SAVED BY GRACE

SAVED BY GRACE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 2:5, 8

Key Verse: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8

Supporting Texts: Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 3:23-24; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 5:6-8; Titus 2:11-12; Titus 3:5-7; John 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Acts 15:11.

Description: Salvation is the undeserved gift of God received through faith in Jesus Christ, made possible by His grace and not by human merit or works.

INTRODUCTION

Grace is one of the greatest revelations of the Christian faith. It is God's unmerited favour extended to people who could never save themselves. Ephesians 2 presents a powerful contrast between our former condition of spiritual death and God's intervention through Christ. Though we were dead in sins, God made us alive with Christ and saved us by His grace.

Human beings naturally try to earn what they receive. We work for wages, study for qualifications and strive for recognition. But salvation operates on a different principle. We cannot purchase it, achieve it or deserve it. Ephesians 2:8 makes it clear: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Salvation begins with God, is accomplished through Christ and is received by faith.

Being saved by grace does not mean that Christian living is unnecessary. Rather, grace saves us from sin and then teaches us how to live for God. The grace that forgives also transforms; the grace that receives us also changes us; and the grace that saves us empowers us to fulfil God's purpose.

1. GRACE SAVES US WHEN WE CANNOT SAVE OURSELVES

Ephesians 2:5 describes our former condition as spiritual death. A dead person cannot revive himself. In the same way, sinful humanity cannot rescue itself from the consequences and dominion of sin.

Salvation therefore begins with God's intervention. Grace reaches down to where we are and brings us into the life of Christ.

a) Sin made us spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) – Sin separated humanity from God and left us spiritually helpless. We needed more than moral improvement; we needed spiritual resurrection.

b) God's mercy reached us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. His mercy moved Him to intervene when we could not help ourselves.

c) Christ died for sinners (Romans 5:6-8) – Christ did not wait for humanity to become worthy before dying for us. He demonstrated God's love by dying for sinners.

d) Salvation belongs to God (Psalm 3:8) – “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD.” The source, power and glory of salvation belong to God.

Biblical Example: The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:39-43) – The dying thief had no opportunity to perform religious works or repair his past. He simply turned to Jesus in faith, and Christ promised him paradise. His salvation demonstrated the power of grace.

2. GRACE IS GOD'S UNMERITED FAVOUR

Grace means that God gives us what we do not deserve. We deserved judgement because of sin, but God extended mercy and offered salvation through Jesus Christ.

Grace does not mean that God ignores sin. It means that Christ dealt with the penalty of sin so that sinners could receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

a) Grace is freely given (Romans 3:24) – We are justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Grace cannot be purchased.

b) Grace is not earned (Ephesians 2:8-9) – Salvation is not the result of human achievement. It is God's gift received through faith.

c) Grace reveals God's goodness (Titus 3:4-5) – God's kindness and love appeared, and He saved us not because of works of righteousness which we had done, but according to His mercy.

d) Grace excludes boasting (Romans 3:27) – Since salvation is God's gift, nobody can boast as though he saved himself. All glory belongs to God.

Biblical Example: Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13) – Mephibosheth was unable to repay David for the kindness he received. Yet David restored him to the king's table because of his covenant with Jonathan. His story illustrates undeserved kindness and favour.

3. GRACE IS RECEIVED THROUGH FAITH

Ephesians 2:8 teaches that salvation is by grace through faith. Grace is the source, while faith is the means by which we receive God's gift.

Faith does not earn salvation. Faith simply reaches out and receives what God has provided through Christ.

a) Believe in Jesus (John 3:16) – God gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Faith places confidence in Christ.

b) Confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10) – Salvation involves believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord. Genuine faith responds openly to Christ.

c) Receive Christ(John 1:12) – Those who receive Christ are given power to become the children of God. Faith welcomes God's gift.

d) Continue in faith (Colossians 2:6-7) – Having received Christ, believers are called to walk in Him, rooted and established in the faith. Salvation produces a continuing relationship with Christ.

Biblical Example: Abraham (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3) – Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. His life demonstrates that faith trusts God's promise rather than depending upon human achievement.

4. GRACE SAVES US, BUT GRACE ALSO TRANSFORMS US

Grace is not a licence to continue in sin. The same grace that saves us also teaches us to reject ungodliness and live according to God's will.

A person who has genuinely encountered grace should experience transformation. Grace changes our desires, character, priorities and behaviour.

a) Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12) – The grace of God teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously and godly.

b) Grace produces good works (Ephesians 2:10) – We are saved by grace, but we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Works are not the root of salvation; they are its fruit.

c) Grace produces holiness (Romans 6:1-2) – Paul rejects the idea that grace gives permission to continue in sin. Those who have died to sin should not continue living under its dominion.

d) Grace changes our character (2 Corinthians 5:17) – Anyone in Christ becomes a new creature. Grace does not merely change our destination; it changes our lives.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) – When Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, his attitude towards possessions and people changed. His willingness to make restitution demonstrated that grace had produced genuine transformation.

5. GRACE GIVES US POWER FOR OUR CHRISTIAN JOURNEY

The grace of God does not end at conversion. It continues to sustain, strengthen and empower believers throughout their Christian journey.

There will be moments of weakness, temptation, difficulty and opposition, but God's grace remains sufficient.

a) Grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) – God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Divine grace supplies strength when human ability is inadequate.

b) Grace helps us in weakness (Hebrews 4:16) – Believers can come boldly to God's throne to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

c) Grace establishes us(Hebrews 13:9) – Our hearts should be established with grace rather than being carried away by strange teachings or unstable ideas.

d) Grace enables service (1 Corinthians 15:10) – Paul acknowledged that his labour was possible because of God's grace working in him. Divine grace empowers believers to serve effectively.

Biblical Example: Paul (1 Corinthians 15:9-10) – Paul considered himself unworthy because of his former persecution of the Church, yet God's grace transformed him into a powerful apostle. His life demonstrated what grace can accomplish through a surrendered person.

6. GRACE DEMANDS GRATITUDE, HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE

When we understand that salvation is by grace, pride must disappear and gratitude must increase. We did not save ourselves; God saved us.

Grace should therefore produce a life of thanksgiving, humility and obedience. The proper response to grace is not careless living but wholehearted devotion to God.

a) Give God the glory (1 Corinthians 1:29-31) – No flesh should glory in God's presence. Our salvation and accomplishments should ultimately point back to the Lord.

b) Remain humble (James 4:6) – God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Understanding grace should make us humble before God and others.

c) Serve God faithfully (Romans 12:1) – Because of God's mercies, believers should present their bodies as living sacrifices. Grace calls for consecration.

d) Grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18) – Believers are instructed to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Grace is not merely the beginning of the Christian life; we continue to grow in it.

Biblical Example: Mary of Bethany (Luke 7:36-50) – Having received forgiveness, the woman demonstrated extraordinary love and devotion to Jesus. Her response shows that those who understand the greatness of grace respond with deep gratitude.

CONCLUSION

Salvation is not a reward for good people; it is God's gracious gift to sinners who place their faith in Jesus Christ. We were dead in sins, but God made us alive. We were separated from Him, but Christ brought us near. We could not save ourselves, but God's grace provided the way through the cross. Therefore, all glory belongs to God.

If you have received Christ, do not take grace for granted. Let the grace that saved you transform your life, empower your service and strengthen you through every trial. If you have not yet received Christ, come to Him in faith today. You cannot earn salvation, but you can receive God's gift. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for saving me by Your grace and making me alive in Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, let me never take Your grace for granted throughout my Christian journey, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from every dependence on human works and help me to trust completely in Christ, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let Your grace transform every area of my life that does not please You, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to overcome every sinful habit and worldly temptation, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, let Your grace be sufficient for me in every weakness, trial and difficult season, in Jesus name.

7. Father, empower me by Your grace to serve You faithfully and effectively, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me humility to acknowledge that everything I have and everything I am is by Your grace, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let the evidence of Your saving grace be visible in my character, conduct and testimony, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to grow continually in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ until I fulfil my divine purpose, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You are saved by grace, established by grace and sustained by grace; you will not fall away from the purpose of God for your life.

2. The grace that found you will continue to transform you until the image of Christ is fully reflected in your life.

3. Every weakness that has limited your spiritual progress is receiving fresh strength through the grace of God.

4. You will overcome every temptation that comes against your faith, and God's grace will give you victory.

5. You will not live under condemnation; you will walk confidently in the forgiveness and acceptance that Christ has provided.

6. Grace will open doors of service and usefulness for you, and God will accomplish great things through your life.

7. You will not waste the grace of God upon your life; you will use every opportunity to glorify Him and bless others.

8. The grace of God will sustain you in every difficult season, and you will emerge stronger, wiser and more established.

9. Your life will become a living testimony of what the grace of God can accomplish through an ordinary person who trusts Him.

10. You will grow in grace, remain established in Christ, finish your race faithfully and receive the fullness of God's purpose for your life.