S.Scripture | “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8–10
O.Observation | We learn first the theme of God’s “grace.” Grace is “charis” is the original language. It’s related to “charizomai” meaning kindness and favor, but charis is more then these too. Charis conveys the idea of giving generously and forgiving a debt or wrong. God’s kindness, especially in Christ, is a theme found throughout scripture. The fact that we are “saved” (v.8) is God’s grace! The fact that we are “saved through faith” (confident trust) in Jesus is God’s grace! Your faith & salvation are “not of yourselves, it is the gift of God!” The theme of the gift of grace has been the theme of Ephesians 2, as we saw earlier in verse 1. “We were dead in our trespasses and sins.” We were “by nature children of wrath (v.3).” We didn’t have a degree of anything to offer God. With nothing to offer, His forgiveness in Christ is a completely free gift.
Legalism (works righteousness) is one error in the church, just as it was when the Ephesians 2 was written. This is why God made it clear our salvation is “not of works, so that no one may boast.” I was listening to a preacher this week who said something like “and if you think you need to do something to earn grace, just STOP IT!!” and he literally yelled. Amen to that! Justification is “not of works” 100%. However, the life of someone who is truly saved is not void of works. We see this reality in the verse 10 of Ephesians 2. With verse 10 God isn’t just guarding against the error of legalism, but of antinomianism as well (An emphsis against the convicting law in God’s word). We can witness countless ministries today that neglect or outright dismiss the teaching of active sanctification from scripture. They teach Jesus, and grace, but discourage godly living, scorning it as if it was legalism to desire to do God’s will.
Paul, counters this error when he included the explanation following “for.” “For” is the REASON we were saved by grace through faith. Because we are God’s “workmanship” which is another word for “creation (2 Cor 5:17).” We have new life in Christ Jesus “for” a reason, and I hate to break it to you, our new life isn’t just a get out of jail free card or fire insurance. We were saved by grace through faith for the reason of “good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Good works are according to God’s Word, which is sufficient for all of life and godliness. It is the way of the ancient paths of the Lord. Every thought, word and deed are weighed by God’s sufficient Word and will be judged by it on the last day. Jesus free gift of grace through faith is our salvation revealed by the Word. Still the Word is also the source of our sanctification, growing us in holiness as we read and apply scriputre to our lives.
A.Application | God has prepared good works for you to walk in today. Holy ways of living in His will this very moment have been prepared by Him. Will you walk in them? Find these ways by studying and knowing His Word. If you truly have faith and are saved by Grace through faith, you have been saved for this very purpose. It is by walking in His ways that you fulfill your purpose and truly glorify Him.
P.Prayer | Father, daily I fail Your ways and Your Word. I need your grace, and am infinity thankful for the gift of my salvation. Let me stand firm in knowing I am a new creation in Christ and the guilt of my sin. Help me to be humble and know fully that I deserve hell, but will not be there, because Christ has taken my place. Let me also stand firm knowing that you saved me for a purpose, for good works for Your glory. Give me a zeal to walk in good works according to your Word alone. For your glory alone. Amen.
