66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 49 - Ephesians (
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
In the my post on the book of Galatians, the apostle Paul taught that a person who tried to earn salvation through the law is cursed. In our text above, Paul, speaking through the Holy Spirit, further teaches that salvation is by grace through faith apart from works.
By definition, grace means unmerited favor; therefore, the fact that salvation is by the grace of God means that no one deserves to be saved. The whole Bible teaches this very truth, that is, that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) If even the most perfect person save Christ could be deserving of heaven, then for that “perfect” person, salvation is no more by grace but rather is earned.
Paul goes on to say in our text above that salvation as well as faith that saves us is the gift of God not of works. A gift that is paid by any token is no longer a gift but rather it becomes a purchase. Is it possible that salvation could be purchased? By no means! If it was possible, then Christ’s sacrifice on the cross would have been to no avail!
Paul gives what could be the most compelling reason why salvation could only come by the grace of God: “lest anyone should boast.” (verse 9b) If I could earn salvation by works, then I would have reason to boast that I am deserving of it more than others because of my goodness.
Do you see why God’s plan for salvation is for it to be by grace through faith apart from works? If you still cannot, I urge you to read this short article again and again with the prayer that God would open the eyes of your understanding that you might truly be saved.
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