"Yes, but..."

"You have been saved by grace because you believe. You did not save yourselves. It was a gift from God. You cannot brag that you are saved by the work you have done." Ephesians 2:8,9 (NCV)

I was talking with a friend several days ago about grace when he told me about a conversation he had had some months previous with someone who is a Christian. In their conversation, my friend said how wonderful it is to be saved by grace. This other person's reply went something like this, "Yes, but..."

Have you ever had a similar conversation about grace with someone. They appear likewise to be thrilled by God's grace, only to respond, "Yes, but..."

Now normally I don't have a fascination with "buts," however, in this instance I'll make an exception! What's with the "but?" Are we saved totally and completely by God's grace, or aren't we? I think that's what the "but" is all about. On the one hand, God does call Christians to live exemplary lives through His power. But do our exemplary lives lived through His power save us? Absolutely not! They bring Him glory, but they don't save us.

For those Christians who would suggest that we are saved by a combination of God's grace and our works, what is that formula? Where would you draw the line? Where does the "but" appear?

Grace Alone l_____________________________l Works Alone

As human beings, we seem to have a natural tendency to protect ourselves--to make ourselves look OK. And we try to do that in the spiritual arena by our "but."

"I'm saved by grace, but isn't it wonderful how much I give to charity?"

"I'm saved by grace, but look at all the nice things I do for others."

"I'm saved by grace, but isn't my church attendance record outstanding?"

"I'm saved by grace, but look at how well I've adhered to Biblical health principles."

Charity, being nice to others, church attendance, and healtful living are all fine and good, but none of those things contributes one iota to our salvation. We are saved solely and completely by God's grace and His grace alone--no ifs, ands, or "buts" about it!