“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” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It is no small wonder these two verses are frequently memorized.  They sum up the gospel of grace.  Every heart’s desire is grace.  We surely don’t want justice.  If we got what we deserved for our sin, we would all be condemned.  We want what we don’t deserve, and that is grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches our salvation has nothing to do with our works.  It is a free gift from God which we receive by faith.  Salvation is not something we work up or even work on.  Works have nothing to do with it.  If that were the case, we could boast, “I did this,” or “I did that.”  But only God can…