After pointing out that we are saved by grace through faith, Paul emphasizes that salvation is not of our own doing (Ephesians 2:8). It is very important that we understand this. What does Paul mean by this? Well, first we need to understand what Paul is not teaching. He is not teaching that there is nothing for man to do to be saved. How do we know this? Paul himself wrote, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

Yes, there are commandments to be kept for man to be saved. This does not eliminate grace. Only sinless living could do that. For example, did building the ark eradicate the fact that Noah was saved by grace? Did God demanding the priest and men of war march around the city of Jericho remove the fact that they were given the city by grace? Did Naaman dipping seven times in the Jordan River change the fact that he was cleansed by the grace of God? The obvious answer to these questions is no.

What does Paul mean, then, when he says that salvation is not of our own doing? He is simply saying that we could not be saved with what God has done for us. Salvation is a gift in that everything that God demands of us would be impossible without His assistance. Remember, we are saved by grace through faith. However, without God revealing Himself to us, we could not have faith because faith comes from the Word of God (Romans 10:17). From this standpoint, even faith itself is a gift from God.

As important as faith is, it alone cannot save a person. The Old Testament is filled with men and women of great faith. Still, they would all be lost if God did not take action. What did God do? He sent His Son to shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28). The blood of Jesus is man’s only hope of salvation. As the song asks, “What can wash our sins away?” We know the answer—“nothing but the blood of Jesus!” We know this, not because someone wrote a song about it, but because the Bible is clear about this matter. What is grace? It is the unmerited favor that God showed by sacrificing His only begotten Son so that we might live. Without that sacrifice, every one of us would be helplessly lost.

Because God sent His Son to condemn sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3), man does not have to live perfectly to be saved. That is the real blessing in our salvation. None are righteous, no not one Psalms 14:3; Isaiah 53:3; Romans 3:10). We have all sinned (Romans 3:23), and since sin separates from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), man needed a way to have his friendship with God restored. What could restore that friendship? It was not the blood of animals (Hebrews 10:1-4), nor was it silver and gold (1 Peter 1:18). Only the blood of Christ could bring us redemption (ver. 19). Thank God for His mercy and grace that provided the shed blood of His only Son.

Something else that highlights the grace involved in our salvation is that the blood of Christ continues to work for us. This is why we do not have to live sinless lives to be saved. John tells us that if we walk in the light, the blood of our Savior cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). We can have confidence in our salvation because it is not based on our perfection. We can be saved in spite of the fact that we sin, if we are willing to repent and ask God for forgiveness (1 John 1:9). When we pray for forgiveness, we have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). That advocate is Jesus. With Him on our side, we can go to heaven despite our imperfections. It all has to do with God’s grace. Rejoice, for none of it is of our own doing.

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.