Paul wrote, "For by GRACE are you saved through faith; and not that of yourselves: it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8.
The Protestant interpretation of the word "grace" is... God's unmerited favor towards fallen man. God was gracious towards fallen man in that he sent his only begotten Son into the world to provide salvation for him. This grace that God has demonstrated towards fallen man is totally and completely outside of fallen man and is an act and a gift of God alone.
Paul made this clear when he wrote, "But God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8.
God's grace cannot be earned, deserved or imposed. God's grace is the nature and character of his attributes. He is holy, just, merciful, righteous and gracious. All that God does in his dealings with fallen man is right, fair and just. No one will be able to accuse God of being unfair or unjust in the judgment. God has done all that he can possibly do to provide salvation for fallen man and still remain holy, just, merciful and righteous. God cannot sin against himself, nor can he sin against his created beings. The ball is now in humanities court. God cannot and will not force or impose salvation on anyone, to do so would make him unjust.
The Catholic interpretation of the word "Grace" is not the same as the protestant interpretation. The Catholic interpretation of the word "Grace" means that God does something in the heart of the Catholic that makes him pleasing to God, whereas the protestant interpretation of the word "Grace" is totally and completely outside of himself and is only found in God and not in himself. The Catholic believes that the virtues of Jesus Christ are infused into him, making him pleasing to God. Protestants believe that the righteousness of Christ are imputed to the believer and are to his account. He does not posses the righteousness of Christ, but it is to his account.
Paul taught that salvation was totally and completely outside of fallen man and is found only in the works and the person of Jesus Christ. He made this clear when he wrote Romans Chapter 7 and Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23. Paul maintained his sinner hood all through his epistles and even referred to himself as "The Chief of Sinners" 1 Timothy 1:15. In Romans 7:18, Paul said, "For I know that in my flesh, dwells no good thing". Paul knew that if he was to be saved his salvation would have to come from outside of himself and in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The Protestant interpretation of the word "grace" is... God's unmerited favor towards fallen man. God was gracious towards fallen man in that he sent his only begotten Son into the world to provide salvation for him. This grace that God has demonstrated towards fallen man is totally and completely outside of fallen man and is an act and a gift of God alone.
Paul made this clear when he wrote, "But God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8.
God's grace cannot be earned, deserved or imposed. God's grace is the nature and character of his attributes. He is holy, just, merciful, righteous and gracious. All that God does in his dealings with fallen man is right, fair and just. No one will be able to accuse God of being unfair or unjust in the judgment. God has done all that he can possibly do to provide salvation for fallen man and still remain holy, just, merciful and righteous. God cannot sin against himself, nor can he sin against his created beings. The ball is now in humanities court. God cannot and will not force or impose salvation on anyone, to do so would make him unjust.
The Catholic interpretation of the word "Grace" is not the same as the protestant interpretation. The Catholic interpretation of the word "Grace" means that God does something in the heart of the Catholic that makes him pleasing to God, whereas the protestant interpretation of the word "Grace" is totally and completely outside of himself and is only found in God and not in himself. The Catholic believes that the virtues of Jesus Christ are infused into him, making him pleasing to God. Protestants believe that the righteousness of Christ are imputed to the believer and are to his account. He does not posses the righteousness of Christ, but it is to his account.
Paul taught that salvation was totally and completely outside of fallen man and is found only in the works and the person of Jesus Christ. He made this clear when he wrote Romans Chapter 7 and Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23. Paul maintained his sinner hood all through his epistles and even referred to himself as "The Chief of Sinners" 1 Timothy 1:15. In Romans 7:18, Paul said, "For I know that in my flesh, dwells no good thing". Paul knew that if he was to be saved his salvation would have to come from outside of himself and in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
