SAVED BY GRACE

I am not sure if sin has increased or if it just seems that way because it has become more openly displayed. I suspect the fact that it is constantly on the news, it is the central theme of most entertainment (music, comedy, and drama), and it is portrayed as the latest trend, people have been enticed to experiment for themselves. It is difficult to watch television without seeing immorality, corruption, and violence. And it is amazing how often the evening news programs feel the need to include scenes of pole-dancers, immodestly dressed celebrities, and run stories about same-sex couples who want to adopt a child.

This downward spiral in morality is not a new phenomenon. Adam went from being a sinless man, to bringing sin and death upon the whole human race in the time needed to take a bite (Gen. 3:6; Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:22). One of his sons killed his brother (Gen. 4:8). We are told nothing about the life and character of Seth, but we are told it wasn't until Seth's son Enos was born that men began to call upon the Lord (Gen. 4:26). That means Seth was one hundred and five years old before he could have been among those who called upon God (Gen. 5:6). By the tenth generation of man, sin had so permeated the hearts of men, that God decided to destroy man, beast, creeping thing, and bird (Gen. 6:7).

Apparently, God did not want to start creation over again, because he chose one family and at least two of every creature to survive the pending flood (Noah was to bring seven pairs of "clean beasts" - Gen. 7:2). Many have pointed out that the Bible says that Noah and his family were exceptions when it came to the wickedness of men, and that Noah (the tenth generation of man) was "a just man and perfect in his generations" (Gen. 6:9). Of course, that is true; the Bible does say that. However, if people would simply look at the previous verse, they would see that Noah found "grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen. 6:8). The very definition of grace tells us that Noah was no different that the rest of mankind; grace is unmerited favor. It is not, nor can it be earned, or it would cease to be grace (Rom. 4:4). By the time that Noah built the ark, nine generations of his ancestors had all died (Gen. 5:6-31). Noah, a Gentile, and his family were saved by grace.

Ten generations later, God showed His grace in choosing another man for a special task; He chose Abraham to be the father of the Jewish people (Gen. 12:2). Again, a man who was not worthy to be singled out, was chosen. The Word of God tells us that Abraham was only considered righteous because he trusted God. He believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Jam. 2:23). Abraham, a Jew, was saved by grace.

Born-again Christians are also saved by grace. The Gospel message is that Christ died, was buried, and was raised again according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4). When we exercise the faith God gives us to believe in Jesus, as Christians, we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-9).