly the sins of a father will and can hurt the children whether the father teaches that the faith is bad or if the father is a bad father. But none the less, if the Gospel is spoken, even in hate, the power of the Gospel can overcome the hate and create faith.

[WeBe1]

Good Job!

You beat me to the Romans scripture, but as for the second part of your answer, it is still under the OT law. I had in the back of my mind this scripture;

You who boast in the law, through your breaking the law, do you dishonor God? For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written. Rom 2:23,24

There is a reason why God tells us time & time again, "Do not judge" which is meant in not judging the salvation of others. This is God's right, and not ours, for we do not impart grace, God does.

Rom 2: 10, 11
but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first (of the faith) and also of the Greek. (of everyone else) For there is no partiality with God.
(((Please review in depth, Romans Chapter 3)))

[mommy68]

I believe it is both in equal amounts. :) We have been forgiven by him once we become born again and we also have to have faith (or believe) that what we deserve will come to us from God through Jesus Christ.

[New_Wineskin]

The only reason we have faith is due to the grace of God.

This is simple and answers the question nicely .

[Aibrean]

Lutheran response:

We are saved by grace THROUGH faith.

If we were saved by grace only then everyone on earth would be "saved". You must believe. Grace is a free gift that is always there, we choose to accept it or not.

Ephesians 2:7-9 (New International Version)

7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

Acts 15:6b-11
"Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

[rrguy]

Well I am not sure why so many say or? Have some not heard of the word (and)? Well I think it should be spread through the land? These or questions seem to be a loaded question. If you say one then you are dismissing the other? I truly am thankful for being taught the word (and).
Without Gods Grace we have nothing. He is infinitely wonderful. I understand I may not comprehend everything that has occurred. How is so Merciful & Just? So it is not for me to judge who will be saved. Yet he has left us some good guidelines & examples to follow. Many pertaining too who we are to be & what we are to try & do.
Faith? So all those who say only faith alone is required? Whats included in Faith? Is it a question of getting by with the least amount required? Does that eliminate the need for Grace? Claiming him as our God & Saviour would be the start from what I have read. Yet does faith include accepting him into our hearts? Or is that a work? Well I am not worthy, yet that does not mean I should do nothing. I could play dumb, which I am good at being, yet I believe he can see when I am trying to take the easy way out.

[DArceri]

Are we saved by our faith, or by His grace?

IMHO, THE WHOLE OF SALVATION IS A GIFT OF GOD!
Faith is a gift from God just as grace is.

Acts 3:16 states, "faith which comes through Him", and Phil 1:29 states, "for you it has been granted (graced) on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him... "

How do we know we are in-Christ? Because in 'true conversion', God's Truth will lead our our heart. Our everyday choices slowly but surely become choices for Him. Our choices start lining up with His Truth. Bottom line, the possession of faith is the assurance that God has saved us. It is the proof that Christ lives in us. And for anyone who has doubts about their faith, just go to His Word (God's revelation of Himself), and see if the Holy Spirit bears witness within you. The one who trusts and believes has the "witness of God" in his heart. Rom 8:16 states that the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, right? BOTH will be in agreement. We can only "truly" believe AFTER we get the Holy Spirit. Thus, IT IS GOD'S GRACIOUS WORK IN US THAT SAVES. It is His Truth that leads us and keeps us in His Love. There is nothing we can do without God's Spirit for Eph 2:1 states that "...He made you alive, who were dead ..."

[Aibrean]

faith isn't an acceptance, it's a realization...works are our response to faith.

[DArceri]

faith isn't an acceptance, it's a realization...works are our response to faith.
Hey Aibrean. Yes, faith comes from God, and "our" faithful responses come directly from God's Truth working in our regenerated hearts. God is inside us working His Love through us. We have been given (graced with) a 'supernatural' ability to choose His Will over our own will. God is using us for His purpose.

[Surrender2Win]

We are saved by grace through faith...just as others have stated.

Ephesians 2:4-10
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.