Eternal Life...Is It Really a Gift?

TheGospel

Please consider:

a.) the simplicity of the Gospel of Grace
b.) the work accomplished by Jesus Christ's death on the cross
c.) the futility of man's effort in becoming a believer
d.) the beauty of believing without being required to see or to do anything
e.) the Gift that is ours by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone

In many cases, rebuttal of this free grace targets the 'possibility of easy believism.' Only God knows the sincerity of any person who professes Him anyway...whether by faith alone or by doing any one of several other things, such as is covered in many 'step approaches' to belief.

I was reared Southern Baptist and believed 'by grace through faith' but also 'walk the isle'-'shake the preacher's hand'-'confess my sins'-'ask Jesus into my heart'-'make Him Lord and Savior'-'turn from my sins'-etc. As I mentioned earlier, only God knows the sincerity of the believer anyway-because when I believed that Jesus' death on Calvary paid for my sin and made it possible for me to be saved by faith, I did 'walk the isle', etc, etc, etc. So, I now ask: "When was I saved? When did I become a believer? The moment I 'believed' or after having 'walked the isle', etc, etc?" I believe eternal life was gifted to me the moment I believed...at a moment some three months prior to my finally getting up the courage to step into and walk down the isle to make my profession of faith public.

Though I am still a member of this denomination, my study of and mediation upon God's Word and in fellowship with Him in prayer have convinced me that I am related to Him 'by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.' It is my fellowship that is enhanced as I daily confess any known sin and as I put off the old man (by His Spirit Who dwells within me to strengthen and enable me).

I am now in a local fellowship that teaches and practices justification by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. For me to be justified, He 'did it all' because nothing I could do would satisfy His Father. Now that I am justified, He strengthens and empowers me and forgives me when I confess sin; He continually saves me (sanctification); and I run this race of life, continually laying aside those things which hinder my running, and I look forward to the Prize He has for me and for my new body (glorification).

I owe my life - this one on earth as well as the One to come as I leave this earth for my real home - to the Lord Jesus Christ Who loved me and gave His life for me that I might be restored to God through Him. WOW...what a Gift!

Grace alone through Faith alone in Christ Alone!
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.