It is critical to understand that we cannot save ourselves. The foundation of our faith is Jesus' death and resurrection. That's what paid the penalty for our sins. As a result of God's work in Jesus, we are a new people with a new heart and a new Lord.
1. Is it possible to be saved by the good things we do -- our "works"? How are we saved?
Ephesians 2:8-9 -- No, we are saved by God's grace. It's a gift. "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it's a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."
2. Does God save us because of the good things we do? If not, why does he save us? Titus 3:4-5
-- No, he saved us out of his kindness and love. "When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit."
3. What does God's grace teach the believer? Titus 2:11-12 -- Turn from Godless living and sinful pleasures through the grace of God. He brought salvation to all people. "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures."
4. Shall we continue to sin because of God's forgiveness and grace? Romans 6:15 -- "Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!"
5. What are we created for as new Christians? Ephesians 2:10 -- "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
6. What did Jesus say to those who believed in him? Matthew 16:24 -- "Then Jesus said to his disciples, If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me."
2. Does God save us because of the good things we do? If not, why does he save us? Titus 3:4-5
-- No, he saved us out of his kindness and love. "When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit."
3. What does God's grace teach the believer? Titus 2:11-12 -- Turn from Godless living and sinful pleasures through the grace of God. He brought salvation to all people. "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures."
4. Shall we continue to sin because of God's forgiveness and grace? Romans 6:15 -- "Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!"
5. What are we created for as new Christians? Ephesians 2:10 -- "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
6. What did Jesus say to those who believed in him? Matthew 16:24 -- "Then Jesus said to his disciples, If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me."
We learned that we are spiritually dead and cannot save ourselves. Regardless of who we are, we need a Savior. Jesus Christ is the only true Savior. By receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord, we can be delivered from the power of sin and its consequences. Our salvation is based on what Jesus did for us, not on our own efforts.
We must therefore…Realize that we are sinners without excuse (Romans 1:20) and that it is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we can be saved. Respond by turning from sin and putting our faith in him and then following him as Lord.
Candace Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner from Full House) has a great testimony and even speaks all over the world about how "Being good isn't good enough" meaning that we need Jesus Christ as our Savior and simply "being a good person" isn't going to get you into Heaven.
Check out her website: http://www.candacecameronbure.net/index.php
(The Purple Book by Rice Broocks and Steve Murrell - Chapter 1 - Lesson 5 - P.19)
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