SALVATION IS A DIVINE WORK

Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches that salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone, and this teaching has always been a crucial issue in the history of the Church. Nearly every error concerning man’s salvation begins with the denial of “grace alone.” And that denial is often subtle. There have always been those who speak of salvation by grace, but they also attribute salvation to the work and ability of man. They will say, “Yes, salvation is due to the grace of God, but that grace of God cooperates with the will and work of the sinner.” But this is not salvation by grace alone. Therefore, we must be clear in our understanding of Scripture. “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” (Eph. 2:8-9).

That we are saved by grace means our salvation is entirely the work of God. Not an ounce of the sinner’s work contributes anything to salvation. Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” This truth takes the matter of salvation entirely out of the hands of the sinner and leaves it absolutely to God. Salvation is a divine work from beginning to end. It is just as much a work of God alone as is the work of creation. Now when we emphasize that salvation is entirely of grace, we do not expect this teaching to meet with general approval. How could it? This doctrine destroys all the pride of sinful man and presents him as he really is and as Scripture describes him, less than a drop of the bucket and the dust on the balance. It leaves him no power, no wisdom, no goodness, no glory whatsoever. It exalts God alone as the sovereign One. It acknowledges that He is the Potter, while we are but clay. Biblical truth always meets with many objections from sinful man because he always wants to find merit in his works. It is a common thing to have a man say, “Oh yes, I’m sure I’m going to heaven when I die. I have led a good life. I have done my best to walk as a Christian. I go to church every Sunday. I have been water baptized. I do this. I do that.” But those who respond in this way do not know what it means to be saved. The Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 62 reads, “Why cannot our good works be the whole or part of our righteousness before God? Because the righteousness which can stand before the judgment seat of God must be perfect throughout and entirely conformable to the divine law, but even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin.” Our works are never perfect, never.

Rather, salvation is entirely of God, sovereignly wrought, entirely of grace. What then is the place of good works? Good works are the Christian’s obligation out of thankfulness to God for such a marvelous salvation, but good works are never done with the attempt of earning something with God. Good works are spiritual fruits of faith, which the Holy Spirit works in those who are saved. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10 that believers are saved unto good works. Christ merited everything for believers. He merited our righteousness, the forgiveness of all our sins, life everlasting, the privilege to do good works, and our gifts, with which we serve Him. Christ merited it all. The joy of our thankful heart in serving God is a joy worked in us by the Spirit of Christ. He fills our hearts with deep gratitude, and with the desire to serve Him. As we read in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Friday Devotional: March 20, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry