Saved by Grace: Ephesians 2:8–10

Have you ever read through the Old Testament laws? Wow! I get bored just reading them. It is hard to imagine that there was a long period of history where Jews couldn’t afford to “get bored.” They had to read the laws. Memorize them. Live them. They even had to wear them and post them around their homes!

Over time, some Jews began to get really good at following the laws. Soon other Jews began to look up to those who perfected the laws.

By the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Bible tells us these religious leaders strutted the streets finding ways to let other Jews know just how good they were. The Bible gives us examples of how they fasted and made sure everyone knew of their sacrifices, how they prayed such lengthy prayers to appear super holy, and gave money to get recognized. They were proud of their religious acts and lorded their superiority over their fellow Jews by claiming seats of honor at banquets and events.

Can you picture the scene? This new Jewish teacher, Paul, arrives on the scene and tells all these religious leaders (and everyone else) in Ephesians 2 that they were dead in their sins. “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” (Eph. 2:1–3 ESV). Wait. What? They were likely so confused because they tried to follow the laws.

So then, the question is what hope is there for the one who genuinely desires to please God? Paul continues in Ephesians 2 to say, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8–9).

Can you imagine what a gamechanger this was for those whose full identity was wrapped up in boasting of their good works? To be told that you are actually dead, disobedient, and an enemy of God?

For those who understood that message, they would have felt so helpless because their good identity would have been shattered. But to those who truly grasped that Jesus died for them while they were sinners and it was never about them trying to be good enough, but rather it is by grace that they are saved so that they cannot boast!

This is all about God. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). It is interesting that the passage finishes with them doing good works — but now it is clear they are able to do these good works by the power of Christ in them so that they can’t boast.

As Christian leaders, we need to regularly review passages like Ephesians 2. We, like Jewish leaders of old, can get used to being able to follow all the rules that we can hold our heads up high and our chest out and sometimes not even realize we walk around with an air of superiority — putting so much confidence in our ability to be such good people.

We need to be reminded that on our own, no matter how many good works we do for the church and for others, we were dead, disobedient, and enemies of the cross. Then we keep reading and realize we have been rescued, redeemed, and made alive in Christ! Everything we are is because of Christ in us. Then we go back to those same good deeds, but now with a fresh realization that we are God’s handiwork and any good in us is actually all Christ!

All glory to Him alone and what joy for us when we realize God has created us, saved us, empowered us, and prepared us to do good works for Him and in Him so that no one can boast.