Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 2:4-10.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! – and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.
Paul was a Pharisee and extremely well versed in God’s word before he came to Christ. After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was changed but his knowledge was still part of how he taught. In this passage, he explains that it is only by God’s love that we are saved.
He writes “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast”. He reminds us that there is nothing we can do to be saved – no good deeds, no donation, nothing we can do on our own. Only by accepting Christ as our savior and following Him can we receive salvation.
Why was God willing to do this for us? Paul explains “we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works”. We do good works not to be saved, but because we ARE saved through God’s sacrificial love for us.
Loving Lord, we are grateful to be called Your children, made by Your hand. Bless us to share Your love in all we do. Amen.
