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by Steve Ousley
In the course of our daily lives we are often bogged down in the minutiae of the moment, and lose track of the larger scope of our relationship to Christ. For me, my favorite verses in scripture adjust my perspective. This passage became clear to me the night I became a Christian, and has remained important to me ever since.
To look at the verses, we should put them in context. Paul is writing from prison in Rome to the Christians in the church at Ephesus, where he had spent several years preaching and teaching. This was a circulating letter carried to the other churches in the region, written to encourage them, as well as us today. The first verses of Ephesians 2 lay the ground work for his points in my favorite verses, 8-9.
EPH 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
EPH 2:2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
EPH 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
These verses remind us that none are brought into this world Christian, rather sinners far from acceptable to God. All had this common history of indulging our flesh and mind. No one can boast of their past.
EPH 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
By grace (God’s undeserved and unmerited favor).
You (a universal statement to all Christians).
Have been saved (from the eternal hell we each deserve, but now our salvation is accomplished).
Through faith (trust, faith, belief in the redemptive work of Christ on our behalf).
And that not of yourselves (we could not in a million years of trying save ourselves).
It is the gift of God (not wages for work done, or due us because of a feat, rather a gift to be grateful for).
EPH 2:9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
Not as a result of works (if he says it enough times, maybe we will believe he really means it).
That no one should boast (not to think of ourselves more meritorious than others, because there is no basis for it. When we go to a brother to help them out of sin, we do so knowing that we are made of the same frail material and would want to be helped similarly, or when we witness repentance, we do so praising God and recognizing our continued frail state).
He then follows up by reminding that God does care how we behave and what decisions we make in life. He wants us to demonstrate a lifestyle of good works, not to earn salvation, but to bring honor and joy to our God Whom we serve.
EPH 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
So with these verses in mind, look above the minutia and see the bigger picture of your life in Christ, and walk doing the good works our father wants us to do, knowing his grace and provision for us in Christ.
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