Since primeval it is widely understood & accepted and believed in Christendom that Salvation is given as a free gift from God as per the Bible.
For by Grace, you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of god, NOT of works, lest anyone should boast - Eph 2:8 -9 - NKJV
Another translation(Living Bible) reads - Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves, it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it. Eph 2:8-9
This translation is intriguing and we need to ponder on the word " Even trusting is not of yourselves". It begs a question - claiming - isn't faith mine? and we could say because I have trusted in God, I received salvation, Which means the faith which we used it as a means also brought salvation besides God's Free Gift. This is wrong and most people are subconsciously carried away with this understanding.
Faith can't be work because faith operates through the Freewill given to us by HIM and Faith standing on Grace, makes it wholesome for salvation.
Billy Graham once said Faith and Grace co-exist, it cannot be one or the other, and Faith will be Nullified if it doesn’t stand on Grace. If there is no GRACE in this world, then our faith is in vain.
Charles Spurgeon said - it is not great faith, but true faith, that saves; and the salvation lies not in the faith, But in the Christ in whom Faith Trusts.
Here, Faith translates to What Jesus did for us and it is invariably True without our faith. Because the Faith Rests on Jesus Christ's promise, this faith applies to whoever believes in HIM will be saved. So both GRACE & FAITH coexist mutually.
It is utterly vain in taking credit for Salvation by ourselves even through our faith. It is simply a pure GIFT of God to mankind to save us from this evil world.
If this truth is truly understood by everyone, then we would invariably show the same kindness (Jesus showed to us) to our fellow brothers & sisters when they fall/fail in their lives/sin. Because you and I are pardoned and found grace in HIS eyes.
Salvation should be often preached in churches, in gatherings, and to one another often, as we would be constantly reminded of this great TRUTH and mystery which goes missing subconsciously from our mind.
Martin Luther said - " the whole being of any Christian is Faith and love.
Faith brings the person to God,
Love brings the person to people
