Daily devotional – Grace – it never loses its wonder!
Ephesians 2:8–10
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8–10
God’s purpose in our redemption is far greater than simply rescuing us from hell—though that alone is a wonder beyond comprehension! His ultimate purpose in saving us is that, for all eternity, the Church might glorify the riches of His grace.
This is echoed again and again in Ephesians:
“To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Eph 1:6)
“That we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.” (Eph 1:12)
“Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph 1:14)
Since God has an eternal purpose for our lives, He will keep us for all eternity. If we were not saved by our good works, then we cannot be lost by our bad ones. This is the security of grace.
Grace means salvation comes entirely apart from any merit or effort on our part. It is not earned, bargained for, or deserved—it is God’s gift. He does it all for Jesus’ sake. Salvation is not a reward for the righteous; it is a gift for the guilty.
Why can salvation not be “of works”? Because the saving work was already completed at the Cross. Christ cried out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). The temple veil was torn from top to bottom, symbolising that the way to God was now wide open—not through human effort, but through the blood of Jesus.
There is no longer need for sacrifices. One sacrifice—the Lamb of God—has completed the great work of salvation. God did it all. And He did it all by grace.
Sin worked against us, but God worked for us. And yet, even this glorious work of conversion is only the beginning. We are His workmanship, created in Christ not only to be saved, but to walk in the good works He has prepared for us.
Let us walk in them—today.