”Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” | Romans 4: 16-17
Before any sinner can or will come to Christ, he must be born again.
Faith is the result, not the cause of the new birth.
That faith by which we receive God’s salvation in Christ is the gift of God.
“Salvation is of the Lord,” in its entirety!
It is not of works at any time in a believer’s life, God will never be brought into debt by the works of any man, He will never owe a blessing, all is of grace.
Faith in Christ is as much the gift and work of God’s free grace as election, redemption, and regeneration.
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” (Philippians 1: 29)
If you believe, it is because God has given you faith.
“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,” (Ephesians 1: 19)
You “believe according to the working of his mighty power.”
Faith is not the work of the sinner’s imaginary “free will.”
Faith is the gift of God’s sovereign grace, the result of God’s operation upon the heart.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
~ Pastor Don Bell
Click here to listen to the message “Foundation’s of Faith” (38:42 minutes)
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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.
Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 22 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia