Help me Lord when I pray, not to perform a religious act, ritual or ceremony, but let my prayer be communication with You from my heart in Jesus’ name.

A means is a course of action…….by which an end can be achieved. In the Christian religion it is the action, the system, or the method by which one receives salvation.*

The majority of professing Christendom believe that one receives Christ through sacraments, often referred to as ”means of grace”. It is believed that by participation in these righteous acts, administered by the church, Christ is received.

In Christian theology “works” are defined as moral or righteous acts or deeds.

What does the Bible say about grace and works?

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. Ephesians 2:8&9

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing (cleansing) of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (being born from above**); Titus 3:5

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 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, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:4&5

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Hebrews 4:9&10

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:5&6

By what means? By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

In Ephesians 2:8 the apostle Paul writes: For by grace are ye saved through faith. How does one receive Christ? By grace, which is God’s help or enabling. Are ye saved; delivered from the wages of sin which is death (Romans 6:23). Death is separation. Physical death is separation from the body. Spiritual death is separation from God. Through faith; Paul does not give any options here. Writing under the direction of the Holy Spirit, he does not say through the sacraments, instead he writes…….through faith. Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction that comes from hearing Scripture***, the written Word of God (Romans 10:17). Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Abraham was fully convinced that God would fulfill His promise (Romans 4:21). But without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Salvation is of the Lord!

*Source Unknown at Present

**born again

*** W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.

Biblical truth is not complicated. It is only complicated to those who want it to mean something other than what it actually says.

Biblical truth is incomprehensible however, to those whom the god of this world has blinded.

Messiah Jesus is still in the business of giving sight to the blind.

What will ye that He should do unto you?

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5:21