For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-

For by grace you are saved

For by grace—What is this thing called grace? Grace is something a gift, grace is something unmeritorious, grace is something free. 

 

Grace is something that you cannot purchase. Grace is something given out of the greatest love towards His creation. …Grace is something that naturally flows out of the Being of God,… for He is Grace Himself. God enjoys pouring His grace upon human beings. 

 

When He sent the Archangel Gabriel…to the virgin who lived in Judaea, Galilee, Bethlehem,… she was greeted, “Hail Mary, you full of grace!”

 

you are saved through faith—God is thirsting after your soul’s salvation… but He doesn’t impose His grace upon you. You need to accept. ….Theologians say the God who created without your permission will not be able to save without your permission. 

 

It’s like somebody sending a gift, the deliveryman comes and you need to sign and accept. And that signature, Paul would say, is faith. 

 

Yes, you need to believe it is His grace that comes from God, that is His love, that is His sacrifice, that is His salvation that you need. And if only you accept that, declare that,.,.. believe in that greatest mystery, only then that grace favors you.

 

and He also continues says, “this is not from yourselves”

—yes, gift has to be given. You buy something, that is not a gift, you purchased. …So, grace cannot be given you by you, or grace cannot be made for you by you. It cannot be from yourself. It has to be from a Person who is the Author, Deliverer, and Provider of grace. 

 

He says very clear: “it is the gift of God”— O, how I desire that I receive grace after grace. My soul is never satisfied, I will still ask Him more of His grace or gifts.

 

it is not from works

—some people think, some theologians or some denominations will say, “if you do this God will do that.” That is barter system, that is business. “…If you give this much of money, you take this computer. If you pay… this much, you can take this car. …If you want to take this product of ours, you have to give this much.”

 

NO, your work doesn’t bring you grace. 

 

None of your works—your reading the Bible, or piety, or going to pilgrimage, or doing charity, or witnessing—one of that is going to benefit you with regard to grace concerned. 

 

Grace doesn’t depend upon your works. 

 

Some denominations make a big propaganda, because they want to build their own kingdom. They are after your money, not after your soul.

 

Paul adds, “so that no one can boast.”

—…”Yeah,” this man would say, “I got much of grace.” “It is with my charity I got this grace.” “It is with this generosity. It is with this… a lot of good works I got grace.” 

 

NO, …in that case only entrepreneurs and philanthropists will only be able to get that. Not a commoner. 

 

Think about the poor widow who offered, …on the contrary to the rich ones…and Jesus approved the poor who gave all that she had, not the rich who wanted to boast. 

 

No. God is not asking about your works. He is asking about your faith, …and that faith will save you, heal you, protect you. 

 

 

Abba, Thank You for Your grace of many kinds. Unworthy as we are, yet Your infinite love flows through us, embraces, saves, and secures. Let Your Spirit make us believe and proclaim in this mystery. In Jesus’ Most Graceful Name, Amen.