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. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

In moments of reflection, we often ponder our worth and our deeds. The world teaches us that to

receive, we must earn; to be loved, we must be worthy. Yet, in the divine plan of our Lord, the greatest

gift comes not from our efforts but from His boundless grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 is a beacon of hope in a merit-based world. It declares that salvation, the most precious

of all gifts, is not a wage to be earned but a treasure to be received. It is by grace—a word that sings of

unmerited favor, of love given freely regardless of worthiness.

Consider for a moment the nature of a gift. It is chosen by the giver, wrapped in expectation, and

presented without a price tag. The recipient need only accept it. In the same way, God's grace envelops

us. It is not a transaction but a transformation, not a reward but a rescue.

Our faith is the gift of God that reaches out to accept this gift. It is not a work; it is trust. It is the

relinquishment of our own striving and the embrace of Christ's sufficiency. It is the admission that we

cannot save ourselves, and the joyous recognition that we do not have to.

Why is this distinction so crucial? Why must we be so adamant that salvation is not by works? Paul

answers: "so that no one can boast." Our human hearts are factories of pride. We long to point to

something of our own making and say, "Look what I have done." But salvation is the one thing that

silences our boasting, for it is the masterpiece of God alone.

In the shadow of the cross, all our supposed merits fade into nothingness. What can we bring before the

throne of grace? Only hearts in need of redemption. And that is enough, for Christ's sacrifice is

sufficient.

Let us, therefore, live in the light of this grace. Let it not make us lazy, for that would be to

misunderstand the gift. Instead, let it compel us to love and good deeds, not to secure salvation, but as

the natural response to it. Our works become the celebration of a life touched by divine generosity.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have tried to earn what can only be received. Help us to live

by faith, and to walk in gratitude, not boasting of ourselves but ever boasting of You. In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Jim Connell

Jim is the founder and retired director of Lexington Rescue Mission and the author of

JesusIsLordBlog.com.