Grace Through Faith
A Consistent Pattern of God’s Salvation
Many today believe that “grace through faith” is a concept unique to the New Testament and that it requires nothing more than belief alone. But a deeper look into Scripture shows a clear and consistent pattern: God offers grace, and faithful, trusting obedience is the required response. From the beginning of time, God’s grace has been extended to mankind—not earned or deserved—but it has always required faith that acts in obedience.
Let’s explore how this pattern plays out throughout Scripture.
Noah: Grace Found, Obedience Required
Genesis 6:8-9
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. … Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”
Noah was not saved because he earned it, but because God graciously warned him of the coming flood and gave him a plan. What was Noah’s response?
Hebrews 11:7
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark…”
His faith caused him to act. If Noah had believed the warning but failed to build the ark, would he have been saved? Certainly not. God’s grace was extended, but his faith had to obey.
Abraham: Faith That Obeyed
Genesis 15:6
“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”
Paul quotes this in Romans 4, highlighting Abraham as the father of faith. But what kind of faith?
James 2:21-22
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?”
Abraham’s faith was not passive. He believed God’s promises, and his belief moved him to obedience—leaving his homeland (Genesis 12), circumcising his household (Genesis 17), and offering up Isaac (Genesis 22).
Naaman: Grace and Obedience
2 Kings 5:10-14 tells the story of Naaman, a Syrian commander with leprosy. Elisha told him to wash in the Jordan seven times. At first, Naaman was angry—why not be healed another way? But his healing was not about his preference. It was about obedience.
2 Kings 5:14
“So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God… and he was clean.”
Did the Jordan water have healing power? No. It was God’s grace—but the healing came after obedience. If he stopped at six dips, he would have remained unclean.
Rahab: Faith in Action
Rahab was a Gentile prostitute in Jericho who hid the Israelite spies. Her belief in God was evident in her confession:
Joshua 2:11
“...the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”
But more than words, she acted in faith. She risked her life to hide the spies and followed their instructions.
Hebrews 11:31
“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”
James 2:25
“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?”
Her faith moved her to act, and in that obedient faith, she received God’s grace and was saved.
Israel: Grace and Covenant Obedience
When God delivered Israel from Egypt, it was not because they were deserving.
Deuteronomy 7:7-8
“The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number… but because the Lord loves you…”
Yet, to remain in His grace, they had to follow the covenant.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28
“Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments… and the curse, if you do not obey…”
New Testament: The Same Pattern
Many quote Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…”
This is true—but let’s not stop there. The very next verse shows that God’s grace is meant to produce action:
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Faith without obedience is dead (James 2:17). Even Jesus said:
Luke 6:46
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”
Grace Through Faith That Obeys
From Genesis to Revelation, God's grace is always a gift—never earned. But He expects a response: a trusting, faithful, and obedient heart.
Noah built the ark.
Abraham offered Isaac.
Naaman washed in the Jordan.
Rahab hid the spies.
The Israelites followed God’s law (when they didn’t, they fell).
In the New Testament, believers must believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and remain faithful.
Hebrews 5:9
“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”
Grace is not earned—but it’s not automatic. It’s extended to those whose faith is alive, active, and obedient.
Let us be people of that kind of faith.