By the Grace of God

                               "If the final decision for the salvation of fallen sinners
                                were left in the hands of fallen sinners, we would
                                despair all hope that anyone would be saved."
                                                                                    R.C. Sproul


          Salvation comes by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  No one
     can work or earn his way into heaven.  Only God's grace can lead anyone to
     eternal life with Him.

          Grace has been defined as unmerited favor.  When we trust in Him, God gives
     us sinners what we don't deserve -- salvation and everlasting life, when we  de-
     serve condemnation and death because of our sins.
    

          Those who have not been changed by God's grace through the Holy Spirit are
     unable to do anything to please Him, and have fleshly desires, not spiritual ones.

                  
                                        " ... the sinful mind is hostile to God.
                                          It does not submit to God's law, nor
                                          can it do so.  Those controlled by the
                                          sinful nature cannot please God."
                                                                          Romans 8:7-8


          Those who don't belong to God are unable to hear God because they belong to
     the devil and want only to please him.


                                        (Jesus said), "You belong to your father, the
                                        devil, and you want to carry out your father's
                                        desire. ...
                                        He who belongs to God hears what God says.
                                        The reason you do not hear is that you do not
                                        belong to God."
                                                                               John 8:44a, 47


          Salvation does not depend on man's birthright, or his decision, or anyone else's
     decision, but on God's grace.


                                        "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed
                                         in his name, he gave the right to become children of
                                         God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of
                                         human decision, or a husband's will, but born of God."
                                                                                John 1:12-13


          Grace is a gift from God, and salvation comes only through faith in Jesus.


                                        "But the gift is not like the trespass.  For
                                         if the many died by the trespass of the one
                                         man, how much more did God's grace and
                                         the gift that came by the grace of the one
                                         man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"
                                                                                Romans 5:15


          God's grace is sufficient for all our needs.


                                        "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power
                                         is made perfect in weakness."
                                                                                2 Corinthians 12:9a


          God's grace brings redemption and forgiveness of sins for those who trust
     in Him.


                                        "In Him, we have redemption through His blood,
                                         the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the
                                         riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with
                                         all wisdom and understanding."
                                                                               Ephesians 1:7-8


          Believers receive justification by God's grace.


                                        " ... so that, having been justified by His grace,
                                          we might become heirs having the hope of
                                          eternal life."
                                                                               Titus 3:7


          Ultimately, God's grace brings salvation to His people.


                                       "For it is by grace you have been saved,
                                        through faith -- and this not from your-
                                        selves, it is the gift of God ..."
                                                                                Ephesians 2:8