Romans 5:21 "For as sin reigned unto death, so grace reigneth through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Our salvation comes as a gift of God's grace, but it can only be earned through human faith. To understand the process of salvation well, we need to understand these two words.

Life-giving faith: Faith in Jesus Christ is the only condition God requires for salvation. This faith is not just a public confession of Christ, it is the faith that comes from the heart to follow Christ as Lord and Savior (Matthew 4:19). 16:24. Luke 9:23-25: John 10:4, 27; 12:26; Compare places like Rev. 14:4).

(1) There are four main elements in the New Testament concept of faith: (a) Faith means firmly believing and trusting in the crucified and regenerated Woman as our personal Lord and Savior (Romans 1:17 and her commentary). It is an inner faith whereby man (Acts 8:37: Romans 6:17; Ephesians 6:6; Hebrews 10:22) surrenders his whole being and will to Christ according to the ideal of the New Testament.

(b) Repent, that is, turn from sin with genuine contrition (Acts 17:30; 2 Cor 7:10) and come to God through Christ. Saving faith is always faith with repentance (see Acts 2:37-38; Matthew 3:2 on repentance).

(c) Showing obedience to Jesus Christ and His disciples. It is a way of life inspired by our gratitude to God and the gift of new life from the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-6; 14:15, 21-24; Hebrews 5:8-9). Scripture calls it the "obedience of faith." (Compare Romans 1:5 and 16:26) Therefore, faith without commitment to sanctification is invalid or impossible.

(d) Faith consists of personal devotion and self-consecration to Christ, expressed in faith, love, gratitude and dependence. In the final analysis faith and love can never be separated. It is a work in which the believer gives himself completely personally to Christ (compare passages such as Matthew 22:37; John 21:15-17: Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 6:6; 1 Peter 1:8).

(2) Believing in Jesus as Lord and Redeemer is, on the one hand, a momentary act, on the other hand, a lifelong attitude that must be strengthened (see note on John 1:12). Our faith deepens because we have faith in a specific person who died for us (Romans 4:25: 8:32: 1 Thess 5:9-10), (Romans 4:20, 2 Thess 1:3: 1 Peter:3- 9) Romans 14:8; 2 Cor 5:15); This increases our loyalty, devotion, and personal affection and love for the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 1:21: 3:8-10; see notes on John 15:4 and notes on verses 17:21 and Galatians 2:20). This faith in Christ brings us into a new relationship with God and saves us from His wrath (Romans 1:18; 8:1). By this we are dead to sin (Rom. 6:1-12), and the Holy Spirit lives in us (Gal. 3:5, 4:6).

Grace: In the Old Testament God revealed himself to be a God of grace and mercy; He who shows love to His people, not because they claim it, but to be faithful to the promise He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 6:9 and "Passover" on page 110 and "Day of Atonement" on page 170 (see articles). In the New Testament the word grace speaks to this same context and through Christ Jesus God's presence and His love are given to believers as the gift of the Holy Spirit; Also, they are given grace, forgiveness, and the desire and strength to follow God's will (John 3:16; 1 Cor 15:10; Phil 2:13; 1 Tim 1:15-16). From beginning to end the Christian life is dependent upon this grace of God.

(1) God also gives unbelievers some grace as a gift (1 Cor 1:4) to enable them to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8-9; Titus 2:11: 3:35).

(2) God gives believers grace to be "set free" from sin (Romans 6:20, 22); can accomplish His "good will" (Phil. 2:13; compare Titus 2:11-22 and see Matt. 7:21 and note there 'the gift of God's grace concerning obligation'); can pray (Ecclesiastes 12:10); Grows in Christ (2 Peter 3:14) and can testify for Christ (Acts 4:33; 11:23).

(3) Our duty is to earnestly seek and strive for God's grace (Heb. 4:16). Some of the ways to obtain God's grace are: studying and obeying the Holy Scriptures (John 15:1-11: 20:31: 2 Tim 3:15); hearing the gospel preached (Luke 24:47 Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16; 1 Cor 1:17-18); to pray (Heb. 4:16; Jude 20); to fast (Matthew 402:6:16); Worshiping Christ (Col 3:16), always being filled with the Holy Spirit (compare Eph 5:18),and partaking of great feasts (see Acts 2:42: Eph 2:9 and note how grace works). (4) God's grace can be hindered (Heb. 12:15). may be gained in vain (2 Cor. 6:1); Nirvana can happen (1 Samuel 5:19); can be annulled (Gal 2:21) and the believer can forsake it (Gal 5:4).