Faith is the doorway through which God's gift of salvation is received — salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes that we are saved by grace through faith and that this is not of ourselves — it is the gift of God, not of works. Les Feldick teaches that grace makes salvation available, but faith is the door of access; faith is simply believing, and then God does everything that needs to be done.
Ephesians 2:8-9 — Paul directly states that salvation is by grace through faith, is God's gift, and is not from works, showing faith's role as the receiving means.
In Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul writes, "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." This shows that faith is the means through which salvation is received. Paul continues in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Paul also describes the believer's position: "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:5-6). In Romans 5:1-2 he writes, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Les Feldick emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith and is not of ourselves. He explains that faith is simply believing — nothing else. When a person believes, God does everything that needs to be done; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. He illustrates this by pointing out that every believer in heaven will only be able to claim the same thing: the finished work of the cross, faith plus nothing.
Grace is God's unmerited favor, and it has made salvation accessible to every human being. But there has to be a door of access, and that door is faith. Les teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves — it is the gift of God. We do not work for a gift, and we do not merit it. Once a person believes, God does everything that needs to be done.
Because salvation is not of works, there is nothing anyone can do to earn it. Les paints the picture of heaven being an awful place if every believer were telling others what they did to get there. Instead, every believer will claim the same thing: the finished work of the cross. Faith plus nothing leaves no room for boasting.
Les teaches that the first step in salvation is to believe that I am what the book says I am — short of the glory of God. It is taking God at His Word concerning yourself and concerning others. Faith then guides us not only into salvation but all through our Christian experience, because it is all based on what the book says.
Works done in the energy of the flesh — like baptism, church membership, visiting the sick, or giving to the poor — cannot save a person. God will not recognize those as payment for salvation. However, after salvation, good works are what God expects. Believers are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the good works God prepared.
Made Alive and Seated with Christ
Les teaches that because of the resurrection, God sees believers as raised out of spiritual deadness and already seated with Him in the heavenlies, just because they believe the gospel.
Salvation Is an Instant Act of God
Les teaches that the moment we believe, God forgives, justifies, sanctifies, glorifies, baptizes into the body, seals and fills with the Spirit — even though we don't feel it, faith knows it because the book says so.
Faith Plus Nothing
Les teaches that salvation is through faith, not of ourselves and not of works, and that every believer in heaven will only claim the finished work of the cross — faith plus nothing — leaving no room to boast.
By Grace Through Faith, Not of Works
Les teaches that 'by grace are you saved through faith' and that faith is simply believing; God then does everything that needs to be done. Believers are also God's workmanship.
Believing What the Book Says About Yourself
Les teaches that the first step of saving faith is to take God at His Word that we are short of the glory of God, and that faith then guides the believer throughout the Christian life.
Grace Through Faith Is God's Gift
Les teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, and since it is the gift of God, no one works for it or merits it.
Faith Is the Door of Access
Les teaches that God's grace has made salvation accessible, but faith is the door of access; everything God did at salvation becomes a reality by faith when we believe the book.
Justified by Faith Plus Nothing
Les teaches that religious activities like baptism are works done in the energy of the flesh and cannot save; we are justified by faith plus nothing.
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
This verse is Paul's clearest statement that faith is the means through which salvation is received.
Ephesians 2:9: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Shows works are excluded so no one can claim credit for salvation.
Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Shows that although salvation is not by works, believers are created in Christ for good works.
Ephesians 2:5: Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Describes being made alive together with Christ when we were dead in sins.
Ephesians 2:6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Reveals that believers are already raised and seated with Christ in the heavenlies.
Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Declares the result of being justified by faith.
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.
Shows that faith provides access to God's grace.
The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is God's unmerited favor that makes salvation available, and faith is the door of access through which the believer receives it. Neither grace nor faith is a human work.
It means no amount of human effort, religious activity, baptism, church membership, or personal merit can earn salvation. Salvation is the gift of God. Les says the world tries to add works like baptism or charity for salvation, but God will not recognize those for salvation.
No. Les teaches that faith is what guides us not only into salvation but all through our Christian experience. Everything is based on what the book says, and by faith the believer takes appropriate action in daily life.
Watch the Teaching: Why Grace Always Wins Over Sin — Romans 5:15-20 Explained