Christianity is different from every other religion and faith in that salvation and eternal life are not things that we earn by our own merit. It's not about what you do for God that guarantees your salvation and acceptance; it's about placing our faith in what God has done for us through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The coming of Christ in the incarnation is ultimately about salvation. Jesus came to save. And we can't overemphasize the message of grace that fills Christmas.
Jesus didn't come to save us because we are so special that we deserved it or because we are so good or because we are so beautiful and worthy. Too often we focus on ourselves in the gospel rather than on true Focus.
Too often we focus on ourselves in the gospel rather than on true Focus.
Notice in these verses how many times Paul says this. "For by grace, you have been saved through faith" That means that it is by the unmerited favor of a good, sovereign, and loving God. It's not because of me.
"And this is not your own doing..." We aren't saved because of anything that we have done. Same thing worded a little differently.
"It is the gift of God..." Salvation is a free gift that is given to us because of who God is and what He has done in Christ, not because of who we are or what we've done.
"Not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Do you see the repetition? It's the same message four different times. I am not responsible for my salvation in any way. All glory and honor and praise and thanks belong to the God who in spite of all the reasons not to save us still sent His Son.
Grace is a message that we struggle with. Grace says that salvation is completely free, completely paid for by Jesus. On one hand, some people say that is an excuse to run and live however we want because we can just receive forgiveness by grace. This is not the message of the gospel, and that heart is not a heart that has been transformed by it.
Salvation by grace means that we are no longer our own. If we are truly saved completely by grace and our only part in salvation is faith in what has been done, then we are no longer in control. Everything belongs to Jesus. Every breath, every little bit of my existence is His. He is in total control of my life now.
But this is good news because grace brings us to a place that our flesh never could. Now, we are totally secure. I am in Christ and can never be removed. Because of grace I am no longer an orphan fighting for a place in the world. I am a loved child of God, welcomed into the presence of my Father for all eternity. I can now know God personally and freely without fear of condemnation. Grace changes everything!
Let us gladly surrender all to the One who paid it all by grace.
"Not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
