Devotional: Saved by Grace: Ephesians 2:8-9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9, NASB).

Kasey was hired to mow the lawn of Mrs. Parks. The lawn was large and it would take about six hours to complete the job. Kasey knew that six hours pushing a lawn mower would be hard work, but he was glad to have the opportunity. Mrs. Park had agreed to pay him more than his usual fee. At about noon, Mrs. Parks came to talk with Kasey. She told him that she had to leave to go to a meeting. She had prepared a lunch for him, and she had placed it under the tree so that the hot sun would not cause the lunch to be spoiled. Kasey was surprise. Lunch was not something that had been talked about when they agreed to the price that he would be paid. After Mrs. Parks had left, Kasey thought about last week’s Sunday school lesson. He was getting more than he had bargained for; more than he expected.

In the Sunday school class, the teacher led the discussion about our being saved by God’s grace. Before we were told about Jesus we had no knowledge and expectation of being saved from our sins and receiving eternal life. The teacher had explained that everyone can receive eternal life. Eternal life is something that we cannot earn. We have nothing of value to bargain with; not enough money. God saves us by His grace. It is something that God does for us simply because he loves us. We are the crown of His creation and God sees us as children that deserve to be forgiven of our sins and to be restored to a right relationship with Him. This is love being shown in grace.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus. There were people of various socio-economic backgrounds. They were all seeking fairness. They made distinctions between each other based on who they were and what they believed that they had done to give them status higher than others. Paul tells them that they are all on equal bases with God. All of them were lost sinners in the eyes of God; without hope; without ability to change their relationship with God. It would take the same payment for all of them to be saved. If they are to be saved it will be by God’s grace and their faith in God who gives us His grace.

Prayer: Thank God for Jesus who died in our stead so that we are saved by grace. Amen.