For by grace you have been saved through faith. – Ephesians 2:8
Some in Western Christendom know little of church history. Many have read the Book of Acts where the church was established. They may know that believers were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). Some may be acquainted with the Confessions of Saint Augustine or with Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Others may have an awareness of the historical record of the Reformation. A key change at that time was the adoption by new ecumenical councils of what is known as the “five solas”—sola scriptura, solus Christus, sola fide, sole gratia, and soli Deo gloria. Translated, they mean that God’s Word is the only authority for Christians; Christ alone has provided atonement; salvation is accomplished only through faith; all of our salvation is based on God’s grace alone; and only God receives glory for salvation.
Today’s verse confirms sola gratia and sola fide, by grace, through faith. These are exclusive. There is no other way to obtain reconciliation with God than by faith in Jesus through the grace which God has provided for you. One commentary states, “Grace starts with God, continues with God, and ends with God. Anything we do is in response to what God has first done for us. It follows that even after salvation by grace through faith, we remain forever debtors to and dependent upon God’s all sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 9:8, 12:9).”
In All of Grace, Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Because God is gracious, therefore sinful men are forgiven, converted, purified and saved. It is not because of anything in them, or that ever can be in them, that they are saved; but because of the boundless love, goodness, pity, compassion, mercy and grace of God.”
Professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. Harold Hoehner, said, “Whereas grace is the objective cause or basis of salvation, through faith is the subject means by which one is saved. … One is not automatically saved because Christ died, but one is saved when one puts its trust in God’s precious provision.” Grace has been provided to you. Faith is yours to exercise. Believing is your responsibility.
Dwell on these words from “Rock of Ages” first published in 1775, “Nothing in my hands I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling. Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace, Foul, I to the Fountain fly: Wash me, Savior, or I die. Rock of Ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee.”
Today’s Verse: Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Titus 3:4-8
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
