The Basis For and Nature of Salvation

When we talk about Grace...

“When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award--yet receives such a gift anyway--that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.”[1]

The basis for salvation is God’s grace.

“The basis for salvation is God’s grace. Since it takes an act of God through Election to call man to Himself through Jesus Christ, based on His love alone and not on man’s merit; and man is completely unable or unwilling to turn to or please God on his own; and due to sin, man is completely indebted to God under his holy and just condemnation, then salvation from that condemnation demands an act of grace from God to save one who is indebted to Him. Grace must come from the one mankind is indebted to, “For by grace [the basis] you have been saved through faith [the instrument; Rom. 4:5]; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;” (Eph. 2:8).” [2]

So then, what does God’s grace provide?

The first thing God’s grace provides is Reconciliation.

“Reconciliation in salvation means the sin-caused enmity between God and man has been overcome and God has brought man back into eternal relationship and moral harmony with Himself.”

Through salvation, man is no longer estranged or alienated from God. Saved man who was once an enemy of God (Rom. 5:10) is now at peace with Him (Rom. 5:1; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).”

1. What kind of activities are peaceful to you?

2. How important is it to have a sense of peace, given the culture in which we live?

3. Read 2 Cor. 5:18-20. List what Paul means by “All these things.” (There are 7 from the “therefore’s” of vv. 6-17)

4. What word is repeated most in these verses?

5. Read v. 21. This verse is a good definition of God’s reconciliation. What are the elements of reconciliation in this verse?

“There are two types of Reconciliation, Potential and actual.

Potential Reconciliation was provided once for all by Christ’s death on the cross (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:14-19, 21; Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20; Heb. 2:17). Potential reconciliation is focused on the moment it was made available by Jesus Christ on the cross.

Actual Reconciliation happens at the moment an individual believes and accepts God’s provided reconciliation (Rom. 5:11; 2 Cor. 5:20; Col. 1:21-22). Actual reconciliation is focused on the moment it is applied to the believer.”[3]

6. Read Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:14-19, 21; Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20; Heb. 2:17. Are these verses speaking of Potential or Actual Reconciliation?

7. Why do you think it might be important to understand the existence of Potential Reconciliation?

8. Read Rom. 5:11; 2 Cor. 5:20; Col. 1:21-22. Are these verses speaking of Potential or Actual Reconciliation?

9. How complete does reconciliation seem in these verses?

Key Verse

“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.”

Col. 1:21-22 (NASB)

Trust the “net”

Conclusion:

“During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the bridge to catch any who fell. Finally in spite of the enormous cost, the engineers opted for the net. After it was installed, progress was hardly interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net but were saved. Ultimately, all the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net. As we paid nothing for God's eternal love and nothing for the Son of His love, and nothing for His Spirit and our grace and faith, and nothing for our eternal rest...What an astonishing thought it will be to think of the unmeasurable difference between our deservings and our receivings. O, how free was all this love, and how free is this enjoyed glory...So then let "Deserved" be written on the floor of hell but on the door of heaven and life [write]; ‘the free gift.’”[4]

In spite of the enormous cost, The Engineer built a gigantic net called Potential Reconciliation. After it was “installed,” Now, all the time lost to fear can be replaced with faith in the net that God, the engineer had built, so that we may now redeem our time in peace. We pay nothing but putting faith in the net, but rest assured, God’s net will catch you. That is called Actual Reconciliation. 4

[1] G.W. Knight, Clip-Art Features for Church Newsletters, p. 53, emphasis added. [2] Lex DeLong, TH601 Soteriology, Baptist Bible Seminary of Clarks Summit University, Jan. 2017, 3. [3]Ibid. [4] Richard Baxter, [write] The Free Gift