For you are saved by graced through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift. Not from works, so that no on can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
Faith is believing in Jesus. It is the only need for receiving God’s gift of salvation. There are two steps in Salvation in faith.
- What a person believes about Christ?
- An active response from the heart of the person who desires to follow Christ as their savior.
Faith is firmly believing in Christ, his death for our sin, and rising again, trusting in Him, surrendering our will (desires, choices, plans, motives, purposes, and thoughts) to Him, and devoting wholeheartedly to HIm and His purpose. Faith is repenting and Humility. It is also being obedient to God in all things.
Grace is underserved favor and love. It’s God giving us what we don’t deserve. Grace is God’s way of showing love to His people. Not because we deserve it; but because of God’s own desire to have a personal relationship with us. We are dependent on God’s grace. God gives us grace as believers so we can be set free from sin. This is a gift. We can either accept it or reject it. We can not work for it – our salvation. God wants believers to e characterized by good works. It is part of what we were made to do. Our good works for God can provide our opportunity to show others God’s Grace. We are also not to boast about our good works. That is God’s place. Everything we do should point back to God.
