<Ep 2> 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The state of being “dead”.

• Because of sins and transgressions.
• Under bondage of the world, the devil and flesh.
• By nature deserving of wrath.

“It is by grace you have been saved” <v5,8> [Sola gratia].

• Salvation of sinners comes by God’s grace (“unmerited favor”) alone.
• John Blanchard: “Grace is not a reward for faith; faith is the result of grace.”
• Ep 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Justification by faith alone [Sola fide].

• Having righteousness credited to us through faith in Christ.
• John Macarthur: God receives as righteous those who believe, not because of any good thing He sees in them—not even because of His own sanctifying work in their lives—but solely on the basis of Christ’s righteousness, which is reckoned to their account.
• Justification is not merely forgiveness of sin, but imputation of Christ’s righteousness to believers <Ro 4:23-25>.
• Justification: God declares believers righteous, but their nature not changed yet.
• God is not unjust to declare a sinner righteous, because He did it only on account of Christ’s obedient sacrifice for sinners.
• Justification VS Sanctification:

• Roman Catholicism tries to mix justification with sanctification.

• Those who reject “sola fide” >>> faith plus human works
• Justification is all God’s glory and grace and none of men’s “deserving” contributions.

So how about “works”?

• After believing in Christ and being saved, “do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” <Ep 2:10>.
• Being “free from sin” and “free to sin” are different!
• But what about <Jas 2:24>?
  • “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”
• <Jas 2:14> What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
• Nuance in the definition of faith:
  • A kind of faith that does not save: Faith that is not accompanied by good works.
  • We are saved by “faith alone”, but that saving faith is never without evidences.
• Good works are NOT the basis of justification, BUT the fruit of our faith.

Reflection:

• Are you convinced that justification is by grace alone, through faith alone? Do you struggle with not adding anything else to the “alone” to secure your justification and salvation?
• Do you understand the differences between justification and sanctification? Share how you would explain the differences to someone who is confused about these two doctrines and thus has no assurance of his/her salvation.
• Share how you can reconcile faith and works (i.e. being positionally right with God and having practical right deeds before God).