gift of salvation

In the second chapter of Ephesians, Paul is explaining how salvation arrives for all people (Jew and Gentile) by grace through faith as a gift ... and not of works by which people can boast. As one who has been created in Christ as His workmanship—created not to do good works but for good works that we should walk in, we come to a place of humility as we realize we aren't blessed in our doing but rather by Him working through us. The gift of His righteousness to us is based on work that He did to make it happen. Regardless of what we do or don't do, we are His workmanship, and you are a unique masterpiece.

The legalistic side of the fence will surely tout grace to a point, but will somehow still gravitate back to what one must do to either be saved, to maintain salvation, or to manifest good works as some type of evidence that their faith is "genuine" and not phony or dead. Paul would go on to explain why it was necessary for works to be off of the table when it comes to faith that saves ... and it all has to do with Jews and Gentiles coming together as one in Christ Jesus.

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When sharing the good news of eternal life in Jesus Christ, Christians will often have the end game of bringing their prospective disciple into a school of lifestyle and behavioral changes. The person on the receiving end begins to interpret the gospel as one of needing to change what they do in order to identify as a saved believer in Christ. Do the "right" things, and they'll receive God's blessings and approval. Do the "wrong" things, and they risk the opposite.

Our discussion this week is meant to be an exhortation for us who abide in grace to stay focused on the true message of God's love and the gift of salvation apart from works. When we can do this, it will be much more beneficial for hearers of the good news to recognize their need for a Savior ... believing freely in what Jesus provided for them, without fearing that they need to change who they are to become like other religious robots who think their right-standing with God is based upon behavior. Good changes in their life can happen without us needing to give them a religious code of conduct that they should be expected to follow in order to stay in God's grace.

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995. The Gift of Salvation – You Are the Work of God

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