Scripture 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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”(Ephesians 2:8-10). Note the terms:
(1) Grace – God’s unmerited favor
(2) Faith – Believe, trust, rely upon
the Gift of God – Freely given;
without price
(3)Not of works – Absolutely no
human effort, human works, not
a human attainment, nor human
by sufficiency
(4) Boast – Self exaltation; speech
rooted in extreme arrogance
(5) His Workmanship – God’s work
of art; His craftwork
(6) Good works – A consistent
holy disposition in each
believer’s daily life
So, what part did we have in our salvation? As one pastor said, in essence, we brought sin so that Christ’s death would bring us forgiveness, cleansing, adoption, liberty, empowerment, and eventually a “dwelling place” in God the Father’s house (John 14:2). We had nothing to offer but our sin-soiled souls destined to eternal death in hell. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7). Thus, it was all God’s doing because of His love, grace, and mercy. Otherwise, we’d be left in bondage to our sin. That’s all we had to offer. Romans 5:8 is certainly good news!
Blessings!
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