Paul the
apostle shared how it was “by grace” the Ephesians and he
were “saved”, and even their “faith” was “not
of” themselves but rather was “the gift of God”. In
chapter two and verse nine of his letter, Paul continued his thought
as he told them how their salvation was “not of works”
where we read:
Not of
works, lest any man should boast.
The
verse begins, “Not of works,...” Paul began with the
phrase, “not of works” which means “not out of, from, by
or away from business, employment and that which any one occupies,
undertakes to do or undertakes”. Paul's idea was that our salvation
did not and cannot come from any “works” that we may do.
The
verse continues, “...lest any man should boast.” Paul
added, “lest any man” which refers to “so that certain
ones or some ” “should boast” or “glory on account of
or in a thing”. Paul noted that if our salvation could be
accomplished by our “works”, then people would “brag or
boast” upon their deserved deliverance from sin.
When
we consider these words of Paul, we understand how our salvation is
obtained. Salvation does not come by any “works” that we
may do, but by the “grace” or “unmerited favor” of
God. In other words, we cannot “work” for our “salvation”.
God Almighty through Jesus Christ His Son has provided the only means
for the “salvation” of man, and that comes through “faith”
in Jesus Christ's finish work on the cross. May all who think they
can “work” their way into heaven take heed, and be
relieved that God has already done all the work for our “salvation”.
Next
time Paul shares about God's “workmanship” or
“poem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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