For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 NIV
You’ve likely heard of those fundraisers with matching gifts where, if a person donates a thousand dollars, that amount will be matched, doubling the impact of a donor’s contribution. While this might work in the world of finances, it is not how God operates.
He doesn’t say, “I died on the cross now you do your part and perhaps you will get into heaven.” Jesus paid the price, 100%. There is nothing left for us to do because eternal salvation is a gift from God, not something we earn. Romans, chapters 3 and 4, explain this very clearly. Over and over Paul states that “it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace.”
Are you trusting on your baptism, your church attendance, your ‘good works’ to get you into heaven? If we have salvation through faith plus works, then when do we know that we have done ‘enough’? We cheapen the grace of God if we believe that we play any part in our eternal salvation. A gift is a gift, plain and simple. Grace is just that, grace!
The only thing God requires of us is that we accept His gift through faith. Our works play no part in our salvation. They are simply the evidence of the transformation God has brought to our lives. I do things for my husband, not to merit his love, but as evidence of my love for him. In the same way, our love for God is manifested in the way we serve Him and serve others – our good works.
Let me ask you a question: If you were to die today, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven? Are you hoping that anything other than the death and resurrection of Jesus will save you? Then please take the time to read the section below, Knowing God. If you have questions, please drop a comment below.
Prayer: Lord, in you alone I place my trust. In you alone, I place my eternal destiny. I receive your grace, through faith. Thank you for paying the price – 100% – for my eternal salvation. In your name I pray, Amen.
Thought: “Faith is like an empty, open hand stretched out towards God, with nothing to offer and everything to receive.” John Calvin
Knowing God
If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, I would encourage you to read the Scriptures below and pray the simple prayer of repentance at the end. The salvation God offers us is a gift. It’s simple and it’s free. He offers it to you, the only condition being that you accept it.
- We have all sinned
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV)
- Because of our sin, we cannot live in communion with God
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NIV)
- God loved us so much, that he sent his Son to die as the penalty for our sins.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV).
- We cannot gain our way into heaven. All God asks of us is that we accept his gift of grace.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.
- Accept God’s gift of grace and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
The jailer… asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:19-31
Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Romans 10:13.
Pray with me. “I acknowledge I am a sinner. I know that my sins keep me from enjoying fellowship with you. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place. Please forgive my sins and help me live in a way that is pleasing to you. I accept your gift of grace and ask you to reign in my life as Lord and Savior from this day forward. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
If you’ve prayed this prayer, then I welcome you into God’s family. You are now a child of God. I would encourage you to find a fellowship of believers where you can learn more about your wonderful heavenly Father and the grace he’s extended to you. Read your Bible and pray on a regular basis in order to grow in your faith and live a life that is pleasing to him.
May God richly bless you as you begin a new life in Christ.