By Grace Through Faith

“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” (-Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV) [Read Ephesians 2:1-10].

We who memorized the above verses probably did so using the King James Version. If you are like me, you underlined them in your Bible. You may have written a comment in the margin such as: “By God’s grace I am saved through my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. My works do not bring me salvation.”

This is a pivotal doctrine. God’s grace is a free gift. We reach out and accept that gift through faith. Salvation is the true story of God’s grace heaped upon the believer. He loved us so much, He sent Jesus Christ to be the propitiation (redemption) for our sins. Grace is unmerited favor, the outright gift of God. We cannot work to achieve salvation. By God’s grace, it comes through our own belief in Jesus Christ which we call faith. The gift is available to everyone who believes and accepts it for himself/herself personally.

This pivotal passage gives in very concise fashion God’s grace offered through Jesus Christ. God’s mighty work through the Holy Spirit enables the believer to take hold of this magnanimous truth of restoration. Powerful words, these: “by grace are ye saved through faith.” “Free grace”? It required a great price on Jesus’ part—His very life. But to us who will believe, it is “the gift of God” which the believer reaches out and accepts. The price has already been paid for the gift.

Prayer: God our Father, Giver of grace and salvation, thank You for salvation, “so full and so free.” Thank you that salvation came through Jesus to me. It is so costly I could never have paid the price, but through Jesus, the ransom is paid and I am saved by grace. How marvelous, how wonderful! Thank you! Amen.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, June 15, 2010