"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
Ephesians 2:8
“For by grace are ye saved….”
The Apostle Paul loved this doctrine of salvation by grace. Salvation comes to a sinner through the finished work of Christ. Not because of the sinner’s goodness or work, but by God’s grace, and that is always undeserved. The gift of salvation is undeserved. Sinners are saved because of the grace granted to them by the loving God. Because God is kind and gracious, He gives His favor that brings salvation.
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;),” (Ephesians 2:5).”
To be saved means to be rescued from the sinner’s sin. Thayer defines “saved” as “…to be rescued from danger or destruction…”[1]. Being lost in his sin without Jesus Christ, the sinner is in grave danger of perishing. He could pass into eternity in his sin, being hopelessly on his way to eternal punishment in Hell. But then Jesus Christ steps into the picture and rescues that soul from all danger. This sinner is now said to be “saved.”
“Through faith…”
We are saved by faith. No sinner can be saved without faith.
Faith, simply put, is believing that “whatever the Bible says is so.” Saving faith believes what the Bible says about God, my sin, and Jesus’ work on Calvary. He shed His blood to forgive my sin. It is putting my trust in Him for my soul’s salvation. It is acknowledging that I have no possible way of saving myself. I understand that “no faith” means “no salvation.” We are not talking about mere mental assent to the Gospel message, but the kind of belief that saves the soul and changes the life.
“And that not of yourselves….”
This gift of salvation is “not of yourselves.” John understood this principle when he wrote, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).”
“It is the gift of God.”
Salvation by grace is God’s gift. Salvation is never deserved. It cannot be earned, bargained for, or bought. “It is the gift of God.”
The words of the old hymn Rock of Ages speak of our salvation so well:
Rock of Ages
Augustus M. Toplady[2]
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
This verse shows me that My God is Saving Sinners!
[1] Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Rock of Ages was written by Augustus M. Toplady, 1776. Copywrite status, Public Domain.