Ephesians 2:8
Faith is an instrument, not the cause of salvation. Grace is the cause of our salvation, but unless we believe that what grace offers can save us, grace, though powerful to save, will do us no good. We may, in loose terms, say that we are saved by faith, but truly, it is grace that saves, faith only serves as an instrument by which we appropriate it; therefore, the Bible aptly says that we are saved by grace, through faith. Faith thus connects us to the saving power of grace. Since only by grace is salvation possible, and only by faith can grace be connected, then there is no other means (instrument) by which we are justified, except by faith.
The basis upon which sins are forgiven is resting entirely on the blood of Jesus Christ, however, the only basis for receiving that forgiveness purchased by the blood is faith. So, we must emphasise that faith, in itself, does not purchase forgiveness, having in itself no innate ability to save, it only makes possible the receiving of forgiveness that is purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ.
But one may ask, why can we only be justified by faith, and not by the law? It is because the law has condemned us for violating its commands. It cannot both condemn and save at the same time. The law holds no hope for the sinner because it holds him under its curse; the best that the law does for a sinner is to show him how absolutely sinful he is, and point him to his need for a Saviour.
But one may then say that if this is the place of faith in salvation, will it not be appropriate to call it our works that make salvation possible? Salvation is not a merit earned by faith, if it is, then, salvation will cease to be by grace because nothing received from grace is on the basis of merit. Faith can only receive what is given as a gift, and this is what grace is, a gift from God.
It
should be known that faith is not something that we generate by
ourselves, it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:9). And faith, in itself,
has nothing that saves, it is only an attitude that best shows us the
absolute incapacity of the flesh to save apart from God.
Toni
