“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.”Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
The problem we all share
The Bible is honest about the human condition: “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin entered the world through the first couple's choice (Romans 5:12), and its result is death (Romans 6:23). We can't fix this by trying harder; Jeremiah asks whether a leopard can change its spots (Jeremiah 13:23).
God's answer: grace
Grace is God's undeserved favour, His love given freely to people who could never earn it. God planned our rescue “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20). Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn't live and died the death we deserved: “he was wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5).
“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” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Repentance and confession
How do we receive this gift? The Holy Spirit first opens our eyes to our need. True repentance is more than feeling bad; it is “godly sorrow” that leads us to turn away from sin (2 Corinthians 7:10). And God makes a beautiful promise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Christ our righteousness
When we accept Jesus, His perfect record is counted as ours. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). But grace doesn't stop at forgiveness. It also changes us from the inside, so that Christ's character grows in ours.
Born again
Jesus told Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). The new birth is a fresh start: “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Obedience then becomes the natural response of a grateful heart. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Questions for reflection
- In your own words, what is grace?
- Why can't good works earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8–10)? What role do they play?
- What is the difference between feeling sorry and true repentance?
- What does it mean to be “born again” (John 3:1–8)?