Ephesians 2:8–9

New King James Version

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not works, so that no one can boast.

For Encouragement

She rummaged in her handbag for the excess money to cover her order at the delicatessen in midtown Manhattan. The line behind her stretched into the street, and anxious looks made her hyper-nervous. The server at the counter showed impatience and anger. From behind her, a man dropped the balance of the money into the hands of the cashier. She spun around to see this strange benefactor and shouted with delight,

“Uncle Kwame!”

Yes, you guessed it. Naana gave her uncle the tightest hug and squeeze of her life and smiles mixed with relief swept through the Deli.

If you ever thought about it, that sounds more like what Christ has done for you and me—sinners burdened with a debt we could never pay to free ourselves from the death penalty upon our lives (Romans 3:23; 6:23). You may have noticed it, but you were like my niece at the delicatessen, rummaging in your financial portfolio to pay for the debt you owed to your Creator. The work offer you proposed could not do it. Neither did you deserve a divine pardon. God’s justice demanded He punished sin, and that wrote your death sentence and mine—eternal separation from God unless somebody paid it all for you.

O, the sweet sound of the heavenly announcement!

For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

What Good News!

Jesus took on human flesh (Phillipians 2:6-11; Hebrews 2:14-15) and came to live the righteous life we couldn’t live, and so qualified as the only sinless sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, in the sinner’s place (2 Corinthians 5:21). He paid the total penalty of our sins on the cross and delivered us from hell’s throes, reconciling us to God in his finished work of redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 2:14-15).

But you have to own it! You must receive the goodness of God in Christ’s finished redemption work for your salvation. The Good News is that you don’t have to work or pay for it. You receive it by faith as a gift from God—grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

So, talk to God today. Take words from John 1:12-13, Romans 10:9-10, 13, and Acts 2:38-39 and speak to God now. He will save you; and thank Him for paying it all.

Pray With Me

Eternal God, I need you now, but my sins have separated me from you. I thank you for the sacrifice of your Son on Calvary from where His blood flows to wash my sins away. I repent and plead for your grace to save me through Christ Jesus. Thank you for your faithful promises and the new life they offer me in Christ. Amen!