No One Can Boast
Ephesians 2:8-9 “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.”
I love the satisfaction of a job well done. After mowing the lawn or mulching the beds I often walk in the street in front of my house to take in the fruit of my labor. It feels good to do a good job on yard work, a school project, or in the office, but what about faith?
Paul was writing to a group of believers and reminds them that there is nothing they can do to earn salvation. It is a non-winnable task. A deal that cannot be made. It is impossible to be good enough to earn salvation. Have you ever walked into a deal at work that you knew you could not win? I know that this is not encouraging but wait there is hope. In Ephesians 2:5-6 scripture says, “it is by grace that you have been saved.”
From time to time my daughter will start a sales pitch when she wants something. Maybe you can relate. She will ask for my attention and start a well-rehearsed speech of the merits of the item she would like me to purchase for her. She will tell me how it will change her life and how much of a great value it is. Sometimes I will agree and say, “yes.” A few times she has missed the fact that I said yes and she has continue her pitch. I usually interrupt her and say, “You already made the sale. I said, yes!”
Have you ever tried to earn God’s favor by doing good works? Are you trying to be good enough to make a case for God to accept you? You don’t have to “sell” yourself to God. The deal has been made. Jesus Christ paid the price and God offers you Grace today.
Take a few moments to read and reflect on Ephesians 2:1-8 and rest in the fact that Jesus is enough.
God Bless,
Mike