Scripture Reading:    Romans 4:4-5

God has always offered salvation to mankind. Even before man fell into sin, God planned to provide for salvation throughout "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Furthermore, God has always offered salvation on the basis of faith for "without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

However, throughout the ages, God has required various methods of exercising faith in Him. Under the Law, man was required to obey the commandments in faith. To obey the Law out of mere tradition without faith did not result in righteousness (see Romans 9:31-32). Likewise, to say you had faith, but then did not obey the Law was also futile (see James 2:8-26). So under the Law, men were saved by faith, which in turn was demonstrated by a faithful obedience to the Law.

But in this dispensation of grace, salvation is offered by faith alone without any required outward response. In fact, Paul us careful to separate works from faith entirely when it comes to being saved. as he says in our text, "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, him faith is counted for righteousness (Romans 4:4-5). We must likewise be careful to present the gospel of grace in a way that our hearers do not confuse works with faith. Many preach that in order to be saved, we must "repent of our sins" or "pray this prayer" or "make Christ Lord of your life." These make be good things to do, but should come as a result of believing he gospel, not as a method of salvation.