Commentary on the Gospel of John

                                  Chapter Two

                                                                                                                                        Verse 23

At this Passover, Jesus performed many miracles, and many believed in Him because of them. But most of these believers were probably secret believers who refrained from joining the Church when it became manifested. Acts 2:1-4. These who truly believed were saved by grace, but because they kept it to themselves, Christ will be ashamed of them in the day of His final Judgment. Jesus mentioned these types of believers in the context of preaching the gospel. Mark 8:34-38.

Jesus' doctrine of salvation by grace raises many questions. Many contend that carnal believers and backsliders either lose their salvation by grace, or they were never saved by grace in the first place. Those who hold these views contend that true believers will always become sanctified by the Holy Spirit to the extent that they will lead clean and pure lives dedicated to the service of God. But the word grace means "God's unmerited favor." God saves solely by His grace through faith completely apart from any good works that any person may do. Good works cannot save by grace nor can they keep one saved by grace. Romans 4:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-9. The truth of the matter is that God saves every believer in Christ while they are still in the flesh by His grace for His own reasons and purposes which no human has the right to question. Matthew 21:31-32. Jesus said nothing about sanctified harlots and publicans. Jesus who can still the raging wind and waves certainly has all power over all sin and evil. Mark 4:35-41. The Bible (KJB) relates that God delivered Lot and two of his daughters from His destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah because he had a righteous soul even though he and his daughters never recovered from their sinful depravity. II Peter 2:6-9. However, believers saved by grace who lead sinful lives will not get away with it. God will severely punish His children who deliberately persist in practicing sin and evil. Hebrews 12:5-8. But God will completely cleanse and sanctify His Church when He Raptures it. Ephesians 5:25-27.