Today’s Reading:
Ephesians 2:1-10
“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of work, lest any man should boast” (v. 8-9)
Gift is something given, unsolicited for and probably underserving; something bestowed by nature (God).
Boast means: to brag of, to speak proudly or confidently of something, especially justifiably; to possess with pride. Human beings boast about physical things, such as: wealth, possessions in general, positions, power.
The Reading passage refers to spiritual boasting of one’s salvation. Verse 9 says that we are saved by grace through faith. To be saved by grace implies that one gets an unmerited, underserved salvation. And this is through faith, that is, believing. This is confirmed by scriptures in Acts 16:31; and in Romans 10:9 that says if you shall confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
There are many misconceptions, errors, and misgivings in today’s world about how and what conditions must be met, to be saved. Some think it’s from doing what is right or good, others say by giving material or financial things. In verse 8 of the Reading, Paul mentions “not by yourself or by works”. Gladly, it is not through any of these, but only through faith, based on the grace given by God.
In Timothy 1:9, it is further strengthened that God has saved us and called us with an Holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace. Surprisingly enough, this grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began, this is, in the eternity past. Surely God knew that salvation should not come of works, or other things, because some people will boast by it. If it is of works, it is obvious that some people will be disadvantaged, being unable to do any or enough works to qualify for the salvation. For instance, the disabled, poor, sick, underprivileged, may not have adequate works to qualify for salvation. Therefore, those who have enough works will qualify and get salvation and by human nature, will boast about it.
The All-knowing God, therefore, has removed any barrier before man, to receiving salvation. He made it a gift, with no rights or conditions attached. God made it a level-playing ground. This is derived from verse four through five of the Reading, that it is by God’s mercy and love, and in spite of where we were or are coming from, practically dead in sin as listed in verse one through three, He quickened us together with Christ. He confirmed at this point that we are saved by grace.
Summarily, we can boldly say that Salvation is free, a gift from God. Therefore, there is no basis for anyone to boast that it comes of his works, or anything in this world, but rather, it is by grace through personal faith (believing).
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
Prayer:
Father, I acknowledge that I have been saved by your grace, through Jesus Christ.
I pray for all the unsaved in families to receive the grace to be saved, in Jesus name.
I pray that people’s eyes should be shifted from false sources of salvation, in Jesus name.
Father, release believers as the end-time harvesters of souls, in Jesus name.
Father, let the manifestation of the Great Commission be felt throughout our nation, in Jesus name.
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