The amazing gift of God’s grace speaks to us from almost every page of scripture, but one of the clearest statements of it is found in the fifth chapter of Romans. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
We often emphasize the importance of discipleship and living a life of disciplined worship and service, but it’s critical that we never make the mistake of believing that discipline leads to salvation.
Discipleship is not the cause of salvation but is rather the result of salvation.
In 2 Timothy 1:9 we read, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…”
People often make the mistake of believing that salvation is earned by holy living—and some passages about being judged on our actions make that almost understandable. But they need to be understood in the light of the many scriptures that remind us that obedience to the law cannot be enough. It is only through God’s grace—is unmerited, generous love—that we are saved from the punishment we have earned and given salvation as a free gift.
In his gospel, John tells us that the words of Jesus are full of “the Spirit and life.” That’s not to suggest that there’s a magical combination of words—an incantation—but rather that the message Jesus brings us brings life.
– Rev. Mark Fleming
This is part of a sermon/reading series in July-August, 2024, looking at some core Christian beliefs, along with distinctive emphases of the Methodist branch of Christianity.
The daily readings are my own, but they are loosely based on the topics covered in the Catechism of the Global Methodist Church. The column at the right contains the questions from the catechism and the sources it lists.
You can find the full catechism and other information about the Global Methodist Church at globalmethodist.org.
I invite you to join us for worship and other church gatherings at China Methodist Church and Forest Park Methodist Church.
Respectful conversation is welcome. Use the comment section at the end of this post.
From the Catechism of the Global Methodist Church:
47. Can we free ourselves from the misery of this condition?
No. In our own strength, without divine grace, we cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God.
Psalm 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
Romans 7:14-24 [Paul writes of being a slave to sin and needing rescue] Read it here
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Ephesians 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…
Confession of Faith VII* We believe man is fallen from righteousness and, apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is destitute of holiness and inclined to evil. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. In his own strength, without divine grace, man cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God. We believe, however, man influenced and empowered by the Holy Spirit is responsible in freedom to exercise his will for good.
48. Who then can be saved?
With mortals it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
John 5:24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
John 8:51 “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”
John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Ephesians 2:1-10 [You were dead in your transgressions, but God made us alive] Read it here
2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…
Titus 3:5 …he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…
*From the Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, a predecessor denomination of the Global Methodist Church