the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Grace for Today
Ephesians 2:8-10
Saved by grace
Read Psalms 56:1 to Psalms 57:11
Why does God save sinners by grace alone, apart from any works performed by us? It is God’s purpose ‘that no flesh should glory in his presence ... He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.’ Therefore Paul emphasizes this point, that salvation is ‘not of works, lest any man should boast’. If there was anything which the sinner could do that would contribute anything towards his salvation, then at least a part of the glory of salvation must be attributed to man. God will not allow that. He will not share his glory with another. Salvation is by grace alone, without works. Salvation is not the work of man; neither is it a co-operative work of God and man together, God doing his part and man doing his part. Salvation is the work of God and the work of God alone. ‘We are his workmanship.’ God has created us new creatures in Christ Jesus by the mighty power of his sovereign grace. Let all proud, foolish thoughts of self-salvation by the works of the flesh be for ever put out of your heart and mind. ‘Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.’ We will praise the God of heaven for his great grace, because he has saved us and not we ourselves.
What is the sure result of God’s saving grace? ‘We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’ Good works will not save anyone. But you may be sure of this: whenever the grace of God comes, bringing salvation to the heart, good works will follow. When grace reigns in the heart it produces good works. The good works which grace produces are the works of faith and love, righteousness and peace, patience and goodness.
Salvation is accomplished by the grace of God, without works. Salvation is given through faith in Christ. And salvation produces good works.
