God's Grace in Our Salvation: A Gift of Faith and Good Works

1. Eph 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” Let’s first return to Eph 2:5-6 to remind us of who we are. What verb tenses are here and why is this important? have been (are ye) – present indicative saved – perfect passive participle For by grace you have been saved through faith How about a metaphor here: Grace is the highway, faith is the vehicle we are the driving. So what is grace? Is unmerited favor enough of a definition? Thayer – afforded joy/pleasure/delight/charm/; good will/loving-kindness; spiritual condition governed by divine power; thanks/recompense/reward. And what’s faith here (just believing what God has revealed)? The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:8-10, God’s Grace in Our Salvation 1 April 15, 2018 Bob Eckel

2. Response to an undeserving gift Non-meritorious From whence/whom sourced? and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, To what does that refer? Not grace or faith (feminine), but salvation (neuter). If not of ourselves, from where does the faith to be saved arise? Dallas Theological Seminary, BIBLIOTHECA SACRA 164 (July–September 2007): 259–76 The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:8-10, God’s Grace in Our Salvation 2 April 15, 2018 Bob Eckel

3. Phil 1:29 - For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, Rom 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So what can we conclude here? No one and in no way contributes to their salvation; it’s entirely of God. We respond by faith, a response capable of every man/woman, and that faith is believing in what God has revealed – that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God – on highways paved by His endless grace! Eph 2:9 – “not of works, lest anyone should boast (glory).” Why shouldn’t our works count? What’s the world view on this? But to the contrary Rom 4:2 - For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:8-10, God’s Grace in Our Salvation 3 April 15, 2018 Bob Eckel

4. And what’s your view of our works? should boast - aortic subjunctive Possible and whenever ‘And since we are not saved by our good works we cannot be lost by our bad works’ – Wiersbe Rom 4:5 - But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, Rom 3:27 - Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. And this relates to our walk also. Rom 11:6 - And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. 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. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:8-10, God’s Grace in Our Salvation 4 April 15, 2018 Bob Eckel

5. For we are (present indicative) His workmanship New creations in Christ Jesus 2 Cor 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Eph 4:24 - and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Workmanship (Greek – poiome) – root word for poem, art, masterpiece. Hired hands by grace and faith. Representative of His nature. Rom 1:18 - For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, How are you doing here? But doesn’t this take the pressure off? Phil 2:13 - For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. created in Christ Jesus for good works How do you define His good works? The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:8-10, God’s Grace in Our Salvation 5 April 15, 2018 Bob Eckel

6. which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Prepared beforehand (ordained) Only other use Rom 9:23 - and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, Walk (aorist, active, subjunctive) – walk about 1 John 2:6 - He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Can we be specific, i.e. what has God prepared before or ordained for us here? What about the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23) - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? Let’s summarize: 2 Tim 1:9,10 – Christ Jesus….who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:8-10, God’s Grace in Our Salvation 6 April 15, 2018 Bob Eckel