When someone begins speaking by saying, “The only thing you have to do to be saved is…” they involve themselves in error or double talk. There is no “alone” in the salvation process. It takes a combination of things on man’s part as well as on God’s part to accomplish this wonderful event.
More and more, we hear people say that we are saved by grace “alone.” Such cannot be the case. Think with me for a minute. If salvation is by grace “alone,” would that not logically imply that all men would be saved? Paul stated in Titus 2:11 that “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (NKJV). If all that were necessary for salvation to occur was grace “alone,” then all would be saved, for God’s grace has been offered to all.
If on the other hand, man must act in some fashion to secure and appropriate God’s grace, then man’s response becomes part of the equation. Does this minimize God’s grace? Do we diminish its power in suggesting that man must respond to grace in order for it to save us? Does man’s response diminish the power and greatness of God’s grace? Of course not! Certainly, the Bible teaches that the salvation of man arises from the kindness, love and mercy of God, independent of our own goodness (Titus 3:4–5). However, while salvation arises from the gracious qualities of God, it is not accomplished until man acts in response to His grace.
While some proclaim we are saved by grace “alone,” others among us are proclaiming that we are saved by faith “alone.” This, too, is erroneous. To say that one is saved by faith “alone” means that nothing else is involved (i.e., if “alone” really means “alone”). Would that not imply that God’s grace is not even necessary? It would if “alone” means “alone.” If this faith “alone” doctrine was true, it would eliminate God’s part in the salvation process, while the grace “alone” doctrine would eliminate man’s part in the salvation process.
Salvation requires two parties—God and man. The scheme of redemption had its beginning in the gracious, compassionate love of God. Yet, it is not completed until man responds to the divine conditions of pardon set forth in Scripture. There is just no “alone” in the scheme of redemption.
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3–7)
