The Conditions That Go with God's Gift
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11). Truly, God does not exclude anyone of any race or any nation from the benefits of His grace; as we so often sing: "The Gospel Is for All." In fact, Jesus became the propitiation for our sins. John so states in a letter to Christians: "and not for our sins only but also for the whole world" (1 John 2:2).
Therefore, since God's grace is extended toward all men, and since Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, everyone in the whole world is saved—if there are no conditions placed on salvation. If grace is defined as eliminating any conditions whatsoever, then preaching to people is pointless because all will be saved no matter what they do—no matter what they think about God or their Lord Jesus Christ.
Does grace eliminate conditions (which some might call strings)? Consider the capture of Jericho as an example. The Lord said to Joshua, See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor" (Joshua 6:2). Then God proceeded to explain the conditions of the gift—marching around the city, etc.
Did their obedience to these conditions mean that Israel earned the victory over Jericho? Of course not. It remained a gift, having been granted to Israel by God's grace.
Are there conditions to salvation? Certainly. The first condition is that we must have faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus taught the people, "If you do not believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). Grace and salvation are available to all, but it cannot be accessed apart from faith.
A second condition of salvation is repentance. Jesus also taught, "Unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Though God's grace is offered to all, only those who will repent of their sins will have the opportunity to be saved. In fact, Titus 2:12 declares that God's grace teaches us to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts" and to "live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age." If people fail to be saved from their sins, it will be because they do not want to give up their sin for godliness.
Still another requirement follows close upon repentance. When Peter was asked by the Jews on the day of Pentecost what they should do (about their sinful behavior), he answered, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus for the remission of sins…" (Acts 2:38). We must also continue to "walk in the light" (1 John 1:7).
Faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins are all conditions God places upon us to receive His gracious gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23). By responding to His grace as He requires, have we somehow earned our own salvation? If so, how? It remains His offer, His work of redemption, and His conditions that are met. Terms of acceptance do not detract from the fact that salvation comes by means of the grace of God.