Context: Ephesians 2: 1-10
Focus: Ephesians 2: 8-10
“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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Ephesians 2: 8-10 (My Emphasis)
Salvation comes to only those who believe God’s gospel message concerning His Son, Jesus Christ. The criteria for salvation is “belief”, faith in His death and Resurrection and the forgiveness of sin. It is a gift and cannot be earned by any good deed(s). Once a person comes to faith, he/she becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus to do the good works God has planned for that person, personally.
One of the things I struggled with concerning my faith was whether I could stay “saved”. But if salvation is a gift that is not earned by my righteousness which is at best like “filthy rags”, then what can I do to remain saved? It is faith alone that qualifies me for eternal life, which Christ earned for me on the cross when He took my unrighteousness and made me righteous according to His perfect Works in fulfilling the law and God’s perfect sacrifice. So if I couldn’t do anything to be saved through my own “good” works, I have learned that neither can I keep my salvation by what I do or don’t do. It is God’s gift, and that gift transforms me into the image of Him who predestined all who believe would be transformed into His righteous image by the work of His Holy Spirit, whom I have received, and therefore my good works are not mine, but His.
And when I see Him I will lay down my crown of righteousness at His precious Feet.
Lord, thank you for your salvation, which I did not earn but received the moment I believed your Word.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
CR – Ephesians 1:13-14, Matthew 7:22-23, Jeremiah 18:4, Romans 8:29, Isaiah 64:6, Philippians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 1:9, Romans 10: 8-10
My Testimony of God’s Salvation
WORSHIP HIM
