Tag Archives: justified by faith

Saved by Grace #5 — JUSTIFIED BY FAITH: THE KEY TO ASSURANCE

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

The immediate practical benefit of understanding that we are saved by grace is that we have assurance of salvation. Assurance is not the same as “once saved, always saved.” It is a confidence in our present security in Jesus Christ. Ask yourself the question, “If I were to die right now, or Jesus were to return right now, would I be saved?” Assurance is being able to say “YES!” to this question, and every Christian should be able to do this, because of grace. The problem is that many Christians do not have this assurance, because they do not understand … Continue reading →

Saved by Grace #7 — JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, YET JUDGED BY WORKS?

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

We have stressed, as does Paul, that sinners are justified by faith, apart from works of law (Rom. 3:28; 5:1). But the fact is that many Biblical texts specifically say or at least imply that we will all somehow be JUDGED BY WORKS. See for example 2 Chron. 6:30; Job 34:11; Prov. 24:12; Eccl. 12:13-14; Jer. 32:19; Ezek. 33:20; Matt. 12:37; 25:31ff.; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:13; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:25; James 2:18-26; Rev. 2:23; 20:12-13. In addition to these, here are some I will quote: Psalm 62:12, “For You recompense a man according to his work.” Isa. … Continue reading →

Saved by Grace #14 — Once in Grace, Always in Grace?

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

“Once in grace, always in grace.” “Once saved, always saved.” “Eternal security.” These three phrases all refer to the same idea, namely, that once a person has truly become saved, he or she can never become unsaved. Once you are saved, you can never lose your salvation. The first person to teach this doctrine was Augustine (d. A.D. 430). He said, for example, “But now to the saints predestined to the kingdom of God by God’s grace, … perseverance itself is bestowed; … so that by means of this gift they cannot help persevering” (“Treatise on Rebuke and Grace,” Works, … Continue reading →