There are two ways of seeking after salvation――working for it or
receiving it as a gift. But there are not two ways of _obtaining_
salvation or eternal life. For when a sinner works, he works sin; and
the _wages_ of sin is death. Life is never earned. Death is. Life must
be given. So the free gift of God, the only author of life, is eternal
life. We are saved by Grace, not by works, for the least particle of
“works” would make Grace void.
There are two ways of seeking after the Victorious Life, present
freedom from the law of sin――working for it, striving and struggling
after it, or receiving it as a free gift, without effort. There are
not two ways of _obtaining_ Victory. For when a saved sinner struggles
with inward desires toward evil he is under the law――using his own
efforts――and not under grace, and the struggle at some time or other
always ends in defeat.
The Victorious Life is a free gift from God. It cannot be earned. It
therefore must be accepted on the same terms as salvation from the
penalty of sin. It must be received as a gift. To enjoy a gift one has
but to take it, and thank the giver.
“Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but
under grace” (Rom. 6:14). “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor.
12:9).
To believe these words of God is to enjoy the gift of victory.
“The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the
law of sin and of death” (Rom. 8:2).
To believe this word is to enjoy present freedom from the law of
sin. “Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin.... If
therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John
8:34, 35).
“If ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Gal. 5:18),
that is, we are under Grace. And Grace means, Jesus Christ is doing it
all for us, winning the victory for us by his indwelling power.