Romans 3:24)" Being justified (DIKIAOO- made right) freely ( no strings attached ) by His grace ( CHARIS- favor ) through the redemption ( APOLUTROSIS-deliverance ) that is in Christ Jesus."
     If we believe in Christ Jesus, we are therefore justified or made right through the deliverence that is in Christ Jesus. God does us a favor (grace) and counts us as righteous because we believe in His Son Christ Jesus, who was righteous. We ALL are anything but righteous with all the sins we have committed. However, because we believe in Christ Jesus, who was righteous, God does us a favor (grace) and counts us as righteous.
     Here we see from God's Word, the Bible, that He does this FREELY , no strings attached. So much for people who insist on putting strings on God's favor (grace). We see plainly from God's Word, that He does not. I, personally, would rather believe what God's Word says than what people say or what they say God's Word says. How about you?
Ephesians 2:8)" For by grace (CHARIS- favor) are ye saved (SOZO- to make safe) through faith; (PISTIS- believing) and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
     We see here that we are indeed saved or made safe through believing. It is NOT OF US , it is the gift of God. He gave us this gift because we believe in His Son Christ Jesus. We saw in a previous article, Justified by Believing, from Galatians 2:16, that it is the believing of Jesus Christ that actually saves us. Not our somewhat flimsey believing, but His, which was much stronger than ours. Again, because we believe in Jesus Christ, His believing, which was much greater than ours, makes us right. He was righteous because He committed no sin. We are saved (SOZO- made safe) when we believe in Him.
Ephesians 2:9)" Not of works, (ERGON- deeds) lest any man should boast."
     We see from this verse, that it has nothing to do with the good works (deeds) that we do or how many bad ones we try not to do, but often wind up doing anyway. If it were based on works, then some could boast and say," I am more saved than you, because I have done more good works (deeds) than you and less bad works (deeds) than you."
Romans 3:28)" Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (DIKIAOO- made right) by faith (PISTIS- believing) without the deeds (ERGON- works) of the law."
     In this verse the Greek word ERGON was translated deeds. In Ephesians 2:9 it was translated works. Either way it is translated, we are not saved by works or deeds. Considering the bad deeds or works that I have unfortunately done and the good works or deeds that I have neglected to do, this is most welcome news!
Romans 11:6)" And if by grace (favor), then is it no more of works: (deeds) otherwise grace (favor) is no more grace. (favor) But if it be of works, (deeds) then it is no more grace:(favor) otherwise work (deeds) is no more work." (deeds)
     We see from this verse that it has to be one or the other. That if it is grace, it is not works, otherwise it is not grace, but works. The reason I seem to be reiterating the point here, with multiple verses, is to better establish the point. I had a hard time accepting the fact that salvation was indeed so simple. I had always been led to believe, by what others told me, that it was very difficult to understand, even more difficult to accomplish, and actually hold onto. Like I said I was going by what others had told me, not by anything I had read in the Bible itself. When I began to read and research for myself I saw how simple it actually is. I was amazed and greatly relieved to say the least! I hold no bad feelings toward those who gave me incorrect information. It is likely they did not know any better themselves or did not understand themselves. You can not teach something you do not know yourself.
Galatians 2:21)" I do not frustrate the grace(CHARIS-favor) of God: for if righteousness (DIKAIOSUNE- rightness, justice) come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."(DOREAN- for nothing) Here we find that if being made right or just comes from keeping the law then Jesus Christ went through one of the most painful deaths, that mankind ever inflicted on one another, FOR NOTHING!  Not to mention seventy two hours of torture, abuise, and humiliation before He died that painful death! ( This can be found by researching the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.)
Galatians 5:4)" Christ is become of no effect (KATARGEMIA- to be made useless) unto you, whosoever of you are justified (DIKAIOO- to make right) by the law; ye are fallen (EKPIPTO- to fall out of) from grace." (CHARIS- favor)
     From this verse we find that if, we are justified by the law, Christ is useless to us. What I and many others had been led to believe, we find, yet again,  contradicts what God's Word actually says! Not only do we find from this verse and others that we have exaimined, that this line of thinking is in error, we also find from this verse that we have fallen from the grace (favor) of God if we believe such rubbish! ( That we have to keep the law as well as believe is what is incorrect.) I do not EVER  want to fall from the favor of God!
     For a better understanding of just what Christ has freed us from, read the books of Leviticus & Deuteronomy. These books contain many of the laws. Many if not most of these laws can not be kept without running afoul of man's law.

Gary Jones Posted 6/20/09