“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
Imagine working at a luxury car dealership. One day, you allow an unqualified driver to test drive one of the most expensive cars on the lot. He loses control and crashes it into several other high-end vehicles. Due to company policy, you are suspended and burdened with an enormous debt for the damaged cars. Desperate to repay it, you take on multiple jobs, working tirelessly day and night. Yet, no matter how hard you try, you never meet the mark. Suddenly, your boss calls to inform you that all charges have been dropped. He has personally paid off your entire debt. You owe nothing. You are free. How would you feel in that moment?
In the beginning, God created man in His likeness to have dominion over the earth and to fellowship with Him. However, because of disobedience, humanity fell. This resulted in separation from God, causing every biological offspring of Adam to be condemned to the same fate because death can only beget death (Genesis 3:16-19, 5:3).
God permitted the law, sacrifices, and ceremonies to make man understand the gravity of his fallen state, yet none could fully restore man to righteousness (Hebrews 10:4). The only ones justified were those who believed in the promise of salvation. An example is Noah, who God instructed to build an ark in preparation for a flood that would wipe out the earth; because of his obedience, righteousness was imputed to him (Hebrews 11:7). Beyond Noah’s faith, his story foreshadowed Christ, as do many others in Scripture. This shows that Jesus was always the plan. There is no other way to the Father except through Him (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).
About 4,000 years after Adam’s fall, Jesus was born of a virgin, not through the corruptible seed of man, but by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). He came as both God and Man, retaining the fullness of divinity and humanity, what a perfect Saviour! (Philippians 2:7-8, Colossians 2:9)
Through His death and resurrection, He paid our debt in full and cancelled the punishment of sin so that all who believe in Him may have eternal life and freedom from the power of sin (John 3:16). He did it as us, so all who believe will become sons of God (John 1:12, Romans 8:15-17).
This salvation is for all, regardless of race, tribe, or gender. It’s the demonstration of God’s love and mercy. We could never have earned it by our efforts, and all that is required of us is to believe (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-13). Oh, what an amazing grace! Do you believe it?
Bible Reading Plan: Judges 20-21; Mark 6:1-20