Ephesians 2:8,9 — Conversations with God

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

Father, these are some of the most amazing words in Scripture.  So clear, so exact, and yet I’m tempted to take them for granted.  They have been so quoted as to feel trite at times when in fact they are world changing.

To acknowledge that my rescue from death comes not by works of obedience I have done, but by trusting in Jesus’ provision of sacrifice, is at once humbling and worldview changing.  Every major and minor religion trades in the coin of good works as the means to salvation, often not even differing that much on what those works are.  But Christianity is uniquely different, trading in the altogether different currency of faith and grace.

We can’t boast about why we should merit Your salvation.  We can’t stand before You or anyone else and list our credentials for getting into heaven or the kingdom.  We must receive the rescue as a gift, totally unmerited except for the merit of Jesus earned on our behalf.

Thank You for Your indescribable gift!

But once we have given up earning our own way and have received this gift of all gifts, we have every confidence that You have rescued us from our terrible plight because of Your imcomparable love for us.  You have made a way where there was not way.  I’ll boast in You rather than myself.