Grace Alone: The Foundation of Our Faith

In the early days of Christianity, a pivotal moment arose that would shape the course of the faith for centuries to come. The question at hand was profound yet simple: Is faith in Christ alone sufficient for salvation, or is something more needed?

This query emerged as the early church grappled with the influx of Gentile believers. Some, particularly those from a Pharisaic background, insisted that adherence to Mosaic law - specifically circumcision - was necessary for true salvation. This debate threatened to fracture the young church, leading to what is now known as the Jerusalem Council.

At its core, this council addressed a fundamental aspect of Christian theology: the nature of salvation itself. Is it earned through our actions, or is it a gift of grace received through faith alone?

The apostle Peter, speaking at the council, recounted his own experience with Gentile conversion. He reminded those present that God had chosen him to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, and that the Holy Spirit had been given to them just as it had been to Jewish believers. Peter's powerful statement rings true today: "We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."

This declaration underscores a crucial truth - salvation is not about what we do, but about what Christ has done for us. The law, as important as it was, was never meant to be our savior. Rather, it was given to show us our need for a Savior. As the apostle Paul would later describe it, the law was our "paraclete" - our tutor or mentor, guiding us towards the realization of our need for Christ.

James, the half-brother of Jesus and a respected elder in the Jerusalem church, affirmed Peter's words. He pointed out that the prophets had foretold the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan of salvation. His judgment was clear: faith in Christ alone is sufficient. No additional burdens should be placed on Gentile believers.

This decision was revolutionary. It affirmed that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was complete and all-sufficient. Our salvation is not dependent on our ability to keep the law perfectly - a task at which we all fail - but on our faith in the One who kept it perfectly on our behalf.

The implications of this truth are profound and liberating. We don't have to earn God's love or work our way into His good graces. Instead, we are invited to trust in Christ's finished work on the cross. As the analogy in the sermon beautifully illustrates, trusting in Christ is like sitting in a chair. We don't inspect it thoroughly or test its strength; we simply trust that it will hold us. In the same way, we are called to rest the full weight of our lives and our eternities on Christ's sacrifice.

This doesn't mean, however, that our actions are irrelevant. While our salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, our faith should produce fruit in our lives. The council advised new Gentile believers to abstain from certain practices out of consideration for their Jewish brothers and sisters. This brings us to another important principle: our freedom in Christ should never be exercised at the expense of others' faith.

Living in fellowship means considering the unity and health of the body of believers as more important than our personal desires. We are called to be sensitive to the consciences of others, refraining from actions that might cause a brother or sister to stumble, even if those actions are not inherently sinful.

At the same time, we must be careful not to impose our personal weaknesses as unbiblical restraints on others. The story of the missionaries and their struggle with peanut butter illustrates this point well. While it was appropriate for the couple to abstain from peanut butter due to their personal struggle, it was not right for them to impose this restriction on others.

The message of grace alone is as relevant and revolutionary today as it was in the early church. It frees us from the crushing weight of trying to earn God's favor and invites us into a relationship of trust and love. It reminds us that our brokenness and sin are not obstacles to God's love, but the very reason He sent His Son.

For those who have never experienced this grace, the invitation is open. You don't need to clean yourself up first or become something you're not. God loves you as you are, in spite of your sin. He asks only for surrender - to trust in Christ's sacrifice and allow Him to begin the work of making you new.

As we reflect on these truths, may we be filled with gratitude for the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. May we rest fully in His grace, neither trying to earn our salvation nor taking it for granted. And may we live in a way that honors this grace, considering others above ourselves and striving for unity in the body of Christ.

In a world that often tells us we're not enough, the message of grace alone reminds us that in Christ, we have everything we need. It's not about what we can do, but about what He has already done. This is the foundation of our faith, the source of our hope, and the wellspring of our joy. May we never lose sight of this beautiful, liberating truth.