Some people think that Jesus paid for most of our sins on the cross, but He still left something up to us.  They will say, “Well, of course you need God’s grace to be saved.  No one can save themselves, but you still have to DO something to win God’s approval.”

The belief that our actions somehow play a part in earning salvation is nothing less than pure heresy.  One theologian said, “If a person is trying to add anything to the work of Christ for salvation, that person is not saved and is operating under a fatal misunderstanding.[1]” God helps us because we are (and were) totally and utterly unable to contribute anything at all to our salvation.  Romans 5:6 says, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Learn more about Romans 5:6 here: http://pastormarkstafford.com/2014/11/30/proof-of-gods-love-romans-5-6-11/

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.  One of the hardest things for people to grasp is that they don’t need to add anything to salvation.  Jesus did it all.  He paid the whole debt for our sins on the cross.  We were not left with even a fraction of a percent to pay.  When He cried out on the cross “Tetelesti” or “It is Finished,” Jesus was indicating that the entire price for sin had been completely covered by His blood.  Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”


[1] Boice, James Montgomery “Acts” page 259

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Mark Stafford

Senior Pastor