FAITH, GRACE AND THE GIFT OF GOD
Ephesians 2:7-10
Introduction: One person has described the section of Ephesians 2:1-10 as: “This passage is one of the clearest, most expressive, and most loved descriptions of salvation in the New Testament. It contains the first of five explicit “formerly-now” contrasts, which distinguish a life of sin and alienation before Christ from a life of faith in Christ. These contrasts constitute one of the main subjects in Ephesians (See 2:11–13, 19–22; 4:17–24; 5:8; also expressing the same idea are 3:5 and 4:28. Cf. also Romans 8:9–15.).” This is one of the significant passages in the book of Ephesians.
“The purpose of God for his church, as Paul came to understand it, reaches beyond itself, beyond the salvation, the enlightenment and the re-creation of individuals, beyond its unity and fellowship, beyond even its witness to the world. The church is to be the exhibition to the whole creation of God’s wisdom, love, and grace in Christ.” This comment is something that few Christians ever think of. Ephesians 2:6 (KJV) says, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” We will have a special place in heaven, sitting together “in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Because we are so attached to this world and its enticements, we seldom consider what God has in store for us in eternity. God will reveal the “exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” How prepared are you for that life? A preacher once said that Christians today “are so worldly minded they are no heavenly good.” There is only one place that identifies “heavenly places” which is where God resides. Are you ready for that time in your life? The passage under examination tells us what God has done for us in preparation for that day.
We must connect Ephesians 2:6 (KJV), “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” with the section of vss. 7-10 to get the full impact of the message. Verse 6 should be connected with vs. 7, which begins with the word “That.” We have discussed this four-letter word earlier, and it is a conjunction, defined as “a word used to connect words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence, essentially acting as a ‘joiner’ to link different parts of a sentence.” God has provided us with a place in heaven seated together “in Christ.” That in the “ages to come he might show us the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” All of this is possible because of what is stated in Ephesians 2:8-10. We need to know the impact this passage should have on us in understanding the plan of God in salvation and the reason we will have the benefits God wants us to enjoy. It is hard to comprehend what God has prepared for us in eternity. That should motivate us to examine this brief passage to grasp what God was doing, is doing, and will do in Jesus Christ for believers.
Salvation by grace flies in the face of “Lordship Salvation.” You ask, what is that?
- THE PURPOSE OF GRACE, vs. 7. Most who have read a theological paper or commentary know that the popular definition of “grace” is “God’s unmerited favor.” Some have designated “grace” as “a gift from God that is undeserved and unmerited.” Others have defined “grace” as “God’s grace is a free gift, often described with terms like ‘undeserved’ or ‘unmerited favor.’ He doesn’t count peoples’ successes and failures to determine who receives his love or life. Instead, from the kind intention of his will, God gives all goodness freely, and in the Bible he describes himself as gracious.” God initially demonstrated this by providing the path to eternal life in Jesus Christ. Christians must understand that God wants them to know they are saved because He “loved the world” (John 3:16), and it had nothing to do with their ability, acceptability, or how accomplished a person was or is. As people bound to the world in our corrupt human body, we have a hard time grasping the full effects of this verse. We live in a world built on accomplishments and success. We want our ability and achievements to count somewhere, yet with God, the only thing needed is the ability to believe in God and believe in what He did for every person regardless of anything in their personality, ability, or social status. In the “ages to come” God will “shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” This will be accomplished in the future, more than likely after Jesus Christ returns to this earth, defeats the enemies of God and establishes His reign on the earth, manifest in the Millennium (Rev. 20). This verse demonstrates that God is a “kind” and benevolent God who cares for those who have trusted His Son Jesus Christ as Saviour. It is important to remember that this is about the Church, the “body” of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27) and the “bride” of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23), or “wife” (Rev. 19:7; 21:9).
Yet, vs. 7 indicates that God plans to take things to another level. The word “exceeding” can mean transcending or exceeding anything we have ever been a part of. Our finite minds, locked into the mundane things of the earth, have a difficult time comprehending what God will do for the church, the bride of Christ, in the “ages to come.” Hollywood cannot produce a production that will match what God plans to do for the church in the future. Our position of being “in Christ” brings a host of benefits. Being “in Christ” makes us “alive” (1 Cor. 15:22). When we connect Ephesians 2:6 with Ephesians 2:7 we realize that this is for our benefit but also it is to demonstrate the “grace” God has prepared for those who “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (vs. 6). God desires to do something for those of us who are “in Christ” and it is going to be an “exceeding” demonstration showing His “kindness.” It should elicit from every believer a huge shout of HALLELUJAH. This takes us to the reason God wants to demonstrate His grace.
- THE PROVISION OF THE GIFT of GRACE, vs 8. This verse is a demonstration of the process of salvation for believers. Calvinists want to make “faith” as something supplied by God. They reason that the lost man is “dead” and that “faith” is a “gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). One of our own members makes a clear statement about the process of salvation stated here. He says,
“Because it mitigates against their position, honest Calvinists are forced to recognize that the demonstrative pronoun ‘that’ in Ephesians 2:8 is neuter while the word for ‘faith’ is feminine; however, this does not prevent them from making the connection anyway. That the neuter demonstrative ‘that’ refers to the whole concept of salvation by grace is evident by noting its similar use in some other passages:
But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers (1 Cor. 6:6).
Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren (1 Cor. 6:8).
In both of these verses the usage of ‘that’ parallels Ephesians 2:8. A knowledge of Greek grammar is not even necessary. The Scriptures interpret themselves.” [Emphasis author’s.]
- Salvation By Grace Through Faith, Part 1. There are two views of salvation, and both claim the teaching of the Bible to support their premises. One is “Salvation by Grace Through Faith,” as the title of this section presents. The other is “Lordship Salvation,” to be discussed in the next section. The view here believes the matter of salvation is by grace and grace alone. Calvinism believes that this verse (Eph. 2:8) teaches that “faith” is given to a person before they can be saved. The discussion above by Laurence Vance (Footnote 5) dispels the notion of that position. Faith is not a work, nor is it a gift bestowed on a person so they can be saved. The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11:1 (KJV), “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Let’s break down the two words here that give meaning to the passage. One is “substance” and the other is “evidence.”
- Substance. The dictionary defines it as “Any material that possesses physical properties is called a substance. The word also refers to the gist or main idea of something.” The word can mean something that has actual existence. The verse says, “Now faith is. . .” meaning it is a substance, an actuality (discussed later).
- Evidence. It has the dictionary definition of “the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.” Some synonyms for “valid” are “proof, facts, and verification.” These words define “faith.”
- Conclusion. Now if faith is “substance” and “evidence” then we can begin to understand faith. We all exercise faith regularly. You go to the doctor with an ailment, and he determines how to correct it and gives you a prescription. You take that to the local druggist, and he fills it, and you go home to try and recover from your ailment. You have faith in the doctor that he knows how to diagnose ailments. Then you have faith in the pharmacist that he knows the difference in the medications he handles and gives you the correct one. Your faith had “substance” that the doctor’s diagnosis was based on facts. You take the medication and then comes “evidence” you get well. Now let’s move those thoughts to the spiritual realm. You have “faith” and for it to be applied you must trust the “facts” of where faith places its trust. That would be the Bible. Either it is true, or it is false. If it is true and you trust what it says about God and salvation then you believe it, then you have substance. It tells you something and you believe it. When you believe it and the evidence tells you it is what you need and you access the evidence, you then have evidence. Your life changes because you believed “by faith” what God said, you applied it to your life, and it made changes in your life and outlook. You see salvation is a “new birth” or makes you a “new person.” Your desires change, your activities change, your friendships change, and life becomes meaningful.
- Salvation By Grace Through Faith, Part 2. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8 (KJV), “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Salvation comes to the believer by believing what God has said and you believe and with “faith” accept what God has said and you have eternal life. Then, when you believe by faith what God has said about salvation, He then “by grace” gives you eternal life. God bestows salvation by his “grace” which is defined as “unmerited favor.” You did not deserve it, but you believed, and exercised faith in what God said and God’s grace is applied to you. You have “eternal life,” which has no end.
- III.THE PROBLEM WITH HUMAN WORKS, vs. 9. Another matter must be addressed and that is “human works.” It says in Ephesians 2:9 (KJV), “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” This verse is very clear, “works do not secure eternal life.” Romans 4:5 (KJV), “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Also, Galatians 3:11 (KJV), “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” A person may stand before God and tell how good they were on the earth and that should be good evidence that they should be awarded access to heaven. This verse and others, make “works” of non-effect for having eternal life. There is a “belief” among those who believe that Reformed Theology is biblical and that is “perseverance of the saints.” “Perseverance” is defined as “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay, in achieving success.” Note it says it is “persistence” in doing something. Dr. Laurence Vance gives five conclusions from what Reformed Theology believes about “perseverance.” Three of these conclusions will suffice for us here. He says,
“There are five conclusions which can be drawn from the Calvinists’ definitions for perseverance. The first is that saints will persevere in the faith. . .the second conclusion that can be drawn from the Calvinists’ definitions for perseverance is that only those who persevere in the faith are true Christians. . .If only those who persevere in the faith are true Christians, then the third conclusion that can be drawn . . .is that those who do not persevere in the faith are lost, no matter what they once professed.” [Emphasis added.]
This is what is called “Lordship Salvation.” The simple way of defining it is a person who does not faithfully follow the Lord all their life, then they do not have eternal life. What this means to them is no such thing as a “carnal Christian.” Why did the Apostle Paul tell the believers at Corinth, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1). In the verses following, he tells them why they are not “spiritual.” He calls them “babes in Christ” (vs. 2). They have “envying, and strife, and divisions” (vs. 3), and they began to follow men instead of Christ (vs. 4). He makes a statement at the end of vs. 3 that defines their lifestyle, “they walk as men.” The implication is that there is no difference between them and people who are not Christians. When you study the book of 1 Corinthians you find seven problems in the church which were not characteristic of followers of Jesus Christ. A believer can become “carnal,” and this mentality will move them to leave the church and begin to live like lost people. There are many examples of this. There are some ways a believer can avoid being carnal. Read your Bible daily, pray with a prayer list, and be a witness. If you are busy telling people what Jesus has done for you as well as the human race, you will keep close to Him.
- IV.THE PRODUCT OF GOD’S WORKMANSHIP IN CHRIST JESUS, vs. 10. This verse is the capstone of this section of Ephesians. It says, Ephesians 2:10 (KJV), “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Note the way this verse is stated. (1) We are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. . .” (2) “. . .unto good works.” (3) Which, “God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (the “good works.”). There are three ways you can accomplish this. Good works come after salvation, not to obtain it.
- Be a student of the word of God.
- Read your Bible, pray, and witness.
- Become a disciple of Christ.
Jesus spent 3½ years with the twelve, teaching them who He was (John 1:1-14), what he was going to do (Calvary, Luke 23:33), and that He would return (John 14).