Why Do We Need the Grace of God to Be Saved?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Romans 1-6 in a lesson titled “The Power of God unto Salvation.” The lesson was preceded by this counsel: “Recording promptings will help you remember what the Spirit is teaching you. Consider also recording how you feel about these promptings.” The lesson was then introduced by the following paragraph: 

By the time Paul wrote his epistle to Roman Church members, who were a diverse group of Jews and Gentiles, the Church of Jesus Christ had grown far beyond a small band of believers from Galilee. About 20 years after the Savior’s Resurrection, there were congregations of Christians almost everywhere the Apostles could reasonably travel --- including Rome, the capital of a powerful empire. Still, compared to the vastness of the Roman empire, the Church was small and often the object of persecution. In such conditions, some might feel “ashamed of the gospel of Christ” – but, of course, not Paul. He knew and testified that true power, “the power of God unto salvation,” is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16).

There are numerous principles in Romans 1-6. I will discuss a principle taken from the Sunday School manual for this lesson: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 3-6). We may feel overwhelmed in our efforts to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. We may be working hard to do everything commanded and still worry that our efforts are falling short. We may wonder if we are good enough to be accepted by God. 

On the other hand, we may not worry much about making righteous choices. We may think that attending church meetings and being a loving parent and a good neighbor is enough. We may think that the ordinances of the temple are not necessary because we believe that faith in Jesus Christ is all that we need. After all, we know that Christ paid the price for our sins and will not keep us out of the celestial kingdom over minor issues.

Paul taught truths that can help us to understand if we are good enough (none of us are without the grace of God). Truths will also help us to understand that faith in Jesus Christ alone will not save us. What truths do you find in the following verses that can help you in your spiritual journey back into the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

            Romans 3:20-31

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Romans 5:1-2

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 6:1-2 21-23

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Modern-day prophets and apostles, like the Apostle Paul, teach the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The following quote from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then a counselor in the First Presidency, gave me comfort because I am often guilty of feeling overwhelmed.

Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the Son of God. … Grace is a gift of God, and our desire to be obedient to each of God’s commandments is the reaching out of our mortal hand to receive this sacred gift from our Heavenly Father” (“The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 109-10). 

If you believe that faith in Jesus Christ is all that you need to enter the celestial kingdom, you may need to study this statement from President Uchtdorf:

If grace is a gift of God, why then is obedience to God’s commandments so important? Why both with God’s commandments – or repentance, for that matter? … Our obedience to God’s commandments comes as a natural outgrowth of our endless love and gratitude for the goodness of God. This form of genuine love and gratitude will miraculously merge our works with God’s grace” (“The Gift of Grace,” 109). 

The Apostle Paul taught that we are saved by grace and that grace is a gift of God. None of us can be saved in the celestial kingdom without the grace of God, but He expects us to keep His commandments and to receive certain ordinances, such as baptism and the ordinances of the temple. However, our obedience cannot save us without faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God. However, merging faith in Jesus Christ with obedience to the commandments will lead to receiving the grace of God.