Joel Hendon

Just How Far Does God Extend His Grace?


Posted: Thursday, December 22, 2011

by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html

I know of no group of those who attempt to follow the teachings of Christ in the New Testament, who denies that salvation can be obtained without the grace of God. If any deny that, they surely show their ignorance of the scriptures. Grace is the English translation from the Greek word “charis” and has the meaning of unmerited or unearned favor. This can be interpreted any way you like, receiving something free, or receiving something for only a fraction of it’s value. Anyone who can pass it off as not being of much value, simply do not know, or do not believe what the bible teaches.

If we can determine, and accept, the true value of one’s soul, then we can more readily understand the reason man cannot, by himself, secure his salvation at any price. Look at the value of salvation. Infinite life, with absolutely no problems. It is impossible for humans to properly analyze that. All the problems we face in this life, will not be in our afterlife. Think about these verses of scripture:

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:37 KJV)

What is shown here is that there is nothing, physical, that can compare to eternal life in heaven.

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. (Luke 17:10 KJV)

And this one shows that whatever one does, it does not buy his way into heaven, but rather, was his duty. But it in no way relieves him of the obligation to do those things.

God’s grace is extended to all people, but it is not given to all. Only to those who obey him. And then, they are undeserving so by the grace of God, they are accepted anyway if they tried their best.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:1-4 KJV)

Those who simply say they believe in Jesus Christ and lay back and wait to enter heaven by grace alone, will be found standing outside.
Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles.http://hebronics.org/index.html

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