The Gospel of Grace


" Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God ."

John 3:3

"You must be born again!"
John 3:7


What do we mean by "The Gospel"

Very simply - the Gospel (good news) is that God so loved the human race that He gave His only-begotten Son to be born as the man Jesus Christ. The God-man lived a perfect life without sin and died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of those who would believe on him. (Read John 3:16 )

He triumphantly rose again from the dead and returned to heaven. There He remains with the Father until He shall come again to this earth in power and glory to judge the living and the dead.

To believe on Christ means to put your trust in who He is and what He has done for you as your Saviour and your Redeemer and Lord.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!" ( Acts 16:31 )

In order to have this 'saving faith' one must FIRST be 'born again' by the power of the Holy Spirit. The next question is, "How can a man be born again?" ( Read John's Gospel Chapter 3 )

Before we consider that question it is important to note that, contrary to what many teach today, one is not born again as a result of believing, but rather, saving faith results from having been born again!

Conviction of Sin and Repentance

God commands ALL men everywhere to repent. That is, to turn from all sin - all that we know is displeasing to God and to turn to Him for grace to overcome sin in our lives. Without conviction of sin there will be no repentance. The Holy Spirit convicts men of sin by applying the Law of God to the conscience. Repentance - turning from sin - is manifested as a result of conviction. Where there is no conviction of sin there is no true repentance. Where there is no repentance there is no true saving faith.

Only by Grace

Repentance and faith go together and are the gift of God. We cannot MERIT salvation - that is to say, no one is good enough to earn their salvation. Salvation is all of grace. GRACE is defined as "God's unmerited or undeserved favour" . Read (in the Bible) Ephesians 2: verses 8 and 9. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of (good) works, lest anyone should boast."

"Saving" faith is in the finished (completed) work of Christ in His life, sufferings and death on the cross, as one's substitute - paying the penalty for one's sins - and in His resurrection (rising again) from the dead. This is the God-given faith by which one is saved.

Justified by Faith

God in His infinite wisdom, holiness, justice and love chose to save some out of this fallen and rebellious race to be His children by adoption and grace, even before the foundation of the world. As such, His elect people are "justified by faith". This is a key doctrine of the Bible. Briefly, it means that a man or woman is accounted righteous in God's sight through faith. A perfect righteousness is 'imputed' to the elect sinner - i.e. reckoned to his or her account - and this is granted through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which God by grace freely bestows.



Conversion

True salvation is demonstrated in a changed life. Whilst the "old man" (what we are in Adam) still remains and must continually be mortified (put to death), the "new man" (what we are in Christ) becomes the dominant power in one's life. Again we should note that conversion comes as a result of new birth. New birth does not result from conversion. A changed life may not indicate regeneration - it may merely indicate a reform of one's outward life.) But the regenerate believer's heart's desire will be to live unto God and for His glory. He will want to respond to the call of Christ to leave all and follow Him.

 


Amazing Grace!

Amazing grace ! how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see!

 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

 Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace.

When I've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
I've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when I first begun.

 This earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun no longer shine;
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine.

John Newton 1725-1807 Converted Slave Trader

Salvation is by grace ALONE through faith ALONE in the finished work of Christ ALONE


The Great Commission

Jesus, commanded His disciples to GO into ALL the world and preach the Gospel - i.e. proclaim the good news of salvation for sinners through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is our wish to be used in response to this commission - especially to the "computer" world.

If you are in doubt as to where you stand with God, or if you would like more information or help - do please Email us - or write to us at: GGM 5 Bothen Drive, Bridport. Dorset. DT6 4DJ United Kingdom.


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