Dear Brent,
The gospel of grace as mentioned by Paul in Acts 20:24, is that the Gentiles, without becoming proselytes and being circumcised or following the law, were saved by faith through grace. The basis of this gospel is also spoken of by Peter in Acts 15:7-11,
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Divine grace is undeserved favor and goodwill and loving kindness. The first use of the word is found in Genesis 6:8, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." Why? Verse 10, "Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." Now, a man who "walked with God" put trust in the Lord with all his heart and his walk was directed by God. Therefore, Noah had faith in God.
There are many verses in the OT that show clearly that what God always desired was that man would seek Him with their whole heart. The law accomplished it's purpose. It increased awareness of sin. It divided the carnal man from the spiritual man. It showed man the weakness of his flesh. The law within one's heart showed that the spiritual had won over the flesh.
Ps 40:6-8
Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not require; mine ears Thou hast opened [David heard and understood]: burnt offering and sin offering hast Thou NOT required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do Thy will, O my God: YEA, THY LAW IS IN MY HEART.
Ro 8:31-33
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a Rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.
In their pride, they put their trust in their own fleshly works under the law or immersed themselves in idolatry.
No one has ever been saved by works. Ro 3:20, "Therefore by the works of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
There has ALWAYS been remnant of believers. These faithful were and are chosen ACCORDING TO THE ELECTION OF GRACE. This was true of the seven thousand saints in the OT during the time of Elijah. It was true during Acts. Ro 11:5, "Even so then at this present time ALSO there is a remnant according to the election of grace."
Examples of salvation by grace through faith:
Moses:
"Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, show me Thy way, that I may KNOW Thee, that I might find GRACE in Thy sight" (Ex 33:13)
David:
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give GRACE and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in Thee. (Ps 84:11,12)
Wisdom (a title for Christ) is personified in Proverbs. Seeking knowledge of God and trusting Him with your whole heart, i. e. believing in Him, brings the hope of eternal life. Wisdom and understanding: "She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her...keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life to thy soul, and grace to thy neck." (Pr 3:18-23)
Lynn
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