Post 2 of 2: Faith and Grace

Introduction:
In Post 1 of 2: Religion vs Faith touched mainly on Religion, but now I would like to take some time to be more thorough on the subject of Faith and consequently I must talk about Saving Grace, which is intertwine. Recall in what was previously quoted, "Observance of these rules and rituals is not what makes a person right with God. Rather, these rules and rituals that we observe are the RESULT of the relationship with God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone as the Savior." Here we see it is by grace alone we are saved and there is nothing by which our hand we can be saved. So why does it state "through faith"? This was confusing to me and I am hoping the following is a good explanation. "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." Ephesians 2:8-9

Going back religion, the Christian may seem to be doing religious things, but this only comes through having a relationship with God do these things reflect (His godly nature) in you (because He is in you). Christians can only accept what is offered, salvation through faith, but salvation itself is not the outcome of our hands.

Faith is therefore a passive action, because it in itself does not save. Faith is belief in Christ Jesus and everything He has done already for us on the cross, as previously stated. Now, faith is expressed and is given evidence by doing godly works as proof, like following the law out of ones own heart. This can only be done as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 12:1-3. Therefore, we must renew our minds by meditating on his word (verse 12:2) and acknowledging him in all our ways. This leads us to see we have a struggle with the flesh, but we are victorious by the reliance of the Spirit.

1. "⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
2. " ¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual^a]">[a] act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." - Romans 12:1-3

Now we can talk about Saving Grace. Grace is a gift from God, namely salvation and this gift is salvation, which is made available to us by God's atoning work on that cross where our King laid. Because it is a gift, we know we did not earn it nor merit it, it simply was and is given because He first loved us. We must put our faith on this and the results (fruits) are sure to follow.

Hopefully, I wasn't as scattered brain as I think I am reading this, but I hope it is something you can chew on and really be enlightened and encouraged to read on, for God's love and wisdom is limitless. I wrote this on the fly and pray it is along the lines of the Bible. Later everyone!