DEDICATED TO MY FRIEND, ROBERT.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

Those are the words in Ephesians 2:8-9. Those are words from Paul the Apostle, also know as Saul. I found it interesting as I looked at the life of Paul that he also used to persecute Christians. In Acts chapter 7 at the end, Stephen is being stoned to death. In the beginning of chapter 8, you see that Saul (Paul) approved of Stephen being killed and in Acts 8:3, it says, “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.”

It isn’t until Acts 9 that Jesus boomed over in a loud voice asking Saul while persecuting Him. Saul is blinded by the light in chapter 9 and remains blind for 3 days. In verse 17 of chapter 9, the scales from Saul’s eyes are removed and he is baptized. A few verses down, Saul begins to do the work Jesus has called him to do.

Ephesians is another one of my favorite books. And this verse above (Eph 2:8-9) has always reminded me that there is absolutely nothing that I can do to repay the gift Jesus has given me in being saved. Which is why I am writing this.

I talked to a friend the other day and we got on the subject of salvation. Specifically, works-based salvation and how so many people think that you have to be “good” to enter Heaven.

Listen y’all. There isn’t a thing you can do that is good enough to get you into Heaven. We are so unclean and such horrible sinners that we can’t even look upon God. It’s not that God doesn’t want a relationship with us, it’s just that we are unclean. Sinners. God is so holy that we cannot be with Him without being covered.

It wasn’t until I was in my 30’s that I guess this whole series of words was taught to me. I was raised southern baptist – in a ‘show up and shut up’ type mentality. To me, christianity was about showing up on Sunday, doing the right things, and getting dunked in the water to know I got a free passage to Heaven. But in my 30’s, the reality of Jesus taking my beating for me and dying on the cross became incredibly real. I couldn’t (and still can’t) sing worship songs about being grateful for this or His death without feeling like someone has punched me in the stomach. The reality is, I don’t deserve it.

There are so many others out there in the world, Christians included, who think that in order to get to Heaven, you have to perform so many good works or ask for forgiveness/confess in order to get there.

Listen, you should ask for forgiveness. You should confess. You should repent. But as far as I know (and pastors, lean in here), you aren’t going to hell if you forget to ask forgiveness in the moments before your death if you are saved. You aren’t going to hell if you didn’t show up at that party to help volunteer. You aren’t going to hell if you didn’t serve time in a soup kitchen. You should do those things, yes. After all, it’s pretty much our job. (Matthew 25:31-46)

But listen, let’s break down these words in Ephesians 2:8-9.

If you actually break down the words, piece by piece, it gives more meaning to the verse and can simplify what you are reading.

For:

Defined as a preposition. Not a word on its own. A preposition is:  a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object.

Therefore, we can assume that what comes after is setting up a noun.

It:

Used to represent an inanimate thing understood, previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context

Therefore we can assume that some inanimate thing is understood or about to be mentioned.

Now we have “For it…”

Is:

Verb, Is is representing something that will be.

By:

over the surface of, through the medium of, along, or using as a route:

So now we can “For it is by…”

Now here’s what we know so far: We know that something about to be mentioned that is about to be represented will be is represented through the means of something else. A long list of words here represented by 4 word that in the next few words, we should pay careful attention to.

Grace:

a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior:

This one speaks to me. The manifestation of a favor. By a superior. God Himself is far superior to me and grace is a favor. It is a gift. When you give someone grace, it is often favor or goodwill. You give someone grace over an issue or a disagreement or a child who may need discipline, but you give them some grace…or a second chance.

So, now we know: “For it is by grace…”

Breaking that further down using our information above; we know that something about to be mentioned that is about to be represented will be is represented through the means of giving us a second chance. ..

More words:

You:

Possessive – the pronoun of the second person singular or plural, used of the person or persons being addressed, in the nominative or objective case:

Have:

to get, receive, or take:

Been:

similar to “is”, but the past of “is”.

Saved:

to rescue from danger or possible harm, injury, or loss:

Y’all. Let those words sink in. “To rescue from danger.” Do you know what hell is? Do you know what is coming if you decline this gift?

Through:

in at one end, side, or surface and out at the other:

So, now we know: “For it is by grace you have been saved…

Breaking that further down using our information above; we know that something about to be mentioned that is about to be represented will be is represented through the means of giving us a second chance. The reader – not anyone else. This is specifically written for the reader. The reader has been given a second chance to be rescued from danger and harm by something that has gone from from one side to another – completely.

Faith:

confidence or trust in a person or thing:

And:

(used to connect grammatically coordinate words, phrases, or clauses) along or together with; as well as; in addition to; besides; also; moreover:

This:

(used to indicate a person, thing, idea, state, event, time, remark, etc., as present, near, just mentioned or pointed out, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis):

Is: (addressed above)

Not:

(used to express negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition):

From:

(used to specify a starting point in an expression of limits):

Yourselves:

a reflexive form of you (used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition):

It: (addressed above)

Is:(addressed above)

So, now we know: “For it is by grace you have been saved not from yourselves; it is

Breaking that further down using our information above; we know that something about to be mentioned that is about to be represented will be is represented through the means of giving us a second chance. The reader – not anyone else. This is specifically written for the reader. The reader has been given a second chance to be rescued from danger and harm by something that has gone from from one side to another by putting your trust in something you cannot see. Then, this combined with a negative to show that you (the reader), cannot (you have limits) do something else to receive the gift of favor given to you by a superior. Instead, the gift of a second chance given to you (the reader) by a superior… (more coming…)

The:

(used with or as part of a title). This is particularly impactful as it notes that a “title” is coming in the next word.

Gift:

something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned:

Of:

(used to indicate derivation, origin, or source):

God:

Jesus. Lord. King of Kings. Creator. Father in Heaven.

So, now we know: “For it is by grace you have been saved not from yourselves; it is the gift of God…

Breaking that further down using our information above; we know that something about to be mentioned that is about to be represented will be is represented through the means of giving us a second chance. The reader – not anyone else. This is specifically written for the reader. The reader has been given a second chance to be rescued from danger and harm by something that has gone from from one side to another by putting your trust in something you cannot see. Then, this combined with a negative to show that you (the reader), cannot (you have limits) do something else to receive the gift of favor given to you by a superior. Instead, the gift of a second chance given to you (the reader) by God Himself.

Not: (addressed above)

By: (addressed above)

Works:

the deeds of a person, esp virtuous or moral deeds performed as religious acts

So:

with the result that (often followed by that):

That:

(used to indicate a person, thing, idea, state, event, time, remark, etc., as pointed out or present, mentioned before, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis):

No One:

no person; not anyone; nobody

Can:

to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to:

Boast:

to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, especially about oneself.

So, now we know: “For it is by grace you have been saved not from yourselves; it is the gift of God not by works so that no one can boast.”

Breaking that further down using our information above; we know that something about to be mentioned that is about to be represented will be is represented through the means of giving us a second chance. The reader – not anyone else. This is specifically written for the reader. The reader has been given a second chance to be rescued from danger and harm by something that has gone from from one side to another by putting your trust in something you cannot see. Then, this combined with a negative to show that you (the reader), cannot (you have limits) do something else to receive the gift of favor given to you by a superior. Instead, the gift of a second chance given to you (the reader) by God Himself. Nothin (zero), you (the reader) has the ability to do can be done to receive this gift. This is intentional because we need to know that if we were to do it ourselves, we would become prideful and think that there are things we can do to earn salvation.

Salvation is not earned, friend. It is the manifestation of a favor from God Himself. You give a gift to someone you love and care for. You do not give gifts to your enemy.

God is offering you a gift. Free of charge. And to be very clear, there is absolutely nothing you can do to earn it. You only have to accept it. It is yours, if you take it.