God's Grace Does Not Involve Our Efforts

Romans 10:3,6b,9,11; 11:6: "Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God, they sought to establish their own . . . . Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven (that is, to bring Christ down). . . . (instead) if you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved . . . . Anyone who trusts in Him (Jesus) will never be put to shame . . . . And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."

Faith is believing and submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord, who offers salvation to all who receive His mercy through His death and resurrection. All who do not surrender to His Lordship by faith will attempt to "ascend" into the presence of God through their own efforts, or they will conclude that they themselves are a god and should be worshipped. Either of these two paths invariably end up at the same place . . . . self-aggrandizement and adulation. The Bible tells us that grace would not be grace were salvation available through our own efforts. The reality is that none of us are righteous; thus, we are not able to ascend into the presence of God by our efforts or our position. This is why God had to come to us, and He came in the person of Jesus Christ.

Romans 9:22-23 tells us that God is ready to show His wrath and power against all godlessness and unrighteousness in the world. Still, He today is showing great patience by withholding His righteous judgment. Today, He is still offering the blessedness of salvation to those who will respond to Him with repentance and submission to Him as Lord.

For those of us who have responded to such an act of Divine Love and Mercy, we celebrate that God will never be put us to shame. All praise and thanks is given to our Loving, Faithful, Righteous Lord!