"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9.) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10.) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8 - 10
The word "boast" in verse 9 means - to vaunt or to glory - if we would read verses 8 and 10 we could clearly see what we are not to boast of, and that would be our salvation and anything connected to it. As believers in Jesus Christ we actually have nothing to boast about because we were saved by God's grace and not because of anything of ourselves. This passage of scripture is probably the most read and studied three scriptures among the people who believe in the Sovereign Grace of God. There is a reason for that and that is it defines salvation to the fullest of God's grace. Paul said in Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." It must be clearly understood that anything in salvation on our part would be an act of works. It is clearly evident that most of the religion side of Christianity believe that works are necessary in some way for a person to be saved, however, it is clearly seen here that true Christians understand that any works on our part is a violation of God's word. If a Christian did one simple thing, played one simple part in their salvation then their salvation is void. It is clearly evident that God saves sinners and God alone. God said through the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Roman church that "... there is a remnant according to the election of grace." Romans 11:5. This remnant was chosen out of God's love and not out of merit. People will say that "God loves everyone in the world" but this is a untrue statement. People also will say that the election of God is for Israel only, this is also not true. While it is true that God elected the nation of Israel to be His chosen nation on earth, the choosing to salvation expands beyond the nation of Israel to the Gentile nations. In John 3:16 God said "For God so loved the world" however, this is not the entire population of the world because the scriptures also conclude that God did hate people, He hated Esau, the Psalmist also said that God hates the WORKERS of iniquity "...thou hatest all workers of iniquity." and that is all who are not in the remnant of the election of God. Let's look at 2 Timothy 1:9 where God said "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," remember if works are involved in the slightest then that work voids grace. God made clear in our text scripture that we are saved by grace and through faith (faith given of God and not our faith) and therefore we have nothing to boast of. God also went on to say "that not of yourselves" in any sort of way. Then the Lord goes on to say in verse 10 "For we are his workmanship" We are His creation because we are what we are by God's work and not ours. God also said in Ephesians 1:4 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world..." This also is not Israel but those elected in Christ before the world began. "... which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," as Paul wrote to Timothy. People can dispute and fight God's word all they want, they can laugh at it, they can mock it, they can also use it out of context, but that is not going to change the truth. It is hard for a lot of people to accept that salvation does not include works of some sorts, but it does not. Real believers in Jesus Christ have nothing to boast of because their salvation was entirely of God's grace and works. We are thankful and not boastful, we are a very gracious people in understanding God's gift of love. God had promised to Jesus Christ before the world began and in time He has delivered. Thank God you were part of that promise of election. Titus 1:2 "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;"
