" To the PRAISE of HIS Glory ! "

 

Ephesians 2:1-10 " And you hath HE quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But GOD, WHO is rich in mercy, for HIS great love wherewith HE loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved:)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS: that in the ages to come HE might show the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which GOD hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

     What is GOD's purpose in offering a perfect salvation for the believing sinner, a redemption that is the product of HIS unfathomable grace from start to finish ? The LORD provided this perfect salvation so that the redeemed would shine forth as a trophy of HIS glory and grace, both now and throughout eternity (v.7 pictured below). If a Christian could justifiably claim that his salvation, even in the slightest degree, was due to his own good deeds or his own faithfulness, he would have reason to boast. But salvation is completely by grace, not by works -- the two are mutually exclusive.

     Eternal life is GOD's gift that HE gives to the believing individual who accepts the Gospel by faith alone. It is apart from any attempted merit or good works in order that "the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS" (v.7 pictured above) might be clearly seen. If our salvation were in any way dependent upon our works, then we could never have a perfect redemption. Salvation in its entire scope -- our deliverance from the penalty of sin, the reigning power of sin, and one day the very presence of sin -- is the result of GOD's grace that is ours by virtue of our identification with the finished work of JESUS CHRIST. The forgiven sinner who has been declared to be righteous "in CHRIST" has no room for boasting -- only praise and thanksgiving !

     We are HIS workmanship, created anew by the HOLY SPIRIT for the purpose of conforming to the image of the SON (v.10 pictured above). We are not saved by good works of any kind, but it is clearly GOD's will "that we should walk in them" once we are saved. GOD's grace provides the means and the strength to live day by day as a new creation in CHRIST. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org