Ephesians 2:8-9

Day 15

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Saved by Grace
How are we saved?  “For by grace you have been saved through faith.”  The statement is straightforward.  By itself there should not be a need for much additional explanation.  The biblical principles articulated in this chapter are so basic to the Christian faith.  The natural consequence of sin is death.  We all sinned and are by nature spiritual dead.  Not only are we dead, we remaining under the wrath of a holy God.  God loved us and sent His Son into the world to save us.  Jesus died in our place.  Jesus rose again to give us life.  Jesus ascended to the right hand of God as sovereign ruler over all of heaven and earth.  Salvation comes to us through faith.  We simply believe in the work that God has done through His Son, Jesus Christ.  This work of salvation displays the glory of God both now and forever.  God is most glorified in us when we completely trust in His work of salvation.  We don’t earn it.  We can’t work for it.  We don’t deserve it.  We simply trust in it.  It is by grace.  We trust in the grace of God given to us through faith in His Son.  This brief statement provides a summary of all that Paul wrote in chapter 2, verses 1-7.  In fact, this one statement provides a brief summary of all of Ephesians chapter 1 as well.  This one statement summarizes the basic Christian message.  God shows grace to us by saving us on the basis of faith. 

Four Clarifying Clauses
Interestingly enough, as simple as this statement may seem, our natural bent to earn what we receive resides deep within us.  By nature, we want credit for the good things we receive.  This natural reaction comes from our pride.  We like our name in the list of credits when the credits roll.  Paul knew that about us.  Notice how Paul, after such a succinct and straightforward statement sets out to give four clarifying clauses, just to ensure we have this critical theology fully understood.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith” should sufficiently capture the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.  Yet Paul knows our instincts are off when it comes to spiritual matters.  The four clauses that follow make it crystal clear as to the natural of salvation.  What does this sentence mean?  What does “for by grace you have been saved through faith” communicate?  First, it is “not of yourselves.”  We didn’t accomplish any aspect of this.  God gets all of the glory and all of the credit.  It is His work.  Second, it is “the gift of God.”  As with any gift, we just receive it.  We didn’t pick out the gift.  We didn’t help pay for the gift.  We didn’t deserve the gift.  We simply receive it.  Third, it is “not as a result of works.”  There are no religious or moral efforts on our part that justify our salvation.  We didn’t attend enough church services, give enough money, go through baptism, teach in AWANA or Sunday School, or any other religious activity to make us worthy of this salvation.  We didn’t keep enough rules or satisfy enough laws to justify our salvation.  No works on our part participated in any portion of our salvation.  Fourth, “so that no one may boast.”  No one in heaven will be able to make the claim that “Jesus plus me got me here.”  Entrance into heaven excludes all boast in self-achievement. 

Herein lies our only claim with God.  Here is our only hope before God.  “For by grace you have been saved by faith.”

Suggested prayer: Oh God, my salvation is entirely Your work.  Nothing in my hands do I bring.  Simply to the cross of my Savior do I cling.  You God are infinitely gracious and it is Your grace and Your grace alone that has forgiven my sins, made me righteous in Your eyes, adopted me into Your family, granted me eternal life, and given me and everlasting inheritance with Your Son.  You alone are to be praised.

Ephesians