Let focus on grace , salvation ,holiness and the character and conduct , we need to exhibit when we have them. We find this theme running through the length and breadth of the epistle. It talks about (1)God's redemptive plans effected through the substitutionary death of Christ, (2)the grace and salvation we have through faith in Christ, (3) leadership and membership in the church and relationship with one another and with people outside the fold.
In all the references , a case is made for practical demonstration of grace in christian living. Mere profession of grace without corresponding character is condemned. Real possession and practical demonstration of grace is commended and demanded of every believer in Christ. Without this, a big question mark hang over our christian believe and profession. Divine grace does not leave us the way it found us. Rather , it creates, remoulds and transforms us into a peculiar people , zealous of good works. it teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live sobberly , righteously and godly, in this present world. Grace showcase the Christian character in uncorruptness, gravity and sincerity.
Salvation by grace
In the old testament, reconciliation with God was possible only through the animal sacrifices. Sinners did not come on their own merit but on the merit of sacrificed animal - animals without blemish and without spots. In new testament, we are saved on the merit of the blood of Jesus. But salvationdoes not become ours until we receive it by faith. Even so , the faith is not of ourselves but the gift of God . Grace is not because of anything we have done .It is God's unmerited favour for an underserving sinner. "For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not of works , lest any man should boast". After we are saved by grace , good work is stillnecessary . All the works we did before salvation are regarded as dead works because it has not its origin in faith. But the works that come after salvation experience are referred to as good works acceptable to God. At salvation we are recreated unto good works which god hath ordained that we should walk in them.
The grace of God that brings salvation have appeared to all men. It first appeared at the Incarnation of Christ and at His crucification on the cross of Calvary where He paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world. Salvation has appeared to all men . This cancels the doctrine of limited atonement - the belief that salvation is for only pre-selected few among men and not everybody. This is contrary to the truth of the scriptures.
At salvation, sin is forgiven and depowered, biterness is taken away. But then there is the possibility of them springing up again in times of temptation, trials and persecution.After born-again, we need to remain in grace so that we do not lose the experience and slid back into sin.
Practical holiness of recipients of grace
If we are born-again, others need to see practical evidence of it in our lives. If the grace of God that brings salvation has indeed appeared to us, it will show forth in our living soberly, righteously and godly in in this present world. Identification with Christ makes us dead to sin and alive unto righteousness.The grace of God helps us to yield members of our bodies - mouth, the eye, the mind, the legs ,the ears , the hands etc. as instruments of righteousness to God. Sin leads to spiritual death and separation from God.If the grace of God is operating in our lives it will be known by the king of life we live.
Sanctification and heart purity
Beyond the experience of salvation is something richer, greater and stronger -sanctification and purity of the heart. Santification is for believers not for sinners.Christ gave himself to save the wold from sin and to sanctify the believers from inward depravity. If the word alone could sanctify us it would not have been necessary for Christ to give himself for sanctification. Nonetheless, the word enlightens us on our need for sanctification. It point us to the provision for our sanctification and grant us the faith by which we can be sanctified. It exalts and reveals Christ the Sanctifier unto us.Salvation makes us new creatures in Christ, but sanctification makes us peculiar people.Sanctification makes us distinct from the ordinary,run-of-the-mill christian.
