God Did It All

Ephesians 2:8–9

New International Version

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.

For Encouragement

Do you remember the testimony before the Pharisees of the man born blind that Jesus healed? He had seen nothing in this world since his birth because he was blind—dead eyes, with no life. He did not seek the Lord for help. Neither did he start the healing process. Jesus did everything from start to finish. After He spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes, Jesus commanded him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man went, washed, and came back seeing. His dead eyes had received life from the Savior. His neighbors couldn’t believe him. But when the Pharisees claimed Jesus was a sinner by healing on the sabbath, the man came out with a strong affirmation of Jesus’ otherness.

Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! (Jn 9:25).

Whatever you believe Jesus is, the man meant, I don’t care. One thing I know. I was blind, but now I see. I had nothing to do with my healing. He sought me, instructed me, I went and came back seeing. The faith to believe and obey came from His unique power and authority, which I could not resist, and the healing itself. I did nothing. That man did it all.

Brethren, that should be our testimony. One thing we know. We were spiritually dead, but now Jesus has made us alive in Him. We could contribute nothing to our salvation. The entire process was all the work of our Triune God and was by grace. That is why in the ages to come, God will show the surpassing riches of His grace to angels and the entire heavenly host for all eternity—the display of His glory in our salvation (v.7). Continuing the discussion in verse 8-9, Paul makes this conclusive statement about our salvation.

    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.

God displays the glory of His grace in the salvation of sinners because no human has anything to do with it. It is all of Him and nothing of any human effort, not by merit of works. He did it all by grace, for Christ’s sake. Salvation is a gift from God, not a reward. The sinner does not deserve it, cannot work for it, or pay for it. Christ did it all.

Remember His High Priestly prayer (Jn. 17:1-4) and the last declaration on the cross (19:30)? Jesus finished the work, and no one can add anything to it (Heb. 10:1-14). The temple curtain that separated the sinner from God’s presence got ripped from top to bottom, opening the only way to God through Christ (Lk 23:45). The sacrifice of the Lamb of God finished the stupendous work of salvation by the inexhaustible wealth of His grace (Eph 2:6-7). We receive this gift only through faith, which is also part of the gift and not of our own. His goal was to prevent any human from boasting. 

Rejoice, therefore, and praise the Lord that He left nothing for you to do about your salvation, for no human effort would be acceptable to God (Isa 64:6). That is why God did it through Christ, by the Holy Spirit’s power.

Pray with Me

Father, thank you for the finished work of Christ for my salvation and for keeping my sin-stained self out of the process. The angels and all the spiritual hosts of heaven marvel at your grace and wisdom, and we bow in worship with the twenty-four elders and four living creatures before your throne. Thank you in Jesus’ name, amen.

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