JAN 16

Ephesians 2:8-9
Memorise Ephesians 2:8-9
“…by the deeds of the law …no flesh …justified in his sight”

Sola gratia is another distinguishing characteristic that separates the true biblical gospel from false gospels that cannot save. All the five solas are equally and vitally important and they are also closely knitted together. Deviation in one will lead to error in another essential doctrine and the result will always be a false gospel which is powerless to save.

Salvation is not of works. It is by grace alone that a sinner is converted into a saint. If salvation is earned by keeping the law of God, then grace is rejected and denied. If he is saved by keeping the law, then he needs to keep the whole law perfectly all the days of his life. That is impossible! We break God’s laws and commandments almost daily. This is because every man born into this world has a depraved nature. Romans 3:20 says, “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.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it abundantly clear that we are saved by grace alone. Salvation is all of God’s work in us. As Spurgeon said, “If there be one stitch in the celestial garment of my righteousness, which I am to insert myself, then I am lost.” Even the faith that we place in this saving grace is God-given, for none of us sinners would seek God on our own accord, and it is only by the irresistible grace of God shown to us that our hearts are thus convicted to place such faith in Christ.

Dear teen, have you considered what amazing grace it is that God has saved us? It is by His mercy and grace alone, and not because of anything that makes us desirable to God or worthy to be saved. There is something very wrong if you assume that you are saved just because you are born into a Christian family and have been attending church all your life, or because you have been attending a Christian school, or because you have not done anything really despicable in society’s eyes. You do not realise your salvation is by grace alone. Never be complacent about your salvation. May you earnestly plead for God’s grace to be upon you today!

Thought: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. ♫

Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, let me appreciate Your bountiful grace to me day by day.