Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
The debate from the beginning of salvation has been
about whether human work is in any way part of the salvation of the human soul.
God answers that question and settles the whole debate in these two scriptures.
Salvation is by grace and not by work because grace is a gift. God goes farther
to say that grace and works cancel each other out. “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.” Romans 11:6 God
just declared that salvation is by His gift of grace and are in any way of
works. God gives us His love, His mercy, His Son, His Spirit, His faith, and
many other things in giving us His gift of salvation. God said in Romans 3:28 “Therefore
we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
If justification comes by faith, then how could human works be involved? Paul
also wrote in Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall
no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of
sin.” This one single part of this verse defines the role of the law in
our salvation, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” We see
in God’s book of law called the bible that once we reach the point of understanding
Gods law then we recognize our failure and are brought to the point of
repentance. God called the law a “schoolmaster” to us. Gal. 3:24 “Wherefore
the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be
justified by faith.” The word “schoolmaster” shows us the rebuking of God;
it is not actually teaching us not is it an instructor word but rather showing
us our condemnation through sin. The only teacher or instructor we have is
Christ not the law. Paul went on to say in verse 25 “But after that faith is
come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” If the word “schoolmaster” meant
the law was our teacher then why does it end once faith comes, it is because as
Christians Christ is our teacher bringing our sins to light, not the law. Verse
26 shows us why we no longer need a schoolmaster or the law, “For ye are all
the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Since we are “all the
children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Why do we need the law?
Everything we are as children of God we are “in Christ Jesus.” And as we saw in
Eph. 2:8 “and that not of yourselves”. The gift of God explains to us
that salvation is only in Jesus Christ and by His works and power of God. The
Holy Spirit brings to us “faith” therefore we do not need works for salvation because
Jesus Christ is our salvation. Once saved the meaning of works changes for us,
it is no longer a schoolmaster, because remember it ended once faith came,
therefore, to the believer works means a labor for God. Our faith produces our
labor for the Lord and if you have no works then how we say we have faith. “Yea,
a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy
works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James 2:18 Our works are
not for our salvation but rather a show of our love to God who saved us and
Jesus who redeemed us. If works were in any way a part included in our salvation,
then where does that leave Jesus? Our salvation and labor must be separated to
give Jesus due respect for His work and sacrifice to redeem us. How can Jesus
have preeminence in salvation if He shares it with our works, what kind of
glory is that for Jesus. Jesus does not destroy the law; He just changed the
meaning from condemning us to His glory through us. God said of Abraham, “Was
not Abraham our father justified by works, when he
had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” James 2:21 The word “justified”
means a rendering or a show of His faith, he obeyed God because he was righteous,
he did not become righteous because of his work. Verse 23 explains this, “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness” His faith
had already made him righteous, and that is why he was ready to offer “Isaac
his son upon the altar”. People cannot have true faith, God given faith,
saving faith, and not have works that show their salvation, this is called
letting your light shine in this world, your works of faith is your glorious
light.
