The Scripture passage pictured below I’m sure is very familiar. I decided to take this passage, tear it apart to see what I could glean. The verses below, taken from Ephesians 2:8-9 come from a larger CONTEXT, Ephesians 2:1-10. If I were outlining this passage it might look like this:
I. The Depravity of Man (vs 1-3)
II. The Grace of God (vs 4-10)
II. The Grace of God (vs 4-10)
Ephesians 2:4-10 concern the Grace of God in Salvation. I won’t bore you with all the exegetical stuff but let me leave you with a few lessons that I learned about our great Salvation (i.e., Deliverance from the power and penalty of sin) from this passage, Ephesians 2:8-10:
1. Grace (i.e., God’s unmerited, sovereign favor) is the BASIS of our salvation.
2. Faith (i.e., Trust in Christ as a living person for forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God) is the means of APPROPRIATING our salvation.
NO ONE is saved apart from the Grace of God, and NO ONE is saved apart from exercising faith (i.e., trust in Christ alone). Therefore, the salvation transaction is by “Grace through faith” in Christ alone.
3. Salvation is a PERMANENT transaction (i.e., Once saved, totally saved).
4. Salvation is a GIFT from God (i.e., Something He gives, NOT something we earn).
5. God and God ALONE is the source of our salvation.
6. Salvation is NOT nor will it EVER be gained by Human EFFORT or PERFORMANCE (i.e., works).
Concerning points # 4 & 6, D.L. Moody said, “The thief had nails through both hands, so that he could not work; and a nail through each foot, so that he could not run errands for the Lord; he could not lift a hand or a foot toward his salvation, and yet Christ offered him the gift of God, and he took it. Christ threw him a passport, and took him into Paradise”.
7. The PURPOSE of Salvation is God’s glory ALONE (i.e., The is absolutely no room for human pride in the salvation transaction).
8. True salvation always works itself out in real life (i.e., We are saved to do good works, not by good works). Can I say this, Good works are the “True” evidence of Salvation.
in nōmine Patris et Fīliī et Spīritūs Sānctī
