Ephesians 2:8 – Verse of the Day 9/19/13

Although Paul frequently spoke of salvation as a future event (Romans 5:9-10) or a present process (1 Corinthians 1:18), here he states emphatically that it is a completed action with a present effect.  We receive this salvation solely on the basis of God’s gracious gift.  Even our own faith is a gift of God’s grace.  Our present and future experience of God’s grace are all grounded in the completed work of Christ and freely given to us by the grace of God.

As you pray, thank God for gift of salvation that is ours by grace.  Are you ever tempted to think that your faith is something that you earned or deserved?  What makes you different from those who do not possess faith?  We are all tempted at times to think that our faith is our own work, and so as you pray ask the Lord to help you to sense and appreciate that the gift of salvation is wholly from God and not from ourselves.