“For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above — spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
(Ephesians 2:8-10, AMP)
Grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor]. What a heady concept. One of the first realization we come to is that it has absolutely nothing to do with us – what we do or don’t do, say or don’t say, whether we think we ‘deserve’ it or not. It is completely God’s. And He chooses to give this to His people. And because it is NOT of us, when we receive it, it is imperative that we recognize the Giver and His gift to us.
The next realization is that it is based in faith. I doubt we would even see the Lord’s grace in our lives apart from faith. It is not based in our works so that we can never say salvation was ‘earned’ or ‘deserved’ by us. No boast, no credit. The bottom line, the purpose is the next sentence – “For we are His workmanship… read to be used for good works which GOD PREPARED…” I’ve always been awed by that sentence.
Can you wrap your head around the fact that WE, you and I, are HIS workmanship ready to be used for good works!? We have, because we are a new creature (2 Corinthians) and are renewing our minds, We… have a place, a role to fulfill in God’s plan. Can there be any greater purpose? Can you aspire to a greater calling?
This is all the result of grace. But it is also our context. It’s not necessary to always try and ‘do it myself’. Yes, we do have our own free will and yes, we can accomplish many things on our own – but in the essential and eternal issues of life, it is God’s grace that helps us grow, and be, and do. Google’s definition:
“Grace is a gift from Heavenly Father given through His Son, Jesus Christ. The word grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to enabling power and spiritual healing offered through the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. … The grace of God helps us every day.”
The refrain in Julia Johnston’s song says it all:
“Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!”
