By Grace Are Ye Saved
Salvation is a free gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, and is a demonstration of God's longsuffering and mercy.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that salvation is solely by the grace of God, highlighting how His mercy preserves sinners from immediate judgment. He recounts instances of deliverance, such as John Bunyan's experiences, to illustrate the profound impact of God's longsuffering and grace. Spurgeon urges the unsaved to recognize their unworthiness and to embrace the free gift of grace, which is available through faith in Jesus Christ. He encourages listeners to reflect on their own deliverances and to respond with gratitude and repentance. Ultimately, he calls for immediate action, reminding all that today is the day of salvation.
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IT is by the grace of God that ungodly men are preserved from instant death. The sharp axe of justice would soon fell the barren tree if the interceding voice of Jesus did not cry, "Spare him yet a little." Many sinners, when converted to God, have gratefully acknowledged that it was of the Lord's mercy that they were not consumed. John Bunyan had three memorable escapes before his conversion, and mentions them in his "Grace Abounding" as illustrious instances of long-suffering mercy.
Occasionally such deliverances are made the means of affecting the heart with tender emotions of love to God, and grief for having offended him. Should it not be so? Ought we not to account that the longsuffering of God is salvation? (2 Peter 3:15.) An officer during a battle was struck by a nearly spent ball near his waistcoat pocket, but he remained uninjured, for a piece of silver stopped the progress of the deadly missile. The coin was marked at the words DEI GRATIA (by the grace of God).
This providential circumstance deeply impressed his mind, and led him to read a tract which a godly sister had given him when leaving home. God blessed the reading of the tract, and he became, through the rich grace of God, a believer in the Lord Jesus.
Reader, are you unsaved? Have you experienced any noteworthy deliverances? Then adore and admire the free grace of God, and pray that it may lead you to repentance! Are you enquiring for the way of life? Remember the words DEI GRATIA, and never forget that by grace we are saved.
Grace always pre-supposes unworthiness in its object. The province of grace ceases where merit begins: what a cheering word is this to those of you who have no worth, no merit, no goodness whatever! Crimes are forgiven, and follies are cured by our Redeemer out of mere free favour. The word grace has the same meaning as our common term gratis: Wickliffe's prayer was, "Lord save me gratis" No works can purchase or procure salvation, but the heavenly Father giveth freely, and upbraideth not.
Grace comes to us through faith in Jesus. Whosoever believeth on Him is not condemned. O, sinner, may God give thee grace to look to Jesus and live. Look now, for to-day is the accepted time!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Preservation of Ungodly Men
- A. God's mercy in sparing sinners from instant death
- B. The interceding voice of Jesus
- II. The Longsuffering of God
- A. Salvation through God's longsuffering
- B. Examples of God's longsuffering
- III. The Means of Salvation
- A. Faith in Jesus
- B. The gift of salvation through faith
- IV. The Nature of Grace
- A. Grace presupposes unworthiness
- B. Grace is free and unmerited
Key Quotes
“The sharp axe of justice would soon fell the barren tree if the interceding voice of Jesus did not cry, 'Spare him yet a little.'” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Grace always pre-supposes unworthiness in its object.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The word grace has the same meaning as our common term gratis: Wickliffe''s prayer was, ''Lord save me gratis''” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Recognize your unworthiness before God and acknowledge your need for salvation.
- Place your faith in Jesus Christ as the means of receiving salvation.
- Adore and admire the free grace of God, and pray that it may lead you to repentance.