Genesis 6:8
But Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord.
While Noah was said to be an upright man, and a preacher of righteousness, he still was a sinner deserving of destruction. What was the difference that led to his salvation? He "found grace in the eyes of the Lord" Of all the people on earth, God chose Noah and his family and instructed them to build the ark, an ark only fit for eight.
Noah's salvation from destruction was ultimately by grace alone. God did not save Noah because he was upright, nor because he was a preacher righteousness. God gave grace to Noah freely. And as the result of that free grace, Noah was considered upright and called to preach righteousness.
Matter of fact, had God not told Noah of the coming flood and destruction and just flooded the earth, God would have been just in doing so. For the scriptures said
Genesis 6:5
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that EVERY imagination of the thoughts of his heart was ONLY evil continually.
Everyone, including Noah, is deserving of that flood. But Noah “found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord” toward him. He did not earn that grace. First, no man can perform any work worthy of God’s acceptance for righteousness. Second, if Noah would have been able to earn God’s grace by obedience, than it wasn’t really grace but a wage. It would have been owed him. Grace no more is grace. However, we know by the teaching of scripture that no one is saved by their obedience, only by grace.
Scripture teaches:
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Ephesians 2:8-9
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.
Romans 3:20
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.
On the surface, this meme picture may look good, sounds good, to those “positive thinkers” and “Torah keepers,” those modern day Judaizers, but it actually promotes salvation by works of the law. It negates the Grace and Mercy given to Noah, and destroys the type of Christ Jesus found in the Ark. To say Noah's obedience was his salvation, is to say Jesus death was unnecessary.
Some are going to say "yeah, but if he didn't build it, he would have died.” Had not God elected him to salvation from the flood by giving him the ark, he could never be saved! Child of grace, remember, it is "God who works in us to WILL AND TO DO....HIS good pleasure.
Demons feared, trembled BELIEVED and OBEYED when Jesus spoke. While those things are good in themselves and can be fruits of salvation, they do not prove nor merit salvation. Don't be deceived by the Judaizers of our day! While the child of God WILL perform the ordained works of God, they are not saved by any obedience, nor by their willing and choosing, but by the grace of God alone through the finished work of Christ alone! And one who has found grace in the eyes of the Lord, will find rest in the ark of the Lord alone!
God bless
Mikal
