Belfast OutReach

Rev. Hugh Ferrier, Inverness "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen" (Romans 16, 25-27) This is a tremendous Epistle, the Epistle to the Romans. And as the apostle brings it to an end, he brings it to an end with this doxology. In the doxology he is giving praise to the only wise God, who can establish and uphold the apostle's Christian friends in Rome. That is why he has given a list of the names that we read together. It's as if the apostle is saying to them, yes, the world that you are living in is uncertain, but I commend you to the grace of God, and that is enough for you. And then

According to the Bible, salvation is a gift from God - not something that can be obtained by works or any other way: {4} [B]ecause of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. {6} And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, {7} in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. {8} For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast. Source: Ephesians 2:4-9 NIVOff-site Link Tip: Also read this passage in the Contemporary English VersionOff-site Link Back To Top All Christians know this passage, and many have memorized it. And yet, many Christians do not fully understand what the passage actually means. They know they have been saved by gr