Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
In today’s world, many people go to great lengths, engaging in acts of charity and good deeds, often in an attempt to ease their guilt of past wrongs. The general philosophy is that doing good can cancel out the bad, no matter how significant the sin is. However, the Bible makes it clear that our good works are like filthy rags in God’s sight (Isaiah 64:6). We cannot redeem ourselves by our deeds; only God can save us.
Jesus Christ is the only sinless man to live on earth! We are healed by His wounds (Isaiah 53:5) and saved by His precious blood. The Bible tells us that those who believe in Him and accept His sacrifice are saved and redeemed from sin and death.
Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Redemption came at a high price, paid for by the life of the Son of God. Yet, when we receive Him as our Savior, it becomes a gift freely given. We did nothing to deserve it, but we are entitled to this gift by faith in Christ alone.
God, in His wisdom, knows our tendency toward pride. We often want to boast about our deeds and merits, but God’s way is different. He humbles us by making it clear that salvation is not something we can earn. It is only by His grace and through faith in Jesus Christ that we can be saved. This truth is a reminder that our redemption is entirely God’s work, not ours—and for that, we can only be thankful and humbled.
Prayer: Lord, I know that I am saved only by Your grace and through faith in Christ. Help me humble myself when tempted to do good deeds for selfish gain. Remind me always that You are the greatest gift that I have received through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Amen.
