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)
Saved by Grace Through Faith Defined
Paul contrasts two concepts: grace and works. Salvation is the gift of God; it is by grace and not of works. Our salvation ultimately depends on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, a gift God gives freely. We did nothing to deserve the sacrifice of Jesus; we deserved death and eternal condemnation. No amount of good deeds could remove our sins and give us eternal life. God accomplishes both in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Thus, salvation is not a debt God owes us for good deeds; He freely offers it to us.
Faith and Works
We access this salvation by faith. However, Biblical faith requires good works. Three times in James 2, the brother of Jesus says, “Faith without works is dead.” According to James, a vibrant, healthy, living faith will always be paired with good works. Good deeds are so essential that James says we are justified by works. We cannot have faith without works. If we are justified by faith, and our faith requires works, then we are justified by faith and works. Paul contrasts grace with works to show that salvation is a gift.
The Action of Being Saved by Grace Through Faith
My salvation depends entirely upon something I cannot do for myself; this is why Paul says, “not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Paul, like James, understood Biblical faith required action. Consider Paul’s conversion in Acts 22. Paul believed, prayed, and fasted for three days, but his sins remained until he acted on his faith by submitting to baptism. Faith worked together with Paul’s baptism, and by his baptism, faith was made perfect. Biblical faith requires action; if we say we believe in Jesus, we need to act like it.
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