We access God's grace by faith — by trusting what God has done, not by any works we perform.
Grace is God's unmerited favor, and faith is the vehicle through which it is received. Scripture says we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves — it is the gift of God. At the moment a person believes, God does everything that needs to be done, and the believer stands in that grace by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9 — Paul states explicitly that salvation is by grace through faith, not works, showing that grace is received, not earned.
Romans 5:2 — This verse directly says believers have access by faith into the grace in which they stand.
2 Timothy 1:9 — God saved and called us according to His own purpose and grace given in Christ before the world began.
Titus 2:11 — God's saving grace has appeared to all men, making the way back to God available to everyone.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul ties access to grace directly to faith. Faith is the instrument, but the initiative and the power belong entirely to God. Works are excluded, because a gift is no longer a gift when it is paid for by effort. Paul also writes that through Christ we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand (Romans 5:2). This means every believer stands in a position of grace, having entered by faith rather than by maintaining it with good behavior. The same grace that brings salvation also teaches us to deny ungodliness and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12). Before the world began, God's saving purpose was already in grace: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Timothy 1:9). Thus Scripture consistently presents grace as God's unearned favor, accessed by trusting what He has declared.
Les says, 'Grace has made it possible, but faith is the vehicle.' He emphasizes that for by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. There is nothing a person can do — no number of church memberships, baptisms, or other religious acts — to obtain grace. When a person simply receives it by faith, God does everything that needs to be done. Les also teaches that all of God's grace is poured out on the believer the moment they believe; from that position in grace, we grow in grace. We do not grow into grace. Because grace is not law, nothing is forced upon us. Since the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, no one will ever be able to say they never heard. The believer's response is to rest on what God says, accept His free justification, and live soberly, righteously, and godly while looking for the blessed hope.
Les calls faith 'the vehicle': grace has made salvation possible, but faith is how we enter into it. Scripture says, 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God' (Ephesians 2:8). Faith is not a human work; it is the simple receiving of what God has done. Les stresses that for Jew or Gentile, God's way is 'by faith, and faith alone.'
Les explains that when something is based on works, it cannot be grace. A person cannot join enough churches, go through enough baptisms, or do anything else to earn salvation. If salvation were by works, it would no longer be a gift and would give room for boasting. Scripture says we are saved 'not according to our works' (2 Timothy 1:9).
Les says, 'All of God's grace is experienced the moment we believe.' We do not gradually grow into grace; we grow in grace from the position of grace we are placed into at belief. Since grace is not law, nothing is forced upon the believer. The growth that follows is God's intention, but the access to grace is immediate.
Les teaches that 'the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men' (Titus 2:11). God has made the way back to Him available for every human being, and no one will be able to say, 'Lord I never heard.' Even those who have never heard the literal Word of God have the testimony of nature that points to a Creator to deal with.
Grace Given Before the World Began
Les explains that God saved and called us according to His own purpose and grace given in Christ before the world began, so our access to grace did not begin with our efforts.
Faith: The Vehicle into Grace
Les teaches that grace makes salvation possible, but faith is the vehicle that receives it; nothing we can do earns a gift.
Growing in Grace, Not into Grace
Les teaches that all of God's grace is poured out at the moment we believe and we then grow in grace from that position; we never grow into grace.
Grace Appeared to All Men
Les teaches that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to every human being and that the way back to God is available for everyone.
Salvation Is a Gift, Not a Work
Les explains Ephesians 2:8-9: we are saved by grace through faith, and salvation is the gift of God, not something we work for.
Works Cannot Produce Grace
Les teaches that when a religious system is based on works, it cannot be grace; Jew or Gentile must come God's way, by faith alone.
The First Step of Faith: Believing God's Verdict
Les explains that the first step of faith is to believe what God says about us — that we are sinners — and to accept that God freely justifies us with no strings attached.
Grace Teaches Us How to Live
Les says the grace that has appeared to all men also teaches us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly while looking for the blessed hope.
Romans 5:2: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
This verse directly states that faith is the means of access into the grace every believer stands in.
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Paul makes clear that grace is received through faith and is God's gift, not a wage for human works.
2 Timothy 1:9: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
This verse roots salvation in God's eternal purpose and grace, not in anything the believer has done.
Titus 2:11-12: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Grace is not only the basis of salvation; it also instructs believers in practical godly living.
Romans 3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Justification is free and by grace, with no strings attached, as Les mentions in connection with the first step of faith.
No. Les explains that faith is the vehicle, but even our salvation is 'not of yourselves: it is the gift of God' (Ephesians 2:8). Faith receives the gift; it does not earn it.
At the moment of belief. Les says all of God's grace is experienced the moment we believe, and from that position we grow in grace. We don't gradually grow into grace.
No. Grace is based on God's purpose and His gift, not on our works. Les emphasizes that grace is not law, so nothing is forced upon the believer.
Les says the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to every human being, and no one will ever be able to say they never heard. Nature itself testifies that there is a Creator to deal with.
Simply receive it by faith. The first step is to believe what God says about you — that you are a sinner — and to trust that God freely justifies you. Then God does everything that needs to be done.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 5:1-2 Explained — Peace With God Through Faith Alone