Saving Grace

It is one of those verses which demands to be remembered.  Memorized and stored in the deep recesses of the soul.  It is the hallmark of verses.  There is none which has been quoted more than this one and there is likely no truth which has done more to change the face of the Christian faith than that single verse the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephesus so long ago.  Such an introduction to a single verse of the Word of God brings it to mind for most who have held the Scripture in their hand for a spell.  "For by grace you have been saved through faith..."  (Ephesians 2:8)

 

Already Paul has written powerful words about the spiritual blessings available to those who live in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14).  And after writing about his heart's prayer for these believers, (Ephesians 1:15-23) he reminded them of their lost condition without Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3) and then with those powerful words, "But God..." (Ephesians 2:4) he takes them into the heart of God where abundant grace is unending. (Ephesians 2:4-7)  Then comes that verse of the Word which introduces the faith response into the salvation equation. 

 

Saving grace is offered.  Delivering grace is offered.  Eternal life grace is offered.  This rich and immeasurable grace is freely given, but never forced on anyone.  It is put on the cross for all the world to see and it is the human response of faith which enables us to pick it up and begin to live a transformed and never the same life.  Salvation is never about what we have done, but about what God has done for us through Christ.  Salvation begins not with faith, but with grace.  Without grace there is nothing in which we could believe that would have saving power.  Because of grace we can choose to trust in Christ and live now, and on into and through eternity.