“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 (NKJV)
The notion that God is waiting for us to be on our best behavior before we can be saved is a lie that has kept many bound. This false teaching has kept many people from experiencing the fullness of Christ’s redemption.
According to the Bible, Jesus became sin for us in order for us to be righteous before God (2 Cor 5:21). He accomplished this by dying on the cross for us. The Apostle Peter echoed this as well saying “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1Peter 3:18).
This is the message that brings salvation. Christ took our place and died in our place so that we would no longer be condemned. Any attempt to add to this diminishes the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Paul writing to the Ephesian Church says “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.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
There is no room for bravado here. Good works cannot save a man; rather, they are the expected characteristics of a saved man. We were saved for good works, not by good works. We are saved by grace through faith.
God was the doer; all we had to do was believe. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said “our only contribution to our salvation was the sin that made it necessary.”
This is God’s love in action; it is a giving love. God loved the world so much that He gave His son for it. There is no greater love than this. (John 15:13). Through the lens of the gospel, this is how we should see God’s love. Consider this truth as you go about your day this morning. Allow your heart to overflow with gratitude today.
Bible Reading Plan: Job 6-8