The Gift of Grace

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no man can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

It’s Friday. It’s payday. Across the country, by cash, check, and direct deposit, workers are getting what they deserve. These payments are not gifts but wages—earned and expected compensation for labor and effort. From an early age, we learn that hard work has its rewards. A clean room means ice cream. Extra study garners good grades. A job well-done brings a bonus. Blood, sweat, and tears hold great value and have accomplished grand feats. Hard work built this nation, and hard work keeps it going.

But when it comes to salvation, our work is a waste of time. The gap between us and God is so big and so bad that no amount of good on our part, no matter how hard or heartfelt, warrants what we need – rescue from a hopeless eternity.

But, oh, how men try! They give. They pray. They show up. They turn down. They strive to do what’s right and hope they get points for effort when they fail. But there are no celestial scales waiting to weigh our good and our bad. There is no heavenly scorekeeper adding the positives and subtracting the negatives (and giving bonus points for attending revival services or not daydreaming during Sunday sermons.) Our efforts to get to God by our good are useless and inadequate—futile efforts to win God’s favor. The only thing we’re due is death, but God chooses to give us life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”(Romans 6:23).

Salvation is too great to be earned. It must be given—by grace. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no man can boast.” Undeserved. Unmerited. Unlikely—except for a God who loved. And who gave. Even the faith to embrace such grace is a gift. We can claim no part as our own.
Good works don’t get you saved. Good works don’t keep you saved. It’s all grace. It’s only grace. It’s nothing but grace.

It was Friday. It was payday. And Jesus paid it all.
Amazing grace – How sweet the gift.