AFTER I SUGGESTED that some believe we are saved “on the basis of our own obedience,” a good brother wrote in their defense. “These people have read Ephesians also, and they believe that it is only by the grace of God we have the opportunity of salvation as God’s free gift.”
Before talking about what people say and do today, reflect with me concerning the argument made by Paul’s original opponents, to whom he originally insisted on justification by grace through faith. Those “Judaizers,” as we sometimes call them, would have agreed that “it is only by the grace of God we have opportunity of salvation as his free gift.” But they would argue (1) that the free gift of salvation is conditional, and (2) that receiving it depends on obedience. When confronted with the fact that no one obeys perfectly, they would have explained (3) that some obedience is more important than other obedience in receiving salvation. Then they would give their rationale (4) that circumcision was necessary even though one might be forgiven who erred in other particulars.
Paul would have none of that. God forgives sinners only because of his unmerited favor and undeserved love, the apostle insists. We see that gratuitous kindness in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, and we enjoy it by trusting God’s promise that it is true. We obey him because of what he has done for us in Jesus. Our obedience does not accomplish or attain God’s favor. It does not cause God to love us, or reward us, or give us a free gift. He loved before we knew. He gave before we obeyed. He reconciled before we ever heard about it.
God’s grace is as difficult for us to accept as it was for the “Judaizers.” We fool ourselves if we think we avoid their error by saying that “it is only by the grace of God we have opportunity of salvation as his free gift,” if we then contradict that proposition by arguing that the free gift of salvation is conditional, and that receiving it depends on obedience. It is a charade of grace to agree that no one obeys perfectly, then explain that some obedience is more important than other obedience in receiving salvation. It misses the point of Romans and Galatians and Ephesians and Titus to offer some rationale why baptism (correct in all its particulars) is necessary for salvation, but say that someone might be forgiven who errs in other particulars.
I teach believers to be baptized. Jesus commanded it. We are created in Christ for good works. The grace of God compels us to live in obedience and to work for God. Faith without works is dead. I could say much more along that same line. I do not question the biblical importance of works which demonstrate faith and are the fruit of repentance. Jesus says that those who love him are to obey what he says. None of that is at issue.
But before we can appreciate those truths, we must first appreciate the radical truth of the gospel. God saves sinners. God is indebted to no one. Nothing we do contributes to God’s favor or kindness toward us as sinners. Baptism does not give “brownie points” in God’s eyes. God’s gift is received by the empty hands of faith. We can only trust him to love us because he promises it and shows it in Jesus. When we are able to say that, without any if’s, and’s, or but’s, we will be ready to talk about the great importance and significance of obedience and good works. Not before.