Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Knowing in debt what’s our new reality, our new standing in the Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord propels and compels us to live out these glorious truths. This is to live out by complete trust and total assurance (faith), knowing that we have this blessed hope that will surely come to pass, and is now the Christian’s present state. Remember that God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? And so, to be a Christian is to be once dead and disobedient (2:1-3), but saved and made alive in Christ (2:4-5), and raised and seated with Him for God (2:6-7). Notice carefully that the saving act is all of God’s, for salvation is an exclusive sovereign work of God in Christ alone! This shows clearly our utter incapabilities to save ourselves, proving only that each Christian can only but depend on God in the person of Christ Jesus alone. And this God, the God who is Holy, is absolutely reliable, that we can be so confident in Him and what He has done for us, again in the person of His Son – Jesus the Christ! And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Towards the end (the goal of all purpose), we will see God’s immeasurable and abundant grace, and He will receive the glory from the hearts of those whom He has saved!
As the truth continues to be made clear that the Salvation of a Christian is wholly the work of God, this understanding continues to exalt God, because of His grace! That even though while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Or that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. All are of God, and because of God in the person of His Son! That’s why the apostle Paul continues to proclaim this truth to the believers in Ephesus, and to us as well as believers of Christ: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (vv.8-9)”. Salvation is a completed action that has a present effect. In Paul’s other letters, he speaks of it as a future event (Rom. 5:9-10) or as a present process (1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 2:15). One exception is what was said in Romans 8:24, where he puts salvation in the past, but the need of its completion is at Christ’s return: “For in this hope we were saved.” This shows that Salvation ultimately encompasses several realities, including predestination, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. Paul can speak of it as a past event (predestination, regeneration, justification, adoption), or a present process (sanctification), or even a future blessed reality (glorification)! No matter the emphasis on Paul’s letters to the churches, all who truly experience one of the aspect of salvation will certainly experience all of them! And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
God’s grace is preeminent in every aspect of the Christian’s salvation, as it shows clearly that even though mankind is required to have faith in Christ’s person and works, that faith is still part of the gift of God – salvation. If we are to think of something that we contribute with regards of it, then we must therefore know that the only contribution that we have in our salvation is the sin that which made it necessary! Keep in mind the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” We are saved by God’s grace only, not a result of anything that we can do. So exalt God’s grace, dear saint! Don’t boast!
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Has God’s grace towards you leave no room for boasting?
2. Do you grow in need of His grace?
3. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father in Heaven, once more, I come before You as Your child, in the name of Christ, to continue to thank You for this limitless grace that You have bestowed to me. Thank You for making me realize that Your grace is always sufficient for me. Thank You, Father, for this favor that You have given to me out of Your own graciousness. May learn more to depend on it, and may I eliminate every boasting that I have in me, that I might continue to glory in Your grace alone, in Christ alone. This I pray, in His name. Amen.
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