#32 Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV/NLT

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV/NLT

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

12/24/06-12/26/06

We do nothing to earn salvation, we cannot even claim our saving faith as ours, but God gives it to us. Therefore, we can boast in nothing except God. “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”(1 Cor 1:31) We are recreated by God through Jesus Christ and have no hand in recreating ourselves. He made us and remade us and planned good deeds for us to do thus bringing glory to His name through us. For though we are saved by faith and not good deeds, true saving faith will lead to obedience and God deeds as the Holy Spirit in us begins to work in us conforming us to the likeness of Christ. Let us pray, “Father, thank You for making us a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Thank You for calling us and giving us the faith that responds. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and move in us. Stir in us the desire to obey You and to do good deeds to bring glory to Your name. Lord, help us to boast in You alone – in what You have done for us, how You have claimed us as Yours, and triumphed over sin and death and the enemy. What an amazing God You are! God of justice and mercy, all powerful, all knowing, full of love vastly beyond our understanding. Lord that we would see You as You are and fall down at Your feet in awe and wonder, in worship and praise and thanksgiving. Keep a true and clear view of who You are ever before our eyes and keep the knowledge of all You have done ever on our minds. Be enthroned in our hearts! Amen.”