Welcome to Timeless Truth with Pastor Jim Thomas. In season 1, Pastor Jim is leading us in a study of Ephesians. Today’s passage is Ephesians 2:8-10.
Chapters 1-3 indicatives/what Christ has done
Chapters 4-6 imperatives/what it means to follow Christ
What is salvation? How can a sinful person be saved? How can we sinners be reconciled to a holy and righteous God? What in the world did Paul mean by calling salvation a “gift”?
The 5 “solas” of Protestant theology:
- Scripture alone
- Christ alone
- Faith alone
- Grace alone
- The glory of God alone
It is scripture alone that teaches us that God’s salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone… which results in glory to God alone, and then that glory of God continues to shine brighter and brighter, as believers join God in His mission throughout this world.
- Salvation is only available as a gift of grace from God.
- Salvation is based upon the finished work of Christ.
- Since we cannot earn our salvation, we cannot un-earn it either. Therefore, we can rest in God’s sovereign grace!
“I make sure I remind myself regularly of the three tenses of salvation that I learned when I was a young Christian. By grace I have been saved from the penalty of sin. By grace I am being saved from the power of sin. By grace I will one day be saved from the presence of sin.”
– Rico Tice, Faithful Leaders
“God reaches out for us and draws us to himself, overcoming our all-too-natural sloth, indifference and hostility. His salvation does not stop short with the cross. He then proceeds to draw us to himself, unite us with our Saviour, and prepare us for our glorious future.”
– Peter F. Jensen, The Life of Faith
“The Christian community, when it is working properly, offers men and women a way of being related to one another that cuts across all the things that divide us… There is nothing else in human life that levels distinctions and creates new relationships like the knowledge that one has been saved by grace.”
– Fleming Rutledge, Means of Grace,
