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NASB | Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace [God's remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; |
Bible Question:
Saving Grace and Forgiving Grace...sounds good to me. Please expand. Dave |
Bible Answer: Hi, DocI333... I agree with brother ebrain. Even though the old divines speak of something called "common grace" (cf Matthew 5:45), I have never found a verse that uses the word grace in this fashion. I'd rather say that such things are simply a manifestation of "God's Sovereign Goodness" (as Dr. Terry Chrisope puts it). Also, this odd notion that a person can become more and more pleasing to God is also a distortion of sanctification, and a real diminution of what Christ accomplished on the cross. Clearly we are to grow in holiness as believers, but this does not mean we are growing more pleasing to God. God's pleasure with us has nothing to do with merit. His pleasure with us is simply a matter of His sovereign choice alone, through grace alone, by faith alone, of the cross of Christ alone. Our pursuit of holiness is a response of love because of what He has wrought within us. Now, clearly, there is "saving faith" and "temporary faith." But, perhaps, that is for another discussion. In Him, Doc |