Only by His Grace

In his epistle to the Romans, Paul is emphatic in affirming that we are saved by God’s grace alone. He quotes two passages from Psalms. In the first, David unequivocally confesses his own guilt, so that no one will doubt the righteousness of God’s judgment (Psalm 51:4, Romans 3:4), and the other one contains his confession on behalf of us all: “There is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:2-3, Psalm 53:1-3, Romans 3:10-12). Paul concludes that we become justified not by fixing ourselves but by entering into a relationship with God, who can make us right. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).

The word “freely” in this passage indicates God’s eagerness to give us this gift which we cannot earn, and it accords with Lehi’s testimony to his son Jacob that “salvation is free” (2 Nephi 2:4).

But Joseph Smith changed that word in his revision of the Bible, to add emphasis to Paul’s main point: We do not save ourselves. In Joseph Smith’s version of this passage, “freely” is changed to “only:”

Therefore, being justified only by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:24, footnote a

Lehi’s son Jacob taught this same principle after his father’s death: “Reconcile yourselves to the will of God…and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved” (2 Nephi 10:24).

And it’s worth noting that Jacob’s brother Nephi also proclaimed this truth. “Believe in Christ, and…be reconciled to God,” he pleaded, “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23). (For an excellent discussion of this verse, see Joseph M. Spencer, “What Can We Do? Reflections on 2 Nephi 25:23,” Religious Educator 15, no. 2 (2014): 25–39.)

In light of all of this, we might be wise to follow David’s example, claiming no credit for ourselves. We might recognize with King Benjamin that we are “unprofitable servants” (Mosiah 2:21, see also Romans 3:12). We might follow Alma’s counsel, “Acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times” (Alma 38:14).

Does that sound negative or pessimistic? It can actually be incredibly ennobling and inspiring to know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and will help us grow if we recognize that we need Him and seek to align ourselves with Him. I like the way The Message, a modern paraphrase of the Bible renders Romans 3:28: “Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.”

Today, I will acknowledge my own unworthiness before God and express gratitude for His saving power. I will remember that I am saved only in and through His grace, and I will strive to be reconciled to Him, so that His power can flow into my life.