BY GRACE YE ARE SAVED --- Ephesians 2:5.
"By grace ye are saved." --- Ephesians 2:5.
To rely on grace, and to desire to be saved only by free grace, is a sweet exercise; but so far from being practised enough, we all have need to learn the prayer of the publican better still, since the Pharisee is ever busy to creep in again.
But care must be taken that we do not build our faith only upon the sweet enjoyments of the grace of God, as it is procured by Christ, and promised to us through Christ; for which reason God sometimes denies us sensible enjoyments, that true faith may begin to act like itself, and begin upon nothing but his free grace in Christ.
And this we have also boldness to do, should we ever seem to fall short of the due measure of faith, godly sorrow, and repentance; for since there is no merit to be placed in these things. There is no certain measure and degree prescribed to all: but it is enough truly to hate sin, to desire grace, and sincerely to enter upon the Christian race.
'Tis not by works of righteousness
Which our own hands have done;
But we are saved by sovereign grace
Abounding through his Son.
"Tis from the mercy of our God
That all our hopes begin;
"Tis by the water and the blood
Our souls are wash'd from sin.
Raised from the dead we live anew;
And, justified by grace,
We shall appear in glory too,
And see our Father's face.